I survived week one!

[kristycarberry]

Well, I survived week one and it was a very positive experience overall. Of course, it was just basic stuff like culture, aseptic technique and the profession of nursing, etc. I am so glad that I took sociology, microbiology and psyhchology before we had to take them...so much of the stuff this week was from those classes!

Yesterday I had my first "practicum" (skills test) and it was on handwashing. My hands are quite dry! I learned the surgical scrub technique when I worked in the hospital previously, but here we have to scrub down instead of up. So, I wanted to be sure that I had it exactly right, since it was the first time that I would be evaluated by an instructor. I must have washed my hands 30 times between Thursday and Friday! I passed the skills test...it's a good thing, because if I couldn't pass handwashing, I might as well just stop now! :-)
I really like my instructors so much. I have two instructors for theory and they seem so intelligent and really seem eager to help us. My clinical instructor, which I just met on Thursday is a young lady, I think she is probably around 35 or so, which is an advantage because she remembers school very well! She is a nurse practioner and is in school now for her doctorate of OB nursing. She also encourages us a lot and seems so helpful, so I think this is going to be not only valuable learning, but fun as well. Stressful, I'm sure, but I think having the right instructors really makes all the difference in an experience.
The upcoming week....I have a dosage calculations test which I feel pretty good about because I learned those over the Summer. This Friday we will be visiting the nursing home to talk with the residents for 20 minutes. We will each be assigned a resident to speak to. We will practice therapeutic communication there. I think that it's going to be a really great experience for everyone...in my experience, nursing home residents are always so thrilled to have guests, so it will be nice for them to have someone to talk to. For us, it will be great practice, especially for the students that have never worked in a medical setting. Anyhow, we will go there on Friday and then we will go back the following week on Thursday and Friday.

I'm still excited, not stressed yet! The hours are long, but I just enjoy this so much. I hope that I can still say that in a few months! :-)

[1mg.epi]

I look back and remember my first skills test, bed pan placement and bed making. Quit a few of us were nerves and reviewing the technique in our heads. How exciting it was, Yep, passed hand washing and did the dance for joy. I loved nursing school. Made life long friendships, and memories. It was a good time. Stay excited. After 13 years i still am excited about the profession.

[Godluvsme]

CONGRATS! I too, just started nursing school a week ago. Technically, a week and two days. It was all I excpected plus 100 times more. I'm not feeling as positive as you are, but I'm not discouraged. I am VERY sleep deprived and it's affecting everything. My first test was Monday and I made a 100, second test on Wed., I made an 84, 3 tests yesterday, I made 100, 89 and 75! I broke down at break because I was so tired and I studied so hard. (I'll probably be known as the cry-baby of our class) I studied Thursday from 4:00 to 11:30 p.m. My brain is frazzled . When I lay down to sleep I have such anxiety about the next day and doing well that I usually lay there for at least 2 hours before I finally doze off. I'm going to see if my Dr. can give me something to help me calm down. Because I am enjoying school too, my instructors are wonderful! I wish though that I would not have chosen to do this in 1 yr. I have never been to college and I graduated H.S. 13 yrs ago.
If you'd like to chat sometime, send me a pm. I don't have the time to get online much anymore, didn't any this week. And having this three day weekend will be a great time to study! I hope school continues to be a joy for you. I truly believe staying positive, even when you don't feel so positive, is a must. Good luck!

[TheNoodle]

Good for you! I just finished week one of my second quarter, but I really think the first quarter is more intimidating because you're not quite sure what to expect. Try not to be too anxious...the brain works better when it's relaxed! (You'll have more fun too!)
I have my first 2 practicals next week. One on clean-to-sterile wound dressings and the other on IM injections. I can't wait! Finally getting to the nursy stuff!!!

[Tina1964]

Can I ask you what you scored on your NET test? We have over 3000 applicants for the fall 2005 semester and there are only 30 evening seats. I hope my score was high enough.

[Luv2BANurse]

Take your time on the clean to sterile dressing, think before you move your hands and you will be just fine.

[BLT]

Hello,

I just found out I was accepted into a BSN program which I had to take the NET to apply. My overall composite was an 86 about the 96%tile. I know many who didn't do to well and still got in. If I were you I wouldn't sweat it, it isn't hard.It is similar to TASS test, it's very basic stuff. I hope this helps.

[udali]

CONGRADULATIONS!!!

[clifford1]

Hi, well done. Im an English nurse, not a sudent, but qualified two years ago. I remember my first week so well.
I came home every evening from university absolutely brain dead, thinking 'I will never be able to do all of the work'
It would be so interesting comparing how we train here and how they train nurses in the States.
Is your training three years like ours?