What to expect

Daisy_08, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2012

Excpect to give up some part of your life, whether social or financial (work). Be prepared to work hard, be humble and willing to learn-everything, not just the cool stuff, but the cleaning up poop as well.

You will either hate or love clinicals. I hated it, like my job though. Answer call bells, and be excited about what the staff wants to show you. When it comes to recommending who we hire, I'd pick a enthusiastic, call bell answering student who may have made mistakes. Over a perfect student, who just sits at the desk never asking questions.

Congratulations!

phuretrotr · Dec 25, 2012

I think the hardest thing about nursing school was the transition. I went straight from high school, and lets be honest, it was a joke. Not one time do I remember studying for a test in high school, I did my homework, but studying was not needed. Besides all the co-req's, which are actually pre-req's for pre-nursing, my first nursing class was a cake walk. The second class and onward, (I'm beginning my 6th semester/5th nursing class) are much different stories.

I would just recommend, buy the required textbook, but forget about reading it. They are awesome for reference and other shenanigans, but they give you anywhere from 50 to 200 pages to read a night. Which for me, is completely useless because by the 10th page in I'm not even comprehending anything, just buzzing through it thinking I am going to feel accomplished when I finish the required chapters. Some may say differently, and that you should always read the book, but that's just me. So focus on the powerpoint or whatever your notes are on, and reference the book for when you are told to do so.

As far as clinical's go, always, always, always be respectful to the patient. Do your skills and meds safety, and whatever, but maybe sit down and chit-chat with them about sweet nothings or about their feelings for 15 or so minutes, it makes a huge difference... HUGE! Also, if you have a problem with a certain secretion the body naturally expels, try you're best to get through it with minimal facial grimaces or ask for help. After the first few times of dealing with those kinds of things, you'll be able to have a conversation about it around the dinner table. There's a first for everything for everybody.

Raggmop02 · Dec 25, 2012

I think the hardest thing about nursing school was the transition. I went straight from high school, and lets be honest, it was a joke. Not one time do I remember studying for a test in high school, I did my homework, but studying was not needed. Besides all the co-req's, which are actually pre-req's for pre-nursing, my first nursing class was a cake walk. The second class and onward, (I'm beginning my 6th semester/5th nursing class) are much different stories.
I would just recommend, buy the required textbook, but forget about reading it. They are awesome for reference and other shenanigans, but they give you anywhere from 50 to 200 pages to read a night. Which for me, is completely useless because by the 10th page in I'm not even comprehending anything, just buzzing through it thinking I am going to feel accomplished when I finish the required chapters. Some may say differently, and that you should always read the book, but that's just me. So focus on the powerpoint or whatever your notes are on, and reference the book for when you are told to do so.
As far as clinical's go, always, always, always be respectful to the patient. Do your skills and meds safety, and whatever, but maybe sit down and chit-chat with them about sweet nothings or about their feelings for 15 or so minutes, it makes a huge difference... HUGE! Also, if you have a problem with a certain secretion the body naturally expels, try you're best to get through it with minimal facial grimaces or ask for help. After the first few times of dealing with those kinds of things, you'll be able to have a conversation about it around the dinner table. There's a first for everything for everybody.

Thanks Sunflower!

chicagonurse89 · Dec 25, 2012

Studying nursing should really be taken seriously, you need to focus with your studies because you are required to do a lot of readings, you need to understand a lot of concepts and learn its practical application. You must not only be good with theories but more importantly with application because those are essential for you to be a good nurse!

As with studying, there are a lot of things to be memorized, but it’s much better if you just understand it. Critical thinking is very important in nursing and that’s what you have to develop...Read and read and read and read and try to enjoy and love what you’re learning....

grpman · Dec 25, 2012

There are some good tips above. I might add that you need to have a flexible schedule. That was a huge shock to me. There was so much to do and many places to go that my life and work had to be adjusted. Just be prepared...I wasn't.

Raggmop02 · Dec 25, 2012

Thanks everyone.