[locolorenzo22]

1. Know that while you're in NS, your instructors may as well be GOD....don't argue, don't fret, ask questions, but do NOT do so at the expense of others. I compare it to being in the military...they say "do it." you say "when?"
2. Read your chapters before class...it really helps with comprehension.
3. NEVER give any kind of medication until you check with your instructor, this can be the Kiss of death.
4. Treat all your classmates, teachers, staff nurses, and patients with respect at all times.
5. Realize there is a lot you don't know, so just be open to learning.

and finally,
NS is one of the most challenging expirences of a nurse's life. You cry, stress, smile, have good/bad times, care for patients, suffer through the loss of classmates, etc. Looking back, I wouldn't have traded the last 2 years for anything...it helps me realize that I can do anything, and I WILL be a sucessful nurse!

[cherubhipster]

Originally Posted by locolorenzo22

NS is one of the most challenging expirences of a nurse's life. You cry, stress, smile, have good/bad times, care for patients, suffer through the loss of classmates, etc. Looking back, I wouldn't have traded the last 2 years for anything...it helps me realize that I can do anything, and I WILL be a sucessful nurse!

This is very inspiring! Thank you!

[Twinsn3]

Alot of great advise. I recently graduated in May, started a job a week later, and passed boards a month after that. It was crazy. I look back on the last 4 years and think what I would have done different.......I would have taken more time to read the chapter prior to class. If they offer the ATI books for your classes, these are a must read. They are the down and dirty. Also, get the Saunders review book and cards and review them all the time. This will help getting you comfortable with how they test, and you really learn alot from the rational as to why the answers are right. Make time for yourself (even if it is midnight). I did this with 6 children and preg. with twins, then delivered junior yr. (I don't recomment it!!! haha) I just keep looking to the final goal RN!!!!! Take it one day at a time, and do not look ahead and get stressed!!! You can do this.

[Mudwoman]

I graduated a while ago, but still remember those days!

My schedule was to get home from classes and get on the treadmill for 45 minutes. Then quick shower, comfy clothes, and fix dinner. After dinner, then it was study time until bed.

Typical day at school------We covered all subjects in one day. So, we would come to class and it was expected that we had read chapters xx-xx in A&P, chapters xx-xx in Micro, chapters xx-xx in Peds/maternal, chapters xx-xx in psych and chapters xx-xx in Med-surg. It was also expected that we had done the end of the chapter questions/tests. Our teachers discussed the highlights of all this, and the next day we would have tests on all this. However, that night we would repeat all this with new chapters to read and do the end of chapter questions/tests on. So, if you didn't get this info when you read it and finalize your understanding in class the next day, you sure weren't going to have time to go home and study it because you had other stuff now on the plate to learn. So, I started using a study guide with care plans and interventions on various disease processes to help me study as I read the chapters. Everything still comes down to the nursing process. Also made condensed notes. If you are starting to get the idea that I rarely got to bed before midnight, you are correct. School started at 0700. Out at 1600. Weekends were try to catch up and get ahead on reading and doing end of chapter stuff. If I could really get ahead on the weekends, it made during the week easier, and allowed me to spend some time with my family, and get to bed at a decent hour every once in a while.

Accept that your life is nursing school while you are there. There is little time for anything else.

We started with 30 students. 21 graduated. The other 9 did not want to commit the time and effort.

For me, it was worth it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Even when I have a bad day at work, I'm still glad I am a nurse. I am never sorry that I made the sacrifice. I don't look forward to going to work, yet once there, I fall into a rhythm and routine and the day flies by. Some days I even amaze myself. Nursing is challenging and rewarding. I hope you give it a real go.

Charlee

[WeeBabyRN]

Don't sweat the small stuff, and believe me, there is a lot of small stuff in nursing school and nursing.

Don't argue with instructors over test questions. Trust me, they have heard every argument before and you will most likely lose. Remember, you can't argue with the NCLEX so you might as well get used to it now.

Don't feel intimidated by the students who are already nursing assistants.

If you are unsure of something at clinical ask your instructor or a nurse who seems friendly.

Remember your ABCs for all test questions. If there is an airway choice on a test it is most likely the correct answer.

Nursing school can't prepare you for everything. Don't expect it to, it teaches you how to begin thinking like a nurse. A lot of nursing is on the job training. I started in NICU after graduation, we had 1 NICU lecture during my 4 years of nursing school.

Enjoy the ride. Nursing school is a journey, enjoy every day along the way. When you are done with nursing school, take a look back at your journey, you will be amazed at how much you have grown.

Know that your first year of nursing will most likely be difficult. I work in a supportive environment with an awesome patient population and decent staffing and I still wanted to quit 5 times a week. It will get better, when you come out on the other side of your first year you will be in awe of how much you have learned and how much personal growth you have experienced.

Remeber that allnurses is a place that many come to vent. On any given day there are usually more frustrated posts than butterfly and rainbow posts. I like to come and get input on frustrating situations. If everything is going well, I don't need to post and ask has anyone experienced being happy and what did they do about it. Don't get discouraged if things seem negative here sometimes.

[xxgreenfirexx]

Originally Posted by cherubhipster

Hi everyone!

I am a pre-nursing student, with just the summer left before I begin my newest adventure. I am 25, and I have a BA in a field that is completely unrelated to healthcare.

I alternate between being ridiculously excited about starting school, and having nervous jitters about it. Sometime questions pop up in my head like "Am I making a mistake? Am I really going to be good at this? Am I going to like nursing? Am I going to kill someone by accident?"

As a new grad, do you have an advice for me, and other people like me? I am sure there are other pre-nursing students with the same kinds of worries.

How do we survive?

Thanks!

I'm sorry I'm not a new grad, but i feel EXACTLY the same way you've described...I'm worried I won't be able to live up to the all the expectations...I'm worried I won't know what the hell I'm doing, etc....I say let's put our blinders on and just keep moving forward!!!!

[Sterren]

Go to class. Pay attention when you are there. Ask questions if you don't understand. Read the book, it will only help you.

Sleep, as many hours per night as you can.

Make friends with your classmates, have regular study buddies, do not view your classmates as your competition unless that is what you want them to become. You are all in it together, like it or not.

Know your lab values, know that Lasix decreases potassium, and know the antidotes for Heparin (Protamine Sulfate) and Coumadin (Vitamin K). I guarantee that you will have test questions on at least one of these.

The scared/excited thing is normal, and it doesn't really go away all that much. At least it didn't for me.

[MicRNsomeday]

Originally Posted by xxgreenfirexx

I'm sorry I'm not a new grad, but i feel EXACTLY the same way you've described...I'm worried I won't be able to live up to the all the expectations...I'm worried I won't know what the hell I'm doing, etc....I say let's put our blinders on and just keep moving forward!!!!

I'm glad you said this. I feel the exact same way, but all I can do is take it on one day at a time. Thats what I keep telling myself.