Advice for a New Nursing Student

Scottishtape · Dec 19, 2016

I'm not from Canada, or have even attended a nursing program there, but I have completed an LPN program here, and am currently finishing up an LPN-RN program.

That said, the biggest thing I've learned going back into school is: don't underestimate the amount of time you need to dedicate to studying.

I came into this program straight from a bachelors program. I got used to the level of difficulty one finds in a "normal" college environment. As such, I severely underestimated the time I needed for the nursing program. It's a lot harder (for me), and takes up a significant amount of time to properly prepare for exams and cliniclas.

Aside from that, just roll with the punches. Things change during the course of the program and you have to be able to be flexible and alter your path as the need arises.

Good luck!

loriangel14, RN · Dec 19, 2016

I'm an RPN. Congratulations on starting the program. I have some advice. Dodge the drama. You may think you are in college but many carry on like they are children. Just focus on school and stay away from the ones that make you crazy. My class was largely "mature" students (38-53) and it was still bad.

Figure out how you study best. I joined a small study group and it really helped until the group got too big and it turned into a social thing. Three of us broke away and started a new group.

Learn how to cover the chapters without thinking you are going to read every word. When a test covers 10+ chapters you can't do it. My texts had focus questions at the end. If you answered those you got what you needed out of the chapters. Also read the sidebars and special boxes.

Don't let the work get ahead of you. Pulling an all nighter to get that essay done is no fun.

I have read Tilda Shalof's books about her nursing career. Very good nonfiction plus she's a nurse in Ontario so very relatable.

good luck and come back if you have more questions.

joanna73, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2016

What Lori said....

Start studying/ reading early so you aren't pulling all nighters. Organization including your version of a to-do list is essential.

Find time for fun too (why planning is needed). Many of us worked throughout our programs and still had good grades. It is possible.

Lovemysugar · Dec 26, 2016

"Just focus on school and stay away from the ones that make you crazy. My class was largely "mature" students (38-53) and it was still bad."

Excellent advice! The clicks that form can be awful- even if you keep your head in the books, you'll be criticized one way or another.

My biggest priece of advise would be to work ahead as much as possible. If you have a syllabus try to get as much done as possible on breaks and weekends... We all know how instructors like to throw monkey wrenches at us just when we think we have room to breathe.

Alex_xis · Dec 29, 2016

Thank you everyone this all helps so much! Only 12 day's left untill I start

& I looked into that author Tilda Shalof and ordered myself a copy of "a nurses story" :bookworm: :nurse:

dishes, BSN, RN · Dec 30, 2016

Take a close look at the real nursing job market, the nursing job market goes through cycles of surpluses and shortages and Ontario is currently in a surplus cycle. New grads are being churned out every six months and experienced nurses are not retiring early, it's a tough job market. Start preparing now in order to be competitive in job market, consider volunteering so that your resume will stand out from other new grads. Look into volunteering at a hospital, LTC or a charitable health care related organization such as; Alzheimer's Society, Cancer Society, Diabetes Association, or any of the Mental Health organizations. Also consider joining (while a student) the Registered Practical Nurses Association of Ontario.

loriangel14, RN · Dec 30, 2016

Thank you everyone this all helps so much! Only 12 day's left untill I start
& I looked into that author Tilda Shalof and ordered myself a copy of "a nurses story"

Opening My Heart is also excellent .