new nursing student

SJB · Aug 8, 1998

First tip not to scare you but be prepared to give up alot of your life to studying.

Next, if you have no experience as a CNA or LPN get out there and get some. Try to get into the area you plan on working after school. They will know you and employers are more apt to hire from within. Last but not least HAVE PATIENCE AND A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR.

KR · Aug 8, 1998

Thank you for the advice. Thats what I heard is that I will spend a lot of time studying. I figure that whatever I have to do to get where I want to be i will do. I am not a CNA or a LPN but I am an EMT and I want to get into emergency room nursing. I dont know if any of the hospital will hire me as an ER tech by where im going to school or not. Imgoing to school away from home so that will make getting a job a lil harder. But thank you once again for your advice.

ALISA · Aug 19, 1998

I AM CURRENTLY A JUNIOR NURSING STUDENT IN A BSN PROGRAM AT A PRIVATE UNIVERSITY IN SO. CAL. I HAVE BEEN BUSY WITH MY NURSING EDUCATION FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS NOW. I HAVE A 5YR. OLD SON AND A 7 YR. OLD SON. I WORK FULL-TIME IN A HOSPITAL, AND ALSO VOLUNTEER THERE. NURSING SCHOOL HAS BEEN VERY REWARDING FOR ME. IT IS HARD WORK, BUT WELL WORTH IT. NURSING GIVES YOU THE CHANCE TO HELP PEOPLE AND TO GROW AS A PERSON. MY ADVICE TO YOU IS TO GET EXPERIENCE, WHETHER IT BE WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN A HOSPITAL SETTING. IT GIVES YOU A CHANCE TO GATHER KNOWLEDGE, AND IT GIVES THE FACILITY A CHANCE TO GET TO KNOW YOU. HANG IN THERE, THE MORE YOU LEARN..THE EASIER IT IS TO PUT THAT KNOWLEDGE INTO MOTION.....BELIEVE ME, WITH MY LIFE, IF I CAN DO IT...ANYONE CAN. GOOD LUCK.

Cindy Johnston · Aug 20, 1998

As a veteran to nursing and recent RN grad, I can validate the need for experience as being irreplaceable, however, even EMT experience would help you, you would find that you could apply the nursing stuff you are learning to the situations you would be in (not in practice of course, only within the scope of your credentials, but in theory, observation, assessment, etc). Studying is important, and everyone has their own style, but UNDERSTANDING what you are studying is the most important thing...if you don't have basic concepts, it doesnt' matter how much you memorize. That goes along with having common sense, if you have none, you can't learn it...much in nursing becomes instinctive once you have the core stuff inherent within you...seek help from your professors, join a study group or peer tutor...all these things are helpful...But most of all make time for you..I don't necessarily advocate partying because that, I have seen in fellow classmates can hinder your progress and potential, but make sure you do things you enjoy to de-stress. Nursing school is intense and hard work and if you don't maintain your sense of self and balance your activities it is easy to get burned out...hope I was of help ....cindy

medicalma'am · Aug 2, 2007

Wow! Got my acceptance letter. I am now a nursing student!!!!

I have taken an online pharmacology course this summer that has been harder than anything I have taken thus far. Some of us in the course have agreed to have a weekly study group this fall. We will be accountable to each other and encourage each other. It is to our advantage, I think, to have a relationship already even if it has been only online.

I was in Microbiology this Spring with 5 nursing students so I heard about their struggles and trails. I hope a study group will be of help to me.