Overwhelmed

What you have to keep in mind that everything is different now. If you try to cover everything presented before you 100% meaning study,clinicals, care plans, check offs etc you're going to freak.

The way I did it was to prioritze my life. You have to sleep and eat. After that you have X amount of hours for study or clinicals. Decide how much time you can allow yourself for each task and live with it.

That doesn't mean go easy on yourself. Nursing is tough and will demand sometimes more than you think you have.

As for the overwhelmed feeling, get used to it. Basics is hard in that you are getting used to a new system of learning and testing. Most of the tests will be application. Sucks but learning the info only gives you enough amo to take the test. Success is taking that knowledge and applying it to situations. And no they will not teach you most of the application part.

You also have to think differently in terms of your average. In the end it's all about what you need on the final to pass, not what you made on each individual test.

They're going to throw a lot at you in terms of learning and doing. All you can do is hit the ground running every time. You have to get used of the idea that you will succeed and fail to a certain degree throughout nursing school. Passing is merely keeping your head above the water.

Best of luck to you.

agree with everything in myton's post..

this is a whole new ballgame...i wish i could tell you it will be better but they throw all you can stand and then some..it is not by accident, there is a lot to learn and they 'weed out' those that are not serious about the program

it will break your heart to see some who try so hard and don't make it but you are struggling yourself and you have to go forward but you have to think that maybe they will find a different venue and make themselves a happy career in something else

good luck

yes, it can all be so overwhelming. I am in the same boat. Just starting out and the unknown of it all .Do something everyday to prepare for the test. Read your notes atleast once a day. Reading the notes everyday isnt overwhelming because youre not trying to memoroze them..just read them. It will become more familiar each time you read them.Practice application questions so you will be familliar with thsoe..

Okay heres my question and fear........HOWWWWWWW does a nervous, anxious, self doubtful person like me perform during checkoffs?? I messed up putting on gloves the 1st clinical day..i cant imagine what I will do when i have to do a whole procedure in front of instructor!!! I always feared this would keep me from being a nurse but im determined to not let it! Its very hard. The thought of clinicals makes me a wreck. maybe with time i will feel more comfortable and i wont doubt myself? maybe it will escalate..anyone ever felt an overbearing amount of anxiety and what if anything helps??? Im the type of person that cant open a locked door with a key if someone standing behind me..am i doomed?? :icon_roll

Cajunmom06, I can understand how you feel. One thing to remember is that many of our instructors were in our shoes at one time too. Being nervous is natural but don't let it overcome you. Practice on your own many times so that you become comfortable with the technique. The instructors seem very patient and understanding. They're here to help us not break us down. Just take deep, slow breaths to keep the anxiety down and think out the steps as you go. It's better to be slow while thinking it out then to just react and mess up. Just remember that many of us feel the same way you do. It's a natural fear that you will overcome. One day you'll look back and see how far you've come! :wink2:

thanks butrfli so much for the encouraging words..theyre comforting :wink2: