First Day of Nursing School

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I wanted to start this thread again. I've seen so many posts about first days and have lived vicariously through those posts. Now, with that first day steadily approaching, I'd like to start my own thread. I start school on the 21st of August, and I thought that I'd go ahead and start a thread so that it will be good and ready for that first day post. As of now, I have pretty much everything done except I have to have my second PPD read on Monday. I welcome comments from everyone. After all, we are all in this together!

As for my textbooks, I only have one more left to get (used on amazon for about $70, but I'm trying to score a cheaper one). The total combined without that one missing textbook has been $137.00. I looked at the textbooks on reserve inside of the school library, and with the exception of two textbooks for the program, the required books are there. What I did was buy earlier editions for anywhere from .01-$7 off amazon and when I receive them I am going to the library and spend a few hours to copy & print out chapter changes and anything missing from the older versions ($37 for 5 books). The $100 was from buying one of the textbooks that isnt on reserve from craigslist.

On another note, uniforms here are $35-40 a set. I was able to buy two sets for $20 off craigslist from a nursing student who got pregnant and could no longer fit into her uniform.

So there is definitely ways to overcome that huge book/supply cost for nursing! Where theres a will...

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It's crazy how cheap all of your books are! Our booklist for this semester has come out to about 1300-1400 if you got everything on the list.

But Some books wont be used till a future semester, and many will be used all semesters. So at least I have that going for me.

As for the person who said their school doesn't require a flu vacc. Our school technically doesn't require it, but the hospitals somewhat force you into it. If you don't get your flu shot you have to wear a TB mask at all times while in the hospital, so of course who would do that and not get a shot. I personally wish we didn't need to get one. I've have 3 tubes of blood drawn and like 3 shots within the past couple weeks. & I have more to come.

Question though, did anyones TB test come back in the risk zone? I had an 8mm reading and had to basically interview to see if I was at risk to have TB. This has never happened to me before. They concluded it was a false positive.

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Specializes in Family Practice & Obstetrics.

Wow! American nursing schools and Canadian nursing schools seem like day and night from each other ! All your prep is intense and you start classes about a month before we do! I know this post isn't helpful just thought it was interesting to see the differences ! Best of luck in all of your studies !!!

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I wonder how these ebooks will be. I am happy I only have to buy books once and don't have to carry heavy books, but I think I will miss highlighting! Apparently we can copy and paste from the book and make notes..that sounds cool. I can't believe our class had many drops after orientation! Guess they got scared off!

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Question though, did anyones TB test come back in the risk zone? I had an 8mm reading and had to basically interview to see if I was at risk to have TB. This has never happened to me before. They concluded it was a false positive.

I get mine checked tomorrow, so I'm not sure. I have heard that depending on where you go get it, they may have different standards. Maybe your area has a problem with TB infection?I know online it says over 15mm is supposed to be positive. I've never had the test before and I expected the little bubble under our skin to stay there...mine is completely gone with no redness or anything after about one hour. The only reason why I know where the injection was is because its next to a freckle.

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Congrats to everyone starting your first year in nursing school. On the 28th, I will be starting my second and final year for nursing school. This post made me think about my first day and the prep for it. Our orientation was in June, and I tried to enjoy as much as I could of the free time I had during summer. I also started learning dosage calc because our program has us study between semesters and we start each semester with an exam that we need 90% to pass and stay in the program. About 3 weeks before the beginning of school, I started doing readings for the first week, which was about 13 chapters. Our first day was really no big deal, the instructors reviewed how the semester will run, answered questions, and dove into the first lecture. Good luck everyone!

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I start my first semester August 26th and we have 8 hr clinical shifts then second semester is 13hr yikes! Need some good shoes and lots of snacks!

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My PPD was rejected today for being too far apart. The tests are supposed to be one to three weeks and I had just had one done in May for employment, so I just did another one in July and uploaded them to Certified. REJECTED. :banghead: Ugh. So getting another one tomorrow and when that is read on Friday that only gives certified profile like, five days to read it and approve it. The stress is beginning already and I haven't even started! For any of you procrastinating on your background checks, liability insurance, vaccination records, and anything else your school requires to be uploaded to certified profile or certified background (it's the same company), I would say get on it, don't procrastinate.

The Certified website can be so annoying!

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Congrats to everyone starting your first year in nursing school. On the 28th, I will be starting my second and final year for nursing school. This post made me think about my first day and the prep for it. Our orientation was in June, and I tried to enjoy as much as I could of the free time I had during summer. I also started learning dosage calc because our program has us study between semesters and we start each semester with an exam that we need 90% to pass and stay in the program. About 3 weeks before the beginning of school, I started doing readings for the first week, which was about 13 chapters. Our first day was really no big deal, the instructors reviewed how the semester will run, answered questions, and dove into the first lecture. Good luck everyone!

Do you have any good tips for us newcomers?

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I am about to enter my last semester of an ADN program and the best advice I can give you before you start is to relax and get your life in order before you begin. Spend time with your family, deep clean your house and your car, and do anything you want to get done before school starts. As for advice in the program the most important thing is to take one day at a time and do not. I repeat, Do Not fall behind on your assignments or studying. This is what overwhelms people and eventually fails them. Good luck and enjoy it because it is a very quick ride. :)

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Do you have any good tips for us newcomers?

My advice for anyone starting nursing school this fall:

- Enjoy your summer and free time. It's hard not to want to dive right in but trust me, it will consume you're life and you won't have much time for anything else. Your nursing student friends become your only friends during the semester, for the most part.

- Find out how you can best organize yourself and make sure you're good at planning ahead. Every program is different with regards to the schedule for tests and assignments. Our program has exams every three weeks, so it's really important to plan out your reading and studying time. I use a planner to write down my work/school schedules and put my assignments/reading schedule in there. I also make calendars to put my school schedule on; 1 month per page, and put it on my door so I can see the semester as a whole and watch it pass as I "X" off each day. I also make a list of readings for the weeks so I can cross them off as I go.

- Take time each week to study. This is not the type of material that you can cram for right before the test. It takes time to absorb the information and apply it to a patient scenario. Doing the readings before class helps so that when you go to class, lecture is more of a review of the material. Also, use online resources, cds from textbooks, youtube videos, school online sources, etc. Anything that helps you learn and remember the material is worth doing.

- Don't let yourself get overwhelmed, take each day one at a time. My mantra has been "Fear is an emotion, it is not a barrier to successful behavior. You can be completely scared out of your wits and function totally competently." Repeating that and reminding myself of what I can do that day, help me through the semester.

- Use your advisor, professors, and other students as a support group and a community of people who know what you're going through. It's easier to climb this mountain as a group, cheering each other on. Study with other students, share jokes and funny pictures to laugh before tests. Help one another to survive.

Good luck! You can do it!!!

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I have orientation beginning the 12th of August and I have class on the 19th. Summer is disappearing to fast. I can't wait for this fall season to begin.

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