I'm in...now what???

AmyLiz · Mar 27, 2003

Congratulations!!!

Now the fun begins!

it has some helpful tips.

Good luck! :)

Furball · Mar 27, 2003

Hand in all assignments on time. Keep your health and family's health UP...good food, exercise, ect. Have plan A, plan B and plan C for child care. Most programs allow little, if any, absences from clinicals. Take time out for fun. Keep up with studying, do not cram the night before...it will not work. Don't be picky about where you study, I've studied in a noisy skating rinks or an ER waiting room. If you have kids you'll do the same, no doubt.

Talk with your hubby about the changes that will come while you're in school. ie: messy house, quick uncomplicated meals, watching the kids ect.

Maintain a sense of humor at all times.

And on your very worst day...think to yourself...."someone named 'Furball' did it, I sure as hell can!" lol

PS CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

wv_nurse 2003 · Mar 27, 2003

Read, Read, Read!!! Dont let yourself get behind. Develop a schedule and stick to it -- be sure to include some "family" time where you forbid yourself to worry about school and concentrate on the people around you.

Best of luck!

JudithL_in_NH · Mar 28, 2003

I'm waiting on that admissions letter myself (*maybe* by the end of next week) , so I have no hints to give you, but I did want to say:

CONGRATS! You're on your way!

susanmary · Mar 28, 2003

Congratulations. (Excellent post Furball.) Sit down with your hubby & kids & tell them how important your earning your nursing degree is to you. You are a positive role model to your kids -- in the end they will be proud of you becoming a nurse. Tell them that you will need their help -- even with young children, you can assign them chores.

When your husband/kids help with cleaning/cooking -- remember it's not important if it's "your" way of cleaning/cooking -- always appreciate the effort. As long as your dust bunnies are not as big as soccer balls -- let it go. And if they do get as large as soccer balls, just kick them out the door (the dust bunnies, not the kids.)

I used to spend one afternoon a week freezing quick, inexpensive meals -- meatloaf, meatballs, stuffed peppers, sloppy joes, stuffed shells, etc. --- I'd end up with great, cheap, quick meals. Or I'd make a huge pot of chicken soup & freeze containers of that -- in just a few hours, I'd have frozen meals for quite some time. Also, "breakfast" suppers are quick -- buy a waffle iron if you don't have one -- quick, cheap, easy & everyone loves them. I started cooking in bulk during nursing school -- I still do it. Ok, enough about the cooking.

Your time is precious. During the summer (watch the sales) stock up on pencils, pens, notebooks, etc. -- things that you and your kids will need. I keep a good supply in a closet (even buy poster board so that I don't have to run out the night before a kid has to do a presentation.) Being organized will help you save alot of time, money, and frustration.

Nursing school takes an enormous amount of time -- take it one day at a time. Do your homework. Go for help when you need it. Make sure your professors know who you are. Everyone has their own ways of getting through school -- you will find your way. Best of luck.

One of my sons complained that I would always study at his little league games -- I didn't feel the guilt -- just would tell him "oh well ... I 'm doing my best." And I did. You will, too. Good luck.

maire, ASN, RN · Mar 28, 2003

You've been given some great advice so far. :)

Here's mine (in no particular order):

1) have a backup plan for childcare!!!

2) set up scheduled time to do your readings (there will be a LOT of reading)

3) make sure you make time to spend in the lab at school

4) precook meals and freeze them! lol I find this helps out a lot since I am gone during dinner hours and hubby can't cook:rolleyes:

5) maintain a sense of the absurd...it really helps :)

6) do not stress yourself out before you even get started! Yes, everyone is going to tell you how hard it is (and it IS a lot of work) but you can do it! Just relax! :)

7) definitely make time for your family!!! Weekends have take on a new significance in my house since I started nursing school...those are the only days all 5 of us are home at the same time.

8) stick with allnurses for emotional support - these are a great bunch of folks :)

Congo rats to you on your acceptance and welcome to the mayhem that is nursing school! Best of luck to you! :kiss

kittylilly · Mar 31, 2003

Congrandulation and good luck! The best advice would be all of the above. I'm going to begin clinicals in July and I'm scared out of my mind. But like furball said, If she can do it so can we.

Hang in there, we've got each other.

Lilly

TeresaRN2b · Mar 31, 2003

Congratulations Sara! I think you've gotten some great tips so far. Good luck to you!

LaVorneRN · Mar 31, 2003

I graduated last May and the anxiety is still fresh. I heard "it's like having a baby, once it's over you forget how hard it was." Well, like I said, it's still fresh.

Great advice so far!!!!

Also, don't stress about next week or next month-get a day planner just for school and write EVERYTHING down that's due, assigned, etc. including breaks! And deal with one issue at a time as it comes. Refuse to get overwhelmed.

It's also great to build comraderie with your classmates and study together with a small group as well as encourage each other-it keeps you sane and you can share in your misery.

Don't argue with what appears to be unreasonable and idiotic expectations from your instructors or the program-it won't change anything. Just go with the flow-read ahead, be on time, turn in assgmnts. on time, and no question is a dumb question.

Don't forget to check your progress with your instructor-they love to see you're really into it and are willing to take criticism-they love to give it and they know more about you as time progresses than you think.

Some instructors are gems, awesome, God-sends.

Some are not. Don't take it personal. They may have personal issues, thyroid problems, and/or need counseling. That's not your problem. Just do what you have to do and stay on top of your game.

Pray, pray, pray! "I can do all things through Christ who stregthens me!" got me far when I felt like I was out of gas.

Well, that's all for now. Good luck, God bless and don't stress too much. It's so worth it on graduation day! You will have an incredible feeling of accomplishment! And it lasts for a while too!

You already have a great support system here!

fnimat1 · Apr 1, 2003

Congratulations Sara!!!....When you find out let me know...I'm in the same boat!!!

Fatima

"Future R.N."

rosemadder · Apr 5, 2003

Repeat to yourself over and over and over "I can do this, I can do this". Never let doubt enter your mind and you will succeed!