Tips For Student Nursing

I looked at the Competition Title and thought... Hmmm I can't comment on this one and then all of a sudden I thought, 'What about all those out there pondering the idea of going nursing', so here are my tips for "Student Nursing/nurses".

Certainly this is based on my own experience, some has been great and some not so great, my philosophy is "take what you like, and leave the rest".

Firstly it feels fantastic to be able to write from my heart and my own feelings rather then having to quote, paraphrase, reference and worry about plarigism!!

First tip, learn how to write essays before going to nursing school, this will save a lot of heartache, sanity, paper, and middle of the night redo's! Know when one has written an assignment or essay that they are proud of and feel is a good peice of work, that the tutor wont necessarily agree! Note also that one tutor may like it and another may fail you. There is ment to be some kind of marking system in place. but this has proven wrong many times for myself and other class members. Tutor Z may give you a B, and tutor X may give you a D. My advice around this, is go to your tutor and get it proof read before handing it in!! If thats not an option, go to your campus education centre and get them to proof read it. And remember reference's, reference's and references!!!

My second tip would be to never pretend or say you 'know' something when you don't! Because it will always come round and bite you in the butt eventually, and it's truely easier to just say, "sorry, I don't know".

Make friends with your tutors! They are the God's while you are doing your degree, they pass or fail you, and Im sorry all you tutors out there, but they DO have favourites, I use to be so proud of standing my ground and speaking my truth and questioning questions, but this year I have learnt how to Kiss ****!! So not in my personality, but whatever it takes!

I love hearing all the first year students all motivated and excited, but it does sadden, but not suprise me when a week down the track I see frowns and tears, a month down the track 2 or 3 have left, 6 months down the track everybody is stressed and grumpty and tired from late nights of study! Hey but on the bright side! It is awesome meeting new friends ( great girls nights out)!! and learning all about the human body, and mind.

The best part is being with the patients and testing out your new found skills on practicum, a word of caution for practicum, beware of preceptors, make friends with preceptors, and agree with preceptors!! At least that was my experience I hear others who have wonderful preceptors, unfortunately I was not so lucky, however this all makes one stronger and wiser in becoming a nurse. Oh I almost forgot when you enrole or are accepted onto the nursing programe you must become an "angel", no being silly in public, definitely no drunken foolish pub crawls! No skinny dipping in the ocean! And a soft spoken voice is prefered.

I have had so many experiences in my short nursing career as a student nurse, yet I have learnt so much about human nature, and politics!! This has certainly made me a stronger more assertive person. I love what I am doing, and for those of you that are considering going nusing, GO FOR IT! It's not easy, but if you are passionate about becomming a nurse and helping others it is certainly worth the rollercoaster ride!!

P.s I love the way I have written this with no thought or concern of spelling, punctuation or proper paragraphs!