First Semester Nursing School

[EMEddie]

I will be starting my first semester of nursing school in January 2011, I am super excited and nervous at the same time. From talking to several students that are in second/third semester, they say that students haven't been able to get an A in the first semester of NS. They all mention that it has to do with the critical thinking and the way the information/questions are presented to the students. I want to do as good as possible because I know of two RN new grad intern/residency programs around my area and even though they look at the whole applicant, most of the emphasis deals with academic performance.

I have a B.S. in Public Health and Human Biology, I am a hardworking student but I want to ask if there is anything I can do to prepare myself for this first semester. How can I learn some of the critical thinking/study methods and test taking strategies when it comes to nursing? I worked as an EMT for two years and took the NREMT, not sure if nursing deals with the same critical thinking question style as EMTs.

Also, I was wondering if I can add another class apart from my first semester Nursing classes. Did any of you take one, two separate classes apart from the nursing classes?

Any other advice will be greatly appreciated,

Thanks,

Eddie

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

The National Registry EMT exam is as difficult if not more so than the nursing questions. We were looking at HESI questions the other day, and they weren't any more difficult than NREMT. That said, with your EMT experience, PH and bio background nursing school won't be hard.

I have a bio background (previous degree), even taught bio for a year along with chem and A&P, and I went through paramedic school and worked as a medic for a while. With that and the NREMT-P test background I haven't found any of the concepts in my first semester BSN program to be difficult.

There's a lot of stuff never covered before like the assorted ostomies, taking care of them, tube feedings, and that type of thing that EMS would never be concerned with, but the information is not complex and is rather manageable.

Good luck. You'll like it. I enjoy the lectures.

[EMEddie]

Thanks a lot for all of the advice everyone, really appreciate it!

[ag.wade]

I agree with ImThatGuy. Given your past experience (academically and occupation) you will be fine. I'm going to assume you know all about time mgmt., understanding concepts (not memorizing things just for a test), etc. You will be just fine.

I'm a second degree student and I find it relatively easy. Although, this is only my first semester. I can tell you that the amount of time I put into studying for one nursing school exam is more than I invested in all of my undergrad studying.

Here's a few tips:

- Study, study, study and never fall behind

- Don't understand something? Research it until you do.

- Follow directions!!! Ex. - I missed 3 med math questions, bc I did not show my work. I had the right answer, but I did not show my work.

- Don't 2nd guess yourself on exams

- Ask yourself "are you sure and does this makes sense" before answering exam questions

- Never ever forget AD PIE (assessment, diagnosis, planning, intervention and evaluation)

- Know lab values (K, Na, RBCs, WBCs, etc) Different programs want you to know "their" lab values

- Never IV push potassium chloride (KCL)

- HAVE FUN (VERY IMPORTANT)

[MarcyP67]

Hi Everyone! I'm so glad I found this post..you are all so positive. I am also starting nursing school this Jan. I'm also very nervous because I am quiting a job and basically drastically changing my life to do this. I have a BS and MS already, but really always wanted to be a nurse. I guess I am most nervous about the unknown, since I haven't started yet I have no idea what NS is like. I have talked to several people and some are positive and other very negative. I guess I need to just relax and dive in! I just got the "Tess Success" book and can't wait to look at it now.

So it seems like you would all agree that NS is very doable..just time consuming?