Nursing School

peds4now, RN · May 13, 2005

I'm in the same boat as you, more or less. Starting nursing school. But I also have a husband and 6 kids (4mos-11yrs.) to worry about, and strapped finances. I don't know about abusive instructors, although I did go to law school for one semester. I have a feeling how one handles stress and carries themselves in the clinical part of the program will decide things. One person posted that studying 2-3 hours each weeknight should be the norm. If you ask me, that is not a very heavy study schedule. Just schedule it, and get down to business. Also schedule in things like cutting hour nails and doing your laundry, and taking a walk. I plan to take advantage of any counseling/office hours I can to make sure I am studying in the most efficient way possible. And, even though I am not miss socialite, I do plan on making sure I'm in a good study group from day one!

Good luck! see ya around on the boards!

Ex130Load · May 13, 2005

Cut and pasted my response to a similiar topic elsewhere. Info's a definite player here.

Just had my last nursing final. Late in the game, a friend recommended and I tried a palm-sized tape recorder, $65(?)+ Sony. Nothing is missed. Lectures can be repeated. Mine used mini-tapes and I opted for 90-minute tapes, depending on speed selected. At my school, we 'most always received PwrPt slides prior to class, downloaded and printed them, and they formed the basis of our notes. Recording came in handy as I could review slides at home on the computer and fill in information holes on printed notes. Don't use the auto voice record mode because the recorder delays recording until the recorder registers a pre-determined audio level--first parts of sentences can be lost. Always have extra tapes and batteries on hand!!! Monitor power levels. Monitor tape remaining during lectures--lost 15 minutes of lecture because I didn't realize I had used the entire side and the recorder stopped. Sit closer to the teacher for increased audibility. My recorder had settings for various environments--dictation (up close), meeting (20-40? Feet away), and lecture (in one of our auditoriums).

Some faculty is dead against being recorded. I've only had one throughout my bachelor career--she had a bad experience... everything is recorded. I taped surreptitiously just for my use and didn't let others know what I was doing. My recorder has a bright red light to inform you and everyone else it's powered and in use. A small piece of electrical tape covered the light nicely. I liked this particular teacher, she had valid reasons from her perspective, and I had mine. She threw out a lot of stuff not on PwrPt, spoke fast, and I wouldn't be allowed to repeat another nursing class...

In my A & P class, we sometimes studied disease/conditions related to anatomical systems--GI: ulcerative colitis, Crohn's Disease, irritable bowel syndrome, etc. We also did that in nursing school. Some symptoms, treatments, and in nursing classes--nursing diagnoses make it difficulty for my learning style to assimilate info and be able to differentiate between superficially similar disease/conditions. I took 12 x 18 drawing paper, vertically taped together as many as needed, lengthwise or widthwise as appropriate, and drew appropriately sized columns listing: the disease/condition name, susceptible population, symptoms, treatment, drugs used, nursing diagnoses, etc. This method crucial to adult health... the second time in nursing school. It allowed me to visually compare and contrast everything in one place. This viewed needed info in a small, more concise format as opposed to seeing the same info scattered over 45 text pages or 20 pages of notes. I could more easily remember drug treatments for tachycardia, supratachycardia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, etc. by their visual location on my 4-page foldout on cardiac dysrhythmias. Several us of successfully employed that style of info packaging, a method recommended by a faculty member whose primary job was to assist struggle students. I think her PhD was in education...

Use flash cards to learn or review things like cranial nerves. You're on the shuttle bus, have a med appointment, have a few minutes to review/study but can't write or read, etc. What are the normal ranges of potassium, magnesium, sodium, urine specific gravity , etc in the body? Flash cards are a handy review method for these and other topics. Many students can do well without these additionally time-consuming methods; I hope you're one of them. If you ain't and find yourself struggling, think about these suggestions earlier rather than sooner. I could repeat A & P as much as needed, not so adult health.

Good luck

EDNewbie · May 17, 2005

Alright. You all made it through nursing school. I have one question: How?
HOW BAD DO I WANT IT??
ResaO, ask yourself this question frequently! You will have to sacrifice a lot to make it through school, and that's only the beginning! You will encounter many know-it-all's who will be there one day, gone the next. Just do your best (that's all you can do!) One thing you should never forget is that as a nurse, you will always be learning; this starts in school and NEVER ends. Don't be afraid to ask questions and ask for help. We all need help sometimes! To be honest with you, school is the EASY part of nursing (JMHO).

Bobbye · May 17, 2005

Alright. You all made it through nursing school. I have one question: How?
I am a pre-nursing student and I have seen several smarter, more organized people, with less demands on them from their family flunk out.
I really want to be a nurse. I am not going to give up.
I do want to know why nursing school is so hard...and more importantly, how can I make it, once I am accepted? I know I will be a great nurse. I also know I want to be in the ED.
What concerns me is that others who would have been great nurses have been weeded out by the process of nursing school. I don't want to be one of them. ANY help, advice, suggestions will be aprreciated.

I am sorry for the way you are feeling, I have similiar worries if not the same. But you are not alone in this. I have alot of demands for myself.........children!!!!! What they need more than anything is for me to suceed. Their finacial future depends on me. So I know how you are feeling, I can say that it will get better. We just need to surround ourselves with a great support system. And of course more importantly, believe in yourself, and know that you are destined to greatness. Goodluck. Bobbye

beckabeckahi · May 17, 2005

Really, nursing school will make you call on resources you never knew existed. The only thing remotely close is army boot camp. It takes a LOT of dedication and perseverence.

Yup, it is like bootcamp, I couldn't agree more. That's the first thought I had when I returned from orientation.

Some tips on how to succeed with some degree of sanity left:

1) It has really helped me to plan at the beginning of the week when I am going to study, write care plans, eat sleep etc (I'm only half joking with the eat sleep part.) That said, have a plan B, and then realize you have to flexible because sometimes nothing you plan will work out. But I found the plans helpful for me because when you have a big block of empty time outside of class its easy to drift off into something more fun than studying. And it never fails, once you sit down to study, even cleaning the house seems like more fun.

2) Take some time to think about your priorities. Some weeks school will be the top, others it will be something in your personal life. And know that with each 16 week semester, comes some time to relax.

3) When you feel like you can't take it anymore---just take off for the afternoon and have some fun.

Good luck!!

crispynurse2B · May 17, 2005

Nursing school is hard because nursing is hard. You'll see, do, learn horrible,scarry, amazing things. Nursing school does truly seem like hell on earth but I think it prepares you for your career. Nursing is an adventure. I grad next week and I can't wait!!

peds4now, RN · May 17, 2005

children!!!!! What they need more than anything is for me to suceed. Their finacial future depends on me.

AMEN! When I think about the time away from my kids my schooling and career will mean and start to doubt, I remind myself I want to be their hero(ine) and mine too. I'll be able to afford quality care and schooling for them without begging (much). I'll be more fulfilled and happy. Flashback to 1970s feminism, but I can't spend my whole life just enabling them, I have to show them by example that they can do something with their lives!