BizzyBeeNursing

Thx Vintagemother, CNA, LVN, RN! You Rock!

When I first decided to attend grad school I was ecstatic about the opportunity to increase my nursing knowledge and grow into my future role as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). However as my program progressed, I noticed feelings of fear and self-doubt would creep up out of nowhere. On one hand, I often told myself I needed to be more productive and that I was not living up to my potential; but on the other hand I was unable to verbalize or envision what that looked like. To help alleviate my anxiety, I bought countless office supplies, color-coded my notes, drafted multiple schedules, and made sure to peer over every line in my textbooks to ensure that I didn't miss anything! Ultimately, I would end up in a cycle where I was either doing great in school but failing at everything else, or excelling in life but trying to catch up on schoolwork. On the outside I was cool, calm, and collected. I looked like I had everything together; but on the inside I was a ball of nerves! When I made the decision to go to FNP School, I essentially chose to give up my life to fulfill a dream. This decision did not only affect my life, but also the lives of my loved ones. The pressure to be a "Super FNP Student" was overwhelming! But was it the program that caused the pressure, or was it the unrealistic expectations I placed upon myself? The more I thought about it I realized, yes FNP is challenging and fast paced, but my unrealistic standards were also playing a part in my anxiety! Often students can be their own worst critics, which can in turn make grad school even more unbearable! It was not until I changed this mindset, that I became a better student, daughter, and partner. By choosing to believe in myself, doing my due diligence, networking with other students, and cutting myself some slack, I was able to finally remove the super student cape and just be myself. FNP school is hard enough, why make things harder on yourself? In this week's vlog I go over how to avoid the Super FNP Student trap. Some highlights include What does a super student look like? Is it realistic? Overview of a hard week. I hope you enjoy Follow Me Through Grad School (#FMTGS) Episode 204: Pressure To Be A Super FNP Student. Let me know below, if you have ever felt like you had to be a Super FNP Student and what do you do in those instances to relieve your anxiety. Please like, comment, subscribe and share! Heads up! If you're new here or an old friend of the Follow Me Through Grad School (#FMTGS) series, you can always catch up with my journey from the beginning. Never miss another episode of Bizzy Bee Nursing (YouTube).

Hey carisma1101, BSN, RN I tried to PM but the site says you're not accepting or allowed to PM. If you still want to talk just email me at [email protected]

I'm currently a student at Simmons College in Boston, MA and they found all my clinical preceptors.

I know it's hard to work so hard for something, and things don't pan out! If you studied on your own the first time maybe you can try an in-person or online test prep program and they can help you in areas you were weak. Good luck and trust me if you can make it through grad school, you will eventually pass this exam! A mishap doesn't determine your potential!

This is not the end of your journey! You were able to conquer grad school, so I have no doubt in my mind you can handle this test! I agree with YoutubeTheNP. Learn from your failures so that you can be better prepared for the next go round. If you studied on you own for this exam, maybe sign up for a paid (in person or online) test prep program and review sections that you were weak. Believe me you got this!

I graduated from an ABSN program (18 months) and it was very time consuming. Yes, you must strive for work/school/life balance (for your sanity) but your time will be mostly devoted towards school! Nursing school, accelerated or not, will take up the majority of your time, but with proper planning, time management and organization skills it's doable. I agree with Guy In Babyland relationships are about quality, not quantity of time spent. As long as a couple has good communication skills the relationship will not suffer. ABSN programs are time consuming but luckily it's only for a finite amount of time. Good luck on your nursing journey!

You can either go to a BSN program or do direct entry. Either way you will have to take BSN courses first, and sit for licensure (NCLEX) before you can move on to obtaining your NP degree. The only benefit of a direct entry program is that you do not have to re-apply to get into NP school. I would say don't limit the program section pool . Some online programs may be farther but find clinical sites in your area. There are multiple factors to consider, such as cost, class set up, if the program finds clinical sites for you or that you have to find your own, pass rate etc. Good luck!

I think this is a "natural" way to feel in nursing school. Like TinyNurse2Be stated if it were easy then anyone would do it! I'm currently in FNP school and I am physically, mentally and emotionally tired most of the and just like you I often find myself looking for anything to occupy my time so that I get a little bit of respite from thinking about the growing mountain of work waiting for me. Whats helps me is venting to my family and friends, taking things one week at a time, and finding a few minutes to regroup, such as taking a walk, watching an episode of a show that I like on netflix, listening to music while driving to clinicals, taking a nap etc. I often tell myself there isn't enough time but truthfully anyone can find 15-30 minutes a day to help to preserve their sanity, haha. While taking care of everything and everyone else, don't forget yourself in the shuffle. Additionally, give yourself a break! Your working hard and doing the best that you can! Take solace in knowing that NP school is for a finite amount of time. It sounds crazy but there is light at the end of this seemingly unending grad school tunnel. You got this!

I originally worked as an ophthalmic molecular geneticist before deciding to go into nursing. I received my BSN from an accelerated on campus program and currently in an online MSN (FNP) program. So far I'm happy with my decision to choose the online route for obtaining my FNP! However not all online programs are created equally. You have to see which program will make sense for your needs. For instance, one of the reasons I chose Simmons Online FNP program because although the classes were online, they were real time. There are pre-recoded lectures and notes and scheduled class sessions where the professor and students get to interact and go over material (you have to have your face on camera as well). Some online programs just have pre-recoded lectures and powerpoints and only interact via post on discussion boards, theres no scheduled classes. In my case I needed something that would keep me accountable. Check if your potential program finds your clinical sites or if you will have to find your own. Also consider what the programs passing rate for the first attempt at licensure. Additionally don't forget to factor overall costs! Since you're coming from a non-nursing degree you will have to take BSN courses even if you go the direct entry route. Nursing school will be difficult wherever you go! Yes nursing is challenging, but it enables you to help others at their most lowest point, provides job security, good pay, flexibility, and tremendous opportunity for job growth!

Sorry for the delay in response I thought I responded yesterday from my phone. I chose Simmons because is had the right mix of affordability, flexibility (being online but real time), has 100% pass rate on he first attempt for licensure, and they find clinical placement sites for their students. I moved down south to save on costs by moving in with family, which would enable me to go to school full-time. If I went part time that would have added another 6 months to program, and 6 months definitely feels like a lifetime in grad school (haha)! Thanks for commenting and keep watching!

That's AWESOME! Congrats RunnerNurse09 for getting into NP school! That's no easy feat. Although the journey will see arduous at times, remain steadfast, and you will definitely reach your goal. Keep us posted!

Thank you HappyMom5 and tnbutterfly there is definitely more coming! Stay tuned : )

Thanks SO MUCH for taking time to watch and comment on my journey to becoming FNP!

Deciding to go to Grad School is a big decision with lots of planning and choices involved in preparation and organization along the way. In this Vlog I will share with your my journey through Grad School as I strive to achieve my goal of becoming an FNP - from beginning to end. Every week I will share a video about my experiences, accomplishments, embarrassments, fears, and tips. I hope you will stay tuned. This first video is the beginning of my journey from RN to FNP and details steps before I officially began my FNP journey. Some highlights include Why did I choose Simmons College Online FNP program? Deciding to go to FNP is a big decision, which will require making certain sacrifices. In my case, I literally quit my job, sold most of my belongings and moved down South! Make sure to thoroughly read through your syllabus. Often, there are assignments due even before the first day of class. It wasn't until I looked again at my syllabus that I realized I had a quiz and a group project due before my first class, which was just a few days away. Before starting grad school, it's important to be prepared Purchase supplies - books, backpack, computer, etc Books can be expensive! Definitely shop around when purchasing books. Many sites and bookstores offer different deals on the same products Make sure you have an appropriate computer I hope you enjoy this first video. Episode 101: Before The Storm