Being prepared for the RN program

geneva007 · Sep 9, 2011

Some important things you should know getting into a nursing program:

1) Study your pre-reqs such as biology/A & P/Patho/Chem it is assumed you have retained knowledge from these courses to apply later on in nursing school.

2) Take every test and assignment seriously, some schools allow you into the nursing program based on GPA's.

3) Don't get lazy with pre-reqs, they are an important part of your whole nursing education (see #1)

4) Don't get overwhelmed and discouraged. Some schools do have a waiting list and there isn't much you can do about it. Be patient, when the time is right, be prepared!

5) What worked for me personally to get through the rigors of pre-reqs was to start reading nursing journals, reading blogs by nursing students and talking to nursing students. This helps you realize your goal and focus on it. It seemed it took forever to do the 2 or 3 years of pre-reqs but having an open mind and being focused on your goal at hand helps.

Hopefully this helps a little! Take care!!!

slangley · Sep 9, 2011

Thanks for the info! I've finished my pre-reqs and applied to the rn program and am waiting for my final letter! I scored a 98 on nln with 3 A's & 2 B's in the 5 required core to apply. I hope I get in!

Are you currently in an rn program? How was the first semester? What should I have learned and studied up on prior to the first day? I hope I can get some info from different people because I know different schools do different things. Thanks for taking the time to answer!!

geneva007 · Sep 10, 2011

Thanks for the info! I've finished my pre-reqs and applied to the rn program and am waiting for my final letter! I scored a 98 on nln with 3 A's & 2 B's in the 5 required core to apply. I hope I get in!
Are you currently in an rn program? How was the first semester? What should I have learned and studied up on prior to the first day? I hope I can get some info from different people because I know different schools do different things. Thanks for taking the time to answer!!

Hello! Yes I am in the RN program. My first semester for my first year...3 weeks in. I start clinicals tomorrow morning, gotta wake up at 4 AM to go.

Sounds like you did good on your NIN! I feel you should brush up on anatomy and pathophysiology. Those 2 classes are crucial to understanding nursing assessments and theory. Nursing assessments can be rather deep and involved with a patient. Sometimes your patient presents with one or two things wrong, sometimes it can be 10 things. You have to be familiar with the body's ins and outs to be able to think on your feet. For example last weekend in lab our instructor asked how many lobes are there in the lungs. Everyone sat there dumbfounded and I finally chimed up "five". I was correct, then she asked me how many lobes in each lung. I was able to answer the question without making a fool out of myself. But I had to use quick thinking on my feet!

I know you'll do fine in nursing school. You have good grades and you seem passionate about it! :nurse:

HeiseC · Sep 10, 2011

I'm completed week 2 and am working on week 3.

1) ALWAYS ask your instructor if you can record. I like to record the lecture because I have a tendoncy to forget or miss what is said, and sometimes its an important test question.

2) Buy your books ahead of time and if your school has an online program where you can download your instructors syllibus and course agenda, do it. I'm a little far behind because I didn't buy books until the day before, and my agenda requires me to read chapters before each class.

3) Don't get too stressed. Some of your classmates will form study groups and it will be helpful. What ever your study needs are, you can find it within a group. Also, your college may have plenty of resources to help guide you through a successful career. They know its competitive to enter the program and they want you to be on top of your game.

4) With that being said, book stores have pocket guides and flashcards. I plan on buying myself flashcards for the NCLEX-RN to help prepare myself durring my down time.

5) Just as a note, I don't know about your email address, but I had to re-create mine. I used my dad's 15 letter last name and everyone got confused. Plus my inbox was such a mess, my mind became the same. Its a good idea to have an email that has either your first and last initial or vice versa, or with numbers, so that when you hand it out to your fellow classmates, they know who you are.

6) Don't be afraid to ask questions. the stupid question is the one not asked. For example, my instructors repeated twice about documentation, and for myself, i tripple checked with verbal communication. Other students thought i was an idiot, but I want to be the best nurse I can be, in my own way.

I can't think of anything else but is what I gathered in a few weeks.

srobb11 · Sep 10, 2011

Buy an NCLEX review book. I recommend the most recent Saunders edition, yellow cover. I like this particular one because it gives a great deal of information organized by subject matter which helps in studying for school. Most important, it teaches you how to read and answer NCLEX style questions which is what you will most likely see on your lecture exams.

slangley · Sep 11, 2011

THANK YOU ALL FOR THE ADVICE! I'm going to be prepared :)

MN-Nurse, ASN, RN · Sep 11, 2011

Get your CNA cert and get experience working with patients.

This is probably the single most important aspect holding my former classmates back from getting the job they want.

HeiseC · Sep 12, 2011

Get your CNA cert and get experience working with patients.
This is probably the single most important aspect holding my former classmates back from getting the job they want.

I agree about getting your CNA. I wish I went for mine since I could have graduated high school with my CNA. I didn't grab that opportunity because my parents thought it would be better for me to get my education first. I'm thinking about getting my CNA now since my hours as a Environmental Services Tech. has been cut to less than a day a week. Plus, I don't get to see or interact with patients as much as I wanted.

jesskidding, LPN · Sep 12, 2011

What are your tips on being prepared for the RN program?
What should you begin studying while waiting to begin the RN program?
What are important things you should know going in?
There are so many questions that could be asked but I know alot of pre nursing students (such as myself) would love to hear some answers from the current RN students! :)
THANKS!

1. My advice is not to study unless you are taking pre-req classes and need to study for them. If you are not currently taking classes then take it easy and enjoy your free time before NS starts. I was given that same advice and it was the best decision for me. You are going to have enough to do once you get into NS. Really, enjoy the free time.

2. I wanted to know a little about each instructor, clinical info, and I wanted a book list. I wanted to get started in the Fundamentals book, and this goes back to #1, but after I got through the first four chapters I decided to stop and just enjoy my summer before NS began. It's a good thing I did because now that I have started the program we didn't even start in the first four chapters. We were assigned reading all throughout the book. So, imagine if I had spent my entire summer reading material I didn't need to read yet?!

As far as the suggestion about working as a CNA....it is a requirement in my program to be listed on our state's NA registry before being accepted so I already had CNA certification. I started working on a med/surg floor over the summer thinking it would help me land a job after graduation. Well, I am already burned out. I have also hurt my back. My advice is, if you don't have to work then don't. CNA work is hard and you should be putting school before work right now anyway. I mean you don't want to be a CNA the rest of your life! I don't. I am now just working PRN because school is way more important to me than my job right now.

You might not get in the first time you apply. I was lucky and got in the first time, but that isn't always the case. Don't worry about it. Your time will come. Just hang in there and keep applying. Apply to more than one program if you need to.

NurseKellyH · Sep 12, 2011

I'm in my first semester at a nursing school in GA around the area it says you're from on here... Just i case it's the same school, here is some info:

The best thing you can do is to relax. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Your score and grades sound good, I believe you will get an acceptance letter. :cheers: Now comes the real frustrating part, waiting until the class begins!!!

It will come with a packet of information telling you how to order uniforms and complete background check information. Also you should receive a list of immunizations and titers (you'll need a physical as well, I went to Walgreens take care clinic for mine) you will need before the next semester begins. If you're uninsured like I am, the HD has VERY terrific prices on those immunizations and titers. You will need a stethoscope and scissors. Not much else in that area, as you will have to purchase a supplies bag that comes with tons of gear (minus) those 2 items. So theres a few items to maybe shop around for prices on while you wait for your letter.

It sounds like you were as frisky as I was before this semester began lol. Wanted to get a jump start in every way possible! Trust me, just relax. Take some time to get other things in your life in order. You will be doing some lifting and standing in clinicals, maybe take this time to get into better shape. Or, if you're already in shape, take some time to get things around the house organized.

I would recommend a medical terminology course for brush ups, but this semester has long since started :cry:

Pre-congratulations on your acceptance. And best of luck!

slangley · Sep 12, 2011

Thanks for the reply :) I applied at West Georgia Tech. The reason I'm so nervous is because they have reduced the # of spots from 35 to 20. There were 217 that applied... therefore, they are taking the BEST. I think my 2 B's may hold me from getting one of those 20 spots but I am trusting in the lord and praying for the best!!