mnw9412

Current BSN 3rd semester here. Nursing school is VERY difficult, but going through hard times doesn't come without its rewards, like many of the wise ones here on AN. For me, knowing that I wasn't the only one suffering (emotionally, mentally, academically, or even physically) was surprisingly comforting. The instructors also seem to care a lot more about you if you let them. Use your instructors to give you the most in one semester that they can. Go ahead and be okay with losing your 4.0. I was a 3.89, but honestly, that perfection complex was overrated and made me stress to the point of vomiting before lectures and doing other VERY unhealthy coping mechanisms. Realize that a B on the hardest exam of the semester is a huge achievement that should be celebrated with margeritas. Or red wine. Or both. You will have time to go out to eat after clinicals to enjoy your friends that you WILL make. You'll be able to wash your hair. You can even go get your nails done on the weekend. It's possible to have a life in nursing school! You just have to grow up and prioritize what's important and what's not and when it's important. Please don't take that as a negative thing! Nursing school is doing more than straightening my life out academically. Good luck and have fun! :)

I hope you're enjoying your first semester! It's hard, but I know you can do it! Always remember that this is all a LEARNING PROCESS!!! They're hard on you for a reason. But every faculty member wants to see you succeed.

Due to recent changes with the examination policy, MTSU is NOT losing their accreditation. We are ranked the 15th in the top 100 nursing schools east of the Mississippi. I'd reconsider looking at other schools if I were you.

My clinical started at 6:45 and ended around 3. So knocking at 8 hours if you don't include the 15 minute lunch break

I really appreciate this advice! My previous clinical was at a nursing home, and there was a horrible grouch who was just mean and brutal to care for. The nurses working quickly made us aware that people in rehab units usually never planned on being there to begin with, and it's a huge external change for them. We have to make them feel comfortable and understand that no one wants to feel or be looked at as broken. For a while, they're allowed to be grouchy. Towards the end of the clinicals, the man was still in the unit and he just LOVED the nursing students. Thank you so much for your words!

In less than two weeks, I start my med surg course with the clinicals twice a week, along with OB, and that rotation starts in October. I'm just curious as to how everyone did during Med-Surg. I've heard horror stories, but I've also hear horror stories about past classes I've been enrolled in that weren't so tough. How did you fair in the class? Is there anything that you swear by for exams as far as studying and tools go? I'm really interested in networking myself this semester since we're doing our med-surg clinicals at the hospital I'd really love to apply to post graduation, so if anyone has any advice on that as well, I'd much appreciate it! I've already bought the Med-Surg 9th ed by Lewis, Med-Surg Made Incredibly Easy!, and a few memory picture books that contain mnemonics. I love Nurse Mona YouTube videos as well. We've already cracked into the peri-op chapter from fundamentals but class doesn't start until the 24th. Basically, anything you're willing to tell me, I'm willing to read and do! I've done a lot of research as far as techniques go to get through Med-Surg successfully, but I figured asking the peanut gallery of AN wouldn't hurt either. Thanks in advance to all of the awesome nurses and nursing students who might answer some of my questions. :)

I loved my fundamentals clinical. It's really what verified that I wanted to be a nurse. We gave bed baths, changed briefs, helped the residents change themselves if needed, fed them, pass out meds, gave injections of insulin or heparin, provided wound care, and inserted Foleys. It's a lot but it's such great experience. You might luck up with an NG tube, too. But the people above me are spot-on... lots of vitals. :)

First of all, congrats on getting into nursing school! That's always a big achievement :) 1. Buy a planner and mark down every exam date, project deadline, and cancelled classes. 2. Make friends. You're going to be with these people for two or more years. You'll need emotional and mental support and so will they. 3. Study LIKE A NURSE. If someone had told me this, I'd still have all As. While the scientific side of why things happen is cool, it'll get you nowhere on an exam. Think like a nurse. What would a nurse do at this point. One of my favorite things to remember is "If I could only do one thing before I left this patient's room, what would it be?" It may not make a lot of sense now, but it will very very soon. 4. While you're studying your butt off, you have to remember your own health. I gained 16 pounds my first year because I thought studying incorrectly for an extra hour and eating popcorn for dinner would suffice. Nope. I promise, YOU HAVE TIME FOR ONE HOUR AT THE GYM THREE TIMES A WEEK. You have time to shop for healthy, quick and easy food! The oven is my best friend, as all of my complete meals are cooked using it. You have time for lots of things, which is going to lead me into my next point... 5. Acquire time management skills now before you enter a hard semester and have to schedule a panic attack before every exam. 6. As many others have said, enjoy the ride. You're learning more now in this one point of your life than you will any other time. Savor it. Only a few years until you're working and you're expected to know everything. Have fun! 7. C. diff isn't nearly as stinky as your brain makes it out to be. My favorite aroma so far has got to be a GI bleed.... *shudders* You'll do awesome, OP. Way to be ahead of the game in getting tips!

Grow from this! The actions of being late and wearing headphones during a shift are inexcusable, but they are nonetheless an experience to gain from. I'm not entirely sure how to guide you towards applying for another position honestly other than to try and see if you could apply somewhere out of the reach of your current site that won't already have notes about you -- good or bad. But again, all of this is something you can grow from. Punctuality raises eyebrows in the work field, and a good work ethic will always impress others even when you think they aren't watching. Good luck!

During my first round of clinicals, we would always eat at the facility because we only had about 15-20 minutes for lunch. We were some relief for the RNs and LPNs who worked there because they could actually sit down and eat for a good half hour while we covered their floor, along side out instructor of course. You're representing yourschool, as your scrubs might indicate (ours did, anyway). It's kind of normal for students to be treated like kids for a little bit. These are peoples' lives you're dealing with. Throughout the program, I'm sure the clinical instructors will allot you more independence as your knowledge continues to increase. Ya just gotta deal with it, and make the best of it! The people you have clinicals with are the same people who will help you do raunchy dressing changes and code browns. Find camaraderie in it all!

Final Update: I don't know how I did it, but I pulled out a solid B from this class. Apparently, "thinking like a nurse" really does help. Thank you to everyone who offered encouragement through this hell of a semester. While Cs do get degrees, Cs don't get you into grad school, which is another goal of mine. I'm apologize if my rants, labeled as "tantrums," were too much. I'll stick to seeking understanding from classmates from now on. Thanks! :)

I thought pain would be the answer, but it was the patient crying on the floor, with no rationale as to why by our instructor. Funny story: a current 4th semester was telling me about his experience the other day. He went to her to review an exam over a question he for sure got right according to his textbook and according to the instructor's key. She said because the SETA question had one that was only "sometimes" she marked it wrong. Going against the key. A third of our class is actually failing as it turns out. Update: This past exam, I made my first A and cried tears of joy yet again. There's one month until our final and I'm sitting here going over asepsis and fluids and electrolytes again. Just ready for this course to be done with.

I'm so glad you can interpret a tone through black and white text. You honestly think I haven't tried everything I know to do? Googled study techniques. Pic-monics. Writing notes. Typing notes. Going to the instructor through e-mail since our schedules don't work. I've spoken with two advisors, one of which was an instructor from last semester. I've recorded the lectures and listened to them as much as three times a week per lecture class. I've sleep a full eight hours to retain knowledge. I've studied consistently for a week with 4 hours of sleep per night. Searched "brain food." Exercised and studied. Freaking everything and all of what you said has been done, and I still feel sunk. There's not tutoring available at my school for nursing students, just general education courses. My angst revolves around my incredibly high GPA before nursing school and my current fear of failure in this course. It's disappointing when you excelled so much all your life K-junior year in college, only to feel like this class makes a mockery of you on a daily basis. But thanks so much for all of the constructive criticism. I'm certainly thrilled that you became a nurse who is tasked to be as nonjudgmental and non-critical as they're supposed to be. I suppose that's difficult for you, but, as you say, buck up. Again, thank you for the seasoned advice.

My current average is a 78 and I need a 75 to pass. We have one more exam, and a final. Then 5% of our grade is from a HESI review exam that is curved and 5% participation points. It's definitely possible that I'm studying too much but there's not much else I can do to absorb all the material. My instructor does a test review on her own time that always interferes with my work schedule. Not to mention she's probably one of the most condescending people I've ever met regarding questions about particular topics. "How could you not get that one right?" She doesn't teach. She reads off her powerpoints every lecture day. My clinical instructor says I'm doing PHENOMENAL. My paperwork, but communication and leadership skills, critical thinking, all of it... I'm doing incredible. Yet this stupid lecture class with these stupid questions are going to hold me back. I don't know if my sanity can handle much more of any of this.

Update #2: Pretty convinced I'm going to be held back a semester because of this class. I've tried everything I know. Spent over $150 for supplemental books. Spent time away from my family for months at a time only to get another 72 on my third exam... I just don't know if it's worth it anymore. The only comfort is that I'm in the same boat with about half of my class. I've tried it all. These next two exams are in God's hands. If anyone wants to leave encouraging words incase I do fall behind, or fallback plans incase nursing isn't actually what I'm meant to do, then I'd greatly appreciate it, as I appreciated all of the kind words you've all said earlier. Thank you so much.