Advice for the New Nursing Students: What to Expect
I wanted to take some time to share some of my helpful hints that got me though nursing school. This is going to be one of the biggest challenges of your life so get ready.
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1. First block and most of second is learning the basic fundamentals of nursing.. READ YOUR BOOK...it will never fail you.
2. While you read your book annotate the chapters highlighting the important material. This will help you in 3rd and 4th block.
3. Take good notes in class, write, circle, and highlight things in your book that you should focus on.
Tip: Don't record your lecture and depend on that because it will not help you!! Trust me you will learn more if you focus on the lecture and read the whole chapter + annotate. This is extremely time consuming and may seem unnecessary but you will be extremely happy you did this when 3rd and 4th block comes around and you have more time to focus on other things then reading again.
4. Do NCLEX question – 1&2 block focus on basic skills, safety, and procedure.
5. If you get a chance to take the Summer LPN.. do it.. its helpful and will make 3rd block a bit easier.
6. 3rd and 4th block: here comes the hard part. Now you take everything you have learned and start applying it. It sounds easy but IT'S NOT.
7. Take your annotated notes and use them. While you review ask yourself "WHY?". Don't just know how or what to do, but WHY you are doing what you are doing.
8. Do more NCLEX questions. Focus on comprehensive and analytical ones.. READ THE RATIONALES! Understand why.
9. Don't sweat the HESI exam, if you do everything I tell you it won't be a problem... I scored pretty high on them.
10. Hint: know your math. If your struggle with it practice it... a lot. It will kill your HESI score and cause you to fail the NCLEX if you mess up on math, med errors are not looked kindly upon.
11. Sim lab. I'm gonna warn you... everyone is scared of sim lab. Don't worry... take a breath and use it as a learning experience.
They will put pressure on you and make you feel rushed... don't. Take your time. Ask other nurses for help. Look at the whole picture – trust me, it will seem like you suck but you will do good.
Also, sim labs get harder and harder and the expectations increase. Know your math.. CHECK YOUR PT ARM BAND ALWAYS!! Check the order. Follow five rights. Even if you have to say it out loud, do it. "Okay what are my patients' five rights?" If things get crazy, ask for help.
