Hi there! I'm enrolled with EC and am feeling overwhelmed by the recommended reading. Anyone else having trouble getting through the reading? I spend a couple of hours reading most nights and it seems like I've barely made a dent in the chapters. I've been working diligently for the last couple of weeks. I enrolled in September, but got off to a slow start and then took a long break over the holidays. I'm hoping to be ready for NC1 in February. I know I can't rush things, but I feel like I'm not making any progress. Any advice? Anyone else feeling overwhelmed?
Jonathanjse...thank you for the perspective! It was great to hear what's working for you and to know that I'm not alone with that monster book! Keep up the hard work! Sounds like you're doing a fantastic job.
" ...EC students should not be getting a introduction to nursing while attending this program. That is the whole point is that you have a good theory base and good clinical skills in which to build upon. "
txs,
I don't know what you mean by a good "theory base". I know that the NC-1 exam deals largely with the basics of nursing, such as the nursing process. Or, as stated by Excelsior in their NC-1 study guide :
"The Excelsior College examination in Nursing Concepts measures knowledge and understanding of basic concepts of nursing care and nursing actions..."
I consider material relating to basic concepts to be an "introduction", but maybe that's just semantics.
The study guide also says you will have to "apply knowledge of the theoretical framework for each content area when using the nursing process."
If they're giving an exam about basics and applications of theory, it sounds like they're assuming that you don't already know this stuff. Otherwise, why test us on it? So if Excelsior lists the Fundamentals of Nursing as recommended reading, and recommends specific chapters to read in order to learn these basics, then what is wrong with actually reading them?
This is nursing school - if we're supposed to know everything already, then what are we doing in this program? And txs, if you happen to already know all this stuff, that's great, but you're not actually saying that you have a problem with others doing the recommended reading, are you?
I don't know about you, but for me, this about much more than just tweaking things here and there - this is a huge amount of stuff to learn, and a huge shift in my thinking, and I only really started gaining ground when I cleared my mind, put all my preconceptions on hold, and just started reading the book. Maybe everyone else is just sailing through this program because of their highly developed "theory base", but I feel like I need more than a few study notes to prep me for these tests. Maybe you feel that's an indication of being unqualified for the Excelsior program, but I don't.
One of the benefits for me of reading this book is that my house is cleaner now than it's ever been, because almost anything is more fun than getting through this. Keep at it, and think of how good you'll feel when you're done.
I gotta get back to my reading now (but first, I think I see some lint under the refrigerator...)
As a medic, I knew very little about nursing theory, but realized that what I learned in medic school wasn't so different from the nursing process, and could be applied without too much trouble. I have a good clinical base, but definitely needed to learn how to work from a nursing perspective, not a medic perspective.
Jonathan, I did as you said -- used a combination of materials. I like the notes for reinforcement, but to me, nothing was better than a textbook when I needed to do additional reading on any subject area. Which is why I've re-sold all my study guides, but I'm keeping my textbooks! :) Not surprising, since I have a lot of my texts from my first two trips through college. LOL
One great thing about distance learning: there is no wrong way to do this -- only the best way for you.
Specializes in Med/Surg Nurse, Homecare, Visiting Nurse.
i may be wrong here and mind you i have just pulled a 17 hour shift..but ec students should not be getting a introduction to nursing while attending this program. that is the whole point is that you have a good theory base and good clinical skills in which to build upon.
txs....your right if you are already a nurse, which i believe you are.
i started out reading the fundamentals book at page 1, felt like i was getting nowhere. i took the practice exam form a scored a 72, i hadn't even gotten to the nursing process chapter in the fon book. i owe that all to what i learned in lpn school.
if you haven't gotten the theory to base those notes on then i think reading the book may be necessary.
:cheers: Everyone on here is so much help!!!! I was wondering about the reading too, although I am about to sign for my first GE EC class the 1 credit class info tech, I think?...anyway...wish me luck! Much love to yah all:redbeathe
spooky64
32 Posts
Jonathanjse...thank you for the perspective! It was great to hear what's working for you and to know that I'm not alone with that monster book! Keep up the hard work! Sounds like you're doing a fantastic job.
Chris