"Many of your classmates will not be nurses"

[JoseQuinones]

If you haven't seen it yet, nervousnursehopeful has a thought-provoking post about their first month in nursing school. What I've Learned in My First Month of Nursing School. Yesterday was the last day of classes in my second trimester. The post got me mulling over some of the lessons I have learned in my first 6 months. For reference, my school does trimesters, and a BSN = 9 trimesters. Here are some things I have learned so far:

1.) Studying nursing is already making me a better person. I find that I am more thoughtful in my interactions with people. I am learning how to ask real questions, how to look beyond their answers for what they are feeling. I have always considered myself to be a genuinely caring person, the type people often feel comfortable confiding in. Nursing school is showing me that I have a lot to learn. Lessons in active listening and therapeutic use of self have had a positive impact on my relationships at work, in my family, and even in my marriage. (I have a very happy marriage; still, I feel that I have more tools to love and understand my wife than ever before.)

2.) I thought I would be impatient to get through the "theory" to the "practical stuff." Instead, I am finding the theory to be enlightening and exciting as well. It amazes me how many brilliant people have thought long and hard about nursing. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

3.) NIC, NOC, and NANDA are not arbitrary and hard to understand as I originally thought. As we practice plans of care in class, I realize that they are quietly brilliant. As I practiced them in a community-health setting, I felt humbled as the pieces started coming together. Lots of very smart, caring people put a lot of time and effort they did not have to in order to make these things available to us.

4.) I can only do so much. I have to work my best, and not worry.

5.) Sometimes I have to ask for help. Pharmacology class especially. It is not easy for me to ask for help.

6.) The professors are caring people because they are nurses and they have been there. I should listen to their advice. I have had some wonderful conversations with them and have come to respect them in a way I never expected. They put up with a lot, and they keep coming back for more. It's not true that "those who can't do, teach" nursing.

7.) I enjoy interacting with clients. I thought I would feel bumbling and out of place as a student nurse. Instead, when we go to health fairs and hospitals, I find myself warming to my role. I enjoy doing the interviews, objective data, and assessment - and I'm good at it. I realize that these people are rooting for us to do a good job, and they are more patient than I ever would have expected. That morning at Walgreens when I couldn't find a brachial pulse on the 83-year-old gentleman's right arm, he gave me his left without being asked. The American lady who was having a bad day and called me a "Mexican" and criticized my English came back later to apologize and tell me she wants to take me home to her hospital. The young lady who asked lots of questions about my nursing program and told me she would pray for my success. People are wonderful and I'm not scared of what the next trimester will bring anymore, like IV insertion and Foley catheters (well . . . maybe a little).

8.) I cannot worry so much about my classmates. I can only work as hard as I can. I spent much time, especially in my first trimester, trying to boost them. But when they skip classes, don't come to labs, and make excuses about coming to the health fair, I realized slowly that they don't want a helping hand, they want someone to do the work for them. I can't let them drag me down. In a conversation with a professor a few weeks ago, they told me kindly, "You do realize that many of your classmates should not be in nursing school. If they make it through, they won't be nurses, or not for very long." That was a humbling thought - and a challenge.

I am by no means a nurse yet, but with two trimesters down and seven to go, I am looking forward with anticipation and humility. Nursing is so much more than I ever would have expected before beginning this journey. So I will be much more than I ever expected to be.

[INN_777, BSN, RN]

Wonderful sharing. Thank you!

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

2.) I thought I would be impatient to get through the "theory" to the "practical stuff." Instead, I am finding the theory to be enlightening and exciting as well. It amazes me how many brilliant people have thought long and hard about nursing. We stand on the shoulders of giants.

3.) NIC, NOC, and NANDA are not arbitrary and hard to understand as I originally thought. As we practice plans of care in class, I realize that they are quietly brilliant. As I practiced them in a community-health setting, I felt humbled as the pieces started coming together. Lots of very smart, caring people put a lot of time and effort they did not have to in order to make these things available to us.

Well-put.

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

I'm just glad that like over 50% of my classmates are not from my area and plan on moving after graduation...so hopefully this translates to less competition for jobs when we graduate and if more choose not to be nurses, even better :) Why use the word trimesters not semesters? nursing school must be getting to you lol :)

[duskyjewel]

He answered that. Maybe instead of making fun, some careful reading is in order:

For reference, my school does trimesters, and a BSN = 9 trimesters.

[AOx1]

OP, your positive attitude and hard work will take you far. Students who approach learning with excitement, humility, insight, and determination are reason I choose to teach nursing. Nursing education reminds me of a Mastercard commercial. The pay is terrible, the hours are much more than what I ever put in on the floor, but the rewards when you find a student who wants to learn and is willing to work hard= priceless. It's funny, when I fill out references for students, I am always upset when all they ask are things like GPA or whether the student is in the top 5 or 10% of their class. How do you explain a student who will always find the best and excel with a check box?

I look forward to seeing your journey and where it will take you, OP.

[sueall]

OP -- your post is being given center position on my bulletin board. Thank you for sharing.

[nursel56]

Really thoughtful and insightful post....all the best to you!

[nursefrances, BSN, RN]

Why use the word trimesters not semesters? nursing school must be getting to you lol :)

It sounds like the OP attends a school that uses the quarter system instead of semesters. The school I went to also used the quarter system. If I recall, I believe there are 10 weeks in a quarter and 18 weeks in a semester. Nine quarters total for a BSN program.

At the time it seems to last forever but once you're done it seems like it flew by.

[Bubbly26, BSN, RN]

Excellent post OP!

[ArrowRN, BSN, RN]

It sounds like the OP attends a school that uses the quarter system instead of semesters. The school I went to also used the quarter system. If I recall, I believe there are 10 weeks in a quarter and 18 weeks in a semester. Nine quarters total for a BSN program.

At the time it seems to last forever but once you're done it seems like it flew by.

My BSN program is 5 back to back semesters( with AA completed). I know some schools use "trimesters" it's just an OB nursing joke...some people need to relax and chill out.

On a serious note I don't care if some of my class mates are around for alternate reasons, I just worry about my own goals. I try to give others advice all the time if they take it great if they don't it's fine as well.

[Everline]

Number 4.

That is all.