Asked to give advice to new nursing students

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Specializes in Nursing Management.

A few of my peers and I have been asked to come and talk to the new first semester students during their orientation.

I have come up with a few things like:

- Develop thick skin/ don't take things personally

- Make a facebook group so people can ask questions about anything school related

- Schedule out your week in a planner

- Have an escape/coping mechanism

- Don't overanalyze the material/test questions

- READ!!!

I was wondering what other advice you would offer them?

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Taking non school time to themselves

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I had to do the same thing. In addition to your stuff I told them how to get the most out of clinicals:

-Don't expect good clinical experiences to jump out and bite you; put yourself out there, get involved, ask questions, ask to observe procedures

-Learn to manage your time and prioritize; who has the more acute need? How will you handle the morning ADLs when everyone wants toileting/bathing/and breakfast at the same time? Where do assessments fit into all this? Plan ahead for meds, make sure they are on hand/compatible.

- Be nice/professional; not everyone patient or staff will be nice to you all the time. Be professional about it even if they are not. It is difficult but if you get involved with drama it will get back to someone.

Edit: Oh and find a good stress relief technique or two it'll save your sanity some days. Can't take care of others so well if you are unwell yourself ;)

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I think the most important thing is to LEARN how to really understand the test questions. Learn to pick the question apart. Know what the question is really asking. Find the "buzz" words in the questions. One way to practice this is by answering NCLEX questions. Get really good at understanding this questions.

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Specializes in Nursing Management.

Thank you for your responses.

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Don't miss class. There is too much non textbook information given in lecture to miss classes.

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Some advice given to me, that I frequently fall back on, is to be nice to yourself. Nursing school is hard. The chances of a person doing well on every test or skill is small. You have to learn not to beat yourself up, and to shake off the bad things. That sounds simple, but when a person is used to doing things well, it can be tough.

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before you can take care of others, you need to take care of yourself. Eat well, get exercise and get sleep. You won't learn if you're tired, put the book down and go for a run, or get sleep

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My advice would be don't wait until you are really far behind to ask for help. If you feel you are not grasping the material try to get help, first from your study group or peers and then from your instructor or advisor, right away.

I also second the suggestions above that say eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep.

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