First Semester Recap

My first semester of Nursing school is over and done with. Before I begin my second semester, I wanted to do a little summary. Here goes.

Did I have free time during my first semester in a "fast paced" nursing program?
Let me answer this carefully. I was able to watch about 30 movies, keep up with every show on my DVR (don't make me list the shows...just know there is a lot), travel to Texas twice, take a trip to the beach (2 weeks before finals), run or walk just about everyday, and had plans just about every weekend. Am I telling you this to brag? No. I am not that exciting of a person, nor am I extremely intelligent. I just seemed to have a lot of time on my hands this first semester. I also want people to know that it isn't impossible to have a life in nursing school...if watching a ton of movies is a "life".

Was there a lot of reading and homework?
Yes! I know it is hard to believe that I actually did work, but I did. On average, per week, I had around 60 pages of Patho to read, 60-90 pages to read for Fundamentals/Assessment, a couple of hours a week to practice skill (catheter insertion, trach care, NG tube insertion etc) check-offs, and 20-30 pages to read for Stats along with 1-2 assignments. This along with a paper due about every 3 weeks for Intro and a Plan of Care that took a couple of weeks for me to complete. Plus around 1-2 hours of ATI videos to watch each week along with an 8 hour clinical shift every Friday.

Was it hard?
This isn't to brag, but I managed pretty well in the classroom. What is a challenge for me is in the clinical setting, which I believe to be the most important. I am naturally shy and when people start sharing their life story with me I sometimes find it difficult to know what to say next. I also struggle writing papers. I'm not bad at it, it's just hard for me to sit down and do it. Getting started is SO hard.

Was it what I expected?
No. I thought it was going to be impossible to succeed in this program. I actually thought it might kill me. I thought I was going to be constantly worrying about passing and keeping up with everything. If you keep up with the work, it really isn't bad. If you get a week behind... that is another story. I found out really quickly that after class my brain is mush and it is impossible for me to get anything done. So, I study on the weekends and leave the week for classes only. I rest when I come home and let my brain take in what I have learned that day in class. There are exceptions like when tests come around where I will study during the week...or if I actually feel like getting work done after class. What saved me this semester was my three day weekends. It's as if I get a whole day to do NOTHING! I don't feel guilty putting the books away and doing whatever I want. I also found that running or going for a walk everyday helps boost my mood.
To add on, this program is very nurturing. I am not used to having help at every step along the way. In my undergrad, a professor would give you their email and then tell you they would probably not respond. Here, they give you their email, office phone, AND PERSONAL PHONE NUMBER!!! No joke. They also add "Please call at a reasonable hour...like before 10 or 11 PM"...are you kidding me? Most professors have families, teach, work as a nurse, AND are working on their phds. ;aksdjf;lsdkjf;laskjf they are super human.


Do I like Durham?
Yes and No. Is it a nice place to live? Yes. Is it home? No.
There are several things to do AROUND Durham, but not many things to do IN Durham. You are a couple of hours from the beach or the mountains...and very close to the Nation's capital. I love having a ton of beautiful trails around, but I hate horseflies. I think the trees are gorgeous, but it blocks the sun from my porch.

Do I feel like a Nurse yet?
hahaha! No. I did gain experience in my first clinical setting, but I am far from feeling completely confident. I talked to some girls who were about to graduate and they told me they felt the exact same way I do when they were in their first semester. They told me that everything started to click after Adult Health (what I'm about to start). They said I will feel like I could graduate after the second semester. .....I hope so =/

What will I do different my second semester?
I want to be organized. I should re-phrase: I want to STAY organized. I completely lost my organizational skills after Spring Break last semester. I started putting papers downstairs and upstairs..not in their binders...scattered all around...the cat even puked on some...gross, I know. I need to try and read all the material BEFORE class so I can have a better understanding during the lectures.


This semester is going to be my hardest and I need to go in with a game plan. I'm going to be going through some 12 hour days and I'm going to need some coping skills. The good thing...it is summer...so I won't completely miss the sun...could you imagine if it was winter? ew