Advice for new Nursing Student!

Iridescent Orchid, CNA, LPN · Jan 8, 2012

[color=#2f4f4f]tomorrow is the day for me to! congrats on getting in your program! i am attending the lpn program in my area and still pretty shocked that i got in! so far, what i've done is organized all of my binders as much as i could, with dividers and such. i have 3 binders for 4 classes and i have glanced over my books, but not so much as to overwhelm myself, just the first few pages. good luck ad enjoy your first semester of nursing school! we can do it!

shay&lynn, ASN, RN · Jan 8, 2012

best of luck to you as well!

i am starting the rn program...i have done the same exact things that you have listed above!

i am nervous, just because i heard that not only is the testing different [more critical thinking than the 'regurgitation process'] but not everything such as note taking to studying.

we will do it though!

ER(notso)n00b, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2012

Congratulations! I start my ADN program next Tuesday. I'm just trying to relax and enjoy my last few days. I've read a lot of negative stuff about nursing school, so I am doing my best to take it with a grain of salt and realize that it will be whatever I make of it. Best of luck to you!

Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN · Jan 9, 2012

I am sure you all will do fine. Get organized right out of the gate and stay so. I found that keeping a 'to do list' that I added to after each class kept me from falling behind. You will find that the information comes at you in waves, and staying on top of it is super important. Falling behind or procrastination can be a disaster. On the flip side I found classes to be challenging and rewarding, and clinical time to be at the heart of it all. Good luck you guys!

~PedsRN~, BSN, RN · Jan 9, 2012

Good luck!! :)

I graduated on December 16. It has been an amazing journey.

Some advice:

Know the WHY. Nursing can NOT be about memorizing facts. KNOW THE WHY. :)

READ YOUR BOOKS! You paid for them!!! READ THEM!!!

Find a good group of students to hang with. They are invaluable for studying, learning, and laughing... you have to be able to laugh, or else you will cry.

You will see some sad stuff. Accept it.

Try not to judge your peers, your instructors, other nurses, and definitely not patients. People will make decisions about their health you don't agree with. That's ok. It's their health. :)

HAVE FUN! It's stressful, it's crazy, but it's so worth it.

Good luck!!!!

symphie · Jan 9, 2012

The most important thing I learned:

Your instructors will tell you to study every single day. Don't do it. Study every single day except one. Take one day every week and do not look at anything school related. Relax, catch up with family and friends, let yourself watch a little mindless TV or read a book for pleasure. Not only will it give you time to keep your sanity, it will also ensure that you're studying smarter (not harder) the other 6 days of the week.

NCRNMDM, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2012

It seems like it's been forever since I started nursing school last August, but, at the same time, it feels like I've only been doing this for a few days. There is so much to adjust to, so much information to learn, and so much to absorb. Because of the huge volume of information that is about to inundate you, I don't really have any great words of wisdom. Keep your cool tomorrow, and don't get flustered by all the information you are presented with. Write down the dates you will eventually need, store any forms that are handed to you, and then don't worry about them. If nursing is your passion then you are thrilled beyond words about what is going to happen to you tomorrow. If that is so, then relax and focus on having fun. Nursing school doesn't have to be scary, tedious, or anything other than fun. I love my class, I love my instructors, and I love nursing school. Welcome to the family, so to speak, of nursing students and nurses. Nursing school will be quite a ride, but it is always fun. There is never a dull moment in the life of a nursing student, or a nurse. Good luck tomorrow!

<3adventure · Jan 9, 2012

I start tomorrow as well! Excited to start this 2 year journey and I can't wait to be a registered nurse! The advice above has been very helpful! Good luck to everyone else starting tomorrow!

naptimeRN · Jan 9, 2012

My advice, don't become too overwhelmed. Stay on top of your studies, but don't overdo it. If you overdo it, you will burn out or become overwhelmed which is not good on test day or any day during nursing school. Take time for yourself and others because this will help you to stay sane :) Nursing school involves a lot of self motivation. Keep your goal in mind the whole way through. Good luck!

shay&lynn, ASN, RN · Jan 9, 2012

THANK YOU ALL for the words of wisdom as well as tips!

Overwhelming, yes, talk about all of the pages to read!!

Onto reading!

Hope everyone has a wonderful day!

allnurses Guide · Jan 10, 2012

Overwhelming, yes, talk about all of the pages to read!!
Onto reading!

Yep, don't fall behind. If 10 chapters is too many this week, adding 5 to next week's 10 will be even worse. At least skim them! Read the opening paragraph of each section, and the conclusion at the very least.

Don't wait until the night before to start writing papers, start with your outline at least 2 weeks ahead, so the data you will need starts percolating in your head.