Any Advice for New Nursing Students?

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What advice does anyone have to someone who JUST got accepted into a nursing program? As I keep reading I just see horror story after horror story - It amazes me that anyone gets through it - I know nursing school is going to be the hardest thing I've ever endured, mentally and physically, but I want to be as prepared as I can be. Is it truly a program that is just not something you can prepare yourself for until you are in it? Or are there any books or anything that I can read to prepare my mind for what I am about to jump into head first? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Specializes in ICU / Urgent Care.

It's what you make of it. I finished first semester, made president's list, and thought it was cake. Don't complain, put in the work required of you, and it will work itself out just fine.

Edit: also don't try to study ahead of time, your wasting precious relaxation time. Jump the hurdles as they come, don't exhaust yourself before you even start.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Education.

Oh for heaven's sake. It's an educational process, not the Bataan Death March. For every poster who weeps and wails and 'awfulizes' on this public forum, there are probably a dozen who are thriving.

One of the essential characteristics of a successful nurse is the ability to critically think. This entails finding and analyzing accurate data/information rather than simply accepting someone's opinion as fact. It's never too early to start.

It can be (literally) a life-changing experience. You got this.

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Specializes in Hospital Education Coordinator.

Take one day at a time. People like to talk, so learn to take it all with a grain of salt. The only experiences that really matter are your own,so ignore the others. The trick is to focus on what you are doing NOW and let tomorrow take care of itself.

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About 60% of the orginal class will either fail or drop out for whatever reason. But one thing I would do is get you a voice recorder for each of your classes (so you can keep the content separated), so you can listen to your notes in bed or driving. Also get you a good care plan book like the one from betty ackly,,a nurses notes "lab values" and "med surg". Another thing I loved having was a medical dictionary handy while reading.

Study daily as it takes about 10 hours to read thru a set of notes for the first time.

Be good at clinicals because this is where a teacher who don't like you on a personal level will fail you, even if you have perfect attendance and a high test average for the class. Have a good game plan for clinicals and don't spend all day "reading" about the patient, just get what you need, keep an eye on upcoming meds/procedures. Make sure you tell teacher what time you go/return from lunch.

For a hobby, be reading on a good nclex book like saunders comprehensive nclex. It usually has content that will go along with what your studying at the time.

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Any advice on what we should be doing over the summer in prep for a fall start?

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I am finishing my last semester of nursing school. Everyone told me it was going to be the worst thing and greatest thing I ever do in my life. I went in with an open mind and decided to let myself gain my own opinions about it which I defiantly have strong ones. But my advise is go in with an open mind, do what is asked of you and do not argue with staff, make friends with the teachers because they can help you get jobs, and study study study. I am not saying there isn't times where your going to have break downs but remember what your goal is and that its not forever. Remember its just a small part of your life. You'll have to turn down friends and family but people who care will be there at the end. Congrats! and as far as how to prepare for nursing school just figure out what you need to read for the first week. Teachers like you to be prepared before class even if it's the first day. But enjoy your time before school starts because once its does its a wild ride :)

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Nursing is the hardest thing I have ever done (I am in my early 20s)...

BUT it is completely doable. Think about it. Every semester, thousands of nursing students graduate and one day, it if is meant to be, you will too.

Just relax. Enjoy your free time now because the whole nursing school thing can be a time suck. :sarcastic:

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

It's tough, but it's manageable. Don't let people freak you out. Also, we only lost one person in our class. It's not always a drop fest. We had very supportive instructors who didn't necessarily hold your hand, but they had your back. I had a great experience, and am waiting to take my NCLEX now. I actually had breakfast this morning with one of my clinical instructors! Recognize that most instructors want to create successful nurses (I'm sure some have other motives). Take a deep breath, do some planning to clear your schedule of everything else as much as you can, and work to manage your stress now. You will need tools in place.

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Thank you - ALL OF YOU! I am ready - I just needed some people to write positive things about their programs - sounds stupid but hearing only negative (which is what it seems everyone posts) is a serious mind game! I've got this - I will be an RN in 2016- or i'll die trying! I've got my support system set up, I've got day care and back ups, I've got a wonderful husband who believes in me when I don't.... and I have this site for when I need to write "SOMEONE WRITE SOMETHING POSITIVE DARN IT! How are there so many nurses in the world when everyone was killed in nursing school?!?!".......... I GOT THIS! Thanks again - you have helped my nerves - NOW I am going to enjoy a long 3 day girls weekend! Because I probably won't be seeing girls weekend again for a while :) Maybe girls hour...but not 3 day WEEKEND! ;) {and thanks for the advice on prestudying....I will take it!}

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Specializes in Hospice.

I think if I had it to do over again (first semester), as I've said to other people beginning, I would bone up on dosage calculations (we use dimensional analysis), and memorize common lab values. There really isn't much you can do as far as studying in advance because the instructors jump all over the book. Good luck!

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As a future Nursing student these posts have been very helpful, thank you for the thread. I'd love to be able to chime in with something useful, but I'm just as new to nursing as you are. General advice would be just to not worry and take things as they come, because one day you'll look back and laugh at the things you felt and experienced as a nursing student, from what I've been told. It'll all work out.

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