Advice!!!

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Hello lovely people!

Im starting the nursing program (BSN) in less than 2 weeks. I have mixed feelings: excited and very nervous. I've heard a lot of gists about the nursing program, how tough and very challenging it is. So, im seeking for advice from all the students currently enrolled in the program, half way through, or graduate from the program. I need all the advices and support i could get to help me overcome this new and challenging journey im about to embark.

Thanks in advance,

1love

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I am not in a BSN program, but an ADN program. My advice is to stay as organized as possible. I bought a large calender and it on my fridge with important dates such as clincal, skills check-off days, and test days. It has helped me a lot. Also, buying a student planner such as this one, Amazon.com: Saunders Student Nurse Planner, 2011-2012: A Guide to Success in Nursing School (9781437727807): Susan C. deWit MSN RN CNS PHN: Books, has helped me too. It also includes great information to have on hand.

If any of your instructors use power points study those. All my test questions in the past have come right from the lecture of the power points. Questions were never taken directly from the book just lectures and PP's.

Keep ahead in everything. Do not get behind. It's really hard to play catch-up in a nursing program whether it's a ADN or BSN program.

Don't go in thinking you know everything because you don't. You are there to learn. Nursing school isn't a place to try and become friends with everyone. There will be people you clash with and that's alright. Although you may make some good friends along the way.

Find a good study group of just a few people and meet up with them regularly. Note cards really do help.

If you struggle with math this software is really great to help you learn the ends and outs of nursing math. It's worth the money.http://www.amazon.com/Calculating-Drug-Dosages-Interactive-Approach/dp/0803615329/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1325716046&sr=8-3

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*AN issue.....here is the rest.

Also, if you have trouble taking tests this book is a great resource. Nursing tests are different from any other tests I have ever taken. Amazon.com: Test Success: Test-Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students (9780803628182): Dr Patricia Nugent, Barbara Vitale: BooksDon't carry all your books to class. In my case I would need a fork-lift if I carried everything. Find out what you need for class and take only what you need.

If I think of anything else I will let you know. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Any big journey will cause you to be anxious and anything worth having is hard work. You will be fine. jesskidding has given you excellent advice and we a re always here for you when you need help! Good luck!!!

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It is a very exciting journey! The "unknown", I thought would kill me before my first day of class! I was so nervous and excited, but soon it became routine! I am about to start my second semester and cannot wait! Nursing school is alot of fun and you learn so much. I have met some really great friends too. I like everyone in my class of 60 (although sometimes some people need extra attention and can rack everyone's nerves from time to time.lol.)we all help each other and are rooting for each other. My instructors are wonderful and they are pulling for us as well. I feel so blessed to be in nursing school and especially the place I am at in my life and I hope you will feel the same! Good luck!:loveya:

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do your homework. never put off studying; cramming is bad and unproductive, as well as increasing your anxiety levels.

read more than you have to; get other books besides the ones they assign you.

ask questions when they are small and fast; don't keep confusion to yourself until it gets too huge.:D

stay in touch. we're here to help!

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Thank you so much. I can really use your help. Well appreciated :)

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Specializes in Infusion.

You will be learning in "layers". Remember what Shrek says to Donkey about onions and layers. You will be building your own onion of nursing knowledge. Every paper you write, every prep and care plan you do, every chapter you read, and every skill and assessment that you demonstrate and practice adds another layer.

As far as reading goes, try to skim through the reading you are assigned and really try to understand the items that are in tables and the words that are bolded. Start catagorizing drugs by their similar actions and common side affects. You will start noticing similarities.

Don't let anybody freak you out. Find a stress management plan that works for you... I like to run. It helps me to de-stress and get a good night's sleep. Best wishes.

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I would say don't completely stress out about it. Every nursing program is different so some programs are much more intense as they are crammed into fewer semesters while some programs are more relaxed but over more semesters. For reading my professors always tell us to either 1) skim or 2) the points at the beginning that say what you should know the answer for by the end just go and answer those questions and ignore the rest. Some books will have 50+ pages for each chapter and you may have 5-10 chapters a week for each class way to much reading according to our professors (but if its a short chapter then I usually always read it all). Everyday study all the notes for your upcoming test (or all your notes all together if you didn't grasp the previous notes very well). I find that when I do this I learn it better because its repetitive and I don't have to cram. Find a study partner or group. Sometimes another classmate can help you break something down that your not grasping very well. I also try to think of a person, tv character etc to fit different diseases and stuff too. I do this because say I'm trying to remember what the bipolar symptoms are I can think of someone I know with it and I can really see what those symptoms are most of the time.

Also, memory notebooks for nursing can really be helpful!

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Specializes in Quality Improvement, Informatics.

Good Luck! I'm in an Accelerated BSN program right now. I use my holiday breaks to set up a calendar so I know what I need to read and turn in every day. It's impossible to keep track of things if you're not highly organized.

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Specializes in Quality Improvement, Informatics.

And pick up a Saunders NCLEX book... outlined forms of your textbook material

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