WANTED: Nursing student tidbits of advice

Nursing Students General Students

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hey guys,

I start this fall in my nursing program and Im extremely anxious!!! Im looking for any advice that will help me in school. Whats the thing you can NOT live w/o during nursing school? What was the best study method for you? Index cards, recorders, palm pilots? What should I take to clinicals? I know you all were anxious when u started!!!

thanks guys

p.s. ....im hoping this will end up being a HUGE thread that other anxious students can read

Specializes in ICU.

I also color-code with highlighters but in a different way than the previous poster...yellow is for definitions, orange is for headers (if I have a lot of topics on one page), green is for numbers (sizes of syringes, catheters, how often to do something( blue is for lab values, pink is for notable S&S.

Good luck all!

Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Long Term care.

Exactly 7 days until my first day! Whooooooohoooooo

Specializes in Trauma & Emergency.
Exactly 7 days until my first day! Whooooooohoooooo

You must be ecstatic!

I start NS Aug. 24 and don't know if any of those instructors will allow me to use my 1 g Livescribe pen, but I was able to use it during the summer for A&P II. It's not perfect and I found that I had to use the headphones (they have a microphone inside them) to get a clear recording. The first day I used it, I tried just the microphone that's part of the body of the pen and the recording was not so hot. I could hear it but it was annoying to listen to with a tinny background whine. With the headphones attached, the recording was fine (and stereo). This was not a particularly large room, either, certainly not a lecture hall. I would recommend anyone who gets it to use the headphone-microphone while recording!

My A&P II instructor gave us an essay on each test. We knew the topic beforehand so we could get ready while studying and then had to write the essay out from memory during the test. Having that pen really helped me prepare for the essays because I could go back and listen to what he said. I have a tendency to write cryptic notes sometimes and then I don't remember what I meant by that later. This way I had EVERYTHING he said so I had the best chance to prepare.

Like I said, don't know if the nursing instructors will allow my pen. I wish I had a laptop to take notes in class! :coollook:

I would be afraid to use the pen if I didn't have instructor permission. EVERYONE noticed my pen in A&P II and asked me what it was. Well, not everyone, but everyone who was sitting in my vicinity wondered what it was. Even the instructor asked me about it - luckily he had already announced that he didn't mind recording so I was safe.

[color=dimgray]my advice would be to follow the rules, it will make getting through nursing school much easier.

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[color=dimgray]if your school says that recording lectures is not allowed, i suggest to listen. i was able to record lectures in all of my prereq classes but the school of nursing does not allow it. it was an adjustment but i am making-do. i would not use your cell phone or the lightscribe pen, it's just not worth it. :twocents:

Thank you for the idea of getting a tag for the stetoscope, I just went a got one from petsmart.

Great idea!

Can I ask how and where do you attach the dog tag to the stethoscope? I love this idea.

Wendy

I am wondering what to do for food? What is good to eat in the morning when you may not get to eat again for a while? What is good to bring in an insulated lunch bag that wouldn't need to be heated? What kind of sandwiches, or anything besides sandwiches? The break room has 2 microwaves but we will only have a half hour to eat when we are on campus and I can't count on getting a turn at a microwave before time is up.

I am wondering what to do for food? What is good to eat in the morning when you may not get to eat again for a while? What is good to bring in an insulated lunch bag that wouldn't need to be heated? What kind of sandwiches, or anything besides sandwiches? The break room has 2 microwaves but we will only have a half hour to eat when we are on campus and I can't count on getting a turn at a microwave before time is up.

Try to get a carb/protein mix for breakfast. The carbs for brain fuel and the protein for staying power. I like to microwave 2 egg whites and one yolk scrambled in a bowl sprayed with Pam for 30sec-1min ( you can flip it over half way through) and make a sandwich with a little mayo on two slices of good whole wheat bread. It is a good "to go" breakfast that keeps me full for about 3-4 hours. I usually drink a little carton of OJ with it. Granola is good too with yogurt for your protein. I also like those sugar free Carnation instant breakfasts in chocolate. For lunches do salad with the dressing separate (add meat, eggs, or cheese) or yogurt with PB and cheese crackers. Egg salad or tuna salad on wheat, just make sure you have mints for after, lol! Cut up veggies and dip or PB, granola bars, nuts, and boiled eggs. Tomato slices with cottage cheese is one of my favs, esp. when they are still in season. Fruit is good too, fresh or canned. Drink plenty of water too. Just pick whole foods, the less processed the better, and aim for low fat, low sugar, whole grain, and plenty of protein!

Specializes in critical care nursing, ED, education.

Thanks for the food tips. These are things I am really hoping to stay on top of and be prepared with. I have been picking up some small containers to go in the lunch bag and looking for the right size ice packs. although I might just freeze water bottles and have a coold water when the day is done. ;-)

Can I ask how and where do you attach the dog tag to the stethoscope? I love this idea.

Wendy

Wendy, I slipped mine over the ear piece and slide it to the nector part of the tubing. The ring that it came with is snug enough that it won't move.

I can show you a picture if you like.

Try to get a carb/protein mix for breakfast. The carbs for brain fuel and the protein for staying power. I like to microwave 2 egg whites and one yolk scrambled in a bowl sprayed with Pam for 30sec-1min ( you can flip it over half way through) and make a sandwich with a little mayo on two slices of good whole wheat bread. It is a good "to go" breakfast that keeps me full for about 3-4 hours. I usually drink a little carton of OJ with it. Granola is good too with yogurt for your protein. I also like those sugar free Carnation instant breakfasts in chocolate. For lunches do salad with the dressing separate (add meat, eggs, or cheese) or yogurt with PB and cheese crackers. Egg salad or tuna salad on wheat, just make sure you have mints for after, lol! Cut up veggies and dip or PB, granola bars, nuts, and boiled eggs. Tomato slices with cottage cheese is one of my favs, esp. when they are still in season. Fruit is good too, fresh or canned. Drink plenty of water too. Just pick whole foods, the less processed the better, and aim for low fat, low sugar, whole grain, and plenty of protein!

Thanks for the food tips.

I agree the less processed the better!

Also, soybean (edemae) or a simple chick pea dip are great cold snacks as well, that have good proteins and are yummy too.

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