Accepted! Now what to do?

springchick1, ADN, RN · Jul 4, 2013

If you can stand it wait as long as possible to begin reading. There will be so much allll year and by the end, most of my peers and I were simply burnt out from SO much reading and studying. I would (highly) suggest getting to the gym as much as possible. Your body needs to begin to endure long mental and physical hours! Not to mention lifting some weights for strength to move patients around. Just my two cents. Congrats and good luck! Also Saunders has a great NCLEX review book&cd that I would encourage you to use all year while studying :)[/quote']
I disagree. The sooner you start your reading, the better off you will be. PP is right. There is so much reading. But if you get a jump start on it, it won't seem so overwhelming. If you can go into the lecture have already read what is being covered in class that day, it will make things easier to understand. If you fall behind in reading, it is really hard to catch back up. Do not wait!!

LadyFree28, BSN, LPN, RN · Jul 4, 2013

I disagree. The sooner you start your reading, the better off you will be. PP is right. There is so much reading. But if you get a jump start on it, it won't seem so overwhelming. If you can go into the lecture have already read what is being covered in class that day, it will make things easier to understand. If you fall behind in reading, it is really hard to catch back up. Do not wait!!

However, it's totally dependent on how the program is set up. If one wants to read ahead, I suggest looking at the chapter's objectives and writing those down, as well as the highlighted boxes, etc. and write questions related to this if it comes up in lecture.

Also, focus on the "recommended" books as well. They are more valuable and portable than textbooks...sometimes they change textbooks faster than you know, and you may ask someone that is a semester or a year ahead, yet the book is not being used, Plus they are cheaper-rent your textbooks and invest in those "recommended books". Try to get books with NCLEX-style questions, like the Success Series and Mary Ann Hoagan...GREAT books to prepare for nursing exams, and review content. You will be tested for KNOWING content, not knowing what you read from memory, so you may read the chapters and not do as well on the exams because the format of the questions are not all knowledge based. If ANYTHING, that will prepare you to think like a nurse. Also, a book I call my nursing companion: look into reading Critical Thinking and nursing judgement-great book to prepare yourself into the realm of nursing. I STILL use this book as a nurse, especially in transitioning into another job as pearl wisdom reminders.

Good Luck!

hgt219 · Jul 4, 2013

Thank you guys so much! I appreciate it :) I will start two months from today!

sneeds · Jul 4, 2013

I agree with Larry, get an NCLEX book, Saunders, start reading for fun. You'll get acquainted with terminology and interventions. Use this book while you're going through nursing school! Cuz it's what you'll study for your NCLEX and HESI. Make sure you know your school's deadlines for whatever. And if you can, shadow on volunteer basis to get a good idea of what you're about to embark upon. Call the hospital in which you're interested and ask questions maybe if you can shadow. If you already know then great! If you know where you want to work then contact the hospital's HR and get things lined up early.