First day of Nursing School..

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...and it was a SUCCESS! I enjoyed every minute of it, even the parts where the lecture got boring haha. For the first half of the class, I was taking notes by hand even though I had brought my Ipad to take notes. The second half after my hand was tired and starting to cramp, I decided to try out my Ipad even though I was pretty self-conscious since no one else was using any electronic devices to take notes (we are allowed to use them in class for note taking).

Let me tell you what! I LOVE taking notes with my Ipad. I am paying more attention and focusing more because I am typing instead of handwriting where I occasionally will put my head down, be tempted to doodle, let my mind wander, etc. I am using the app Notability for taking notes and it is awesome! It also has a voice recorder, so as I am taking notes, it is syncing what the instructor is saying to correspond with the words I am typing. I haven't checked on that yet, so we will see if it is really syncing.

I have a case with a "built in" keyboard that can be removed from the case and set on the table. The side of the case has Velcro so I can angle the screen as much as I want and move the keyboard to wherever feels most comfortable.

**And to those who will say things like "might as well just use a laptop if you're going to add a keyboard" or "it is just an oversized Iphone", please refrain. I have a laptop, but fact is, my laptop is huge. It has a big screen and considering the amount of big, heavy books I have to take to class, I really appreciate something small, light, and compact. My ipad fits perfectly into my backpack whereas I'd need to carry my laptop case seperately.

I'm not saying that using an Ipad or any other electronic device will be some life altering event towards note taking, but for me, it really did make the difference.

If you can afford it, I HIGHLY recommend doing so! And if it's not within your budget, you will still do awesome note taking anyway. :)

Specializes in ICU.

Well in that case, may your second day be as successful as your first. Don't forget to breathe!

P.S. You may find that having a sense of humor and being able to laugh at yourself will serve you well in your quest for success once the initial enthusiasm wanes.

I hope my first day goes as well as yours! Thanks for the app idea I'll download and try it. Don't let peoples negative attitude get you down :)

Thanks for this post! Tomorrow is actually my first day of the semester, actually officially being in the BSN program. Last year I did all my note taking with a laptop, it was just to much to lug around. This year I have a Samsung Galaxy tablet, the small one unofrtunately, that I purchased the keyboard case for and I was really thinking about using it for note taking. After reading what you put, I think I am going to give it a try!

Glad your first day went so well! Praying mine is as smooth :)

Good for you. My first day is Thursday and im overwhelmed with different emotions. Hope my day goes as good as yours. I have an ipads as well that I plan to bring in place of my laptop but np keyboard here :(

Yay for a wonderful first day!! I hope tomorrow goes just as well! I have an Asus tablet that has a docking keyboard, so it looks and sits like a laptop. I'm considering bringing that with me. I will look into the app you suggested, but my tablet comes with Microsoft word for free so I may stick with that :) good luck during your first semester!

Well in that case, may your second day be as successful as your first. Don't forget to breathe!

P.S. You may find that having a sense of humor and being able to laugh at yourself will serve you well in your quest for success once the initial enthusiasm wanes.

There is a post floating around here that is titled "why are nurses mean to each other" there's a few posts on here that show perfect examples of it. Whether student or nurse, most come here for advice and positive reinforcement, many don't have people at home that can relate.

Taking two steps back after a post and implying that the OP should gain a sense of humor is a joke in itself. I'd say go home and kick your dog-but I'm an animal enthusiast (that's right ENTHUSIAST!), so find another way to vent your anger.

OP- thanks for your advice, I've already downloaded your suggested program and began to test it out. Glad you had such an amazing day and I hope you continue to pee rainbows and sparkles the rest of NS, your enthusiasm will be infectious!

High five everyone!!!

Good for you. My first day is Thursday and im overwhelmed with different emotions. Hope my day goes as good as yours. I have an ipads as well that I plan to bring in place of my laptop but np keyboard here :(

For what it's worth, I purchased a blue tooth keyboard via EBay for $23.

Yay! I am so excited for you! I start next week and I am thrilled. Don't let anyones negative comments get down on you. My sister is a RN and let's just say that nursing is not for her. I do not listen to anyone that is negative. Only the people who enjoyed nursing school and enjoy being a nurse for the most part are the ones that I seek advice from. Just keep a super positive attitude no matter how difficult it gets and you will do great! :yeah:

Specializes in ICU.
There is a post floating around here that is titled "why are nurses mean to each other" there's a few posts on here that show perfect examples of it. Whether student or nurse, most come here for advice and positive reinforcement, many don't have people at home that can relate.

Taking two steps back after a post and implying that the OP should gain a sense of humor is a joke in itself. I'd say go home and kick your dog-but I'm an animal enthusiast (that's right ENTHUSIAST!), so find another way to vent your anger.

OP- thanks for your advice, I've already downloaded your suggested program and began to test it out. Glad you had such an amazing day and I hope you continue to pee rainbows and sparkles the rest of NS, your enthusiasm will be infectious!

High five everyone!!!

I'm not angry at all. Not even a little bit. I was amused - which is where the word of advice about keeping a sense of humor comes in. Coming from my perspective, it is highly amusing to hear a student proclaim success on their first day of class. Highly, highly amusing.

SO excited for you! My first day is in a week, and I am super excited too :) No iPad here...but HOPEFULLY soon. :bowingpur

Specializes in Medical Oncology, Alzheimer/dementia.

I'm glad you had a good first day. That enthusiam mixed with hard work will take you a long way.

Specializes in Peds PACU & Peds Psych.

Congrats! I have been equally as excited since my first day last week. Nothing wrong with being enthusiastic. :) Now the task is keeping it up throughout the program... ;)

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