Hello Nursing Students,
Welcome and congrats to being accepted into a nursing school. I know you have worked long and hard to get into one. Congrats, keep pushing, stay motivated, and you will see the light at the end of the tunnel.
1.Tests.
-Practice NCLEX questions that relate to your test topic.
- Invest in a NCLEX book your 1st semester. If you haven't, I recommend you do.
- Some good NCLEX books (Saunders, Kaplan, or Mosby's)
- It helps with the material, what interventions to do, and even gives a break down of
your big textbooks.
2. Study Groups.
- Study groups are best in a group of 5.
- If you do not understand certain material, someone from your group may explain it
better.
- If you already know the material, someone may provide information you may have
missed. You guys can quiz and discuss the material.
- 5 is a good number because it is not too large or too small. That way if someone
from the group can't come to the study session. There is always someone available.
- The group can always add on to each others knowledge base.
- Study groups are not for teaching all the material. Study groups are only efficient if
the group has studied the material and have something to bring to the group.
- It helps to divide and conquer. However, it is not for those that think others will pick
up their slack.
3. SHINE in Clinicals.
- Always be prepared. Don't ever say I do not know. Say, "I will look it up." OR
You will have been prepared and have already looked up the information.
- Always say yes and do skills. (IV, foley, NG tube insertion) Hunt for it if you have to.
- Tell all the nurses on the floor that you want to do any procedure that comes up with
their patients.
- Get to know everyone and give a PERSONAL thank you card, if you want them to
consider you for future employment after nursing school.
*** Make connections at all the hospitals you go to. Create a linkedin.com account and
ask to add them to on it. Give them a personal thank you care with your phone
number and email. It seems pushy, but new grad jobs at the hospital are hard to
get.
- Think of Clinicals as a time to shine and make connections. Your network connections
can help you get a job after you graduate.
4. DO get a part-time health care job DURING school!
- I was told the program will be rigorous and if you do not have to work, DON'T!...
.......BAD ADVICE....
- When you get out of school, it looks better that you have health care experience and
you worked during school. It shows you can manage your time and you don't have
this unemployment gap in your resume.
- It will make your resume look better than majority of the new grads.
- Job choices for nursing students: Patient care associate, CNA, LVN, student nurse
extern (UCLA has this)
- Yes, you can take the LVN NCLEX after 1 year of RN nursing school.
- If you do not want to work, volunteer at a hospital (4hrs), or join COPE Health
solutions and get into their Clinical Care extender.
6. Make time for yourself.
- Nursing school is rough, but manage your time and make time for yourself.
5. NCLEX
- Kaplan, Saunders, and LaCharity worked for me.
- Kaplan is good for questions. It is designed just like NCLEX. You will feel like you are
taking a Kaplan test when you sit for your boards.
- Saunders is good for material.
- LaCharity is good for tough questions and select all that apply.
Good luck to all of you! You will do great. Stay Motivated. Nursing school will end and you will be a Nurse.
