Any tips for a new nursing student?

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I officially begin my nursing core classes next month and was wondering if anyone has tips for a student entering the nursing world. All advice is welcome! :)

Learn time management.

Use a planner, it will be your very best friend.

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I agree with the use of study groups, a lot of people utilize study groups in my class and it has been working out great. For it to be effective , all members of the group have to be serious meaning that you guys should know the material before meeting up. You can also formulate or look up critical thinking questions to discuss during the sessions. I use study groups and I have seen excellent outcomes from it.

Emphasis on the serious, I worked the hardest out of my group and was the only one to get into this Bachelor of Nursing program. So now I need a new group lol.

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I feel like study groups are for those that work well in groups. I was better studying solo because I tended to work at a slightly faster pace, which would then make me zone out when the group was a little behind and I would go home feeling like I got nothing done. HOWEVER, those that do well in groups do excel and learn to lean on each other. So you need to feel that one out on your own. I do think being in a group is a valuable asset, I just seemed to do better on my own. I was more focused.

Good luck!

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1. Don't procrastinate

2. Study a little bit everyday rather then cram

3. Find out how you study and retain stuff (YouTube videos, study groups, notes in class, hands on in skills).

4. Always get good sleep and take care of yourself and body.

5. Remember nursing school is tough and it's ok to get Bs and Cs on a test!

6. Don't cram!

7. Study for 2 hours and then take a break so you don't over kill your brain

8. Find a carpool buddy for clinicals so your not constantly driving (switch off)

Most importantly: stay focus and don't lose site of why you wanted to become a nurse... It gets tough!! And there are times you will need to remind yourself what made u start nursing school.. Don't give up because the end result is beyond worth it! Just know you'll be making a difference in someone's life and that is the most satisfying thing!!

Good luck :)

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I'm almost finished my third semester (only 19 days to go!!).

Organization is key, as others have already said. I like to have big binders for each class and keep them neat and pristine. That way when I'm studying, it's all right at my fingertips rather than wasting my study time scrambling to find this or that.

Figure out which study methods work for you and use them! If it works, stick to it. I have found that I need to tweak my study methods each semester to adhere to different instructor's teaching methods and styles.

Ooh! One thing that I've figured out this semester is that I find that I absorb the material so much better if I hand-write my notes during class. It requires a lot of pre-class preparation as well as active listening and participation during class but it works. You might look around your lecture hall and see nothing but shiny new Macbooks and feel that you just have to type your notes or you'll "miss" something. No, I don't write down everything they say but I for sure absorb SO much more information than when I used to type my notes. After class, I go home and type everything so it's all organized and legible then add it to the binder. This process really helps cement the information into my head and makes me a better participant in my study group.

Study groups!! Find one and try it out! I've never used one before nursing school but it really really helps. I'm friends with my group so we're all very comfortable with each other but we also know how to bring the focus back to studying if we get off-topic.

And finally, don't panic if you're not a straight A student. Yes, it's absolutely possible to maintain a 4.0 in nursing school but B's or *gasp* even C's aren't going to kill you. I'm still trying to accept this one but it's the truth. :yes:

Anyhoo ... congratulations!! Hold on tight and enjoy the ride. :)

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Emphasis on the serious, I worked the hardest out of my group and was the only one to get into this Bachelor of Nursing program. So now I need a new group lol.

Yes it very important to study with like minded people who are serious with their studies which can be difficult. I actually have 2 study groups that I alternate between to get different viewpoints about the material. Some of the students actually explain the material much easier than the instructor does. So far everything has been good and we actually study , those who wish to use the study sessions to discuss non school work are excluded from future study sessions.

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What a great idea to ask for any tips before you begin your nursing training!

One of the biggest tips that I wish I had known when I was a student is: know yourself and the qualities you bring just by being you. What will make you a great nurse? This is what your patients will love about being nursed by you. Patients don't remember how promptly you gave out their pills. They remember your smile, how you made them laugh when they were miserable or a gentle touch. The connection you make with people is what matters.

The other big tip is to take care of yourself. I used to think care was all about caring for others but I have found it needs to start with yourself. You are no use to anyone if you are stressed out and tired. I now keep feeling my body as I walk and move around, staying gentle and 'with me' instead of getting caught up in the craziness of the shift. Then when I am with a patient I am calm and actually with them, not off in thoughts about all the other things I have to do.

Another big tip I have is to never see yourself as less than anyone else. You may not know all the skills yet but these can be learnt. As human beings we naturally know the important stuff about how to care for people and how to treat them with respect.

I hope you enjoy your training and coming to know what you have to offer in nursing.

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What a great idea to ask for any tips before you begin your nursing training!

One of the biggest tips that I wish I had known when I was a student is: know yourself and the qualities you bring just by being you. What will make you a great nurse? This is what your patients will love about being nursed by you. Patients don't remember how promptly you gave out their pills. They remember your smile, how you made them laugh when they were miserable or a gentle touch. The connection you make with people is what matters.

The other big tip is to take care of yourself. I used to think care was all about caring for others but I have found it needs to start with yourself. You are no use to anyone if you are stressed out and tired. I now keep feeling my body as I walk and move around, staying gentle and 'with me' instead of getting caught up in the craziness of the shift. Then when I am with a patient I am calm and actually with them, not off in thoughts about all the other things I have to do.

Another big tip I have is to never see yourself as less than anyone else. You may not know all the skills yet but these can be learnt. As human beings we naturally know the important stuff about how to care for people and how to treat them with respect.

I hope you enjoy your training and coming to know what you have to offer in nursing.

Are you a nurse aid currently?

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I'm currently in my second semester and one big piece of advice I would give anyone would be to avoid the drama at all costs. It will distract you from your goals and cause you to fail. I saw it happen to three girls last semester, and now they have to go through reapplying and with everything that happened prior to their departure I have to wonder if the instructors will even consider allowing them back in. Another thing that is helping me tremendously is using an NCLEX study guide. I try my best to answer at ten questions out of it each day, and it really comes in handy with breaking down the important information that will likely be on your exams.

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First of all, congrats on getting into nursing school! That's always a big achievement :)

1. Buy a planner and mark down every exam date, project deadline, and cancelled classes.

2. Make friends. You're going to be with these people for two or more years. You'll need emotional and mental support and so will they.

3. Study LIKE A NURSE. If someone had told me this, I'd still have all As. While the scientific side of why things happen is cool, it'll get you nowhere on an exam. Think like a nurse. What would a nurse do at this point. One of my favorite things to remember is "If I could only do one thing before I left this patient's room, what would it be?" It may not make a lot of sense now, but it will very very soon.

4. While you're studying your butt off, you have to remember your own health. I gained 16 pounds my first year because I thought studying incorrectly for an extra hour and eating popcorn for dinner would suffice. Nope. I promise, YOU HAVE TIME FOR ONE HOUR AT THE GYM THREE TIMES A WEEK. You have time to shop for healthy, quick and easy food! The oven is my best friend, as all of my complete meals are cooked using it. You have time for lots of things, which is going to lead me into my next point...

5. Acquire time management skills now before you enter a hard semester and have to schedule a panic attack before every exam.

6. As many others have said, enjoy the ride. You're learning more now in this one point of your life than you will any other time. Savor it. Only a few years until you're working and you're expected to know everything. Have fun!

7. C. diff isn't nearly as stinky as your brain makes it out to be. My favorite aroma so far has got to be a GI bleed.... *shudders*

You'll do awesome, OP. Way to be ahead of the game in getting tips!

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Specializes in Short Term/Skilled.

2 hours of actually reading and retaining beats 10 hours of randomly copying from the book. Schedule study time ahead of time and try to maintain the same schedule.

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There is a lot of great advice already.

1. Yes to the planner. It will be your best friend and life-saver.

2. Schedule set times to study. It will be far easier to avoid distractions if you know that that you are studying every Sunday from 1-4pm.

3. Exercise and eat healthy and take your vitamins. There is no such thing as a sick day in nursing school.

4. Spend a few hours one (or two) day a week to pre-prepare food. Example: I cook a few chicken breasts, cut up a bunch of veggies, and make veggie dips, etc. on Sunday and Thursday, that I can just grab and go.

5. Join your cohort's and school's Facebook page. Lots of information and advice gets passed on in these forums, and it is usually a great place to buy used books because recent grads that have just passed their boards will usually post there.

6. Don't sell your textbooks until after you take your NCLEX.

7. If possible, attend the various RN specialty organizations meetings in your area. Most readily welcome students, provide wonderful information and networking opportunities.

Congratulations!

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