future student, could use some help from current students.

Nurse2bSandy · May 30, 2003

Tom, congrats on going for your goal! You can do it! I am a military wife and mom and go to school full time. What works for me is to get as much studying done at school as possible, once I am home, I get distracted by other things. I usually do some research about my classes on line before I actually start them, but for the most part, I wait until the semester starts to actually do any work.

Study some each day... don't try to cram. Use study cards and keep them where you can go over them when you have a little bit of time. I've been at this for 2 years and have all my prereq's done.. I start the real stuff in the fall. Someone else can answer for how to do the actual nursing study.

Bronxnurse2B · May 30, 2003

Tom,

I wanna congratulate you!! I, too, waited a long time to return to school and now am attending full time while working part time (it took me 18 months to finally not have to work full time while attending school!)

My best advice is to not read too much before you start school. You'll get lots of info from the syllabus you receive from each instructor. You may want to get familiar with medical terminology, but again, I wouldn't get too far into it. Find a spot in your home where you can be by yourself and I totally agree with Nurse2BeSandy...read every night. When you think you have it down pat, read just a little more. Don't cram...you'll wipe yourself out and forget the easy stuff.

I found out the best way to do it is to get into a regular routine, read and study constantly but follow a set formula (being military, this should come easily to you!!)

Again, follow that dream...I am and I don't regret anything!!

Good luck,

Christine

hobbes · May 30, 2003

Hey Tom,

Great to hear that your about to embark on this great journey to become a nurse. I would have to disagree with Christine about reading beforehand. What I did when I started was to start reading about anatomy and physiology. I think I picked up "Anatomy & Physiology Made Easy" or some similiar book and just started to read it, knowing that I was going to take the course. Although it wasn't the same book we used, it was helpful for me and gave me confidence when I started the course. Plus, it never hurts to read the same thing by different authors because it often helps reinforce the material.

kc_jellybean · May 31, 2003

I've only taken A&PI, but flash cards, definately! And search the 'net for self-tests and study guides - these were life savers for me when it came to quizzing myself on the bones, bone markings, and again when I started the muscles!

tgfnurses · May 31, 2003

Congratulations. My suggestions are to not procrastinate, before a test rd a nclex review section on the material you'll be tested on and do the practice questions. When studying take a few minutes break after every 30 - 45 minutes. After you read on a certain topic before going to the next one try repeating to yourself what you just read. There are 100s more studying tips. You can do a search online or read one on a student nurse site. I wish you nothing but the best Tom.

neelyt · May 31, 2003

I want to thank you all for the good advice. I hope to do well but it looks like I might have to redo some of my classes as I am not sure they are going to transfer. Crossing my fingers and hoping that if I do have to retake some classes it is not much. Again thank you all, you have been great. Tom.