First Semester: Lessons learned...

sjalv · Apr 9, 2015

-professor are not always right and may even contradict the textbook...but never challenge them, what they say goes

I disagree with this. If something the instructor says directly contradicts what the assigned readings say, it needs to be clarified. For example, do you need to go off of the lab values they say, or the lab values in the book? Most of the time, teachers make their tests using the test bank of the book or even several books. What they say isn't going to mean much if those questions are using information referenced from the textbook.

Tact should be used, of course, when addressing the issue, but saying something like, "The book says that our reference range for potassium is X, but you say X. Which should we learn for testing purposes?"

Natasha A., CNA, LVN · Apr 9, 2015

What I learned in first semester is nursing school does not come with a manual and you really will be doing trial and error. Knowing what worked and what didn't and investing your energy on what did. I also learned you can't count on the teachers or your classmates to make the grades, but instead learn to figure it out on your own even if that means getting a tutor.

nlitened · Apr 9, 2015

I disagree with this. If something the instructor says directly contradicts what the assigned readings say, it needs to be clarified. For example, do you need to go off of the lab values they say, or the lab values in the book? Most of the time, teachers make their tests using the test bank of the book or even several books. What they say isn't going to mean much if those questions are using information referenced from the textbook.
I hear you! But when you have a professor say what they tell us trumps what the book says, it's hard to fight it. Trust me...we have tried!

xiomara17 · Apr 10, 2015

I have learned that you should always believe in yourself. Having this belief will help you through those intense exams and those days were you just don't know what to do first... Study or sleep!

nlitened · Apr 11, 2015

I have learned that you should always believe in yourself. Having this belief will help you through those intense exams and those days were you just don't know what to do first... Study or sleep!

That is great! And tonight...I choose sleep! :sleep:

SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP · Apr 11, 2015

I'm in my last semester of nursing school (31 days and counting...) and here's what I've learned:

1. Have confidence in yourself, even when you're nervous about performing well for PA, skills checkoffs or clinical evals. Having a confident demeanor goes a long way. You can still be petrified on the inside :)

2. Study a little bit every day and only review what you don't know or are unsure of before an exam. Don't look at the material right before an exam. If you don't know it by now, you don't know it.

3. It is OK to ask questions and there are no stupid questions. Better to be safe than sorry.

4. Never assume anything, especially in clinicals. I learned this one the hard way. My nurse at change of shift told me I'd need to d/c an IV. I assumed he meant remove it. He actually meant just d/c the fluids. I removed the IV. On the bright side, I got to do my first IV start that day and it was a success (and the pt was a good sport about it). But I will NEVER again do anything without double-checking the orders in the computer first.

5. Be supportive of your classmates. They are the ones who truly understand what it's like to go through nursing school.

6. Take time for sanity breaks. You need them! If you constantly have your nose to the grindstone, you'll stress yourself out and get burned out pretty quick. It's OK to schedule some "me" time :)

7. Don't freak out over your grades. Nursing school is hard, it's supposed to be. You'll survive.

8. Don't assume tough instructors are mean. Some of my favorites have been the ones who are tough on us. Their high standards mean we really know our stuff. I learned the most from these instructors. The "easy" ones didn't prepare us for the more rigorous standards of the others.

9. Go out of your way to help out ALL the staff when you have free time during your clinicals. Especially the techs/CNAs. If you show them you're willing to jump in and help out when there's a wicked code brown, they're willing to help you out when you need a hand.

10. Keep your sense of humor. Especially when things get stressful. It feels like it's going to take "forever" to finish and then, all of a sudden, the finish line is in sight. Enjoy every bit of your nursing school experience. The ups & downs, the stress, the anxiety over exam scores, wondering how you'll ever remember it all for the NCLEX. It really does come together by the end :)

nlitened · Apr 11, 2015

@SopranoKris- thanks for sharing and great advice! And congrats on your upcoming graduation!

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Apr 11, 2015

Amen to all of that, Kris! I love the IV story. I would totally do that. If someone says DC an IV...... hey, that's a skill I've got down pat. I'm all over that. We are almost there!!!!!! 28 days!!!! :laugh: Now to survive my peds final. No final in professional, but we have one test left in there.

kelsea223 · Apr 15, 2015

3 more weeks until I finish my first semester of nursing school! A few tips I have learned along the way:

-help out your classmates as much as possible. you help them, they will help you! they will soon become like family to you and nursing school friends are friends for life.

-don't kill yourself studying. review notes and powerpoints after lecture and you wont have to cram the night before. if you have general knowledge about a topic you can use your CRITICAL THINKING skills to figure out the answer on a test.

-speaking of tests..make sure you read the entire question and look for key words. don't make up a story about a question or overthink it. when all else fails, go with your gut.

-find time to have a life. go to dinner, have that drink, watch that movie. the books will be there when you're done, you deserve a break.

-don't forget why you started nursing school in the first place! when you're overwhelmed and struggling and all you want to do is quit, remind yourself why you wanted to be a nurse to begin with. this will motivate you to keep on going.

-motivate yourself and each other! no one knows the struggles of nursing school like your peers.

-last but not least, just breathe. think of how many nurses there are out there. if they can do it, so can you! be confident and enjoy learning!

LV3677 · Apr 15, 2015

I was just thinking about this as graduation is fast approaching.

-Remember, you can learn something from anyone.

-Ask for feedback frequently. Get input on your skills/critical thinking and always keep improving.

-Try not to make the same mistake twice in clinical.

-If you don't know something when a patient asks, don't filibuster- just tell the patient that you don't know, but you can find out.

-Treat every clinical experience like you want to work there, like you do work there- you might end up applying for a job on that unit.

-Make time to relax...I cannot emphasize this enough. It seems that nursing students can whip each other into a worrying frenzy over upcoming tests, assignments, etc. Stress is all about how you view it.

-When you are feeling under a lot of pressure, take a step back, plan out your time and make achievable goals.

-Find work PRN or part time as a CNA. It might add a little more to your plate, but provides great experience.

-Put the ego aside, especially in conflicts with nursing instructors. They are future references, plus it's just not worth it to get into it with them and compromise the possibility of obtaining your goal; to get your RN.

-Actively participate in class to increase your understanding of the subject. You can shop on Amazon whenever.

BeachsideRN, ASN · Apr 15, 2015

I disagree with this. If something the instructor says directly contradicts what the assigned readings say, it needs to be clarified. For example, do you need to go off of the lab values they say, or the lab values in the book? Most of the time, teachers make their tests using the test bank of the book or even several books. What they say isn't going to mean much if those questions are using information referenced from the textbook.
Tact should be used, of course, when addressing the issue, but saying something like, "The book says that our reference range for potassium is X, but you say X. Which should we learn for testing purposes?"

Totally agree. Typically out instructors default to the book but in some cases they don't. It needs to be clarified.