STU DENT VOICES
Life is a circus: find your balance By Jessica Koopman
MY LIFE AS A NURSING STUDENT could be accurately described as a three-ring circus. Some days, I feel like a juggler with many different balls in the air, eyes on me, everyone waiting for me to drop one. Other times, my life might be better described as a balancing act—you know, the one where the man or woman balances a plate on a stick, then a cup, then another plate as the audience watches in awe, hoping nothing falls. And on other days, I feel like the tightrope walker: high in the air without a net, praying with each step that I don’t fall.
Currently I’m in my final semester of nursing school, and I’ve found many ways of coping with everything life throws at me. In this article, I’ll share some of what works best for me.
Plan, plan, plan! First I plan, using an old-school paper planner. In it goes each and every one of my children’s events for school, whether it’s football games, piano practice, days off, half days, or dance recitals. I don’t color code (this would personally cause me more stress, but I know it helps some people). I also make sure each and every one of my husband’s events is in my planner, including his work schedule. He works as an over-the-road welder so I make sure I include his weekends home, what day/time his flight
22 l Nursing2014 l May
Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
www.Nursing2014.com
leaves, and so on. I also add my school schedule: classes, meetings, exams, clinicals, when assignments are due—everything! A key to making the planner (whether digital or paper) work for you is to make it part of your everyday life. Add to it, change it, and update it as needed. Keep it on the counter when at home or in your purse or backpack when traveling. Make sure to use it, and, if you have a family, teach them to use it too. My children and husband know to “check the planner” before committing to anything! Just say no, but ask for help Another way that I’ve learned to balance life and school is a simple one: I’ve learned to say “no.” This sounds
www.Nursing2014.com
easy but it’s not. Many nursing students I’ve talked with have voiced the same concerns: it’s hard to attend every family/friend event, keep up the biweekly coffee date with an old friend, or volunteer for the children’s football games without losing study time. We all have commitments and we all have many things we’d like to do. However, nursing school takes a lot of time and commitment and should be the main priority. Over the past few years, I’ve learned to say, “no, I can’t do that right now, but if there’s any need over spring break or winter vacation, I’m your girl!” I’ve also learned to ask for help. This is huge, not only in school, but in clinicals and my personal life. Even though I strive to be the best mother,
wife, and nursing student I can be, there are times I just can’t do it all or I’m just not sure of myself. It’s those times that I stop, assess the situation, and ask for help. Whether it’s educating a patient, writing a paper, or asking someone to watch the children while I study, it’s easier to ask for help than to try to do it all and end up giving less than 100%. Apply the nursing process I’ve also learned to apply the nursing process to my life. For example, if I’m struggling with a homework assignment, the first thing I do is assess. Why am I struggling? Have I reviewed all of the materials? Am I having a problem with one concept or the whole assignment?
May l Nursing2014 l 23
Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
STU DENT VOICES
Next, I determine the most appropriate “nursing diagnosis.” What’s the specific problem? Lack of knowledge? Lack of understanding? Have I truly put forth my best studying effort, or have I been “studying” the material while watching my favorite TV show? Is this a concept that I’ve struggled with in the past? Once I think I know what the problem is, I can plan ways to address it. For example, I can plan to meet with the instructor to review the information. I can make flash cards or a concept map. I can plan meetings with a study group. I can plan time after class to review information. Next, I implement my plan. I meet with the instructor and find out what knowledge I’m missing or misunder-
standing. I make flash cards and concept maps and use them to study. I meet with a study group to go over material and concepts. After class, I take 30 minutes to review the information just obtained. Finally, I evaluate. I test my knowledge by asking classmates or family members to quiz me on the material. You can use online or end-of-chapter tests to learn if knowledge has been retained and, more important, understood. By evaluating, you can determine which study methods worked and which didn’t. If a method worked, continue using it. If not, start the nursing process over by reassessing and reworking plans and implementation as needed until you fully learn and understand the material.
Never quit In the circus of my life, I’ve dropped the ball, broken plates, and fallen off the tightrope. But I’ve also picked up all the pieces and begun again. In reality, a safety net is always in place: family, friends, classmates, and/or instructors. Everyone is cheering for success, watching and waiting, ready to step in as needed. And, at the end, the crowd cheers and claps, forgetting any mistakes! ■ At the time this article was written, Jessica Koopman was a nursing student at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. Currently, she’s waiting to take her boards. The author has disclosed that she has no financial relationships related to this article. DOI-10.1097/01.NURSE.0000444546.64972.95
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SUBSCRIPTIONS & CUSTOMER SERVICE Nursing journal has been peer-reviewed and evidence-based since 1971.
Visit Nursing2014.com > Free for subscribers < Free access to Nursing2014 online… from the current issue back to 1971! Use these 4 easy steps to activate your free online account: 1. Visit www.Nursing2014.com. 2. Click on “Create a new account” in the Login box. 3. Select an easy-to-remember user name and password. 4. Follow the directions to complete your registration. You’ll need your Subscriber ID, which is located on the journal’s mailing label directly above your name. Enjoy your free online access for the length of your print subscription.
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Don’t miss the Search box, where you can type in a term to find out what Nursing has published on the topic—or find an article you remember reading in a back issue.
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To subscribe or renew, resolve billing questions, order a gift subscription, or submit a change of address, call toll-free at 1-800-879-0498. Subscription Information: Individual yearly rate—US: $49; Canada: $57 plus appropriate GST; UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand: $66; Rest of world: $126. Institution yearly rate—US: $560; Canada: $570 plus appropriate GST; UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand: $591; Rest of world: $580. The single price copy is $9. A $9 shipping and handling fee has been added for all subscriptions. Subscriptions outside of North America must add $16 for air freight delivery. The GST tax of 7% must be added to all orders shipped to Canada GST#6842666 and CPM#40052291.
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT To submit article-related comments, questions, or reactions, write Nursing2014, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, e-mail [email protected]. Please include your mailing address. For author information, visit www.nursing2014.com or call 1-800-346-7844, ext. 7702. Nursing2014 is indexed in MEDLINE; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; International Pharmaceutical Abstracts; and General Science Index. Microfilmed issues available from University Microfilms, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Nursing2014 is abstracted in Nursing Abstracts.
CONTINUING-EDUCATION OFFERINGS For information about test results or certificates, call 1-800-787-8985. To take CE tests online with immediate processing, go to www.nursingcenter.com/ce/nursing.
RIGHTS AND REPRINTS Quotes of up to 500 words are permitted for noncommercial purposes with credit to Nursing2014, except for articles bearing a copyright notice of others. Nursing faculty and staff-development instructors may photocopy up to 100 copies of articles for educational, noncommercial purposes (except for articles bearing a copyright notice of others) free. Requests for other purposes or for more copies must be submitted to Copyright Clearance Center (call 1-978-750-8400). For commercial reprints and all quantities of 500 or more, e-mail [email protected]. For quantities of 500 or under, e-mail [email protected], call 1-866-903-6951, or fax 1-410-528-4434. For permission and/or rights to use content for which the copyright holder is LWW or the society, please go to the journal’s website and after clicking on the relevant article, click on the “Request Permissions” link under the “Article Tools” box that appears on the right side of the page. Alternatively, send an e-mail to [email protected]. For Translation Rights & Licensing queries, contact Silvia Serra, Translations Rights, Licensing & Permissions Manager, Wolters Kluwer Health (Medical Research) Ltd, 250 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RD, UK. Phone: +44 (0) 207 981 0600. E-mail: [email protected]. For Special Projects and Reprints (U.S./Canada), contact Alan Moore, Director of Sales, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Phone: 215-521-8638. E-mail: [email protected]. For Special Projects and Reprints (non-U.S./Canada), contact Silvia Serra, Translations Rights, Licensing & Permissions Manager, Wolters Kluwer Health (Medical Research) Ltd, 250 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RD, UK. Phone: +44 (0) 207 981 0600. E-mail: [email protected].
24 l Nursing2014 l May
Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
www.Nursing2014.com
Life is a circus: find your balance By Jessica Koopman
MY LIFE AS A NURSING STUDENT could be accurately described as a three-ring circus. Some days, I feel like a juggler with many different balls in the air, eyes on me, everyone waiting for me to drop one. Other times, my life might be better described as a balancing act—you know, the one where the man or woman balances a plate on a stick, then a cup, then another plate as the audience watches in awe, hoping nothing falls. And on other days, I feel like the tightrope walker: high in the air without a net, praying with each step that I don’t fall.
Currently I’m in my final semester of nursing school, and I’ve found many ways of coping with everything life throws at me. In this article, I’ll share some of what works best for me.
Plan, plan, plan! First I plan, using an old-school paper planner. In it goes each and every one of my children’s events for school, whether it’s football games, piano practice, days off, half days, or dance recitals. I don’t color code (this would personally cause me more stress, but I know it helps some people). I also make sure each and every one of my husband’s events is in my planner, including his work schedule. He works as an over-the-road welder so I make sure I include his weekends home, what day/time his flight
22 l Nursing2014 l May
Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
www.Nursing2014.com
leaves, and so on. I also add my school schedule: classes, meetings, exams, clinicals, when assignments are due—everything! A key to making the planner (whether digital or paper) work for you is to make it part of your everyday life. Add to it, change it, and update it as needed. Keep it on the counter when at home or in your purse or backpack when traveling. Make sure to use it, and, if you have a family, teach them to use it too. My children and husband know to “check the planner” before committing to anything! Just say no, but ask for help Another way that I’ve learned to balance life and school is a simple one: I’ve learned to say “no.” This sounds
www.Nursing2014.com
easy but it’s not. Many nursing students I’ve talked with have voiced the same concerns: it’s hard to attend every family/friend event, keep up the biweekly coffee date with an old friend, or volunteer for the children’s football games without losing study time. We all have commitments and we all have many things we’d like to do. However, nursing school takes a lot of time and commitment and should be the main priority. Over the past few years, I’ve learned to say, “no, I can’t do that right now, but if there’s any need over spring break or winter vacation, I’m your girl!” I’ve also learned to ask for help. This is huge, not only in school, but in clinicals and my personal life. Even though I strive to be the best mother,
wife, and nursing student I can be, there are times I just can’t do it all or I’m just not sure of myself. It’s those times that I stop, assess the situation, and ask for help. Whether it’s educating a patient, writing a paper, or asking someone to watch the children while I study, it’s easier to ask for help than to try to do it all and end up giving less than 100%. Apply the nursing process I’ve also learned to apply the nursing process to my life. For example, if I’m struggling with a homework assignment, the first thing I do is assess. Why am I struggling? Have I reviewed all of the materials? Am I having a problem with one concept or the whole assignment?
May l Nursing2014 l 23
Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
STU DENT VOICES
Next, I determine the most appropriate “nursing diagnosis.” What’s the specific problem? Lack of knowledge? Lack of understanding? Have I truly put forth my best studying effort, or have I been “studying” the material while watching my favorite TV show? Is this a concept that I’ve struggled with in the past? Once I think I know what the problem is, I can plan ways to address it. For example, I can plan to meet with the instructor to review the information. I can make flash cards or a concept map. I can plan meetings with a study group. I can plan time after class to review information. Next, I implement my plan. I meet with the instructor and find out what knowledge I’m missing or misunder-
standing. I make flash cards and concept maps and use them to study. I meet with a study group to go over material and concepts. After class, I take 30 minutes to review the information just obtained. Finally, I evaluate. I test my knowledge by asking classmates or family members to quiz me on the material. You can use online or end-of-chapter tests to learn if knowledge has been retained and, more important, understood. By evaluating, you can determine which study methods worked and which didn’t. If a method worked, continue using it. If not, start the nursing process over by reassessing and reworking plans and implementation as needed until you fully learn and understand the material.
Never quit In the circus of my life, I’ve dropped the ball, broken plates, and fallen off the tightrope. But I’ve also picked up all the pieces and begun again. In reality, a safety net is always in place: family, friends, classmates, and/or instructors. Everyone is cheering for success, watching and waiting, ready to step in as needed. And, at the end, the crowd cheers and claps, forgetting any mistakes! ■ At the time this article was written, Jessica Koopman was a nursing student at Mid-State Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids, Wis. Currently, she’s waiting to take her boards. The author has disclosed that she has no financial relationships related to this article. DOI-10.1097/01.NURSE.0000444546.64972.95
How to reach us
About
SUBSCRIPTIONS & CUSTOMER SERVICE Nursing journal has been peer-reviewed and evidence-based since 1971.
Visit Nursing2014.com > Free for subscribers < Free access to Nursing2014 online… from the current issue back to 1971! Use these 4 easy steps to activate your free online account: 1. Visit www.Nursing2014.com. 2. Click on “Create a new account” in the Login box. 3. Select an easy-to-remember user name and password. 4. Follow the directions to complete your registration. You’ll need your Subscriber ID, which is located on the journal’s mailing label directly above your name. Enjoy your free online access for the length of your print subscription.
TIP
Don’t miss the Search box, where you can type in a term to find out what Nursing has published on the topic—or find an article you remember reading in a back issue.
Join us on Facebook LOG ONTO Facebook.com SEARCH NsgJournal CLICK on Like
Follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/NsgJournal
To subscribe or renew, resolve billing questions, order a gift subscription, or submit a change of address, call toll-free at 1-800-879-0498. Subscription Information: Individual yearly rate—US: $49; Canada: $57 plus appropriate GST; UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand: $66; Rest of world: $126. Institution yearly rate—US: $560; Canada: $570 plus appropriate GST; UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand: $591; Rest of world: $580. The single price copy is $9. A $9 shipping and handling fee has been added for all subscriptions. Subscriptions outside of North America must add $16 for air freight delivery. The GST tax of 7% must be added to all orders shipped to Canada GST#6842666 and CPM#40052291.
EDITORIAL DEPARTMENT To submit article-related comments, questions, or reactions, write Nursing2014, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103, e-mail [email protected]. Please include your mailing address. For author information, visit www.nursing2014.com or call 1-800-346-7844, ext. 7702. Nursing2014 is indexed in MEDLINE; Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature; International Pharmaceutical Abstracts; and General Science Index. Microfilmed issues available from University Microfilms, 300 N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Nursing2014 is abstracted in Nursing Abstracts.
CONTINUING-EDUCATION OFFERINGS For information about test results or certificates, call 1-800-787-8985. To take CE tests online with immediate processing, go to www.nursingcenter.com/ce/nursing.
RIGHTS AND REPRINTS Quotes of up to 500 words are permitted for noncommercial purposes with credit to Nursing2014, except for articles bearing a copyright notice of others. Nursing faculty and staff-development instructors may photocopy up to 100 copies of articles for educational, noncommercial purposes (except for articles bearing a copyright notice of others) free. Requests for other purposes or for more copies must be submitted to Copyright Clearance Center (call 1-978-750-8400). For commercial reprints and all quantities of 500 or more, e-mail [email protected]. For quantities of 500 or under, e-mail [email protected], call 1-866-903-6951, or fax 1-410-528-4434. For permission and/or rights to use content for which the copyright holder is LWW or the society, please go to the journal’s website and after clicking on the relevant article, click on the “Request Permissions” link under the “Article Tools” box that appears on the right side of the page. Alternatively, send an e-mail to [email protected]. For Translation Rights & Licensing queries, contact Silvia Serra, Translations Rights, Licensing & Permissions Manager, Wolters Kluwer Health (Medical Research) Ltd, 250 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RD, UK. Phone: +44 (0) 207 981 0600. E-mail: [email protected]. For Special Projects and Reprints (U.S./Canada), contact Alan Moore, Director of Sales, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Two Commerce Square, 2001 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103. Phone: 215-521-8638. E-mail: [email protected]. For Special Projects and Reprints (non-U.S./Canada), contact Silvia Serra, Translations Rights, Licensing & Permissions Manager, Wolters Kluwer Health (Medical Research) Ltd, 250 Waterloo Road, London SE1 8RD, UK. Phone: +44 (0) 207 981 0600. E-mail: [email protected].
24 l Nursing2014 l May
Copyright © 2014 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
www.Nursing2014.com
