Starting to see the light

I am in the same situation, starting my next to last quarter on Monday. I will be completing my practicum in the ER and I'm both excited and nervous at the same time. I completed 12 hour shifts in the ICUlast quarter and they weren't that bad. Try and stay hydrated and bring snacks that can be consumed quickly. I lived on protein bars. Good luck

I am a recent LPN graduate, but planning on going on for my RN. Good job on surviving nursing school this far!! I remember the last two semesters, feeling scared, excited, and overwhelmed. You WILL get there. You will graduate as long as you meet requirements. If you haven't, be sure to take advantage of any and all resources offered, tutoring, extra lab time, and study groups. Don't compare yourself to your classmates, each one of you are using your own methods to get through this process. Remember that just because you may do things differently, like how and when you study, it doesn't mean that you are doing it wrong. Have confidence in your skills, but by all means, ask questions! This is the best time to ask questions, make mistakes, and admit that you don't have all the answers. Nurses who are training you want to see interest and enthusiasm. Ask questions, volunteer yourself, and always make yourself available for teaching moments. Your preceptor will not seek you out, you must make the effort. Remember where you come from, and treat every member of your interdisciplinary team with respect. If you must give feedback, do it respectfully, and not in a manner that will insult, belittle, or embarrass the individual. Remember to be a patient advocate in everything you do. Get as much sleep as you can. Drink plenty of fluids, not 100% Mtn Dew. Stay on top of your studies, your paperwork, and your other assorted responsibilities. Remember, no one said that it would be easy. They said it would be worth it. Best of luck. Believe in yourself.

Get help early on if you need it. Third semester was a killer for us. We had medsurg II and mother baby. In clinicals we often had two patients. NCLEX style test questions, so critical thinking is an absolute necessity. You can do it for sure...... my only advice after watching people slog through this difficult semester is to get help early IF you need it. Do any and all extra point assignments. Good luck!

One distinguishing characteristic about nursing school is that each semester builds on the other. You are now at the point where you can make decisions based on a firm knowledge base. This base will continue to grow, and will be strengthened by the experiencies you gain in clinicals. Use your time weisely and seek help as needed. You are almost there!

I as well have 2 semesteres left however in my program we do 12 hour clinical rotations from day 1. We have been at the hospital since first semester providing direct care alongside a RN. I will be starting my Pedi/OB rotation and finish with Complex and be done!

With clinicals, just be open to critique. Have tough skin because not all nurses remember that they too were nursing students although I don't encourage taking "grief" from those nurses simply because they are having a bad day. Take advantage of as many opportunities you can in school! Good luck!

Thanks so much, these kind words makes it easy and to know we are all in the same situation or had the experience. I truly appreciate it. Again many thanks:0)

This is my second semester. We are doing Med/Surg II, psych nursing, and pharm. Two 12 hour clinical days also. It's going to be very busy but I am so looking forward to it. I have 3 semesters left. I look at my overall program and have completed 4 semesters so far so I am over the hump and on the downward side. I'm ready to be done!!

Make small goals and don't focus on the big picture too much. If it scares you at clinicals volunteer to do it first. Do AS MUCH AS possible at clinicals, this is the best time to jump in and try stuff. It will not get better with a license.

I always say nursing school doesn't teach you to be a nurse. It teaches you how to not drown at first job while you become a nurse. You won't know it all, neither will answer your one else (no matter how they sound or act) and that's okay.

Good luck!

I like your enthusiasm, Kelly! Keep motivate us and good luck to all on this journey!

I'm in the same boat as most of you....3 days of classes, 2 clinical days per week starting 2nd week of the semester....I'm excited and scared too, I'm a tech now and when something happens I can say I'll get the nurse....now I'll be the nurse, yikes! Lives in my hands....I'm ready, scared, excited....All I know is that I will study as much as I did the first semester, best advise I can give is not to slack.....in the home stretch

Good luck to all and let's keep everyone abreast of our successes and failures to help each other...that's if we have time to post! 5 more days until the semester starts!