I Should Be Studying

Nursing school is no joke! It has been VERY challenging but I am having the time of my life! We have had exams every week which has kept me on my toes, and my nose in a book since I started this roller coaster ride!

I was told before entering this program, that if I expected to get straight A's, I would be severely disappointed. Well - it is so true! I have always managed to maintain an A through my college experience. Now, I am GRATEFUL for the B's that the Lord has allowed me to receive! This program is SO challenging and the pace so fast that you barely have time to finish up one test - before they throw another one at you. I am constantly struggling to kept my head above water! The content of the tests are ALSO nothing like anything I have seen before! They are all based on critical thinking skills - so straight memorization of concepts that you are learning, while it does good for you to KNOW the content, it really doesn't do you any good if you can't apply what you have learned to the situations that are presented to you in each question. For example - this is an actual question that was given to me in my Fundamentals of Nursing class:

A patient requires urinary catheterization but has difficulty keeping her legs in the usual position. The nurse has worked for many years and adapts the procedure to allow the patient to lie on her side. This action is based on the critical thinking element of
A. Curiosity
B Experience
C. Perserverance
D. Scientific knowledge

Now this question appears very straight forward, but it actually holds many different meanings. I picked the correct answer which was - B. Experience. You need to pick out key words in the question in order to answer correctly because in certiain questions - they may ALL be correct answers - you have to determine the best answer! In the above question the key words would be - has worked for many years and adapts the procedure. I don't know - maybe you can all see that "B" would be the right answer, but to me - it gets all so very fuzzy at times!!

Or try this one if you are not convinced. Now mind you - these are the easy ones - remember I am just getting started on my journey here - also - I am trying to give you examples that would be understandable without prior nursing knowledge:

The patient is able to ambulate without signs or symptoms of shortness of breath. Which statement by the nurse is the best example of an objective evaluation of the client's goal attainment?
A. Patient has no pain after ambulating.
B. Patient has no manifestations of nausea while up in hall.
C. Patient has no evidence of respiratory distress when ambulating.
D. Patient walked well and did not have any problem when up.

The correct answer - is C - Patient has no evidence of respiratory distress when ambulating.

I don't know - maybe it is just me - but THESE QUESTIONS ARE TRICKY!!! They really require you to stay on your toes - especially when you are taking an exam - because EVERY question counts against your grade!

If I fall below a cumulative grade of 75 in the class - I am out of the program! That is so stressful to everyone - because it is so hard! Every day presents NEW challenges that we have never been faced with. I could never imagine falling below a 75 - EVER! I study too hard for my classes for that to happen - but you just NEVER KNOW when it comes to this program!

I am trying to keep a positive attitude - my husband says I am so negative! I am sorry if I am coming across that way - this is all so new to me and I REALLY don't want to fail. I feel TOTALLy out of control which is disconcerting - but I NEED to start remembering everyday - that GOD IS IN CONTROL OF MY LIFE AND IS DETERMINING THE DIRECTION FOR MY LIFE!!! IF HE WANTS ME TO SUCCEED -HE WILL HAVE TO SEE ME THROUGH IT!

Please pray for me that I am able to get enough sleep - I have been surviving on about 4-5 hours a night and getting up at 3:00 in the morning to study. Please pray that I keep the RIGHT focus - and that I continue to put GOD FIRST in all tihngs - I am trying SO hard to find time to read His Word as well as study. I am trying not to panic and find the RIGHT attitude everyday. I am trying to keep pride out of my heart when I DO get a good grade - I want to remember that it is all GOD'S doing - when that happens and that He can just as easily allow me to fall on my face - if He wants me to!

More later - gotta run!
Blessings to you all,
Kymber

First Day of Nursing School

Yesterday was my first day of Nursing School and I think this picture says it all! YIKES!

I have been waiting for this day for so long and tried to be prepared for it. Our family went on vacation for a week to Florida before school started, and the whole time I was there I had my face in a book. Everyone kept telling me - "You should just relax and enjoy the time you have before school starts - because after it starts, you won't have any more free time". I am here to tell you - I am SO glad that I studied! Our first day of class WE HAD A DOSAGE CALCULATIONS EXAM!!!

Remember - this is my FIRST DAY - people! Dosage Calculations is a class in which I absolutely CAN'T make any mistakes! I have to get a cumulative grade of 80%. If I fall below an 80%, I will be asked to leave Nursing School. No stress right? Math has never been my strongpoint in school. I have to work very hard at it. To have an exam - without knowing how to REALLY do the problems, THEN having that exam count for a large part of my grade in this class - is insane!

Our day started off with wrapping up administrative paperwork, then we took time to get to know each other by everyone standing up and introducing themselves and telling why we decided to pursue Nursing. At Orientation, we started out with 33 people. One girl didn't show up yesterday - so she is out of the program. After our surprise exam, I am wondering who will fail to show up today! There were so many people yesterday who said they felt like throwing up due to all of the information being thrown at them!

After the introductions, we had a break and then we dove into Dosage Calculations - FOR THE NEXT 6 HOURS! My head was spinning and although the information was helpful, knowing that we had an exam at the end of it all - made it SO hard to absorb all of the material being thrown at us!

OKAY.....

I will calm down now - I will take a DEEP breath.....and I will prepare myself for day TWO of this wonderful new adventure......

I will remind myself Who is in charge of my destination and spend time with HIM in prayer -and I will jump back in with both feet- because I LOVE this rollercoaster I am on!

Blessings,

Kymber