heavenbound

Good Luck Nurselovejoy, I know you passed. I just felt the same way about my patho final, and Thank God I passed it, now off to med-surge next week :)!

Also another thing that I have learned in passing, is that it is not a good idea to share your work such as care plans, research papers, etc with other students unless you can honestly say you trust them and have formed some sort of bond with them. The reason I say is that plagiarism and cheating is frowned upon and taken various seriously in several nursing programs. One student who was honestly trying to assist another student who was struggling with a paper, shared her paper with the struggling student as guide....and guess the student copied the entire paper and turned it in as her own. Now both students are in trouble and who shall the instructor and Dean believe. So to avoid instances like this, just keep your stuff to yourself and verbally share what you do as far as studying, with others if are so inclined to do so.

Yes, that has recently helped me. I was experiencing a similar situation the first three quarters of school. As I begin to notice what the students where doing and continuously called me with stupid questions that they should have known the answer to, I began to make myself of unavailable when they called me, and made myself busy in their presence to minimize them seeking assistance from me and the possibility of me giving them the cold shoulder. I hated to do that but it was the only way I could possibly stop all the calls and questions about the assignment. I have even directed some students to the instructor for assistance... afterall, that is what we pay them for. I have come to realize that some students are just lazy, users (if you allow them to), and are always trying to cut corners. It's scary because these are some of the same students that I will be starting clinicals with in a few weeks. I have even had some students that only spoke to me when they need something from me. My advice it to remain focused on your goal and just worry about you and getting yourself through nursing school. I struggled with this at the beginning as I wanted to help everyone but when I saw them depending on me and not trying to help themselves first, that is when it all changed. Oh an heads up, when and if you start to make yourself unavailable be prepared because they will formulate a group and talk about you or if they are from the same country they will talk about you in their language, but who cares. Keep your head held up and keep on moving forward. Now that I have distance myself is that aspect, but still will speak and have minimal conversation with certain students, I now feel a lot better and have been doing pretty well thus far. BTW, I am glad you did not do anyone's paper for them in exchange for money. Sometimes it makes you wonder how the hell did some of these students get into school. People may beg to differ, but I strongly believe that school is the foundation and what and how you act in school will determine what you will do and how you will act in the professional world point blank. So if you are a cheater, lazy, cut corners, and do just enough to get by, that is what kind of NURSE you will be upon graduating. These kind of people sickens my stomach, but they are out there and we all will encounter them at some point. Good Luck, and thanks for sharing because I thought I was the only one who experienced this crap.

Yes, I completely understand how you feel. My school also has a lab similar to that of your school. At first I felt foolish walking in and introducing myself to a mannequin, but as the time goes on you will get more comfortable with it because technically there is no other option. If you think introducing yourself is uncomfortable wait until you have to insert a catheter, and NG tube, suction a Tracheostomy, central line dressing change, administering meds via several routes, and then having to do a head to toe assessment all on a mannequin. BTW the list goes on. Just try to treat them as you would a regular patient and you will do fine. I know it can be hard at the beginning because it was for me, but I quickly snapped out of it and did what I had to do in order to pass the class. Good LucK!

If I could give this 10 kudos I would. I am glad I stumbled across this thread now, as I will be starting my first clinical in a few weeks, and I must say that I am very excited. I am not going to attempt to defend anyone on either side because I can see and understand both points of views. One thing I can say is that I am excited for my first clinical nearly approaching, I am an eager learner, hard worker, and willing to get my hands dirty and learn as much as I can during my time there. As we know that we can not negate the fact that Yes there are some lazy and know it all students out there (I have class with them) and it only takes a few bad encounters with them for one to then generalized and vice versa. Is it right, probably not, but we are all human and it happens frequently. Will it eventually stop, probably not. Knowing this, as students we must strive to be different than the ones who preceded us. Word of advice to all students: Being a self starter, having a go "getter" mentality along with a humbling spirit will take you far in any career field or situation and make life easier for you when it is all said and done. As for the nurses (very well appreciated): I am pretty sure those that mentor students during clinicals know that all students are not the same and should not be treated as such. That's my two cents peace and blessings to all.

Just curious to know if there are any established or if anyone would be interested in a NS (nursing student) "meet up". I am looking for like minded individuals as it is hard to find people who understand what I am currently going through. There is currently a generational or cultural divide amongst the current students in my program and I was hoping to reach out to people I could more easily bond with in the northern VA area. Academically, I am doing fine and am currently enjoying my time in the program, and I would like to share my journey with others. This is not a request for a study group, all I am looking for is to establish relationships with fellow future professionals with the possibility of meeting up in between studies. Sometimes I just feel alone and don't have anyone else to talk besides family & friends (great ear but don't really understand). Not sure if this feeling is normal while going through nursing school. I think a tad bit of socialization is healthy and necessary. So, if anyone has experienced or currently experiencing something similar please share as I would love to hear. I would also like to hear from those who may be interested or know of an already established group for NS and not the NSNA.

Nursing school is all about what you make it. If you are a hard worker, dedicated, and remain focused on your goal throughout, you will do fine. As others have stated it can be time consuming if you have other obligations, but with good time management skills, you will know what you need to do, and when you need to do it. If you are immature, a slacker, and someone who spends the majority of their time looking for ways to cut corners, your experience will not be that great!

I have had instructors provide study guides in the past that I found to be very helpful. The guides provided particular areas the students should pay special attention to in addition to the others. One instructor had told us to study the information that is discussed in class to include the PPT and we will be fine, and she was right. Although the test were NCLEX style questions, they all came from the information discussed in class and the PPT's. On the other hand, I currently have an instructor who states that she is not obligated to provide the class with a study guide and have not done so. We were told that we are responsible for everything on the syllabus (lol).

I am in a BSN program and we have to take Fundamentals before Pharmacology. Most folks at my school take med-surg with pharmacology.

If you go to the Nursing Student Assistance section you mostly like will be able to find some great information that will assists and guide you in the right direction with your case study.

That is always the best idea. I had to complete my first care plan which is 30% of our final grade. I did what I thought the instructor wanted without any previous experience; submitted it 2 weeks before it was due. She provided great feedback. I made the correction based on her recommendations, now final copy is submitted(not due until next week); time to focus on final exam. The advice that the previous poster provided is excellent. That is the info that was provided to us in class when learning about care plans.

For me I cannot study at home because of the same reasons you have shared. I also cannot study in a library because I find it be a very boring atmosphere. What I have found helpful to me is studying at a local bookstore's coffee shop. I take my laptop, textbook, notebook, and any other materials I need. I put my noise cancelling headphones on and get to work. I also will go to the local park (weather permitting) and do the same thing. I hope this can help you in some way. If possible, I would recommended makings a list of things you have to do according to priority and follow the list; Cross things offer as you accomplish them. I have known this method to help many, but not me, maybe you.

I agree with most of the previous posters, However, you are not obligated to assist her in anyway, and therefore do not OWE her or anyone else any explanations of why you have chosen to terminate your presence with the group and/or stop providing her with a copy of your study guide. It's okay to help each other out from time to time, but everyone must pull their own weight as well as contribute, point blank. Great deed on your part, but if you no longer feel up to working with her because of her attitude, or lack of, guess what, you don't have too. It is not your responsibility to see that she gets through nursing school, it's HERS. One of the nurses role's is to advocate for their patients, you cannot possibly be successful with this role, if you cannot first advocate for yourself. OP. take care of yourself (health, etc) and do what you have to do to see that you get through nursing school successfully. Try to stay away from those folks who try to use the ability of others to skate by in school. You may not be able to pick up on it at first, but you will eventually, as their motives will reveal themselves. Now, I am the type of person that will help anyone if I can, but I will not let anyone use me. All of this material is new to me and I am learning just like everyone else. If I can take the initiative to ask questions, work hard and study to get the grades that I receive, others can do the same. I cannot tell you to stop feeling (regrets, obligated, etc) the way that you do because we are all human, but I will tell you that you really don't have to feel that way. You are not wrong in anything that you have done, but will be if you continue to enable your classmate, especially if she has that attitude and have not met you halfway thus far. Peace & Blessings!

Go ahead and toot that horn you deserve it, WTG!

It's crunch time now. Final exam on Tuesday a whooping 100 question exam. Good Luck to everyone you have upcomi ng exams. To those of you who had their exams last week, I know you all did well. The rest of us will join you all at the dock here shortly to celebrate with you!