The First Days of Nursing School by the Fall 2009ers!!!

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Alright well I have been wanting to post this for a very long time! Since I first logged on to allnurses I couldn't wait until it was my turn to say, I am a nursing student!!!

So, technically, yesterday was my first day but I was only there for a couple hours. We went right into lecture about the history of nursing and how it's ever changing. We also learned about the different educational paths a nurse can take, but I already did that research beforehand on allnurses :p

Today was mainly orientation and a welcome to our nursing class. We went more in depth about what to expect and also dissected our huge textbook-like syllabus. I am not joking about the size of that syllabus, it's insane. Since starting I have been reading nonstop. We have already been assigned about five chapters to read from our fundamentals book, which is not the most interesting of reads, but it's doable. I'm just overwhelmed really, probably because they talked a lot about what is to come. Over the next month, three papers are due and at the end of each semester we are taking the ATI tests. If we fail those, well then we have to take the course over.

Today was also one of our lab days. So for lab, we watched two videos about ensuring infection control by washing hands and applying ppe and then of course we had to do it. The basics for right now. Tomorrow is another lab day, bedmaking and body mechanics. So I guess I should get back to reading a couple more chapters and stop playing around on allnurses. I am just so happy to have finally made it. I'm still in a state of shock. Somebody pinch me.

Specializes in NICU.

I got a 94 on my first pharmacology exam!

Holy crap! I almost forgot about this thread... I feel live I've just come up air after 5 weeks. haha.. Wow, but it seems like everyone is chugging along.

We had an exam this past Thursday for Professional Behaviors and another exam today for Fundamentals. Both went pretty well. A lot of people didn't do so well on the Fundamentals exam, it was definitely hard and put into a style we are not used to! Better get used to it though... I seemed to do fine. I got a 90 on the Professional Behaviors exam, which in my school is a B! 92-100 is an A.. ouch.

Anyway, keep chuggin'... and good luck :) It might be another 5 weeks before I remember to breathe again... lol

Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.

I have my first test this week in fundamentals....and a skills lab test. I'm skeered!

I second guess myself doing BPs....still! I find myself debating over what I hear and end up being 2 off. Grrrrr. And AP....ugh. I have no problem with landmarks and how to take it - in theory. Problem is, I can't practice on myself because I can't feel the landmarks on me! My instructor said it's because I've had reconstructive surgery (reduction) so my intercostal spaces are "hidden." She reassured my class that she wouldn't use me as a model for the assessment :icon_roll

As for fundamentals....I FEEL like I have a grasp on the material, but I'm not sure about the question format. I've been doing the review questions at the end of the chapters, but....ugh.

I hate feeling this uncertain. First tests suck LOL But....I'm SO glad I can come to this site, vent about it, and you guys understand. I think I need a hug :smackingf

Specializes in Critical Care.

Is everyone as exhausted as me? I am trying to get by on 5-6 hours/night of sleep...sometimes less.

I'm at work right now & I would love to pull a George from "Seinfeld" and crawl under my desk for a nap!

Week #2 of hospital clinicals - I can do this!!! (I don't have a choice - I have to!)

PS: Shan - Hugs to you!! We are all second guessing ourselves (at least I am!) :)

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Holy crap! I almost forgot about this thread... I feel live I've just come up air after 5 weeks. haha.. Wow, but it seems like everyone is chugging along.

We had an exam this past Thursday for Professional Behaviors and another exam today for Fundamentals. Both went pretty well. A lot of people didn't do so well on the Fundamentals exam, it was definitely hard and put into a style we are not used to! Better get used to it though... I seemed to do fine. I got a 90 on the Professional Behaviors exam, which in my school is a B! 92-100 is an A.. ouch.

Anyway, keep chuggin'... and good luck :) It might be another 5 weeks before I remember to breathe again... lol

I feel your pain, I got a 90% on my first exam and that is a B for us as well. 93-100 or 94 I can't remember is an A for us.

I am a fall 09'er but I am a graduating student this fall. We take the ATI tests as well but it's not necessary for us to pass them in order to pass the class. I would like to give you a heads up on the ATI test...They are difficult, and they focus on critical thinking. Review, review, review that book. With each chapter that you do in class read the corresponding chapters in your ATI. We had the ATI rep visit our school last week and they as well offer an NCLEX class for when you get ready to take boards (their pass rate was something like 97%:eek:). Good luck to all of you!

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Is everyone as exhausted as me? I am trying to get by on 5-6 hours/night of sleep...sometimes less.

I'm at work right now & I would love to pull a George from "Seinfeld" and crawl under my desk for a nap!

Week #2 of hospital clinicals - I can do this!!! (I don't have a choice - I have to!)

PS: Shan - Hugs to you!! We are all second guessing ourselves (at least I am!) :)

I am exhausted and I am trying to get a min of 7 hours of sleep at night, sometimes 8 but I always try to at least get 7. I don't work but I have 4 kids, I couldn't imagine working as well.

One thing is for sure, Nursing School has cured my insomnia LOL

I concur on the 5 week comment! I can't believe I've been in nursing school for almost 6 weeks!!! I have already learned so much, but the work load SUCKS...though I know it will all be worth it in 2 years. We've had at least one test in every class (Fund., Professional Nursing Care, Care of Adults, Health Assessment) and so far I haven't fallen on my face...lol

Hope everyone is doing well...get some sleep, take a breath, and remember why we all got this far. Have a good week everyone!!!

Specializes in ED.
I am exhausted and I am trying to get a min of 7 hours of sleep at night, sometimes 8 but I always try to at least get 7. I don't work but I have 4 kids, I couldn't imagine working as well.

One thing is for sure, Nursing School has cured my insomnia LOL

That is so funny, I have been telling people this same thing all day today. Before NS, I would have trouble getting to sleep at night, and even then I would sleep 5-6 hrs a night. Now I am going to bed earlier and sleeping more hours no matter what time my head hits the pillow, I am OUT! And no matter how long I sleep, I am still tired! NS is exhausting!

I also don't work but I have 2 kids, and I have no idea how people manage NS, kids AND work. Its all I can do to manage as it is.

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
That is so funny, I have been telling people this same thing all day today. Before NS, I would have trouble getting to sleep at night, and even then I would sleep 5-6 hrs a night. Now I am going to bed earlier and sleeping more hours no matter what time my head hits the pillow, I am OUT! And no matter how long I sleep, I am still tired! NS is exhausting!

I also don't work but I have 2 kids, and I have no idea how people manage NS, kids AND work. Its all I can do to manage as it is.

Right??? I go to bed before my oldest kids bedtime half the time. I have always to the hubby a deadline if he was wanting extra curricular activities LOL, if it is past a certain time then he will have to wait until the next day :p

I used to stay up until 2-3 in the morning and wake up around 8 and now I am in bed by 9-10 and up at 5:30 and 4:30 on clinical days since we start those at 6.

To help me stay on a routine I wake up at the same time daily even if classes don't start until 10 the next day I go to the college early and study but that way my daughter and me stay on our same schedule.

There are a few girls in my class that work and I honestly couldn't imagine having to work on top of everything else.

My kids are now calling me grandma since I am going to bed so early :stone

Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Bumping for another poster.

Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.

I got an A on my fundamentals exam - I only missed 3, so naturally I'm wondering which ones :yeah:But yay! Now I've just gotta pass my skills test in the morning.

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