RN overwhelmed with med school

[RNtoMD]

Hi, I am a RN (been one for 10 years as well as a CNA before that) and I am in my first semester of a MD program. I am so overwhelmed by the amount of information (ie every tiny nerve and vessel branch we have to know in our cadavers) and Im not sure if I am in over my head. Has anyone else had a similar experience? If so, how did you adjust to this shock in knowledge material?

[roser13, ASN, RN]

You might want to ask your question on a medical student forum.

[Sour Lemon]

This might be a good question to ask on student doctor network. You may be a nurse, but this is not really nursing related.

[RNtoMD]

OK thanks!

[elkpark]

Don't have any useful advice, but just want to say good luck and best wishes!

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

I'll chime in to agree with the recommendation to check out SDN.

You won't need to spend much time browsing to get a sense that "wth did I get myself into" is an extremely commonly expressed theme for M1's.

[Jules A, MSN]

Yes best wishes! I wish I had the insight and maturity to have pursued med school when I was young enough.

[Orion81RN]

Id also try to keep in mind that your fellow classmates, non-nurses, are probably thinking the same thing. "What did I get myself into?" Keep chugging along, and just *know* you DO have an advantage with your nursing experience. However overwhelming it will inevitably be. Goid luck, and congrats on your new career path!

[RNtoMD]

Thank you guys. I guess Im just in a funk right now. Im just shocked because I was a NCLEX Instructor for Kaplan for a year and had a 4.0 throughout my entire BSN (TCU in Texas). I have been making high 60s to low 70s (65 is passing) on every exam and Im still trying to adjust. I think I am going to speak with academic services as well as check out sdn for some advice. Thanks again everyone!

[Wile E Coyote, ASN, RN]

That sense of shock at no longer being exceptional has been many an M1's undoing.

Do not get rattled when 'the 3 smart folks in the back' get weeded out, it does not reflect on you.

You may bomb your first exam or two, if so, just dissect your study process, cutting away what doesn't work.

Acknowledge that a surprisingly large degree of your success relies on your ability to manage self-doubt vs actual book lernin'.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Thank you guys. I guess Im just in a funk right now. Im just shocked because I was a NCLEX Instructor for Kaplan for a year and had a 4.0 throughout my entire BSN (TCU in Texas). I have been making high 60s to low 70s (65 is passing) on every exam and Im still trying to adjust. I think I am going to speak with academic services as well as check out sdn for some advice. Thanks again everyone!

I wouldn't be surprised if your mastery of NCLEX is a very real disadvantage in medical school. The ability to "think nursing" does not translate into successful test taking in any other venue.

[Jules A, MSN]

Thank you guys. I guess Im just in a funk right now. Im just shocked because I was a NCLEX Instructor for Kaplan for a year and had a 4.0 throughout my entire BSN (TCU in Texas). I have been making high 60s to low 70s (65 is passing) on every exam and Im still trying to adjust. I think I am going to speak with academic services as well as check out sdn for some advice. Thanks again everyone!

You ain't in Kansas anymore, Dorothy. :) I'd image this is disorienting and a big adjustment but you will find your sea legs. I personally felt nursing school after my ADN was diluted and am rather amazed at the rights the certifications I have gotten have afforded me.

At some point please consider weighing in on our NP forum where many feel nursing school is shorter but just as rigorous as med school and have little regard for the deficits of our education. A bit off topic but we need to tighten up nursing education, imo, especially on the NP level.