Any Words of Wisdom- Starting 1st Sem.of Nursing School

Altra, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2004

Prepare to totally change your mindset; learn to live with less sleep; secure a source of caffeine; and remember that sometimes crying is an effective coping mechanism. :rolleyes:

Best of luck to you! :)

kahumai, RN · Apr 29, 2004

PAY ATTENTION in your Health Assessment class, as it is the basis for what all nurses will do. The skills we learned were so important that I'm kicking myself for not paying more attention.

Good luck to you!

HyperRNRachel · Apr 29, 2004

Others may or may not agree with my advice, but here it is. IF you can get your books and syllabus early, then get started on your reading. I'm not saying spend 8 hours a day in your books BUT if you start reading at a nice lazy, relaxed pace the information will not seem like a foreign language when classes start and the pace is full speed ahead.

My other piece of advice, and I know others WILL agree with me on this. REVIEW NURSING MATH. The concepts are actually simple; do not make it more than it is.

The other thing is, try, as hard as it is, to relax. Enjoy the process, make friends with your classmates, because they will be your new extended family.

Its a whole new world. Put on your thick skin, know when to ask questions, stay on top of your assignments and you will do great. Enjoy and congratulations.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2004

one thing i wish someone would have told me is that you may not make the connection with everything you learn right away, but somehow it start's to come together. one day you will be sitting there and all of a sudden go oh yeah now it makes sense. also never act like an know it all, just keep your prior knowledge to yourself . nursing school has a way of testing your strength and believe me nursing instructors know how to weed out the weak. get 100% caffine for m-f and 100 proof whiskey for the weekend .. good luck

hello all! i will be starting nursing school in august. i was wondering if i could get some words of wisdom as i step into this new journey of life!!
thanks:rolleyes:

vjcnurse · Apr 29, 2004

The best advice I can give as a new grad is keep the faith! If you come to a minor road block, knock if over and keep going. Nurses go through hell to get that "RN" after their name, but when it's all said and done, you look back and say, "I can't believe I actually did it!!" It's such an achievment. While you are in the process, you may feel like pulling out your hair. But don't! You'll see in the end, the sleepless nights and 24-hour cram sessions are well worth it, I promise!! Good luck to you.

wonderbee, BSN, RN · Apr 29, 2004

Think of first semester as a transition phase. You will be introduced to the profession and its members. Although you are a student, it's not too soon to develop habits of professional behavior and relationships with other students, your instructor and nurses at your clinical site. You are now entering a sort of a fishbowl and will be seeing the same faces for at least the next two years so you'll be getting to know lots about your fellow students and they will get to know lots about you.

Seek out at least one really close trusted friend. Only other nursing students can really sympathize and appreciate a nursing student. You'll also want a study buddy. Be selective about choosing your study buddies.

When you go to your first clinical day and your faced with giving your first bed bath, don't get upset about how much time it takes to do things. It won't always take you an hour to bathe the patient and make the bed. Don't get upset if the nurses on the floor don't look too happy to see you. The techs and the aids will be happy because you're actually lightening their load. The fact is that brand new freshman nursing students are more work to the nurses. As your confidence grows and you start to shine, they will begin to warm up to you. By the end of the semester, they were sorry to see us go because we could now do somewhat accurate assessments, administer meds and do dressing changes and lighten their loads.

Prepare your family for what lies ahead. You will need their cooperation and understanding. Have fun and keep your sense of humor. It will be your best defense.

suzy253, RN · Apr 29, 2004

Yup...agree with all the suggestions so far.....lack of sleep, stress, caffeine, etc.

Don't fall behind in your reading the texts. You'll get smacked with so much reading to do...just try and keep up with it. Read your assigned texts before the related lecture..you'll understand it better.

And don't get down on yourself if you don't grasp things straight away. You'll get it...things will sink it. Especially as the other poster mentioned on clinicals taking a long time for bed bath and bed changing. It will become second nature to you and you will pick up speed.

Be professional as well. We've got so many whiners and complainers. I keep thinking of all the energy it takes to be that way.

Don't be afraid to ask questions and show interest in learning.

Best of luck to you on your new adventure!

StudentNurse04 · Apr 29, 2004

Thanks so very much for the words of wisdom. I will remember the things that you guys have shared with me as I begin class this fall. I'm so happy that there's a site like this where you can talk to fellow students and grads!! Thanks again

jemommyRN · Apr 29, 2004

I wanted to thank you guys also. This is all great advice that I will take heed to as I will also be starting this fall semester.

BSNgrad2004 · Apr 29, 2004

its all about time management

IMustBeCrazy · Apr 29, 2004

1. Find a study group!

You will never 'get' all of the concepts right away the first (or second) time. But if you can find 2-3 like-minded people that have the same study habits as you, the semester is easier because you all share the load. It's so nice to have others to bounce questions and ideas off. They stress 'critical thinking'....this phrase will get drilled into your brain by mid-semester. It basically means being able to look at things from many different perspectives and being able to weed through the not-so-important and identify the important. Nothing was as helpful as a good study group to chat/argue points with!

2. Go to class!

I am amazed over and over at how there are a handful of students in my class that seem to find time to 'go out' all the time, drink on the weekends, endless exploits ad nauseum but can't make it to class and become a burden on other students. I have become great at telling these people 'no' when they try to beg class notes. Believe me, the instructors notice also, and they will hone in on you and 'beat you down' in clinicals. The partying happens *after* you pass boards.

3. If you made it into nursing school, you are smart.

So many people have their confidence shaken the first semester or so of nursing school. This is NOT an easy course of study. There is a reason why the grading curve is 78+ to pass your classes. Do you want a D or F student hanging an IV for your comatose mom? If you suffer a setback with a test, TALK TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR IMMEDIATELY. Most instructors are glad to give feedback on tests and welcome the opportunity to help you. Don't abuse the privilege by being unprepared for class. Don't wait until the night before to study for a test. You will not be 'cramming' for tests, you really need to set aside time each day to review and read. Don't get behind, it will snowball.

4. If you don't understand something, say so.

Ask questions in class (but don't waste class time arguing with your instructor, huge class pet peeve!). In clinical, don't ever feel pressured to do something that you know you don't understand. I guarantee that any instructor valuing his/her license is much happier reviewing skills/situations with you.

5. Don't get scared off by tales of evil instructors.

Keep an open mind and be open to new experiences. I have a pharmacology teacher this semester that I've heard horror stories about in the past, but has ended up being one of the most informative and wonderful instructors I've had in the program to date.

Well, that's all I can think of atm. Back to the books!

:balloons: