Anything you would do differently if you were starting nursing school again?

Brea LPN · Jun 14, 2011

Since I believe I studied as hard as I could, the only thing I would do differently would be to try to not be so nervous about skills checkoffs and clinicals. Doing anything in front of an instructor terrified me. I now realize she would never actually bite my head off, but you couldn't tell me that at the time.

laceface24 · Jun 14, 2011

I just finished my program-tips from me? man oh man...

*study hard, in groups if possible, but only if the group is productive. I had two groups i would study with. One moved too slow for me, but i felt like i actually learned. The other was more of a gossip sesh, moved at my pace, but i didn't retain.

*do your reading-something i never did, and my grades suffered.

*make friends in your program-i cannot stress this enough. The people in your class are going to be the ONLY people that truly understand what you are going through. You can vent as much as you want to your husband/family/friends, and they may say they understand, but trust me, they never will. You're going to make relationships with the people in your class that will be life long, and in my opinion, very very close.

*if you can knock out readings before your program starts, do it! Its only going to benefit you. A lot of what you read wont make sense to you until you actually learn the world of nursing, but you will have that one-up.

*be prepared for clinicals-have a med book, lab book, utilize txts books if you have a chance to look up pathos of diseases.

*organization is key-use binders, colored tabs, anything to help you stay organized.

*most importantly-take time for yourself. It is OK to take a break from studying and homework to enjoy your own time. A lot of the women in my class never did, and they went stir crazy because their only focus was nursing school. Your health needs breaks.

Enjoy the last time you have until school starts, really enjoy it, because once school starts, your world is flipped and there is no looking back. Nursing school is challenging, but if its what you want, you'll love and hate every minute of it.

gentlegiver, ASN, LPN, RN · Jun 14, 2011

I would have stuck with optomalogy, same pay but less stress.

hershmeister · Jun 14, 2011

I would definitely go ahead and get your nurse assistant certification. This helps you with skills and actually caring for patients, very different from unit secretary. At my hospital, they have CSTs which are unit secretaries and CNA combined and they make more money than either. Also, I agree that study groups they definitely help. Also, think about taking some courses that could opt you out of some of the courses required for your nursing program. Many people that I know were able to opt out of our nutrition and development classes because they had taken similar classes before. This could tremendously decrease your load and help you focus on your more important classes such as med-surg. It seems that you like your unit a lot so that will definitely get your foot in the door. One huge regret of mine is not getting an externship in an ICU. I feel this hurt me when I was looking for positions in ICU upon graduation. Also, try getting an externship during your nursing program. It was a great help to me and you get paid for it! As for reading that's great that you do it, but I felt that I got all the content necessary from lecture. Hope this helps!! :)

Newly Graduated BSN Student

hershmeister · Jun 14, 2011

OH! and be very courteous and kind to your instructors!! Form great relationships with them, be assertive, show them that you LOVE to learn and always try to do new skills and ask TONS of questions. You will need that relationship to apply for jobs and future degree programs.

ajt575s · Jun 14, 2011

I would get the Saunders NCLEX review book and use it to study for my med-surg exams. Also use it to go over strategy for answering the questions. I did this for med-surg II and got an A after struggling and getting a B in med surg I.

Good luck!

caliotter3 · Jun 14, 2011

I would have stayed with my previous career.

tyvin, BSN, RN · Jun 14, 2011

I would not borrow money; or as much money as I did. There are the grants and the scholarships and that should IMO be enough. There are hundreds of scholarships out there. I look back on it some 20 years ago and in my time the school literally just put the application for loans in front of you and said "Just sigh here, but remember, you have to pay this loan back."

There was no education on repaying the loans or how about a short class in budgeting before signing the loan to see how much you really do need. Yes I was suppose to be a responsible person but I took every loan they offered which I really didn't need and I truly regret now.

I remember there was this one girl in my class that made it a point not to borrow any money. Though she didn't have a high GPA she was the smartest person in the class.

Oh you wanted advise on the actual school of nursing ... It helps to know which degree you're pursuing; anyways ... I wouldn't do anything different. I was brazen, tenacious with respect and grabbed every learning opportunity there was. When the ICU was about to extubate a man I jumped up and asked if I could do it and many more examples.

Remember there is almost always a sliding scale with any diabetics medication regime, the RNs with associates coming in to bridge to the bachelors can't understand why they need to take all the extra classes for the degree (be understanding and respectful), learn how to take notes and tests, if you're going to buy a stethoscope buy a cheap one for school; chances are you will misplace it lol), you will understand what all the theory is about eventually, flashcards saved my life, you need a computer with a printer (access to internet for those research papers) and learn office enough to do your papers (but there's always the school's computer lab).

Oh my I better stop before this whole thing turns into some kind of novel. Best of luck to you and remember the hoops get bigger as the program progresses so learn to jump higher each time. Then before you know it like some kind of vivid dream you're walking onto the stage to except your diploma. Ahhh how lovely ... OMG now I need to pass the NCLEX ... "Here I go again on my own!" (Whitesnake)

slackula · Jun 14, 2011

If you you have previous expieriance as a CNA, HHA, LPN don't act like you know to much. They will be harder on you. I knew two LPNs who worked in the hospital for years and the nasty b***h teacher failed them on giving a bed bath. Then she told their supervisor at the hospital and she told me and everyone was laughing at them.

GiantJerk · Jun 14, 2011

I would relax, enjoy the time spent with my fellow students, and not be as stressed out as I was on things like skills check offs etc. Nursing school is the hardest thing I've ever been through, but it's also been so much fun, and I can't believe how much I actually learned. Good luck!

Ftr_NurseJackie · Jun 15, 2011

I would have used my RN NCLEX book earlier in med/surg and received my A, like I deserve!