Starting Nursing School in Fall - Top Tips to Prepare?

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I am beginning a BSN program beginning in the Fall of 2014 at the University of Kansas School of Nursing. The orientation isn't until about a week before classes start. Are there any good tips on how to prepare for the program or for nursing school in general? Are there any good things to know going in? What is some of the best advice you have for new nursing students? What is some of the best advice you've received? Are there certain things I should buy now? I'm so nervous about beginning nursing school and I would love input on how to succeed. Thank you!

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It probably doesn't do me any good to give you a list of things to prepare yourself considering I attended a totally different school in a different state. BUT I would imagine you have a contact person within the nursing department that you could email and ask this question. Personally? I spent the summer before nursing school preparing for Dosage Calculation and brushing up on general A&P. The only thing I was picky about supply wise was my stethoscope.

And when it comes time to purchase text books.... spend some time looking... you can get much better deals on the required books than at the book store on campus (if you're not already aware of that). Amazon is a great place to start :)

Good luck!! && Enjoy your summer!

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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

My top tip: Enjoy life before nursing school.

Short of acquiring what you need for school and getting your physical exam/vaccinations or whatever your school requires, do nothing nursing school related until nursing school starts or you get your first reading assignment--whichever comes latest.

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Just took my Pharm HESI, got a 776, need an 800. I studied a ton of EVOLVE. I am requesting ideas on which study guides may help to pass HESI. Thx

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Hey!

I'm also starting nursing school this fall. While I'm not taking any classes this summer I am brushing up with supplemental reading on pharmacology and pathophysiology. Not sure if I'm going in the right direction but at least it's something to get my feet wet. I prepped heavily on nursing dosage calculations for the Kaplan, but I'm going to review those later in the summer. I'm still going to enjoy my summer, but I dont feel comfortable doing absolutely nothing. I think that would exhaust me more (weird I know.)

Anyone currently in nursing school, it would be awesome if you can give some tips!!

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for pharm, the book that helped me most was Straight A's in nursing (http://www.amazon.com/Straight-As-Nursing-Pharmacology-Springhouse/dp/1582556962) You will still need a drug book for safe dose ranges, but this book gives a great breakdown on what to know and how to study it. It also has quick reference info for each drug in the margins of each page.

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Specializes in Nursing Assistant- Transitional Care.

I also suggest brushing up on your dosage and calculation and A&P. The more you understand and remember about the body and how it works, the easier it will be for you to learn patho and pharm. The main thing I cannot stress enough is DO NOT CRAM BEFORE A TEST. It's so important to know and understand the material you are learning and not just memorize it. Doing so will help you so much for the rest of nursing school because each class builds on one another. Get your exercise and take some "me" time whenever possible. I started out letting my stress build up, and it eventually got so bad that I was constantly sick, gaining weight (because I stopped taking time to eat well and go to the gym to replace that time with studying) and I was doing terribly in my classes. Don't do that!! Just thought I'd leave you with a little experienced advise in what NOT to do there! :)

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im sorry !! i know im late but see that what scare me most all the new stuff ... i really want to become a nurse but just scared ..please give me some words of incouragement

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My biggest advice is don't cram for a test. You will see most of the information over and over through nursing school so you're better off learning it as best you can the first time around. When you cram you forget and makes it harder in the end.

Good luck and enjoy the process!! It will be challenging, but you will walk away with an amazing sense of accomplishment. :)

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