You should learn how to modell with polygons, I personly only use Nurbs for creating simple things like eyes and such, you got alot more control over polygons.

If you are going to continue using Nurbs to create objects you should try messing around with Isoparms.

And there is a really nice beginner tutorial by Digital tutors about the interface and where they also created a object using nurbs, it costs a bit, if you want tutorials for free/cheaper look at this site.

Polygons 4-ever! :p