Accepted! Now what?

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Alright guys, help me out.... I've been trolling these forums for so long, and it dawned on me: I know everything there is to know about how to get accepted to nursing school.... And that's about it! So I got my acceptance letter in the mail over the weekend and I can put all that behind me.

I suppose that was the easy part... Now I have to pass nursing school! Tips, tricks, or advice?

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Study like any given Sunday! Get a good support group and be dedicated. Start reading on alot of what's in your field besides just text books. Get rest because you will need it. And if your spiritual-Pray!

CodeBlocker

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Just have good time management, pick up good study habits, have fun with the material so you can rememeber longer. Relax no need to stress.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Rehab.

Take it one day at a time, one test at a time, one clinical at a time. Sure you have to look down the road and prepare, but it can become very overwhelming at times, hence the one day at a time advice.

Keep up with the reading and coursework, don't let yourself fall behind. Be prepared for each class and show up for each class. I'm always amazed that the folks that have the toughest times are also the ones who tend to miss class, go figure.

Nursing is a helping and caring profession. Start with your fellow students. If somebody needs help, then give them a hand. Don't hoard information. Be kind to everybody, try not to alienate anybody. You never know how things will play out. Be careful as the minority, the ladies will and do talk, so only give them good things to say about you.

Enjoy it all along the way. It's one job where you really can make a difference in folks lives, one at a time. Take the time to talk and listen to your patients. Don't be afraid to show you care, to go an extra mile. Do the best you can with each assignment and each patient.

Good luck.

Bob

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical, Supervisory, HEDIS, IT.
Alright guys, help me out.... I've been trolling these forums for so long, and it dawned on me: I know everything there is to know about how to get accepted to nursing school.... And that's about it! So I got my acceptance letter in the mail over the weekend and I can put all that behind me.

I suppose that was the easy part... Now I have to pass nursing school! Tips, tricks, or advice?

DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! Read everything assigned. It really sounds easier than it is, but read BEFORE you go to class and then take notes in the margins...DO NOT...I REPEAT..DO NOT JUST USE POWERPOINTS!!! A lot of instructors use them as "barebones" outlines for lecturing and leave out a lot.

IF you do not have to work while in school DON'T or just work as little as possible. It is draining on kids, families, your psyche. And when you get to the point where you think you can't do it anymore...YOU CAN!! I know it sounds like crap...but it's true!

I have a little less than a year to go in nursing school. IT GOES BY FAST!!!!

Good luck!

OH YEAH...TO ADD ON...make friends not enemies in nursing school...second only to the instructors they are your most VALUABLE resource in school. Even if it is someone you are not a huge fan of. Be civil and cordial with everyone!!!!

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Make friends with all of the overachievers and get their phone numbers. I've been bailed out of a few problems b/c of good friends.

Oh yeah, study NCLEX books early.

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Don't be competitive, be friendly and helpful. Karma works both ways, and it can pay dividends. Avoid drama, and start great study habits and stick to it. Do your studies, unfortunately you will have almost no life other than studies, but look at the big picture. The good habits will work for you when you become a nurse, and also be organized don't have to always be looking for something, know where it is, this will help with time management more than you can imagine. Buy the book "Electrolytes made easy", it will be a big help to you from now on! Congratulations, and good luck.

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1. Invest in some study guides in addition to your textbooks that focus on the exams that you will be required to take (HESI or ATI) etc. NCLEX study guides divided by system such as Saunders, Prentice Hall Review Notes, etc. will become your best friends during your special clinical lecture courses. I wish someone had told me to do this before getting into nursing school and it would have improved my grades, study habits, confidence, and ability to succeed without so much struggle to read every word of every textbook (which is impossible)

2. Invest in a good computer and brush up on your research skills! Don't be afraid to "google it!" You will be using these skills for the rest of your career. Nursing is a never ending learning process and even the most experienced nurses learn something new every single day. That much said, do not expect to know everything in the beginning.

3. Drill the "Nursing Process" into your brain. ADPIE.

4. Choose your friends, do not let your friends choose you. You will meet some absolutely brilliant and incredible people in nursing school, both patients and students. Be open and professional from day one and know your boundaries. Nursing school is something different to every person so make it your own experience but be careful of people who have different agendas and goals than you. Find people that share your motivation, commitment, desires, and goals. The experience might make you all friends for a lifetime.

5. Last but not least, have fun and don't be afraid to laugh! Laughter is and always will be the best medicine in times of stress as well in times of joy. Be proud to be a nursing student and savor every moment (both wonderful and insane). Good luck and God bless you.

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What everyone else said. Plus, if you haven't yet, get your titers done now. If you end up needing any immunizations, some of them may have to be spaced out over a couple of months.

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1. Ask questions

2. Don't procrastinate

3. Make friends

4. Form study groups

5. Read content before your next lecture

6. Take notes during lectures

7. Attend tutoring sessions if needed

8. At least study more than 1week before an exam

9. If a peer needs help, help them out.

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Best of luck

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I have 3 semesters left in my part time program! The thing that works for me is that our teacher does podcasts and we listen to them before each class - the way she gets us to listen to them is by giving us pop quizzes on the podcasts. Very effective study tool. While listening to the podcasts I write down everything the teacher says on to my printed ppt slides. Then while the teacher is lecturing I make more notes and if I still have questions I ask her for help! I also like to read anything I can't understand in my nursing books! I make flashcards and more flashcards on my Phone with the flashcardlet app (I have an IPhone). If you don't know a word when reading look it up. I have Nursing Central on my phone with the handy Tabers, Davis Drug, Diseases and Disorders, diagnostic tests which makes it easy to look things up! I also spend a lot of time studying with fellow classmates! We send each other flashcards, study guides and the like! It's beat to work as a team:-)

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Be ready to in an environment where the ratio is 8:1

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