Best planner for nursing school?

tiny_nurse · Jul 25, 2015

I started a "bullet journal" almost a year ago and it is the most organized I've ever been in my life.

100% self-made and customizable. If you google bullet journals or look them up anywhere, it'll give you the idea. If you like lists and customization and a little bit of creativity, then I'd consider trying it out. :)

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jul 25, 2015

Not available at the store, but I really adore my "uncalendar". It cost about $20. It's totally customizable with lots of space to write. I even bought my college age daughter one. I think they're great! The cover is a little boring, but I decorated mine.

I think the Erin Condren calendars are also nice and a little more attractive, but they are a little more expensive and because they're pre-dated, it wouldn't have lasted me as long.

I am not a naturally organized person, so having good tools to organize really helps me!

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Jul 25, 2015

Google Calendars with syncing to my phone is extremely useful for planning out my time. The free day planner from the flight program is very useful.

ShineBright, BSN · Jul 25, 2015

I purchased a Happy Planner by Create 365/Me and My Big Ideas. It is sold at Hobby Lobby and you can use the 40% off coupon so it comes out to be about $14. It's such deal and so cute! The weekly spreads are vertical and separated by morning , afternoon, & evening just like the Erin planner. The arc system is really nice because you can insert/take out whatever you would like. I will be using this planner for nursing school this fall! I definitely think that the happy planner is more realistic for nursing students on a budget!

Sizzline · Jul 25, 2015

I absolutely love the UnCalendar! I've used them for years. I splurged on an Erin Condren for my first semester of clinicals, and it was just a failure. The set-up didn't work for me at all. I'm happily back with my UnCalendar now.

TLizS · Jul 26, 2015

For one that can be bought at the store...I use this one

Amazon.com : AT-A-GLANCE Weekly / Monthly Planner / Appointment Book, Branches and Blooms Design, Academic Year, 13 Months, July 2015-July 2016 (547-905A) : Office Products

it has the hour by hour set up but I don't use the hours....I use the individual boxes for different tasks/assignments/things I need to remember on any particular day.....it's the best set up I have found for me....I am THINKING about springing for the erin condren but I'm not 100% I'm gunna love the layout

THe ONLY thing I don't like about this one is that it doesn't run with the academic year....it runs with the calendar year....and I REALLY like to start the school year with a clean fresh planner.....so it's not a HUGE deal....just a personal preference that bugs me a little

theseriousnurse2b · Jul 28, 2015

I just purchased an Erin Condren Life Planner. It was pricey. However, I have been pretty budget concious with everything else for school, so I decided to splurge on a personalized, 18 month planner. I like it so far. I'm not an artsy person, but the planner is attractive and by using the customizable sticker labels, I have been able to save all the time it takes to write everything out. I anticipate filling the planner with all of my readings and assignments once class starts. The planner works best for me if I have color coded labels for the major stuff and then write in the assignmnet details. The horizontal layout with stickers in the sidebars and room to write on the lines should provide enough space to plot out homework, readings, assignments, classes, labs, clinicals and tests. I have heard a rumer that you can purchase Erin Condren Planners at Staples? Best wishes for your program!

Tracy724 · Jul 31, 2015

I have used the Erin Condren Vertical and that was ok. The coil in the middle tends to get in the way. I recently got the horizontal layout which allowed more freedom on the page. Can be time consuming decorating the pages and buying stickers to use. I got the Passion Planner that seems to have a better layout and no coil to get in the way. And cost less than the EC Planner. I think I will stick with this one and just use highlighters for the times I have something planned.

Google Calendar is good...esp for reminders. I am a paper person so I like to have something hands on.

But in the end it depends and I am sure you can use some type of color coding for class/personal/work.

myelitenurse2b, LPN · Jul 31, 2015

I like Erin Condren, however I am enamored with the PassionPlanner! It has months, days, daily time slots, space for notes and it's somewhat minimalist- which is great as there is a dated or undated option.

AZBlueBell · Jul 31, 2015

Last semester I printed one from a template off word that was week to week and I used different columns for different classes and then crossed off assignments as I submitted them.

This time I found a super cute one at target. It's got a monthly glance as well as a weekly glance with huge spaces for each day. I'm going to use different colored pens for my different classes and wrote the assignments in and cross off as I submit them again.

When I write down all my assignments ahead of time it is easy to prioritize what I should be focusing on working on any given day.

bostonnrshpfl · Jul 31, 2015

I use Lilly Pulitzer as my nursing school planner and I can't say enough good things about it!! It has a yearly calendar, monthly calendar (with space for notes about the month), and a daily calendar with plenty of space to write assignments. It is adorable and there are fun stickers inside to spice your calendar up. I personally use the large size.

TexRN, BSN, RN · Aug 1, 2015

Front and back of my Erin condren planner.