I just received my acceptance letter:yeah: Yea... I cant wait I've worked so hard to get here. Now I'm so anxious! Can any body whos been in my shoes give me any tips on how to prepare for the first semester. I cant believe it... I AM A NURSING STUDENT!!

Congrats! just relax now, after the first semester life can be real hectic. Enjoy, the little time you have left before school.

try and relax get as much sleep as you can. spend time with your family, husband and kids if you have any, because when school starts you will barley see them.

I just received my acceptance letter:yeah: Yea... I cant wait I've worked so hard to get here. Now I'm so anxious! Can any body whos been in my shoes give me any tips on how to prepare for the first semester. I cant believe it... I AM A NURSING STUDENT!!

Do relax and enjoy your summer....if you're inclined to pick up a book or two though...I'd review developmental stages (Erikson, Piaget, etc) and refresh yourself on your A&P.

Congrats!

Peace,

CuriousMe

I just received my acceptance letter:yeah: Yea... I cant wait I've worked so hard to get here. Now I'm so anxious! Can any body whos been in my shoes give me any tips on how to prepare for the first semester. I cant believe it... I AM A NURSING STUDENT!!

Your Happiness comes right through the computer monitor!! I am so happy for you! I just completed my first semester and if I'd known a few things in advance, I would have done them.

1. Go to your school's Website and click on Faculty. Try to find a Prof. who you know teaches the course you will be taking, because they may post their Syllabus online. If you find the Online Syllabus, print it out, as this is probably the same syllabus they will give you when you get to school in the Fall.

2. Get the assigned book and follow the syllabus and START your readings NOW. When you read, have 4 x 6 sized index cards with you and transfer ALL of the important details onto the index cards. (I made about 150 or more (front and back) covering all of the chapters that were on the syllabus). Get an index card box and carry your cards EVERY WHERE you go and READ them every spare moment you have.

The information gets ingrained in your brain. If you cover as many of the chapters in the syllabus BEFORE school starts, it will free you up to focus on all of the various written assignments you will get as well as all of the Skills you will have to demonstrate. I feel it would have removed alot of the STRESS associated with Nursing school. I saw many students who just Highlighted the material in the book and concentrated on the Power Points. Out of 35 people in the class, I think 15 passed, if that many.

Make good use of the Cd Roms that come with your books, doing lots of practice questions. DON'T forget to come to this website as time permits. This website and all of the great people you will meet here will be an INVALUABLE resource as you go along. Now, stop reading right now and do the Happy Dance You're a NURSING STUDENT!!!!!!!

I just received my acceptance letter:yeah: Yea... I cant wait I've worked so hard to get here. Now I'm so anxious! Can any body whos been in my shoes give me any tips on how to prepare for the first semester. I cant believe it... I AM A NURSING STUDENT!!

congratulations, I will be right there with you starting in August maybe we can help each other. One student that is a semester ahead of me says read fundamentals.

Relax & enjoy your summer! :onbch: Because life will never be the same!

wow thanks for all the replies everyone says relax for the next 2 years because soon you will have no life. Our first semester is only 10hrs. I usually take 12 hours and have plenty of time for family etc. I don't want this to sound stupid but for less hours what makes it so much harder? Is it simply because its more critical thinking verses memorize micro etc and spit them back out for exams? I know it will be very hard and consume my life I just wish I had that magical ball to see why lol...The scariest thing is the unknown lol:o

wow thanks for all the replies everyone says relax for the next 2 years because soon you will have no life. Our first semester is only 10hrs. I usually take 12 hours and have plenty of time for family etc. I don't want this to sound stupid but for less hours what makes it so much harder? Is it simply because its more critical thinking verses memorize micro etc and spit them back out for exams? I know it will be very hard and consume my life I just wish I had that magical ball to see why lol...The scariest thing is the unknown lol:o

I only know my program....it's just plain more work. More reading, more assignments, more responsibilities....just more material and that's just the theory classes...then you throw lab, clinical and sim on top of it. I know that I worked 37 hours a week while taking 15 credits of pre-reqs (including sciences...I'm minoring in chemistry)....and now I take 12 credits of NS and work 8 hours a week. I'm busier now, by far. It's very doable...none of the material in of itself is that crazy difficult (although patho has it's moments) it's just a lot.

Congrats again!

I would just enjoy your summer, then when classes start, hit the ground running. The only information I would say to know going in is normal respiratory rates, heart rate, and temperature. If you can learn it in metric, so much the better.

They will teach you everything you need to know. As for the time issue, we only have five hours of theory and 12 hours of clinical per week, but oh my, do they seem like a lot! It's the paperwork for clinical that took up lots of my time, but the studying is prodigious, too. I have a husband and three kids-I still saw them, but I had to get real organized: meals planned and prepped as much as possible, laundry kept up with, calendars to keep everything straight. I grew to love my crockpot.

Enjoy the process as much as possible-you're gonna be a nurse when it's all over, and the first year goes fast! Good luck!

I just completed my first year of nursing. I have a few pointers that might help you including:

1-Rest and relax over the summer

2-time management skills will be important

3-the imformation can be overwhelming at first but you will adjust over time

4-everything does start to fit together over time

5-lots of reading and studying--always try to stay ahead of the reading

6-don't fall behind in readings or skills

7-THE MOST IMPORTANT POINTER i COULD SAY IS TO REMEMBER TO BREATHE. Try to take everyday one at a time!!!! The first year will be over before you know it.

CONGRATS :yeah::yeah:

I too am starting the nursing program in the fall. This thread has been helpful...thanks!