[yeepers]

Hey all,

First off...let me wish you all a safe and happy holiday! My hubby and I are off to Vegas for the holidays so I'm just waiting for this week to fly by!

Onto other thrills....my stethoscope got delivered today and I think it's finally hit home that I'm really, REALLY, going to be starting nursing school in January. When I first got it in my head to do this it was last year about this time so it's been a quick road to nursing school. I'm excited and a little nervous. I've gotten my class schedule already and am just waiting for the bookstore to have our textbooks ready for pickup. Only a couple more weeks to go. My schedule is pretty much 8-5 M-F so this is the first time in a long time that I've had to be in school 5 days a week

Any advice from you folks out there who've already started? Tips, pointers?

Thanks for being part of this forum. I've learned a lot from just reading through the posts. It was all of you who convinced me to buy a Littmann Classic SE. By the way, if anyone else out there is looking for one at a great price the place I got mine the Classic SE model was $57.95 and I got the id tag as well. With shipping the total came out to $68. Great deal!

Cheers!

Yee

[Montessori Mommy]

Yippee!!! and Congratulations!!

I can't wait until I get my stethoscope! (I don't start nursing school until the fall, so I will wait.) My aunt, who's been a nurse for 40 years was so thrilled to hear I'm changing careers to become a nurse that she begged to buy me my first stethoscope. She's the best!!

Of course, my little ones - ages 5 and 2 - will want to play with it all the time. I will have to find a good hiding spot!

Have a great trip!
Beth

[Tweety]

Good luck. My only tip is to not get behind, no matter what. School must maintain a high priority.

It's just beginning to dawn on me that I start back in January to for my RN to BSN. Had "orientation" today. Which was all online.

Good luck to all starting in January!

[goodknight]

CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!!!!

I got my Littman Classic SE yesterday. Now i have my little white scrubs hanging in my closet, all my books piled on my desk and i can't wait. Kinda a wierd feeling. I just wish they'd hurry up and tell us more than 'you start Jan 10 and have these classes'

[MZachry]

Congratulations! I know when I bought my first steth. in CMA school I was so excited...so excited, I bought two w/i 9 months lol

I can't wait to go look and buy my stethoscope, suture scissors, etc, etc, etc for nursing school!! (Some of us get excited easily )

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!

[yeepers]

Thanks y'all! I'm excited to get started but I'm sure once I'm in it I'll just be begging for summer vacation

The program I'm going to only required us to purchase shoes and the stethoscope. Everything else is part of the program and provided to us as the cost is included in our tuition.

Happy holidays!

[Jen2]

How exciting. I remember when I purchased my first stethescope before nursing school and it was a fashion statement. Now, I only have one more semester left and I actually know what to do with it and you will too very soon.

My best advice:
#1 Keep organized. Get a huge 3 ring binder with tap separators with each different instructors name on it and use loose leaf paper to take notes with during class and then put the notes behind that instuctors tabs.

#2 Keep up with required readings and outline each chapter. This is so helpful if you are able to outline the chapters before class, then during class you can add the lecture notes to your outline.

#3 Study every night. Set aside at least two hours (minimal) each night to read over your notes. If you don't understand something in the readings or your notes, take a moment to email the instructor. I usually study at least 2 hours in the evening and then I do marathon studying on Saturday's and Sunday's for like 8 hours a day. I know it's alot, but no matter how much I study, I still never feel like it is enough.

#4 If you get a failing grade on an exam you have to let it go immediately and change your study habits. Most of us has failed a nursing exam or got a low score on an exam. You cannot dwell on it. The best thing that I have found to do is re-evaluate my study habits. I have studied by myself, with groups, from NCLEX books, and the list goes on and on. You will need to change the way you study for each instructor, so get to know them and what is important to them.

#5 Take some time for yourself. Set aside at least a few hours a week and go out to dinner or something that you enjoy. Myself, I made it a priority to watch the Swan every week. The show is only an hour long, but it was my one hour a week to just sit in front of the tube with popcorn and relax. I am a couch potato, so that was my treat for the week.

I wish you the best of luck! There will be times you feel like quitting, and there will be times when you are wondering what the heck you are doing to yourself, but in those times remember the excitement that you feel right at this moment and how bad you really want it. You will get through it. Oh, and one last thing, don't worry about how dirty your house gets or that your family has to eat mac and cheese every night because it will be worth it in the end.

[yeepers]

Jen,

Thanks so much for all the advice and the kind words. I'm definitely going into my first semester with my eyes wide open thanks to this forum!

Best of luck to you in your upcoming semester and thanks again

-Yee

[Jen2]

No problem. I also found this forum when I got acceoted into the nursing program and I love it. You have the right attitude, I'm sure you will go far!!!!!

[agent]

good luck