PNicholas

I am also a nursing student with ADHD. I struggled through first semester with a C. I went back on medication for it...haven't used any since high school..and second semester I finished with an A. I would put it out there that you may have to learn to control the ADD. These are long lectures and it is easy to let our minds wander. Secondly, I did a project on study skills and learned that if you do not review your notes from a lecture within 24 hours you forget 80% of what you heard....even with notes!! I always...no matter how tired, or what my family wants....study for at least 1 hour after class. I know that is hard to do!! I take evening classes and get up every day at 530 am!! It's one of those things that makes a huge difference. Third, I always do practice questions before I study. This helps guide you to weak areas and keeps you from studying what you know!! I'm now almost halfway through my 3rd semester...woot woot!...and it is going even better than 2nd semester!! Good luck! :) Hope these tips can help!

I love how the OP catches the essence of the confusion/stress/exhilaration of the first month of nursing school! OP I am super smart....yet I too study my tail off. I study every day! Why? I want A's and I want to KNOW my information! That doesn't make us dumb...it makes us great future nurses! Remember your enthusiasm because (I'm 3rd semester) some days you will need it. I have four kids, a husband, a job, and I take evening classes. Some times I don't get to go to every social engagement. Some times I have to miss a school play. Sometimes I have a basket of laundry to wash and a sink full of dishes. I have a great group of friends that I met in nursing school and some days they are the only ones who "get" me! Nursing school will make you cry, curse, feel defeated, rejoice, celebrate, and think that you have lost your mind! Never forget why you are here and don't forget to laugh!

Of course those aren't in order and I would put fluid volume deficit first!

I am just a third semester student but I would consider ineffective tissue perfusion. If she has/had DKA she probably has a knowledge deficit bc they might not understand "sick day" rules or understand insulin administration. Don't forget your return demo and written instructions. Last, I would pick infection bc infection and illness can lead to DKA. But, that's just where I would start with it. This is usually when a great careplan book helps.

I know exactly how you feel! I remember taking my first test and I felt really good when I finished. 24 hours later I excitedly opened my grades and there was a big fat 80! An 80???!! What??! That is when I realized that you can know the content forward and backward and still bomb a nursing test! Test taking skills! I know what you are thinking...sounds dumb...I'm a smart girl! I know how to test! Seriously, test taking strategies and practice questions are all that can help. I'm in third semester and just took my second test....wish I could say it gets easier! Welcome to nursing school, the greatest, most horrifying, stressful, and wonderful time you will ever experience! Keep pushing through. That test is over move on to the next one and try again! Good luck!

This is exactly what I told my husband last night!! I am so glad to know I am not the only one that is slightly dreading my final year! Last summer, completely different story...ahh to be a newbie again! :)

Really how much time you will have is dependant on how much you need to study. First semester I studied less and had more time with my family BUT I made a C which is NOT acceptable to me. Mind you I breezed through pre reqs with all A's. So second semester, nursing became my life. I still made the most of my family time but there was not a lot of it. I made an A that semester! The thing to remember is this is short term!! You just have to be really dedicated and not put yourself through a guilt trip! You are doing something wonderful for your family and yourself! PS. I have 4 kids...the youngest one still begs me not to go to school even though he started kindergarten!

Personally, I started out overweight but I have been losing since the middle of second semester. It's just so much harder to do 12 hour clinicals and be on your feet when you are overweight. Also, I needed a new stress relief and I figured over eating was not my best option. Many of the friends I have made exercise daily...so that helps. Several girls have gained weight though. It's all in what you choose!

I would say for a new student to study, study, and study some more! Higher grades mean a graduate degree which means more job opportunities. Always present your best face during clinicals and never act like any job is beneath you! Everyone starts at the bottom! PS...love the pic of your dog! I have one too..great breed!

We literally formed our group just by seeing who was at the school studying before a test and willing to stay after class to study. It didn't happen the first week or even month. This group started with two girls and they added me and 2 others. We are very similar with our study habits. We don't really assign work to teach each other. We just start with our power points and work through each concept, asking questions, clarifying, and even calling our instructors for clarification. You will be amazed that no matter how good your notes are some one always catches something you missed! We make up crazy little phrases to remember signs and symptoms and do group projects together. No study group will be alike and you have to find what works for you!

I was definitely one who said I don't study well in study groups...til I made a C first semester!! Who knew study groups were awesome??!! Needless to say, I joined one and made an A second semester!! These girls are some of my closest friends!! The keys are 1- small group, no more than 6 people. 2- have one person to lead, state what the goals are such as how far you are going to study, what order etc. 3- have one person who keeps you on track...its good to laugh and joke but stay focused, breaks are good but it can't become a therapy session! 4- amount of time...we study at least 2 days a week when we don't have test and 3-4 when we do...don't forget to study on your own too! If one study group doesn't work for you...find a new one. Don't be afraid to Skype in a person if you need to!! Once you find something that works...keep it sacred! Greatest advice we ever got from our instructor! Once people see you have something that works, they want to join. Unfortunately, that can hinder you. Lastly, don't be afraid to give it a try! You are not committed for life if you don't like it!!

Aww hun...been there felt that! I was not overweight in school but after 4 c sections in 5 years...there was a lot more of me to love! I never realized what it felt like to not be able to sit comfortably in a desk until I started college. When I got accepted in nursing school, I had the same fears. I decided that I had two years to completely change my life. I have made awesome friends even though I'm bigger. I always sweat like crazy during clinicals, embarrassing to say the least. Pt rooms are so HOT!! I'm slowly losing weight and will reach my goal at the same time I graduate! Take this as the first step to the rest of your life! Get involved and love yourself! Be open and helpful and you will be fine!! Good luck!

Here is my story...lol! First semester I got the dreaded C by .1 of a point! My biggest problem was that I under estimated the amount of time I would have to study and how many hours I could realistically work. Second semester, I joined an awesome study group and literally studied 20 hrs a week on average. There were some weeks that I only worked 5-10 hrs a week. I got an A second semester! I learned that studying at work is never as productive as setting aside uninterrupted study time. I learned to work more on weeks without tests to compensate for the weeks that I need to work less. I believe A's in nursing are not mystical creatures. It takes a combination of knowing how to take the tests, studying, and a great study group to help split up tedious assignments and talk through concepts!

It funny when you can tell that people don't go on and read every post. If you went back and read my later post...I did say I plan to bridge when I am done in May and I actually have EVERY pre req for my BSN. So yes, I am getting " over it and getting my BSN!" My point in all of this...if you took 3 seconds to read my later post...is for people to realize that there are cheaper options if you are willing to put in the extra year. I will just nicely refer you to my previous post.

I think the thing I hope for students to realize is going the longer route may help you financially. I see a lot of posts about money concerns and not being able to work while in school. My ADN program allows me to work and go to school. I also took 2 years to get my pre reqs. I used my Pell Grant to cover all my tuition and books so that I could get all my courses for my ADN and BSN. When I graduate in May, it will have taken me 4 years to complete my ADN. Then, I have 1 year of my bridge program to complete my BSN. Yes, that's 1 extra year but, I will graduate with completely no student loan debt. That was extremely important to me because I have four kids and a husband. I am just hoping to raise awareness that if you are like me and can not afford a 4 year program you still have options! You just have to be willing to go slower and take a little longer! I have friends that have gone the LPN to RN then plan to go to BSN and one day MSN! Everyone takes a different path but we all end up in the same place!!

I bought my drug guide on my kindle and I love that I can copy and paste, highlighter, and bookmark without having to drag one more book around! Also, I had my med/surg beast, I mean book, hole punched and binding removed for $5 at a local office supply store. I store the whole book in a three ring binder and just removed the chapters I need for the material I am working on and place it in a smaller binder. It's a life and back saver!! Just keep your big binder in your car...just in case you forget to switch your chapters out...been there done that!!

We also do about 1100-1200 hours. But mine are mostly in 12 hour hunks so it doesn't seem so bad!!

I'm mostly asking this because time and again when people come on these boards asking for advice everyone says go BSN. I am in a program that has a 98% NCLEX passing rate vs. the 4 year college I considered that has a 85% passing rate. I just wonder am I missing some classes that may help me later? I have taken, statistics, chemistry, nutrition, ap I and ii, micro, English comp I and ii, college algebra, speech, and 12 hours of electives. I am taking pharmacology this semester. I just am trying to find out what I am missing...sorry if you felt the need to be rude over a simple question!

Sometimes I think it is harder being gone with older children. I have 4...yes 4 children...ages 10, 9, 7, and 5 years old AND I work 30 hours a week AND I'm a 3rd semester nursing student AND a wife!! No it is not easy and yes I forget things sometimes. But, I have a great support system and someone to pick up for me when I forget. Just remember nursing school is short term...keep your eye on your goal!!

I am so glad that we do not have that problem in our area. It is unheard of around here that you can not get a job with just an ADN! The way I see it...we take the same test to get our license...why are they not hiring?? I don't know another program that requires 12 hour clinicals...mine does!! Anyways...I'm going to jump off my soap box now! Good luck!

I know at my community college they allow people to "drop" items off their transcripts that are not needed for their degree. The credits will still show up if you transfer to another college but they will never "show" up at our college anymore. Several of my friends did this because they already had Masters in other areas. Maybe you can speak to an advisor about this option! Good luck!

3rd semester at Meridian Community College ADN program! Graduation May 2013! Woot! Woot! Then on to BSN at Mississippi University for Women or ADN to MSN at Vanderbilt where my mom works!! :)

Why does it seem that most people believe that ADN programs are not as good as BSN programs?! Do we not all take NCLEX? Do we not all have the same goals...to be good caring nurses? Why is there such a distinction made amongst us?? I do not understand why there is not more compassion among nurses!! I just would really like to know what makes one program better than another?

You can always consider new grad programs that a lot of hospitals have. Most want you to have 6 months or less experience. Might not be your "dream" job but it is a great way to start your nursing career.

I also usually consider myself a loner when it comes to studying. After making a C my first semester, I decided to give a study group a try. I think that for a study group to be effective you have to have people who are serious about studying, a set time for studying, and a small group. I found out that while I consider myself a good note taker, I was missing some key points. Also, some one would ask a question and I might have understood the information one way and they understood it another. We could then ask our instructor and clear it up. I'm a huge fan of study groups...especially after I made an A my second semester. Also, the best advice we got...our instructor warned us that when you find a study group that works be careful about adding other people. It can change the dynamic and it won't work anymore! Good Luck!