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Discussion

Rant about my nursing school

I'm halfway through an accelerated second degree BSN program and I just feel completely, and totally unprepared to be an nurse. First of all, when they were teaching us skills here, we would be shown a video, then perform it once in lab (one day a week), and then the instructors get outraged with us when we can't do it/hesitate to do it on a live patient in clinical. They think reading something in a textbook once, practicing once on a dummy (literally once) and then watching a video of it performed is somehow preparation. I am so sick with how unprepared and awful I feel about this. And I feel like I'm not worse than anyone else, but because I am open about lacking confidence, the clinical instructors are especially hard. Is this normal? I feel like I'm basically being thrown out onto the floor with absolutely no real additional knowledge I had six months ago. I'd transfer but I don't think my GPA is high enough (got a C in pharm and a C in another science class here-- and probably will get a C in peds if I pass it).

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    • Experts

    I don't mean to sound like a smart-aleck, but what you're describing is part of the "accelerated" part of an accelerated BSN program. These programs are v. fast-paced and intense -- the whole point of the ABSN program is that it's the same nursing content and clinical experience of a "regular" nursing program crammed into a shorter period of time -- and students are expected to be able to absorb and master a lot of information (inc. skills) quickly, and take responsibility for a lot of their own learning.

    Is there someone (faculty/administration) at school you feel comfortable talking to about how you're feeling and what you may be able to do to feel more confident and do better in school (you must have a faculty advisor, right)? Are other students in your program feeling the same way? Is there some way that you (students) can work together to give each other more support?

    Welcome to allnurses! Best wishes and hugs -- :balloons:

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    I would consider pairing with a more experienced student to work on your skills. And practice as much as possible on your own; use online videos if you need to do so.

    For example: use an uncooked hot dog to practice your intradermal injections. It makes a nice bleb :D

    I would NOT show your insecurity in your skills. I might say something like: "I've practiced 'x' at home and in the lab the last week. Could you watch my technique and offer me feedback?" I'm not saying you should pretend to feel comfortable with a new skill, just consider rephrasing how you ask for help.

    What is definitely NOT ok is them becoming angry at you. There is no reason to be mean to a student, ever.

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    • Experts

    I know I am "old school" in some ways ... but I think you are lucky to have a practice lab and videos. When I went to school back in the Dark Ages, we had neither. We had a book. We were supposed to read the book about any procedures our patient might need the next day. In some cases, we got to observe a nurse doing "it" once before we had to do it. Other times, the first time we saw it done was when we did it on a real patient.

    The first time you do something, it will always feel uncomfortable. That will be true throughout your career. "Comfort" is not guaranteed in real life. If you wait until you feel "comfortable" before you do stuff in life, you will get to do very few things in life. Part of being successful is learning how to function well even when you feel uncomfortable.

    If you really think the accelerated pace is not for you, then you may need to acknowledge that and move on.

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    Is your practice lab not open for use other than the assigned ???? You need to go there and practice.

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    Sounds familiar. My classmates and I had similiar complaints about our LPN program. If you are keeping up your grades in clinical and lab I wouldn't worry about it and just grin and bear it. If you're struggling perhaps you would do better at a regular BSN program. Best of luck whatever you decide:)

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    its going to be alright, don't worry about it. It is the same in the regular BSN program that I am in. I watch a video before class and then in class they lecture and sometimes we don't get to even practice it because our teach talks too much instead of showing us how it is done, and letting us practice it. Then we test off on it, and then we do it.

    That aside, you will learn new ways of doing things once you are in the hospital. Your just going through the motions in NS, you get most experience on the job.

    I am fortunate that I was a nosey CNA and emt before nursing school, so I always want to do what I just learned.

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    First of all, when they were teaching us skills here, we would be shown a video, then perform it once in lab (one day a week), and then the instructors get outraged with us when we can't do it/hesitate to do it on a live patient in clinical.

    Practice more. Get together with your fellow students - either in lab or home or where ever and practice your skills over and over again. Critique each other fairly and honestly.

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    Haha, all I have to ask is if you're going through my accelerated school? ;)

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