Advice? Tips? I start the RN program this month and I am terrified to say the least

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Hello all. I start school this month. I am doing the RN program which is 2 years. I have all my pre and coreqs out of the way, so all I will be doing is nursing classes and medical terminology. Any advice? I have a 2 year old and a husband, but I have been going to school full time since my son was born so I am used to that load... I am terrified because I really do not know what to expect. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

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I don't think many of us are replying because we are all in the same boat! : ) I don't have any advice. I just wanted to say that I know how you feel. That's why I'm spending so much of what's left of my summer vacation on these boards soaking up every little bit of encouragement and insight possible and distracting myself.

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First and foremost, your nursing courses will be unlike any other course you have ever taken. So don't go into it with preconcieved notions. The classes are HARD, there is A LOT of reading, and you have to stay on top of it every single day.

My best piece of advice, - TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. Make a list everyday of what has to be done THAT DAY. Don't worry about tomorrows mess, or the day after that, focus on the HERE AND NOW.

DO NOT procrastinate. If you get behind, it's so hard and very frustrating to try and play catch up.

Unfortunately, everything in your life will have to take a backseat if you want to be successful in nursing school.

Study a little bit everyday and don't try to cram before tests.

Don't get hung up on how the specific disease process works - understand it, but focus mainly on what you as the nurse will be doing to care for your patient. Don't try to study like a doctor, you aren't there to diagnose, your there to help care for the patient.

And lastly, and probably my best piece of advice...

When it get's tough and you feel like you can't go on, remember how excited you were the day you recieved your acceptance letter. Remember that you must perservere - there are thousands of people all over America who are on waiting lists and who have been rejected. They'd give any thing they had to be in your shoes. :)

P.S. - ENJOY IT :) You've worked hard and deserve to be where you are!

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Hi,

All I can advise is that you take things one day at a time. Focus on the stuff thats in front of you. All i can think about is graduating and I'm barely finishing level 1. lol. I'm trying my best to just focus on the present. It is what people say it is, its crazy, its exhausting, stressful, etc. But its also exciting, fun, and I have met some of the sweetest people in this program. Above all, remember that you are NOT alone in this.

Hope that helps a little :)

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First and foremost, your nursing courses will be unlike any other course you have ever taken. So don't go into it with preconcieved notions. The classes are HARD, there is A LOT of reading, and you have to stay on top of it every single day.

My best piece of advice, - TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. Make a list everyday of what has to be done THAT DAY. Don't worry about tomorrows mess, or the day after that, focus on the HERE AND NOW.

DO NOT procrastinate. If you get behind, it's so hard and very frustrating to try and play catch up.

Unfortunately, everything in your life will have to take a backseat if you want to be successful in nursing school.

Study a little bit everyday and don't try to cram before tests.

Don't get hung up on how the specific disease process works - understand it, but focus mainly on what you as the nurse will be doing to care for your patient. Don't try to study like a doctor, you aren't there to diagnose, your there to help care for the patient.

And lastly, and probably my best piece of advice...

When it get's tough and you feel like you can't go on, remember how excited you were the day you recieved your acceptance letter. Remember that you must perservere - there are thousands of people all over America who are on waiting lists and who have been rejected. They'd give any thing they had to be in your shoes. :)

P.S. - ENJOY IT :) You've worked hard and deserve to be where you are!

Just wanted to say that post made me smile. :)

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wow.. there are so many ppl starting program this Fall.. Hey.. just dont wry.. and stay focus and believe in ur self.. alwys think tht u can do it.. which college are u going to.. BTW,, im going to COD.. my classes starts 22 of this month

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Specializes in Med/Tele.

I don't have kids and I'm not married but the people in my class who are and do have kids have said this. Let your husband know that he's gonna have to take up alot of the slack bc you will not have time! Laundry may sit a little longer, dust may accumulate a little thicker and meals may not be home cooked that often! lol It's possible to keep these things in line but at least your hubby will have a heads up. Alot of them said they have to study late at night bc there is no way to study while the babies are up. They study late into the night and get up earlier to try and study then too. Just some things to think about :)

Oh and it also helps to record every lecture so you can listen to and from school, at the gym ect. Good luck!!

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Just wanted to say that post made me smile. :)

Thank you :)

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Specializes in N/A.
First and foremost, your nursing courses will be unlike any other course you have ever taken. So don't go into it with preconcieved notions. The classes are HARD, there is A LOT of reading, and you have to stay on top of it every single day.

My best piece of advice, - TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME. Make a list everyday of what has to be done THAT DAY. Don't worry about tomorrows mess, or the day after that, focus on the HERE AND NOW.

DO NOT procrastinate. If you get behind, it's so hard and very frustrating to try and play catch up.

Unfortunately, everything in your life will have to take a backseat if you want to be successful in nursing school.

Study a little bit everyday and don't try to cram before tests.

Don't get hung up on how the specific disease process works - understand it, but focus mainly on what you as the nurse will be doing to care for your patient. Don't try to study like a doctor, you aren't there to diagnose, your there to help care for the patient.

And lastly, and probably my best piece of advice...

When it get's tough and you feel like you can't go on, remember how excited you were the day you recieved your acceptance letter. Remember that you must perservere - there are thousands of people all over America who are on waiting lists and who have been rejected. They'd give any thing they had to be in your shoes. :)

P.S. - ENJOY IT :) You've worked hard and deserve to be where you are!

You have said everything my friend has said to me....she's 2 semesters ahead of me. Thank you for this post!

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Ditto! I am in the same boat as well, I think nearly all of you. I start nursing school in a little more than a month and I am freaking out a bit (for a number of reasons--including doing something so new!). And here's the deal, I am a former high school ENGLISH teacher with a M.Ed. My friends and family, while supportive, think I am a little crazy for trying this (and I am married, two YOUNG children--under 5).

As a teacher, I have to second what the other poster said, stay on top of your coursework, chunk the work--don't overdo and burn yourself out. Find a really good study group or partner--they will be your greatest allies and cheerleaders.

If you have completed the bulk of the pre-reqs, basic ed, and some of the science courses you MAY be at an advantage if you can solely focus on the nursing courses (this is from my advisor). I would tell my students all the time that one of the most important things is that they cut themselves some slack. Be good to yourself. It will be good practice when you are working with patients.

BTW, these boards are truly amazing . . . THANK YOU ;)

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Specializes in Oncology/Geriatrics/Holistic.

Read all of the chapters that you are assigned. Study every day. Try not to listen to others. Cherish your own experiences. Try to stay open minded and flexible. Enjoy this wonderful ride with all of the possibilities before you. Imagine R.N. after your name. Never give up. All the best to everyone starting this amazing journey.

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I'm in the same boat but I can tel you what I am doing.

1. Menu Planning! It's going to make my evening with my two kids a lot easier and I don't have the terrible question on my way home of what's for dinner! I plan my grocery shopping list out and try to buy for 2 weeks at a time. I also coupon which makes thing cheaper but not easier.

2. Good daycare. I trust the people I'm leaving my kids with so I can focus on school on not on what there doing.

3. Get a good planner- Plan out your days, weeks, and months to manage your workload. Maybe you write a paper a week in a half before it's due just because you don't have time to do it closer. You'll never know until you map it out.

4. Pray- I'm counting on some grace from God to get me through the next two years :)

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