First Semester of Nursing School

Nursing Students General Students

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Hello everybody!

I will be starting Nursing School in the Fall and I'm really excited and nervous. With that in mind, I would like some tips on how to be successful and how to balance the workload.

Thanks!

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Specializes in ICU.
Hello everybody!

I will be starting Nursing School in the Fall and I'm really excited and nervous. With that in mind, I would like some tips on how to be successful and how to balance the workload.

Thanks!

If there is one tip I can give you it is "always organization, never procrastination"

During nursing school you will have so much going on in so many different parts of school, your skills, lecture and lecture exams, clinicals, etc. If you keep everything organized and in different places as opposed to just throwing everything together you will be much more prepared for all aspects of school. Also, if you are a procrastinator, nip it in the bud now. It worked for me for 20 years, but once I got into nursing school I had to completely rearrange my priorities. If you wait until the last minute in nursing school, chances are you'll fall asleep and miss the deadline, or throw something together at the last minute. You're going to sleep like a crackhead (4-5 hrs/night) for the next few years, organization will keep everything from falling apart.

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Thank you so much for your advice and tips. I've never been a procrastinator when it comes to school work and I'm pretty organized. I'm ready to see how everything goes for the first semester !

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Last year when I started nursing school, I had the same question!!! I was so nervous and wanted to be beyond prepared! However, other than going into it with the mindset that this is your life and all other aspects of it must take a backseat, it is very hard to prepare for. Not to be discouraging, but it is unlike anything else you will ever do! The few things I can say that did help me is just do not procrastinate!! There is no time for that in this program. Use every resource you have available to you because you will need it! Don't take anything personal; there is a reason not everyone gets into the program and that is because the expectation to perform and be miles above average is required, not optional!! If you have made it this far, you will do fine. Just remember to breathe and most importantly, have some fun because nursing school above all the hard work, sleepless nights, empty wallet, no-outside-life, etc..., is actually very fun! Enjoy the ride :)

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My best advice is take it ONE DAY AT A TIME. Keep lots of check lists, stay organized, and stay on top of your reading! :)

Good luck - Nursing school is both the best and worst decision you've ever made!!!! LOL :) It's a truly rewarding experience and with the right mindset and perserverance you'll be successful!

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Specializes in Cardiac Critical Care.

:up: BUMP

Any more pearls of wisdom for those of us starting in the Spring semester? I've got about a month until orientation!! So excited! :)

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I have just finished my last semester and am so happy it is over.

To be honest this was the hardest thing I have ever done. I honesty think you have to have the right mind set and understand that nursing school is not easy. Surround yourself with a good support system My support system were my parents and other classmates. Be prepared that you will not have a lot of spare time. Many of my friends did not understand that I did not have their freedom. Be prepared for lots of highs and lows. I cried through a lot of nursing school...lol. Understand you will be stressed out beyond belief. No matter what stay positive. You will make mistakes, You may fail some exams, you will feel like giving up at times. DON'T! I never thought I would get here but this Wednesday I will be pinned and get ready to take my boards. Best wishes to you :)

You will be mentally stressed.

You will be emotionally challenged.

You will learn how to work together.

You will learn to work alone.

You will learn when to speak.

You will learn when to be silent.

You will learn when to lead.

You will learn when to follow.

You will be constructively criticized.

You will be praised.

You will shed a few tears.

You will share in each other's laughter.

You will learn the need to help each other.

You will learn to help yourself.

You will learn to be part of a group.

You will learn to be yourself--an individual.

You will learn responsibility.

You will learn discipline.

You will learn these things because

someday someone's life will depend

on you.

You are a nursing student

you will graduate------

You will be,

in all it's wonder and glory, a Nurse.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

Stay away from the negativity.

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