New RN students starting in the Fall- nervous??

[adc85]

I am starting an ASN program in the fall, and I am very excited but also feeling very nervous about what to expect as far as lectures and clinicals. Any new students who feel the same, or any students out there that can give some insight to us newbies? :)

[smoup]

I wasn't nervous until I saw that there are chapters we need to pre-read for the first day of classes, ELEVEN chapters for one of the classes. Granted, I usually try to pre-read ALL my textbooks, and still plan on it, but that just takes away some of the head start I am used to getting. At least I'm going to get a head start on the pre-reading the text books. I've ordered most of them already.

We can do this!

[peacelover]

First off, Congratulations on getting into a program! You will LOVE this world. I totally dig that you are reaching out here to find others to share your journey with; this can help a lot! A few things that might be helpful.

As you enter 1st semester try not to stress out too much about things. There will be a jillion things going on and so this is a challenge to 'stay calm'. To help feel in control get a calendar and fill it out(in pencil)the first day you get your info-put everything on it and then follow it. Schedule time with your family and let them know up front. I told mine that I really appreciated their help and support while I was working on my dream job. I made sure their needs were met BUT I put nursing first for 2 years. They understood and amazingly none of them died while I was focusing on study.

Hey, dont forget...Schedule time to take care of yourself too, schedule time for good food and exercise. Do not sit and snack while you study. You need good brain fuel to get good results . .

Accept this up-front: You probably will do cruddy on at least one test. That is okay; you do not have to have a 4.0 to be a great nurse.

Once 1^st semester if done try to get a job as a tech somewhere. This experience will be invaluable to you. If you already work in the healthcare setting then stay there

Make sure that you create some 'sacred space' to study in..seriously. This is the place where no one comes in but you while you are in there. Set that expectation up front with your fam and you will both be happy later. Nothing like being in the middle of a hard concept and having a needy kiddo come in and break your train of thought.

You are going to spend a lot of time with this material and these people. Make friends with them by being nice and helpful however; do what you need for you first. Lots of us tend to be super-helpful to others at the expense of ourselves. Stay away from cliques and gossip-these will just drain your precious time and energy.

Unless you are memorizing lab values or drug facts please get rid of the flash cards. Rote memorization is NOT the way to learn nursing.

Figure out how you learn best then stick to it. Do not feel like you must be a part of a study group if you learn better alone. You will not fail without a group effort. If you have a group someone needs to be in charge of making sure that you stay focused and do not veer off into chitchat while you are supposed to be studying. I know that sounds harsh but I swear, sometimes you can get off on a tangent when you are venting and an hour is past before you know it! Maybe even plan some 'vent' sessions. You have to do things that root concepts in your head by making as many links to them as you can while you are studying. Think about the why of things, what the doc will do to help it and what you will do to support the doc/patient while they work on the recovery. Start early and learn how to tie everything you study back to those nursing interventions/meds/labvalues. This is the way to KNOW the info and RECALL the info when it counts.

Y'all are all going

to be awesome nursing students and nurses! Welcome to Nursing!

[puamelia]

Congratulations! It's not an easy feat to get in. I've been working on prereqs for 4 years. I decided to go into nursing because of my family, and I want the best for me, my husband and our children. I got accepted on my second try. I choose the ADN program over the BSN because it has a built-in bridge to BSN after graduation, it costs less, and the schedule works better for me.

I'm excited and nervous but am trying to contain myself until the orientation in June. To prepare, I am taking pharmacology this summer so I don't have to take it with my nursing courses. I've already got the textbook for that, and am reading ahead. I've been online a lot, ” window shopping” for supplies, scrubs, texts, laptops, and stalking these boards. I've been dreaming big, reading a guide to nursing school, and also looked up my 1st semester profs on ratemyprofessor.com.

2-3 years will fly by, I know, although it will seem to crawl through the rough spots. I give thanks for all the support from family and friends, and from all of you here who are discussing, confirming, refuting and advising on all the ins and outs of becoming an RN. It's gonna be a great adventure!

[Snafu13]

New BSN student here also!!! Super excited to finally move on from the pre-req's and gen-eds! Finally!!! I feel so incredibly blessed to be where I am today, and can't wrap my head around how I got here. I'm a retired veteran with children and a full-time job that I've recently reduced to part-time while in school. When I left the service, I immediately knew that my calling was to be a nurse-midwife, and I've put my blood, sweat and tears into this dream ever since. I spent 2 years at a CC with intentions of completing an ADN program, but after military experience credits, a previous degree in applied science and a sort of 2-year program regardless situation, I felt it beneficial to apply to a BSN program and graduate in the same period of time.

I'm scared, nervous, apprehensive and cautious all at the same time, but I'm also elated and can't wait to begin the second step in my journey

[Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN]

I'm starting an ADN program in the fall. I'm excited and terrified at the same time, and it's a really weird feeling! Part of the reason for my terror, of course, is fear of the unknown. When my info packet finally arrives, I'm hoping my fears will be eased -- at least a little. In the meantime, I have finals to study for!

Congrats to everybody else in my shoes, and good luck to us all!