Saturday, November 12, 2011

What Does Normal Feel Like Again?

I had the evening off from work yesterday and I was extremely thrilled!  First let me tell you that I had a dickens of a week with all of my time devoted to studying for Exam 3 in my “big 7 credit foundational class”.  The content was majority on diabetes and although I felt fairly confident I still wasn’t able to walk away from the exam with a test score any higher than 78%.  Hummmm….not that great of a test score seeing as though I spent lots of time studying.  I think I have a great handle on the whole picture of what I’m studying but still struggling with application.  I wonder if it would serve me best to cut back on my study time and focus on the main points during lecture times.  This seems to be the suckiest part of school for me, ironing out what’s going to work for me and how I’m going to retain what I learn.  Also trying to figure a good way to come up with possible test questions that I could ask myself and using that as a helpful guide when trying to keep in mind the important stuff.

I haven’t given my Nursing Made Incredibly Easy Pathophysiology and Med/Surg. books a fair chance yet. I think these would be a great resource tool; either way back to my Friday break-down.  After I got home from my time at school, I went grocery shopping, and then back home to clean and get a few loads of laundry done.  Later I spent time making homemade pizza for me and the hubby.  Both our kids had previous plans to sleep over at their friends’ houses, so we watched TV and movies.  Nothing brought me more pleasure than feeling normal for a while.  So easily I get caught up in studying/working/thinking nurse-like that I forget to make time to just be me. 

Does anyone else suffer from feeling off kilter when it comes to being totally consumed by something?  I want to be the best nurse possible, trying to take care of patients and making them feel better, but if I can’t understand and get a grasp why the body does the things it does then I’m worried I won't be very helpful.

5 comments:

  1. I can somewhat understand what you mean, but I did not have kids or a spouse when I was in nursing school.
    I think the most important thing is to make sure you have time set aside for yourself, and make sure you TAKE that time out. Down time is crucial or you will burn out before you get through. If hubby is not being supportive, talk with him. Can you study with other people? Sometimes it helps to get other folks viewpoint.ts.

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  2. I think you will make a terrific nurse. I already see the qualities that prove that. The studies will eventually fall in place and the applications will make sense. Do spend time with family and unwinding and relaxing. It actually helps the study time.
    Take care and don't doubt yourself! :)

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  3. I have that same problem. I'm great at memorizing something, but actually putting it together in a practical application setting, I'm afraid that I'm not going to be good at that. Very nervous in fact. So, although this post isn't that helpful, lol, just know you're not alone :)

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  4. Barb, funny thing the following Friday after I posted this I had another exam in another class and spend less than 1/2 the time and scored higher. Even though the second exam was in an easier class I think there's something to be said about the amount of hours I was spending studying.
    CC-thanks for reassuring me and your compliments, I hate feeling/looking/acting dumb and nursing school completely humbles me over and over. I will persevere and encourage as many students as I can along the way.
    Candi-thanks for your empathy, I'm sure you'll do great.

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  5. Zazzy I am about to graduate from nursing school in less than 4 weeks...my tiny suggestion to you is read in your books about the disease process, then read the interventions (if your book gives you nursing diagnosis and interventions and such...this advise was given to me about 3 weeks into my nursing program from a senior and when I did it that way I started making high B's and A's and started to REALLY understand the application as well as what I (as a nurse) should do for my patients...now when I am in my final hours of my preceptorship I can actually spit out information to patients and nurses that makes sense...after all we student nurses with kids, husband, full time jobs don't have time to study 100 hours a week...I feel that pain! Good luck with your studies and heres to being a GREAT nurse!

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