Advice for new student

mollyj91 · Jun 18, 2010

Be prepared to STUDY!! I am a nursing student as well, and during the semester, I spent AT LEAST 4 hours of homework/studying EVERY night... Sometimes up to 8 hours when I would re-write my notes and make note cards (maybe won't be as much for you, it's just the way I study). You can't just "wing" exams either, unless you are very book smart and only have to read something once to retain it, unlike me because I have A.D.D. The studying really reflects on your grades and professors can tell if you actually know what their talking about (atleast in my a&p lab). Also, buy LOTS of notebooks. I went through 2 notebooks JUST in my a&p class.

breatheasy88 · Jun 18, 2010

The excitment your feeling right now about getting into nursing school remember it, because there is going to many times during the next couple of years that your going to ask yourself "why am I doing this?" Nursing school is tough but that is because your are dealing with other peoples lives. Keep yourself motivated and always remember the reasons why you got into nursing in the first place. Good Luck

Sniper RN · Jun 18, 2010

Make yourself a list of 'Why I Want To Be A Nurse'

Keep it with you when you. When you don't feel like studying, look at it. It is a tough road but it can be done. Keep your head up and stay focused. You will get your life back when you graduate. Pay now and Play later vs Play now and Pay later.

foreverRN13 · Jun 18, 2010

i just passed my nclex exam and i am having trouble winding down. it feels like yesterday that i was just starting out and at the same time it has been a very long and challenging journey.

you have to put the time and effort into studying but at the same time enjoy yourself and your clinical rotations. talk with your patients as you can learn a great deal from each and every one of them. every one has a story. listen to what they have to say. be up for a challenge. some of the most challenging patients i have had in the duration of my schooling were the ones i learned the most from :nurse:

never forget why you were attracted to nursing to begin with! remembering that alone can get you through those rough days sometimes! always want to make a difference in the world. be positive and always remember that even as a student, patients you encounter will remember you.... what you said and how you made them feel. you may be someone they connect with....every day is a step closer to accomplishing your goal and make of it what you want and can. after all ... :stdnrsrck: best of luck!

Trilldayz,RN BSN · Aug 9, 2010

congrats!!! i'm a seinor nursing student and i would definately advise you to:

1) limit stress on yourself and don't tell your classmates how you are doing in your classes, grade wise. a lot of students are competitive as it is and whether you have a 75 or a 95, keep it to yourself! me and my closest friends i have in nursing school have made that promise to each other not to talk about grades and just help each other through!

2) please please don't listen to rumors. if people are saying something, especially if it's related to school, hear it from the source...the professor. i can't tell you how many times people will say something like "omg, can you believe professor x is blah blah". also, try your best to talk to your professors after class about any problems you have early on. don't ask for bonus points, ask how you can get an a or the hightest grades you can. show them that you mean business and that you are willing to work hard. trust me...they will notice and they will help you out if you are borderline on a grade.

3) eat right and try to get an hour out of the day to do something active... believe me your body and your clothes/scrubs will thank you! even if you are walking on a treadmill, you can still read or practice on notecards.

4) unless you have financial aid that covers all your supply and book costs, the school bookstore is not your friend! get your book lists early each semester and cut costs as much as possible! amazon, bookrenter.com, a friend who already took the class and your schools library are places where you can get textbooks, study guides, whatever book you need (or a similar substitute) for cheap or free!! i use all these places and while everyone is crying that they had to pay $800...you can smile to yourself knowing the most you had to pay is less than $200 (i tend to pay around $70 a semester now, due to looking at all my resources before buying)

good luck with everything!!