Things I wish I would have known when starting Nursing School

Nursing Students Pre-Nursing

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I read in amazement all of the posts from the students who were just admitted to nursing school, and it is so hard for me to believe that was me a year ago. I graduate in December, and it blows my mind how far I have come in 12 months!

So as all of these new students are starting school in the coming weeks, those of us who have been down this road can offer some advice. PLEASE ADD TO MY LIST BELOW!

Here is what I would have told myself one year ago...

1) Realize you are going to need to give some things up. Your house won't be as clean, you won't sleep as much, and you never feel like you have enough time to study

2) This crazy time in your life only lasts for a short period of time

3) Do not get behind

4) Only reading and making flash cards isn't going to cut it - need to study different ways

5) Try to understand the big picture... for example... Don't just learn about Diabetes, COMPREHEND how it effects each organ system, the vessels, the vital signs etc.

6) Invest in a GREAT pair of shoes

7) Invest in a decent stethoscope. You do not need top of the line, but moderately priced

8) Take advantage of every open lab - practice your skills at every opportunity

9) Be outgoing at clinicals! If you stand like a wallflower they will treat you like a wall flower. If you are eager, that will make an impression.

10) Take time for you!! Even if it is just an hour to read a non-school book or watch 30 minutes of trash TV

I have a question about school hours. Generally, what are the hours at school for nursing classes. Is the first semester monday to friday classes full day? M wondering about contra costa and merritt college.

Hello everyone. I am in need of some advice. I'm embarking on a new journey at 32. Unlike many of you, I do not have the luxury of time. I've researched a few ways of completing my goal to be an NP or a PA. I would like to to get some suggestions from the actual nursing students. What are your paths? From the beginning. I do not have a Bachelors degree so I need to start from day one. How would I go about on doing this? And am I too old? Thank you so much in advance for your suggestions and advice.

I will be almost 40 years old when I earn my ASN this December and 41 when I get my BSN... you are never too old!!! I am not even the oldest in my class :) It took me 2 years to get my pre-reqs done, another 3 semesters for nursing school, and my BSN is another 3 semesters beyond that.

I have a question about school hours. Generally, what are the hours at school for nursing classes. Is the first semester Monday to friday classes full day? M wondering about contra costa and merritt college.

I know every school is different, but I go to school Tuesday and Fridays from 8am to 3:30pm. Clinicals are Wednesday and Thursday 6am to 4pm. The advisors of the schools you are looking into can tell you more.

Specializes in Ambulatory Care.

ebailey1218, thank you for starting a thread with the tips for us all who have yet to be through the nursing school! Particularly interesting tip that I would never think of is to invest in a good stethoscope. I thought they are all the same. Could you share what, in your opinion, makes a stethoscope good? That insight would be very helpful to everyone, I am sure of it.

studentrn313, thanks for sharing about the usefulness of the Smartpen. I had to look it up. How handy and advanced! It would save so much time having the pen record everything you write. Has it been functioning well? (Transmitting the writing into digital clearly?) Thanks.

ebailey1218, thank you for starting a thread with the tips for us all who have yet to be through the nursing school! Particularly interesting tip that I would never think of is to invest in a good stethoscope. I thought they are all the same. Could you share what, in your opinion, makes a stethoscope good? That insight would be very helpful to everyone, I am sure of it.

There are many threads on here about stethoscopes, the Littman II Classic is generally seems to be the gold standard for nursing students. At $70ish it is middle of the road in price. I am not sure of the brand names of some of the other scopes, I just know that when I first got into school I used the one I purchased for CNA school and it was "double tubed", meaning each ear had a separate tube going down to the bell. The better scopes have a single tube. I would invest $40-$90 dollars for your first one, there are many that are cheaper than that, and many many more that are more expensive, just get a decent middle-of-the road one while you are learning! Good luck and thanks!

Hi. I'm new here.. I need some advice regarding my application to UNLV.

I'm a graduate of BS Nursing in the Philippines and I have one year of hospital experience in a tertiary hospital as a registered nurse. I'm planning to continue my nursing education in UNLV..and there are some things I just do not understand. I would really appreciate any help offered. :)

Question: If I get accepted in UNLV, are there some pre- nursing subjects to take (even after credits have been transferred) before I can be accepted to the 16- month Nursing program?

Thanks!

Thanks for posting this and the other person's tip on study pen. Great advice. :)

Specializes in ER.

Thank you for posting this! I will bookmark this thread so I can refer back to this when my program starts in November! I just got accepted into a 12 month absn program so I'll need all the tips. Thanks again :)

Thank you for posting! These are great tips! Can you elaborate on studying different ways? Does this mean copying the book, watching videos or...?

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