[abbythetabby]

Hi,

Our senior class is setting us a breakfast chat with the incoming class. What topics would you like to know more about as a new nursing student? We're wondering what we should anticipate. It seems so long since we were all started the program that it's hard to remember what we were so nervous about.

Thanks for helping out your fellow future nurses.

[shock-me-sane]

i am not a new nursing student, actually going to go into my second year of a three year. what i am actually hoping to set up is a mentor program for the incoming students. those who wish to will be paired up with an older student. they will meet, exchange contact info and actually be required to meet up once a month or something similar.

i can't think of any questions that i initally had, but i do remember being told at orientation something about doing this (which never happened) and i thought it was a fabulous idea.

so maybe that is something your class could set up?

[allthingsbright]

Everyone always wants to know what clinicals are "like"--specifics about clinicals themselves. You could talk about skilss check offs.

Also, maybe address the difference in pre-req classes and nursing classes--criticla thing, nursing tests, etc.

I wanted to know what classes were the hardest, how much study time I needed to have, and if I could work during school.

Have fun...I am sure there are lots more.

[RANCH GIRL]

Approximately how many hours/week to "set aside" for reading, studying, and test preparation.

[ShockerGirl07]

Shock-me-sane, we have a mentor program at our school, it just started last semester. I was a 1st semester, and the 2nd semester students were our mentors. It went ok, but just FYI, for this semester that we are going into, my class will now be the mentors, and we are making some changes. Last time, we got a list of people of who was paired w/ who and that was it, it had contact info but we didn't know if we were to contact them or they would contact us, so this semester, I'm suggesting we have a welcome like abby, eventhough we aren't seniors yet. It will get us the face to face we need because ALOT of my classmates never talked to their mentor, so i think this way it will be better because we will have that initial meet and greet! just a thought!
Shockergirl07

[abbythetabby]

Yes, we have a mentor program in place, but because not all of the senior class will be available until the semester starts, we want to help allay some fears while the incoming class is waiting for classes to begin.

[Ginny516]

How about information on how to best prepare ourselves for school testing? I know that there is a big difference between prereqs and actual nursing courses. As a student who's just starting, I'd like to have an idea of what the test formats are like.

[Priddyeyez]

I'm thinking of taking 14 or 15 hours ...How many did yall take & feel comfortable with?

What classes stand out as being easier or harder?

Is there any prep studying that would help me out before school starts?

I'm sure I'll think of more really soon!

[abbythetabby]

Hey guys,

Thanks so much. We did our orientation and hooked up everyone with mentors. I think it went well. We covered all the topics you guys suggested.

Originally Posted by Ginny516

How about information on how to best prepare ourselves for school testing? I know that there is a big difference between prereqs and actual nursing courses. As a student who's just starting, I'd like to have an idea of what the test formats are like.

Most of our tests include dosage calculations and no calculators are allowed. If your school has the same policy, get comfortable working without one. The rest of our questions are mainly mutiple choice. There are usually two selections that are good answers, but only one is 'the best'. This is where critical thinking comes into play. Do the online practice tests that most texts offer or pick up an NCLEX review book. I find the "Made Easy" series to be a little too easy, but there are lots of different books to choose from. And remember your ABCs. Airways, Breathing, and Circulation are always your priorities in that order.