Ok, so this is a small (well...maybe medium sized) pity party and vent. I am a brand new nursing student and I'm just feeling very disillusioned about the whole thing. I knew it would be hard, but I didn't know I would cry every day. I didn't realize that I would question this decision every moment and think "oh my God, what have I done?!" I guess I just wasn't realistic about it and was just so excited to be accepted and start along the path towards my dream...I never realized that a dream can be a nightmare. I did well on my first test, but my school does some of the content online and I'm having to learn to do health assessments purely by reading the book and doing interactive course content online. We get no lab or lecture time before we are checked off, and are expected to perform a perfect head-to-toe assessment. Is it me or is this crazy? I am definitely going to practice on anyone who will stand still long enough, but I am just frustrated that I will get no teacher feedback before they decide whether I have mastered the skill or if they should kick me out of the program. All I can do is my best, and I'm trying my hardest, but it's very nearly impossible to read 12 chapters, watch skills videos, and figure out how to do something as hands on as this without having anyone who actually knows what they're doing guide you through. That, and I'm having some serious issues figuring out how to document my findings. I either don't include enough or I write a book so to speak on their assessment. Does it come with practice? Does nursing school get easier? I don't mean easier in the sense that the content becomes less intense, but just in that you get into a rhythm and get used to it. I hope so, I'm not sure how many more panic attacks I can take. I won't quit though...I may fail, but I WILL NOT quit. Thanks and sorry for whining!
I am laughing here reading about all the crying... I will be starting my third week in first semester on Monday, and have been doing really well in lecture and lab, but everytime I get to clinical or simulation lab, I am fighting the tears. Finally, on Friday, I broke down as soon as I got into my car leaving the hospital and bawled the whole way home! I couldn't hold it back anymore. I don't know what it is about clinical (or... maybe it's my clinical instructor? I really don't know...) that chokes me up but I hope I get over it soon! I'm just glad to see I'm not the only one shedding a few tears in first semester! :chuckle
I think you may have been in my Micro class in the Fall. I am applying to GHC for Fall 09. Any suggestions for me? I know it seems overwhelming to you, but from the many first year students I've talked to, they all say the same thing. When did they cash your check for the application fee?
I probably was! I sat about 3 rows back on the left side. Probably the best advice I can give you is bring your application in and turn it in by hand and try to have all your classes done with the highest grades possible. I think anything above an 1100 is considered a competitive score. I got in with a 1200 or something like it I think. Good luck to you!!! I know it hasn't been long since I posted this rant but I really love the program and I'm starting to get used to the swing of things. The professors are all great! I think they cashed my check about a month after I turned in the application. Good luck to you and let me know how you do!!
"I probably was! I sat about 3 rows back on the left side. Probably the best advice I can give you is bring your application in and turn it in by hand and try to have all your classes done with the highest grades possible. I think anything above an 1100 is considered a competitive score. I got in with a 1200 or something like it I think. Good luck to you!!! I know it hasn't been long since I posted this rant but I really love the program and I'm starting to get used to the swing of things. The professors are all great! I think they cashed my check about a month after I turned in the application. Good luck to you and let me know how you do!!"
PreRNKatie...you were definately in my class, because that's exactly where I was thinking you sat. I turned my application in, in person, the first week classes were in session this semester. They cashed my check about a month after. I'm glad to hear you like the program! I can't wait....it's like being on pins and needles. I think my husband and family are so sick of hearing about it. I've been thinking about you...wondering if you were still having such a hard adjustment.
If I added my worksheet score up correctly, I believe my admission score was 1489. I couldn't count my History or Nutrition since I'm taking them now or the elective that I will take over the summer. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.
You are definately not alone!!! i feel you!
We are taking pharmacology and fundamentals together, and every week we have a pharm test every monday, and it is like 6 chapters that we were not lectured on!!!
of course i barely pass them, but they only count 10-15 % of the grade! and she usualy give us tasks to do to get a bump on those grades, but when we have lecture after we were tested, and the real 100 question test comes i do really well!!! my last one i only missed 2 outta 100. She says that she does that to make sure we are doing our readings and learning as much as we can !!!
then we have fundamentals, we are expected to do a head to toe, with all the things that comes with it and i am definately not 100 pct comfortable with it, since there is so much, i have been giving myself head to toes while seating here at my chair.
after my brake here i will go to my car and get my notes for the assessment i saw today, it incluided quite a lot, but i guess better more then less!!!
this friday i will get a new patient (which i am expected to do a full head to toe with hamer tunning for and it all)on my clinicals, and i am expected to turn in by march 6th a VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER care plan, on one of my patients, that either this week one, or next week, so i will skech on for both, it is a huge care plan, and it is a pass or fail, if you dont make a satisfactory care plan youre out!!!
we do have about 3 weeks to write it, and we can submit it once for a review from a clinical instructor, must be done no later then the 27th so she can check it and give you some time to correct it
we did not have much on assessment, other than some activities, and deviding the class into 6 and doing a partial assessment on a assign area. and we had a quick overview of assessment...
I turned my application in, in person, the first week classes were in session this semester. They cashed my check about a month after. I'm glad to hear you like the program! I can't wait....it's like being on pins and needles. I think my husband and family are so sick of hearing about it. I've been thinking about you...wondering if you were still having such a hard adjustment. 
pepperoni
30 Posts
I am laughing here reading about all the crying... I will be starting my third week in first semester on Monday, and have been doing really well in lecture and lab, but everytime I get to clinical or simulation lab, I am fighting the tears. Finally, on Friday, I broke down as soon as I got into my car leaving the hospital and bawled the whole way home!
I couldn't hold it back anymore. I don't know what it is about clinical (or... maybe it's my clinical instructor? I really don't know...) that chokes me up but I hope I get over it soon! I'm just glad to see I'm not the only one shedding a few tears in first semester! :chuckle