Preparing for 2nd semester...

Today was my very first day of nursing school. We had orientation, and I feel like my head is spinning off. The syllabi and information packets alone seem to be more reading than I have had in any other class. There is so much to remember, and we haven't even started studying yet. What is the best advice you can give going forward?

AAAAAAAAAAH

I know how you are feeling...I dont know if i will ever be ready for my 2nd semester but its gonna come:no:...but a good thing about being busy is the time goes so fast..

The best way to keep going in nursing school is to take it one baby step at a time and one bite at a time. I am starting my 4th semester next week and I am extremely nervous myself. I always dread the first couple of weeks because of the chaos and confusion. I wish you luck!

I hear you! I'm starting my second semester on Jan. 22 and I'm already starting to feel the apprehension. The 2nd year students tell us that this is called "the nervous breakdown semester"! Heck, I thought I already had that! I have to start getting myself ready for both my med surg class and my A & P II class and my Healthcare Math Statistics class. If I think about it too much, I start to hyperventilate! Just kidding, but I know the stressful days are coming. As I mentioned on a post or two before, math and science are challenging subjects for me and then to combine it with the med surg! Well I wish I already had the math and A & P II out of the way, but that's the way it goes.

I just wanted to say good luck and hang in there! Where do you go to school? Anywhere around Upstate NY?

After more than 4 months I'm back at allnurses. It really feels good to be back and I certainly missed the comfort of being amongst you. Between home, kids and 5 days of school I couldn't find time but hope it gets better in the 2nd semester.

I start my 2nd semester in Feb and yes, have mixed feelings too. In one way, once we start it takes us closer to the end and that helps us moving. I have started studying the assigned chapters and preparing for the drug calculation test, which is next week. Other than taking care of home and kids, I work out daily and getting things in order. Most imp I spend as much time as possible with my family. Though my husband and kids were very understanding, towards the end of the semester they were counting days! On the whole, I think knowing what to expect helps us prepare for the next 16 weeks. Though the last semester was absolutely intense, I enjoyed every moment, especially the clinicals.

Yeap, I know I'll be counting down those 16 weeks too! I've made plans to get together with a few friends this next weekend before it all starts up again because I won't be getting out too much afterwards.

Also, welcome back scrubaway!

I hear you! I'm starting my second semester on Jan. 22 and I'm already starting to feel the apprehension. The 2nd year students tell us that this is called "the nervous breakdown semester"! Heck, I thought I already had that! I have to start getting myself ready for both my med surg class and my A & P II class and my Healthcare Math Statistics class. If I think about it too much, I start to hyperventilate! Just kidding, but I know the stressful days are coming. As I mentioned on a post or two before, math and science are challenging subjects for me and then to combine it with the med surg! Well I wish I already had the math and A & P II out of the way, but that's the way it goes.

I just wanted to say good luck and hang in there! Where do you go to school? Anywhere around Upstate NY?

I attend school in Louisiana. It sounds like you've got a pretty hefty schedule there. Good luck to you too! I'm glad to hear others feel the apprehension as well. We all need to just take it one day at a time and use our time very wisely! :wink2:

I am in school in Texas. I start back this coming week. I am nervous, yet excited because this is the FINAL semester!!! I had my best friends over this weekend to celebrate last weekend of freedom. :-) Good luck this semester. All will be fine. Med Surg is not that bad. Just be sure that you really get the material because it will make all the difference in how well you do in future semesters. Everything goes back to Med Surg. Hope you enjoy the rest of your break. I will talk to you soon. Best of luck!!

one day at a time, and a good attitude, will get you through! )

my attitude wasn't great with my med-surg semester (which for us is 3rd semester), but what kept me going is that i will have a new career in a year! ) i have to say that my fundamentals semester was a lot more stressful on me and my home life than the busier med-surg and OB semester was, maybe just because i was getting over the hump of the program and closer to graduation. just keep your eye on the PRIZE.

hands-on learning is the best way to master skills, for me. i could study IV sticks all i wanted, and practiced on a rubber arm, but you can't really get it til you do it on a real person. my first IVs were done with an RN right over me at an ambulatory surgery center, and it was great (i only did 1 out of 5 iVs right but it was psycho-motor practice and built some confidence).

Wow, I'm impressed -- you were able to do IV's. In our school, we are not able to administer IV's at all! I thought that was pretty strange when I found out; I mean how do you learn if you don't do it. Once you graduate and pass your boards, it's up to the hospital where you work to train you in IV admin. Is that pretty common? I have given injections, but no IV's. I've watched several RN's in clinicals administer IV's and I've had IV's myself as a patient, but I can only imagine how different it must be to administer yourself. Our med surg is in 2nd semester and our OB is 3rd semester. I am looking forward to the OB and psych clinicals. At this point, I think that I want to do labor and delivery but I have a great interest in psychiatric medicine also. Again, I'm a little apprehensive about the med-surg semester but I'll be fine once I know what's expected of me. One week left before the craziness begins. Good luck everyone. :heartbeat

I passed my math test! Well, one thing out of the way. We have to give before the start of every semester, is it the same for all of you?

In connection with IVs, we get to do it this semester. Let's see how it goes. This semester we have medsurg, ob and peds. I'm really looking forward but also know there will be LOTS to study. For all of you who will be starting this week, good luck!

I'm feeling your pain!! I started my 2nd semester today!! I've had my stomach in KNOTS for about a week now because not only am I taking Med Surg I and OB, I am also required to take Microbiology as a co-req to Med Surg. It's a nightmare!! AND I start clinicals at 6:30am tomorrow. Last semester they gave us about a month in skills lab before we started clinical but we aren't playing any games this semester..it's right down to business!!

GOOD LUCK!!! Just know that we are all right there with ya! You aren't alone!!