Other Med/Surg students

RN2B73 · Feb 13, 2008

Hey there,

Now that you have almost completed a clinical, how was it? What kind of stuff do you get to do? I'm still waiting to find out if I'll be called for fall or winter. Is it as exciting as you thought it would be? Where is your clinical at? There I go again will all the questions!!!! Sorry:lol2::hpygrp:

tonyal · Feb 14, 2008

Hey there,
Now that you have almost completed a clinical, how was it? What kind of stuff do you get to do? I'm still waiting to find out if I'll be called for fall or winter. Is it as exciting as you thought it would be? Where is your clinical at? There I go again will all the questions!!!! Sorry:lol2::hpygrp:

LOL I am the same way questioning everyone and everything

amybethf · Feb 16, 2008

I am first year second semester. It is alot of work and expectations. You have to do injections, IVPB's, meds - there is a checklist of things you must do correctly in front of your instructor and it is unnerving to have them over your shoulder! And because you pass meds everyday (and usually alot of meds considering they are elderly), you have alot to do to prepare to give them - checking chart, labs and researching them in the drug book and knowing why they are taking them, along with doing vitals, assessments, giving baths, changing linens. It is critical to know how to do a thorough head to toe assessement; you might find something new that wasn't there before so be especially aware of bed sores. Patients with Diabetes are prone to them and they can get serious fast. Thus, you are evaluated on your prioritization and time mgmt. Your instructor can be critical or guiding. I've had both so even if you don't have any confidence, pretend that you do cuz they are watching out for the weak links and they will make it very hard on you. And never cry even on your worst day, wait until you get in your car. You must carry yourself with confidence no matter what. You are being assessed as though you are at a job so remember it like that; a nurse does not cry or 'lose it' when caring for a patient. I have seen classmates crumble and the instructor goes in for the kill. It isn't pretty. You are caring for real people and what you do or don't do can endanger a patient, so, you have to be on your feet, using those 'critical thinking' skills at all times. I don't come from a medical background so those who have that experience have an easier time. And when you have a patient who cannot do any self-care, there are alot of things you are watching out for, to go wrong so it's intimidating. You feel as though you need to know so much but you're only in the process of learning how to do them so.....when you have a great nurse it really helps. And there is alot of paperwork to turn in every week on top of studying for theory. I do not know how people work and do the nursing program. If you work, your time mgmt and organization must be very strict. I don't work but I have small kids and I have very liitle time for anything. I do not watch TV anymore and get by on 5-6 hours of sleep per night. I study several hours a day and take one night off to do nothing but end up feeling guilty about it but nursing cannot become your entire life. You need to take a break. My husband has taken up cooking and laundry. I clean on the weekends cuz I can't live with too much clutter but it's a balancing act. You have to really be motivated and determined. If your heart isn't in it, you can fail pretty quickly. But at the same time, it's a wonderful experience, putting your new found skills to work on real people. And the patients love student nurses - they get all this extra TLC and make it worthwhile. You really feel great when you see you have participated in their care and helped get them to a healthy state and ready to go home. I love it and can't see myself doing something else. It's very rewarding. Geez, this was a long reply!!!! Hope it helps. Do your best and bring your A-game everyday. It's a sacrifice but in the long run it is so worth it!:typing

RN2B73 · Feb 16, 2008

Thank you so much for giving us your insight.:bowingpur I'm sure it will prove priceless when our time comes. I am very excited and apprenhensive at the same time. As I mentioned some time ago, I will have to work and I haven't figured out exactly how I'll do it. I guess if it's meant to be then it will all pan out. I tend to get nervous when people watch me do anything, so I'll have to prepare for that. I wonder if hospitals will allow you to shadow prior to entering the actual nursing program? That would probably be very beneficial. Anyway, thanks again for the insight and please, feel free to keep us updated throughout your program. Good luck to you and stay focused, I'm sure you'll do just fine.

miMOMMYof3 · Feb 17, 2008

I'm in psych now, and I'm also doing the count down till, break, but i'm regreting taking psych 1st, cuz i would almost be done with med-surg- oh well. But I love psych, there is a bunch of paperwork (not as much as med-surg) but it was super easier. What should i look at over break that would give me a heads up on med-surg? Psych, nothing really just take it easy! The test are more like 120. And when it comes to working and NSG school, it is hard, but it is doable- time management is the most important part! I got 3 kids and I'm hanging in there...

amybethf · Feb 18, 2008

I'm in psych now, and I'm also doing the count down till, break, but i'm regreting taking psych 1st, cuz i would almost be done with med-surg- oh well. But I love psych, there is a bunch of paperwork (not as much as med-surg) but it was super easier. What should i look at over break that would give me a heads up on med-surg? Psych, nothing really just take it easy! The test are more like 120. And when it comes to working and NSG school, it is hard, but it is doable- time management is the most important part! I got 3 kids and I'm hanging in there...

I don't know if you have heard those nasty lil rumors about how hard our tests are in M/S but they aren't too bad. Study=pass. They are actually pretty straightforward. I definitely study more than last semster but it goes by so fast - 8 weeks! It's the paperwork that kills ya! Every week you have a CP, AG, Patho and Pharm sheets due! Plz - enjoy your break! DO NOT STUDY OVER BREAK! Get 'Fluid & Electrolytes made Incredibly easy' and the new Saunders NCLEX review by Silvestri and that will provide great supplemental resources. Also there is free tutoring every Sat from 9-11 and this lady is a nurse and knows her stuff. So there are 3 things I just told you to help with M/S so do not stress over break. I can tell you to not just learn but retain the different F & E imbalances cuz those will come up again and again. Alot of this stuff you have to know to be a good nurse so however you study, make it work for you.

Best Wishes!

Lisa621 · Feb 25, 2008

Hi-

Can I ask what school are you in? I hear all you do is study? I really want this but wow!

Ok mimomof3. How old are your kids? I will have a 2.5 and 1 year old when I start school. I read all of this and it scares me.

I am gonna start to learn the terminology but not sure what else to get a head start on.

Do we do IV's and draw blood in clinicals?

Lisa

amybethf · Feb 25, 2008

Hi-
Can I ask what school are you in? I hear all you do is study? I really want this but wow!
Ok mimomof3. How old are your kids? I will have a 2.5 and 1 year old when I start school. I read all of this and it scares me.
I am gonna start to learn the terminology but not sure what else to get a head start on.
Do we do IV's and draw blood in clinicals?
Lisa

When do you start? No we do not draw blood or IV pushes. We do hang IV's and program the drip rate.

I am @ Henry Ford Comm College. Yes, nursing school will become your #1 priority next to your kids. My husband has taken up all the household chores, I simply do not have the time. I believe, and have been told by other nurses, that making a strict study schedule and sticking to it is crucial. That way you know how much time u need to devote to studying. It is ALOT of material to master. Some ppl do well with minimal effort, but everyone I know studies usually 6 days a week. That's why keeping up on reading and homework keeps your stress levels down cuz you know you are putting the effort in. You truly get what you put in. And no one fails if they are determined to pass. It's more tenacity than brains.

It's nothing to get all worked up about. Just do your best and that will get u thru. I have 2 kids, 7 and 4. But they are also on a strict schedule. After they're tucked away, I bring out the books for a few hours every night. Read the material before it is presented in class so that way you are more apt to learn it and retain it. All nursing finals are cumulative and when you actually learn it as opposed to memorizing it for the test, you are not stressing at the end of the semester. Also, you want to do your best cuz you want a nice cushion going into the final. Alot of ppl make that mistake and when you absolutely need a certain # of points to pass is not a good feeling going into the final. Now that's stress! We have to have an 80% to pass and those tests are hard!