Nursing school

codeblue222 · Dec 2, 2013

Congratulations on getting into NS, so exciting!! I too am starting NS in January so I am also looking for advice or best practices. I have been reading around the forum and from what I gathered the major things to focus on are prioritizing and study enough to understand the material (not just memorization). Anyways good luck and have fun! =)

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Dec 2, 2013

I was in your shoes back in August and about to wrap up first semester soon. I would say that attending every class, lab and clinical is priority one. So if you have children, have a back up plan in case they get sick or something. There is a lot of reading, so don't procrastinate or you may fall behind. I do try to read all the pages that my instructors list on Unit objectives. Also, you need a planner, and maybe a desk calendar and maybe a white board! If you list all important due dates everywhere, they won't sneak up on you! Good luck!!! It's been an insane semester. I need a break. :wacky:

asprohar · Dec 4, 2013

Thanks for the advise both of you:) I also wish you both luck of starting your first and second semesters. I know this will be a crazy ride since I have three children and my husband is military but I am ready for this adventure. Good Luck to both of you!!

Flnolegirl · Dec 4, 2013

Get organized, stay on top of all your assignments. Your household duties will lack someone else will have to take on those duties. Congrats and best wishes in your nursing school journey...

BooBear'sMommy · Dec 4, 2013

First - CONGRATULATIONS! I am just finishing up my first semester, and it has been a crazy ride, so get ready to hang on tight!

* Prepare to be organized like never before - it's crucial!

* Buy thicker binders than you think you will need. Seriously.

* Buy stock in whatever brand your printer is. You will want to feel like you can recoup some of the money you are about to shell out on all the ink you will go through Yep, It's that bad.

* Color coordinate everything - here is an example of what I did, and it helped GREATLY!

Green was pharmacology, so my binder was green, I used a green pen for note taking and entries into my planner, and a green dry erase marker for my white board.

* Get a big dry erase board to write all your assignments for the week, all in colors that coordinate for your classes.

* DON'T READ EVERYTHING!

* Yes, I really mean that :) You will make yourself insane, and it is virtually impossible to do anyway! Focus instead on what your professors cover, using your textbooks only as a supplement :)

That's all I can think of right now. In case anyone is wondering, this has served me well during my first semester. Heading into finals, I currently have four A's and two high B's :)

asprohar · Dec 5, 2013

Thanks so much for all your advise. I did go buy a huge dry erase board. I will try the color coding everything:) You guys are great Thank you so much:)

dreams2banurse · Dec 5, 2013

I am also starting NS in Jan.. I am also nervous as I haven't been a student in almost 5 years. Question whats your guys' opinion on handwriting notes with binders and carrying books to class vs. using a laptop or Ipad? I haven't been in school for awhile and am wondering what the easiest way to stay organized is going to be. Thanks!! Good Luck to everyone!

ERnursebythebay · Dec 5, 2013

First of all, congratulations to all of you for getting into nursing school. You are in for a very challenging but extremely rewarding experience. I can't tell you what the best way for you personally to get organized will be but figure it out early on and be sure you stay on top of things. I started school at 34 as a single mom. I had been out of school for a long time and it took some adjusting for sure. I felt like since I was pretty tech savvy an iPad was the way to go, well I used it about 3 times and realized it wasn't for me. Good old fashioned pen and planner worked well and I liked having my textbook rather than a digital copy. But that was me, others in my class used laptops and iPads all the time. It really is personal preference. The best advice I can give is just stay positive and don't get behind. Don't miss classes and definitely don't miss clinicals once you get to that point. It's very difficult to catch up. You will most likely feel very overwhelmed during the first semester. There is just SO much information thrown at you all at once. But, stick with it. It can be done. Good luck to all of you as you begin this incredible journey.