Pre-Nursing Anxieties

queserasera, RN · Dec 21, 2012

Anatomy will be so drilled into your head by the time you're done the program I wouldn't wouldn't worry about retaining everything now.

jonesel · Dec 21, 2012

Anatomy will be so drilled into your head by the time you're done the program I wouldn't wouldn't worry about retaining everything now.

Ok that makes sense. I just didn't want to be lost by the time clinicals came around or if I was in a situation where I had to recall something specific.

eauzirus · Dec 21, 2012

agreed my roommate is in the nursing program at our school and they do a very good job a drilling stuff in and if you every forget u can always look it up I do that all the time and I'm not even in the program yet lol

nguyency77, CNA · Dec 21, 2012

Ok that makes sense. I just didn't want to be lost by the time clinicals came around or if I was in a situation where I had to recall something specific.

I'm not sure how it is in your program, but with mine...They structured most of the classes to overlap, so the material is really stressed over and over. I wouldn't worry about very minute details, but it's important to understand the anatomy so that you can understand the physiology! :)

Devon Rex, ADN, BSN · Dec 22, 2012

No one can remember every single little tiny detail of anatomy and physiology... unless you're gifted. Learn the specifics for your tests, but remember the basics for life. Learn the A&P of organs, circulatory system, respiratory system, lymphatic system, cranial nerves, bones, and major muscles ... for life. When you go through nursing school, your test questions will include all of the above. They will be brought up so many times, you'll remember them by the time you are done.

Do not be scared about that. :)

alynik10 · Dec 24, 2012

There will be many times when a patient or family member asks you a question and you don't know the answer...but it'll be okay, I promise :). The best advice I can give you with that is to simply say, "You know, that's a good question. I'm a student, and I'm not sure about the answer, but I will go find out right now." And go ask your instructor or a nurse on the floor, there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing that, and it's encouraged. Always ask questions. If a nurse is discussing something you don't know, ask them to explain (outside the patient's room, of course). Most of the time they will be more than happy to explain anything. I have encountered nurses that aren't so glad to teach students, but you learn to brush it off and ask someone else. You are there to learn, the nurses, your instructor, and the patients all know that.

As for anatomy...just do the best you can. If you're going into the nursing field I'm assuming anatomy is at least a tiny bit interesting to you. Therefore just use your interest and let it help you. Ask the professor questions, go to them if you're having trouble, join study groups, search online for study materials...utilize everything you can. You will not be able to recall everything, but when you hear the word 'alveoli' you will be able to associate them with the lungs and think to yourself 'Oh yeah, I've heard of that". It will really start to click when you get to other classes.

Don't stress yourself out yet, just be excited! Learning about these things are exciting! If you have anything else you're concerned about I'd be happy to discuss them with you :)

jonesel · Dec 24, 2012

No one can remember every single little tiny detail of anatomy and physiology... unless you're gifted. Learn the specifics for your tests, but remember the basics for life. Learn the A&P of organs, circulatory system, respiratory system, lymphatic system, cranial nerves, bones, and major muscles ... for life. When you go through nursing school, your test questions will include all of the above. They will be brought up so many times, you'll remember them by the time you are done.
Do not be scared about that. :)

Thanks so much! I'm eager to be a great nurse and I don't want to get in my own way I guess. I think anyone can practice nursing, but to be a caring nurse and be good at what you do is amazing. That's where I want to get!

jonesel · Dec 24, 2012

There will be many times when a patient or family member asks you a question and you don't know the answer...but it'll be okay, I promise :). The best advice I can give you with that is to simply say, "You know, that's a good question. I'm a student, and I'm not sure about the answer, but I will go find out right now." And go ask your instructor or a nurse on the floor, there's absolutely nothing wrong with doing that, and it's encouraged. Always ask questions. If a nurse is discussing something you don't know, ask them to explain (outside the patient's room, of course). Most of the time they will be more than happy to explain anything. I have encountered nurses that aren't so glad to teach students, but you learn to brush it off and ask someone else. You are there to learn, the nurses, your instructor, and the patients all know that.
As for anatomy...just do the best you can. If you're going into the nursing field I'm assuming anatomy is at least a tiny bit interesting to you. Therefore just use your interest and let it help you. Ask the professor questions, go to them if you're having trouble, join study groups, search online for study materials...utilize everything you can. You will not be able to recall everything, but when you hear the word 'alveoli' you will be able to associate them with the lungs and think to yourself 'Oh yeah, I've heard of that". It will really start to click when you get to other classes.
Don't stress yourself out yet, just be excited! Learning about these things are exciting! If you have anything else you're concerned about I'd be happy to discuss them with you :)

See that's the thing. I took A&P 1 already yet when I first glanced at alveoli, I didn't recall it. I don't want to get stuck like that when asked a question or discussing something with a patient or doctor.

cannolis · Dec 24, 2012

I'm having the same anxieties as you! Hopefully we both move past them as we work our way up.

brenay · Dec 24, 2012

Alynik10, you just encouraged me. I know alveoli is associated with lungs! I feel so relieved.

FutureRN514 · Dec 24, 2012

I am applying for the nursing program in may Greenville Tech in SC. my questions are pretty basic. I think i am freaking out because i don't want to not succeed or not be a good nurse for whatever reasons. so my questions are: When you learned anatomy (and any prereqs) I know it was impossible to remember every single thing. I am in anatomy now but I know that I wont remember or be able to recall these things down the road. is it vital that I know every single thing or is it just a basis? I don't want to have a patients family ask me something and I can't explain it because I don't know what connects to what in the brain. Or the staff to be discussing something about a patient and I don't know what they are talking about becuase I don't recall the things. -I know nursing is demanding, but how would you say it is in your own words? again , i think I am just afraid that I wont become a good nurse. I just want to really be successful in nursing. Basically i just wanted to know what to expect and though i know it is doable, should I be worried.[/quote']
I am going to tell you right now that I do not remember every thing I learned in anatomy & physiology. I remember some but I think it is almost impossible to remember everything you learn. I took it over two years ago now and when I did I was freaked out that I would get to more advanced classes and not know a damn thing, but rest assured you will remember and recall a lot more than you think. Your brain is a wonderful organ. You may not be able to list all of the cranial nerves and their functions, but when you get to more advanced classes you will be able to pull from the knowledge you learned in anatomy and physiology. For the things you cannot recall, just refer back to your anatomy textbook and look it up to refresh your memory. I do it all the time and I am now a junior nursing student. Nobody expects you to know everything. Trust me when I say that when you actually get to the point where you are doing patient teaching will will have learned a tremendous amount of information that you will be able to apply to your clinical experience. I had the same exact fear as you and I just finished my first semester of clinical. If I didn't know how to explain the something that my instructor was right there to help me. It is okay to ask questions. Before I even applied to nursing school and I was just focusing on on the pre requisite courses, I thought I would never make it as far as I have come. People will tell you all the time that nursing school (and nursing in general) is tremendously difficult, but please do not let people's comments discourage you. Getting feedback on courses can be helpful but overall, it is merely subjective commentary. What is hard for some people may be a cake walk for others. You will be a good nurse and a successful nursing student if you stay in top of your homework and study until your brain literally cannot handle anymore information. Take it one semester at a time and try not to stress about how you will perform as a nurse. Once you make it to that point you will be far more advanced.