Nursing student help....i dont feel like im learning anything!?

I'm in my first year of my associate degree in nursing. The program is so fast paced that I feel like I am not absorbing anything, I'm completely overwhelemed. I am passing all my tests, but I feel like when it comes down to actually applying what I've learned in clinicals, I'm lacking. I know the NCLEX is 1 1/2 years away for me, but I feel like I won't pass it because I'm concentrating on cramming in all the info just to pass my tests. Is this normal to feel this way? Am I soaking in more than I think? Also, all the instructors are kinda rude and each one will give you a different answer when you have a question, which only adds to the confusion and frustration. I'm also having a hard time because the way we learn to do things in the book is not the way they do things in the hospital that I take my clinicals at. Any advice? Thanks.

What you're feeling is TOTALLY normal. And yes, you are absorbing more than you think. You learn a TON of information in nursing school, way more than you will ever truly need in practice once you're working. And once you're working, you will find that you remember things as you need to, as it applies to your patient and their condition.

If you're doing well on your tests and assignments, be confident that you'll pass NCLEX and will meet the criteria to be a new, novice RN. Most of what you learn comes on the job anyway, and is provided through your orientation once you start work.

Stick it out. You'll be fine. Everyone feels this stress and feels like they aren't retaining anything.

Good luck!

You need to make an appointment with your student counselor. Maybe what you're feeling is normal for someone in your program, but maybe there are problems that need to be addressed. He/she would be the one to determine that and get you extra help if necessary.

Just go with the flow, hun. Nursing school is hard, and you WILL work harder than you have before. And you'll pick up stuff as you go along...I wouldn't worry about it at this point.

Clinicals get easier with practice. Ask your preceptor/instructor to help you if you're still having trouble with basic skills.

NCLEX questions are tricky, but you'll pick up the style...it just takes some getting used to. Pick up Lippincott's NCLEX-RN review book to help you, and always remember...1)airway 2)cardiac 3)pain (usually)

EVERYONE feels like they're in over their head for the first semester. What you're feeling is normal. Don't stress, just study hard...Good luck!

Nursing school is challenging so ive heard and it becomes a pain after a while.However if you feel yout not learning whats needed but still passing theres alwasy the idea of trying instead for a Bachelors in nursing.The first two years are basically a bunch of book work,the last two years actually get the actual nursing tasks learned.Its challenging but once you keep up its no problem.Good luck

Unless you are really committed to nursing and understand the huge responsibility you are undertaking by accepting people's lives in your hands, I advise you just like I advised my daughter, RUN AWAY NOW!!! I have been a nurse for 20 years and I absolutely hate it. It is extremely stressful. You will find yourself understaffed and overworked and underpaid, considering that you have human lives in your hands. Dr's are generally rude to you. You have to work weekends and holidays. You will be away from your family, and your boss will probably not be on your side if a patient complains about you and believe me they will no matter how hard you try and how much you bend over backwards to do your very best. So, if you are very calm cool and collected and able to respond to codes which happen quite frequently then I would suggest you find something else. It doesn't get any easier and the older you get, the harder it gets. I used to think it was just me, but in talking to most of the other nurses I work with, most of them wished they had never gotten into nursing. Whatever you decide, best of luck!!!