Entering first year in Fall 2012- Very Nervous!

jocy_anne · May 2, 2012

I don't have any advice for you, because I am also starting Nursing school in the Fall (accelerated BSN-MSN). But I wanted to let you know that I'm pretty nervous, too, so you're not alone! I hope we get some great advice here. :)

marcygrace · May 2, 2012

I am so happy I found this website- I feel like it's going to be a complete lifesaver for me! :specs:

mitral · May 3, 2012

For me, the first year was adjusting to the classes, the 2nd year was more adjusting to Clinicals. (partially because all were allowed to do 1st year is vitals lol) I recommend that you find a way to get all your assignments organized!! Once I mastered this life was much easier. A lot of students used the little schedule books you can get at Target. I print out a flat calendar and pencil in all the crap we have to do. You'll have group projects, papers to write, workbooks, online assignments and quizzes, Lectures, (and more!) plus our 1st semester averaged about 8-9 chapters of reading per week. I Often would make a copy of this and hang it on the fridge, just so my friends and family could see why I was neglecting them and it wasn't personal lol. Also something that really helped was a book on how to take nursing tests, (teachers call it critical thinking, ugh)because the format is so different than typical college courses! I would def get one of these, you could check the library, too. But that was the worst part starting out, figuring out how to answer when all options were correct.Best of luck to you!!

marcygrace · May 3, 2012

Thank you! What book did you use to help with taking nursing tests?

mitral · May 3, 2012

A nice starter/fundamentals book is "Test success" by Nugent. It gives tips and has practice questions as well.Later on the Kaplan Nclex RN strategies is helpful for more standardized tests.

mssjez · May 3, 2012

I'm also starting in the fall, and am also very nervous! (and excited at the same time) The threads on here help me to know what to expect somewhat. I really like this thread. It helps me feel like I'm mentally prepared for the supplies I need :) Good luck! Also check out youtube.com. There are quite a few nursing students with blogs about their experiences and it was interesting hearing what they were going through.

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/getting-organized-173706.html

NurseBoogie · May 3, 2012

I recently graduated in December 2011 and it feels like just yesterday I began Nursing school. I too have my BSN. The program was no walk in the park but I am sure if you applied to the program Nursing is something you are passionate about. Keep in mind everyday you will learn new things and you are not expected to to know everything. Stay focused, study and dare I say it "enjoy the ride" it will be over before you know it. GOOD LUCK

sandanrnstudent · May 3, 2012

I could advise you to study until you fall asleep on your books, and then wake up go to class, and repeat. However, you already know you are going to have to study. Soooo, my advice is:

1. Be on Time (be early. You often get to see a "softer" side to your instructor for the day as they are preparing for class, and it puts a good foot forward for when you start clinicals and they are on your case about everything. It's pretty easy to be on time (ie 10 minutes early) and let's face it -- you can't be late...they lock the door.)

2. Stay organized (Get a planner and plan when and where you are going to study. I found staying in the school library worked best because home was too chaotic especially with house work needing to get done interrupting one's thinking while studying.)

3.Schedule time to sleep! (If you don't put it on a schedule and stick to it, you'll never get any. Also at some point, you'll retain more from sleeping than you'll learn if you try to study past that point. You'll figure out that point after a couple weeks into the program.)

4. Get a routine. (Try to create a schedule where you are at your optimal best. Once you get to your first exam results, adjust accordingly. If you give 100% for that first test, you'll know about how many hours you'll need to study to succeed. If that first test grade is lower than the cut off (cut-off is usually about 77%, start praying!)

5. Schedule time for you! (This keeps you sane! I schedule 30 minutes a day (usually my favorite tv show) and then 10 minute breaks every hour when studying (and its study an hour, then break for 10... not study for 50 minutes and break) During those 10 minute breaks you can get something to hydrate you, go to the bathroom, reply to text messages, blare your favorite music and party (great stress reliever)! >

6. Exercise (Get in the habit! It's great for stress relief, your figure, and your mental health. It releases a natural high that makes you feel good!)

7. Lean on others! (You almost have to do this to stay afloat somtimes. Share notes, study together, compare clinical stories and light-bulb moments. The bond you will create will help carry you through the days when you begin to rethink if its worth all the schooling to be a nurse.)

---- (that's all I can think of right now... the big things anyways. Hope it helps,

sandanrnstudent

Constantly Surprised · May 4, 2012

Endocrine, cardiac, respiratory, renal and neuro are huge.

Did I say huge? I meant HUGE!!!

One of the best things you can do to prepare for enterance nursing classes is fully and completly understand those subjects. It isn't likely that your instructors will ask A&P style questions, that isn't what I am saying. What I am saying is, understanding the basic principals of those topics will greatly help you in nursing school. For example, you can't just take calculus without understanding addition and subtraction first. A good grasp of the basics makes building on them easier. That goes for understanding the patho of diseases, and the drugs that go with them.

A few other basics to get through tests I've picked up along the way are to always assess first, never answer a question with "why," never impose your opinion on a patient, and never ever use real life experience to answer a test question. Your teachers, and NCLEX questions, are generally based in a 'perfect' 'book' world - Not reality. Don't second guess yourself. If your eyes automatically drift to a certain answer than it's probably the right one - If you stare to long at another answer, you will convince yourself it is right, even if it isn't. Don't cram. There is no cramming nursing school. This information needs to be in your long term memory. Go over the information in bits and pieces daily until it is a part of you. Lastly, relax before every test. Don't study that morning. Relax!!! Get into a positive frame of mind and stay as far away as possible from negative people. You have no worries, and do you know why?

-Because you've got this-

Good luck and congrats on getting into nursing school! :yeah:

kgb0217 · May 4, 2012

I just finished my 1st year of nursing school. By the second semester I had a good routine. It may not work with everyone, but I thought I'd offer my advice.

1. Before the semester started, I organized my course box (I don't know if you guys get course boxes, but it contains our addendum, syllabus, Unit Outline, & our clinical objectives) by week in a binder and separated each test with a divider labeled test #1, #2, etc.

2. I also created a color coded weekly calender. They gave us one in our first semester and I just altered it for next semester. It was all spread out onto a couple pages and included important assignments, clinical, class, lab, tests, quizzes, etc. All the info for each test that was color coded when it was taught on the calender and each test had it's own color.

3. Since I work 24 hours on the weekend, I would prepare for class the day before. The whole day would be dedicated to making notes and reading for the lecture the next day. Because I'm a visual person, I made colored charts comparing/contrasting what we were learning and creating my own outline in ppt or word.

4. While in class, I used my charts, ppt, and word to follow along and add notes ( I brought my laptop to school.) I also recorded the lecture on my ipod.

5. The next day, I would spend about 4-6 hours at Starbucks/Panera with my textbook, notes, and audio and go through my notes and write in anything I missed or anything that hints it will be tested on. Then I study whatever I put together and anything taught previously before and repeat the same routine weekly until the test.

6. I also bought the success series and that REALLY helped a lot. It's important to not only study the info but also study critical thinking questions because it will get you used to how you will be tested and the NCLEX.

1. Fundamental Success - http://www.amazon.com/Fundamentals-Success-Applying-Critical-Thinking /dp/0803627793/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1336157408&sr=8-1

2. Med-Surg Success - Amazon.com: Med-Surg Success: A Course Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Q&a Series) (9780803625044): Kathryn Colgrove, Ray Huttel: Books

3. Psych Success - Amazon.com: Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Success: A Course Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Success) (9780803618794): Cathy Curtis, Audra Fegley, Carol Tuzo, Curtis: Books

4. Pharmacology Success - Pharmacology Success: A Course Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Success): Ray Hargrove-Huttel, Kathryn Colgrove, Hargrove-Huttel: 9780803618213: Amazon.com: Books

7. I was told once that to be successful, I had to pull all-nighters. The one time I did, I lost my A. If I want extra study time without staying up all night, I will count 7-8 hours (whatever works best for you) and set my alarm for the time I want to get up. For instance, if I wanted to get up at 4am to study, I'd go to bed at 9pm. Nothing is more important than a clear, awake mind for a test.

8. Working out is also good for your brain. If you don't make time for it, it won't be happening because you will get very busy. I set my alarm earlier to get up and work out.

9. When practicing for tests..or even taking the test if your allowed..I highlight/underline/circle important key words in the question. Not everything in the question is important, so deciding the importance will help you understand the question. And then I completely mark out the answer I know is wrong...so when eliminating or deciding...I only see the important ones.

This turned out longer than I expected and the post above me definitely summed it up better. :) This may also seem overwhelming too. After you start out, you will find out what works best for you. It may take some experimenting and trying things out and even getting into the groove of things before you figure out what works best for you. The #1 most important thing to do...find time to relax. It gets stressful. I would light some candles, but on some relaxing music and enjoy a bubble bath for a small amount of time. It gets busy and stressful sometimes and it's important to relax.

GOOD LUCK!!

wa-gal · May 4, 2012

I just took my finals for my BSN program (Semester 1). The only thing I wish I would have done is read up on Patho/Pharm and Health Assessment. Make sure you make a good study group right when you start. Do not get behind, and make sure to get some sun!! I have a one year old and I did just fine. So dont stress yourself silly. But do find someone who just finished and ask them if you can borrow or buy their books (Read them). I only had 1 month to prepare so I did not have that advantage. Good Luck and congrats to a year full of FUN, hard work, and memories.