Nursing School Musings

[New Horizons]

I just started semester 1 of 4 and wonder what the He#$ am I doing. It feels like we've been thrown to to wolves.

The first day of class you get three syllabi. Essentially two for lecture and one for clinical; I'm still not sure how they are work together, because no one has relly explained it all to us. Yes, I understand that we are responsible to attend lecture, clinical, and go to the lab to practice our skills, but I feel like I am in a sink or swim situation. We have an exam in 2 weeks and critical thinking is emphasized, but all we've learned are vitals and seen videos on taking baths so I'm sort of afraid of what will be asked on the exam. Honestly, I really don't want to wait until after the first exam to see how deficient I am in my study skills.

The learning of clinical skills, Good God, that feels like even more of a joke. We watch procedures on video tapes that seem like they were created 20 years ago and then are made to feel like we should automatically know how to do it. If we ask more assistance, we are asked, "Didn't you just watch the video tape?!" Obviously, I am asking you, because the video tape wasn't exactly helpful and I do care about my future patients to want to learn properly. :angryfire

Speaking of lab time. There are usually 2 lab instructors trying to help at least 40 people from 4 different semesters trying to master what ever procedures they need to learn for their practicum. So guess how we are supposed to learn. That's right, go back to the video tape or ask your classmate that is just as clueless as you. WONDERFUL!!!

Then there are the instructors. Yes, some instructors are very kind and patient. These are the ones you actually learn from. Then there are those that are the old battle axes that were right beside Florence Nightgale during the Crimean war and love to yell how students don't pay attention, study enough, yada, yada, yada. I say to myself, "Give me a break lady." We are ALL A and A- students here who obviously had to study to get into this program. On top of it most of us are older than 25 and have families, jobs and other responsibilities so hazing into the world of nursing is less intimidating than it is just plain old annoying. Yes, I will play the stupid game as it is needed to graduate. But, if it gets too disrespectul, we WILL have that Women to Women or Women to Man talk. You know the one where you have to tell another ADULT to back off. I tell you, I wonder why some of these people are teaching and wonder even more what kind of nurse they are. :angryfire Do they steam roll the patients as much as they steam roll the students or do they actually show a compassionate side when it comes to their patients?

Does anyone else have this experience or is it just me? Is this just the state run community college experience or do you get a better experience when you actually pay for a private education?

[DaFreak71]

I just started semester 1 of 4 and wonder what the He#$ am I doing. It feels like we've been thrown to to wolves.

The first day of class you get three syllabi. Essentially two for lecture and one for clinical; I'm still not sure how they are work together, because no one has relly explained it all to us. Yes, I understand that we are responsible to attend lecture, clinical, and go to the lab to practice our skills, but I feel like I am in a sink or swim situation. We have an exam in 2 weeks and critical thinking is emphasized, but all we've learned are vitals and seen videos on taking baths so I'm sort of afraid of what will be asked on the exam. Honestly, I really don't want to wait until after the first exam to see how deficient I am in my study skills.

The learning of clinical skills, Good God, that feels like even more of a joke. We watch procedures on video tapes that seem like they were created 20 years ago and then are made to feel like we should automatically know how to do it. If we ask more assistance, we are asked, "Didn't you just watch the video tape?!" Obviously, I am asking you, because the video tape wasn't exactly helpful and I do care about my future patients to want to learn properly. :angryfire

Speaking of lab time. There are usually 2 lab instructors trying to help at least 40 people from 4 different semesters trying to master what ever procedures they need to learn for their practicum. So guess how we are supposed to learn. That's right, go back to the video tape or ask your classmate that is just as clueless as you. WONDERFUL!!!

Then there are the instructors. Yes, some instructors are very kind and patient. These are the ones you actually learn from. Then there are those that are the old battle axes that were right beside Florence Nightgale during the Crimean war and love to yell how students don't pay attention, study enough, yada, yada, yada. I say to myself, "Give me a break lady." We are ALL A and A- students here who obviously had to study to get into this program. On top of it most of us are older than 25 and have families, jobs and other responsibilities so hazing into the world of nursing is less intimidating than it is just plain old annoying. Yes, I will play the stupid game as it is needed to graduate. But, if it gets too disrespectul, we WILL have that Women to Women or Women to Man talk. You know the one where you have to tell another ADULT to back off. I tell you, I wonder why some of these people are teaching and wonder even more what kind of nurse they are. :angryfire Do they steam roll the patients as much as they steam roll the students or do they actually show a compassionate side when it comes to their patients?

Does anyone else have this experience or is it just me? Is this just the state run community college experience or do you get a better experience when you actually pay for a private education?

Are we classmates? :chuckle

It is overwhelming. At my school, we are treated like children who are just looking for an opportunity to cheat and do as little work as possible. I think we pay the price for a very tiny minority of students who have been irresponsible in the past. It's frustrating especially when you are responsible for so much (children, job, marriage, etc) and to be treated like that is so hard to take. My husband went through the same nursing program I am now attending, and he said that the further in you go, the more they begin to lighten up and give you some space to think for yourself.

With regard to the academics all I can say is do the best you can. Read what you are suppose to read and pay attention in lecture. It's easier to study for the second test because after the first one, you sort of have a feel for what they think is important and how things are worded. Studying for the first test is always hardest for me too.

I'm not sure what you meant about the hazing, but I wouldn't be inclined to put up with any sort of abuse from staff or fellow students.

Regarding lab time, is it possible for you to get together with a few classmates and go in either early in the morning, or late in the afternoon when there will be fewer students around? If this isn't possible, perhaps getting a few other students together and running through lab stuff at your house would work. You can practice bedmaking, vitals, moving patients, bedbaths, etc outside of the lab.

Best wishes,

Adri

[Curious1alwys, BSN, RN]

Yeah, I feel like you do. It is all a bunch of BS. Obligatory BS, however...

Hang tight!:kiss

[JenNJFLCA]

I'm at a private university and am substantially in debt, but I really like most of my professors and they are there to cheer us on and help us through school. There have been a couple bad apples, but most of them are great. I have a friend who just graduated w/ an ADN and her instructor told her she was going to do everything she could to fail her. That stuff just doesn't exist at my school. It's nowhere near perfect, but it's good. I don't know what other people's experiences have been like though!

[carolinapooh, BSN, RN]

I'm at a private university and am substantially in debt, but I really like most of my professors and they are there to cheer us on and help us through school. There have been a couple bad apples, but most of them are great. I have a friend who just graduated w/ an ADN and her instructor told her she was going to do everything she could to fail her. That stuff just doesn't exist at my school. It's nowhere near perfect, but it's good. I don't know what other people's experiences have been like though!

The instructor who told your friend that is, in my opinion, a moron.

[tencat]

I'm going to a state university, and most often it's been a great experience. It's amazing to me the difference between the 'older' students and some of the 'younger' ones. Most profs have treated us all like adults and had respect, but some treat all students like irresponsible kids. THAT is DAMN annoying! I want to say to them "Hello! I am 36 years old, had another career, have a family, etc. Don't be treating me like a wet behind the ears kid." :angryfire Some of the youngins need a kick in the pants ocasionally, but most of us, regardless of age, are all motivated to learn and be responsible for our learning. It has been hard to be a student again after so many years as a working professional, but I really enjoy what I'm learning.

[stressgal, RN]

Sounds alot like the first quarter of nursing school. Try to network with those further in the program than you. I'm sure you'll find them full of advice and assistance.

Don't hesitate to ask for a tutor. Alot of times this gives you contact with someone who's "been there, done that" and can give you a heads up.

I would caution you on "we WILL have that Women to Women or Women to Man talk. You know the one where you have to tell another ADULT to back off.". I have seen this backfire BIG TIME for fellow students. Sometimes you will be best served by flying under the radar. Nursing instructors do not put up with being challenged by a student. That's not to say that you can't sit down, one on one, and discuss how you can work together to acheive your goal. But don't call them out in front of other students. They do have the power to decide your future in the program. There are times when a good nurse must "steamroll" to accomplish a client's need.

Good luck and hang in there!