Be Prepared

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Congratulations!

You made it into the nursing program!

Be prepared to have enough money saved up because you do NOT need to be working while you are studying heavy duty Intense material.

Be Prepared and organized. Arrive early - they will lock the doors when lecture starts and you miss important information and the test and the instructors will look at you like a looser because you were not prepared. Do not embarrass yourself by being late for lectures, clinicals, or anything else.

Be Prepared for class. You will have at lest 4 or more books to work from; 2-3 chapters each week. You will have multiple tests. Each week you will have a theory test, a skills written test; skills hands on test; clinical test; care plans; and you will be observed for your interaction at the nursing home. The teachers are experienced. There is no excuse for not following the rules. Don't embarrass yourself by not being prepared.

Be prepared for a "culture shock." The grading scale is bumped up from the normal college level grading scale. Do not get anything less than 93% if you want an "A". Do not get anything less than 86% if you want a "B." Anything less than 86% means you had better revise your study habits quickly!

Be prepared to have your notecards in your purse or pocket. While you are waiting 2 minutes, 5 minutes; or 20 minutes you have valuable study time that may give you that extra point on the test to keep your "A."

Whatever school you choose, all the nursing programs are insane. But when you are done, you will know with confidence that you are a safe nurse.

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Specializes in MICU.

I just got 100% on my fundamentals. However, I studied all that was assigned to us including the chapters and power points. hard work pays off...so am waiting for the crickets to say C's get degrees

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Specializes in ICU / Urgent Care.

Bit over dramatic. I experienced almost nothing you speak of, its actually been a relaxing ride for the most part.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I think it varies by program and if you are in an ADN vs. BSN program due to the difference in the amount of classes each semester. But the OP is pretty much spot on on being prepared and studying your butt off. The instructors do keep tabs on who is there all the time, where you sit in class, if you take notes or just play with your phone, how you do on tests. One of my theory instructors is also my CI. She walked up to me after my last test (first exam of med/surg in block 2) and fist bumped me saying "you did good, keep it up" (I got an 87.8 and it was the hardest low B i ever earned lol, a lot of people failed it). I was excited about it, but also thought, "oh crap, shes watching me" lol. Anyway, so true on study study study and be prepared. I did quite well in fundamentals in block 1. I missed an A by mere points and its because I got cocky and studied less before exam 3. I got a high C on that test and then a high B on the following, but couldnt quite catch that A by the end of the semester. I know that C's get degrees but not for me because I plan to keep going on to MS and want a competitive GPA to get into a good school. If you want good grades and dont want to have to calculate what you have to get on the final just to barely pass the class, then heed the warnings. Take some time for yourself each week or you will go crazy, but plan to devote a lot of time to studying, homework and stressing about tests.

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Specializes in SNF, LTAC.

I just completed my BSN at a major university....I did not do anything the OP stated above, I graduated with a 3.8gpa. Its is all about the individual, not everyone has to study as rigorously (spelling) or turn into a hermit to pass their classes. Find what works for you....for me it was establishing a few hours a week to casually study and prepare....I am by no means a "perfect" nurse, but I was just wanting to state my opinion on the subject :-)

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:( i work 50 hours a week
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Specializes in public health, women's health, reproductive health.

This is very program specific. Not all programs have these rules or run this way, obviously. So you can't make a blanket statement.

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Do not get anything less than 93% if you want an "A". Do not get anything less than 86% if you want a "B."

I wish that was our grading scale!

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Specializes in MICU.
I wish that was our grading scale!

A is 94 and C is 77 in my school. it is a bsn program!!

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Specializes in None yet..
I wish that was our grading scale!

Me, too. We're on a numerical scale and to get a 4.0 you must score above 95%. Quick decline from there.

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Specializes in ICU.

We must get a 92% to get an A. I have not become a hermit nor do I devote every second to studying. I know people in my program that do that and they are driving themselves crazy right now. Seriously, they are. I make sure I am at school on time with homework done and have myself prepared for either the lecture or lab that day. But I have a life outside of school. I have a son who needs me and my boyfriend likes to see my face sometimes too. And my grades are just fine.

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Specializes in MICU.

My professor used to say that every patient is unique and the same thing goes for every nursing student. We are all different and our study habit is different, what works for you might be different from others.

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