How can I prep for nursing school????

shoegalRN, RN · Jun 10, 2009

Ok, here goes. I am a new grad, just graduated on May 16th. I wish someone would have told me how to prepare for the long hours spent studying, the critical thinking skills required, and how to time manage.

I strongly suggest getting a planner and planning out your days, right down to the "naps" you may need to take betweeen clinicals and class. When feeling overwhelmed, go talk to a counselor.

Take one day at a time.

Take time out to relax, read a good novel (non-nursing related) and spend time with family and friends.

Take time out for yourself, join a gym if you havent already.

Oh, and another thing, DO NOT CRAM! There is entirely too much info you have to KNOW (not memorize).

Good luck! The next two years will fly, I swear!

shrimpchips, LPN · Jun 10, 2009

Ok, here goes. I am a new grad, just graduated on May 16th. I wish someone would have told me how to prepare for the long hours spent studying, the critical thinking skills required, and how to time manage.
I strongly suggest getting a planner and planning out your days, right down to the "naps" you may need to take betweeen clinicals and class. When feeling overwhelmed, go talk to a counselor.
Take one day at a time.
Take time out to relax, read a good novel (non-nursing related) and spend time with family and friends.
Take time out for yourself, join a gym if you havent already.
Oh, and another thing, DO NOT CRAM! There is entirely too much info you have to KNOW (not memorize).
Good luck! The next two years will fly, I swear!

:yeahthat: definitely agree with this! (and :ancong!: nurse2be09!!)

Nursing school is very stressful and you won't have a lot of time to spend with friends/family/loved ones. Aside from my fellow classmates/"nursing buddies", I didn't see any of my friends outside of nursing this past year, unless I ran into them while walking on campus or something. I think I have lost friends due to this, but in the end you learn who your true friends are and your true friends will realize that you ARE busy and you have little room to mess up while in the program and they will support you 100% of the way. Although I have lost some friends, I have gained new ones since I have started nursing school and these friends are some of the best friends that I have ever had!

Take as much time for yourself as you can before you start your program. And when you're in the program, always remember to DE-STRESS, whether it's practicing some yoga or going to the gym for awhile, etc. Sometimes it is hard with all of the studying that needs to be done or especially after a 12-hour clinical day/work day. Most of us would just come home, eat, shower, then go to bed...that's a bad habit to start developing! Chronic stress can lead to a lot of problems in the body so it is very important to take a deep breath, relax and de-stress yourself as much as possible.

As nurse2be09 said, definitely get a planner or wall calendar or something. You will have 3029679273096 assignments/projects/lab practicals/test-outs/exams/quizzes/papers, sometimes all of them due on the same day or in the same week. The planner or calender will help you stay organized and stay on top of your school work.

If anything, I would start reviewing your A&P. Don't get too ahead of yourself by starting to study pathophysiology of pharmacology...you will get there some day, I promise! And if you have a basis of A&P, both of those classes will be a lot easier.

Good luck! :redbeathe

JacqueD · Jun 11, 2009

Hello,

I just started nursing school a month ago myself. Fortunately I have been attending college to complete some of my prerequesites so I'm "in the swing" of going to school. My biggest advice is: pace yourself. It is very common to see people overstudy; basically trying to stuff as much in to their brain as possible in a very short period of time. Memorize small amounts of information at a time and take breaks. Do not cram. I have also discovered the very positive power of exercise. Walk, jog, hike, ride a bike - whatever you like - and you will find that when your body feels healthy your mind works better. Enjoy meeting new friends and the whole experience of nursing school as much as possible. It is a very challenging program but well worth it. I wish you all the best. :nurse: - We'll be nurses before you know it!

blogger13 · Jun 11, 2009

Hey So some advice on study tips on preparing for nursing school.

1. Know your drugs! Get out and buy a Pharmacology book. It seems like 80% of our job is handing out medication. Learn the common ones, the effects, its uses, etc. The more of these you learn now the better off you will be.

2. Clen up your side of the street. By this I mean tie up any loose ends that may take you form your studies. If you are in the habit of going out alot, dating, have children, etc. Be firm and open now with them. Nursing school is a 24/7 job and it will need to be #1 in your life for the next few years.

3. Dont forget about your health. Alot of students pack on the freshmen 15lbs. Dont be one of them. Set up time to be physical and active. Also try to eat well, junk food and caffine filled drinks just help for a moment. You will need healthy foods to go the long haul. As well I find it had to take advice on a healthy lifestyle for an overweight nurse.

LiveZen · Jun 15, 2009

I graduated (BSN) yesterday!

I second the posts about taking care of yourself and putting your ducks in a row, so to speak.

I can't say I've lost any friends because of being in nursing school. I've made time for my boyfriend, family, and friends. It wasn't always as much as I wanted to, but that is a priority for me.

My planner is my second bible. (the real Bible is my first Bible. lol). I used it to keep track of clinical days, exams, group meetings, count down the weeks/days in the quarter and also used it to schedule fun things too.

Be open. You will meet lots of different people (nurses, profs, classemates, patients) and can learn from each of them. I made some amazing friends during my microbiology class.

Once you find "your group" at school, start some fun traditions with them. We were not the study group types, we studied on our own and played together! Our favorite destress/celebration event was to go to Olive Garden for lunch at least once a quarter. We had real food and then each ordered a different dessert and all shared. What fun! We're getting ready to take our graduation celebration trip this week!

Don't get into the drama/politics. There will always be drama in any large group, especially one with a lot of stressed out people. Stay as far out of it all as you can!

arbor-vitae · Apr 21, 2012

and you will find that when your body feels healthy your mind works better.

How true is this! Great advise, thank u!

arbor-vitae · Apr 21, 2012

Don't get into the drama/politics. There will always be drama in any large group, especially one with a lot of stressed out people. Stay as far out of it all as you can!

This is one of the best tips I've seen on this entire website! Be cordial, friendly, helpful and try to encourage teamwork. Don't get wrapped up in the ego struggles, and negative energies created by hyperstressisms of other students.

ImKosher · Apr 22, 2012

I got a lot out of this post. Thanks everyone. I've also been psyching myself out trying to get ready for the program.

nurse_jer · Apr 22, 2012

some kind of calendar/planner is essential. i use G-cal and a smart phone but some people prefer paper calendars. with the G-cal, i subscribe to my wifes calendar too and we always know what each person is doing. this prevents her form asking me "do have an exam this week?" and allows us to plan out what little bit of free time we have together.

i disagree about not taking pathophysiology though. i wish i had taken it now. our school has an intro to patho thats geared toward wait-listed students and i think it would have helped me. our last clinical instructor was surprised we werent required to have a patho class!

good luck. get sleep when you can and try to enjoy yourself! nursing school can actually be really fun when you are prepared for it.

BlueEyedGuy · Apr 22, 2012

if anything, i would start reviewing your a&p. don't get too ahead of yourself by starting to study pathophysiology of pharmacology...you will get there some day, i promise! and if you have a basis of a&p, both of those classes will be a lot easier

actually, i would recommend studying pathophysiology, if your school doesn't have it as a prereq. or a separate course in the program. my school has it "integrated", which to me means, they don't teach it, and you have to figure it out for every new disease or disorder on your own.

i wish i'd taken a patho course before ns.

otherwise, stay healthy and don't stress too much before ns, you'll have plenty of stress coming.