Maybe I'm just overthinking it from all of the anxiety waiting for the first day of NS class. But I was wondering how those who have started, or others who are preparing, are planning to organize for school. I mean, how are you arranging your folders/dividing them. What supplies (from book bags to pencils) have you decided on buying?
I've bought the Ultimate Nursing Bag (bought off of allheart.com and did search for "ultimate nursing"). I have been buying all kinds of black pens, and two binders- 2" for lecture, 1-1/2" for clinicals. Everything is kind of cheap right now since all the kids are going back to school, so I'm loading up on the 30 cent paper! Also got a Palm TX WHICH I LOOOOOVE SO MUCH!-- best organizer in the world.
I LOVE to organize so I'd like to hear everyone else's ideas/suggestions.
Specializes in Pain Management, RN experience was in ER.
I planned on doing something similar to this, only I bought a bunch of bright neon sticky notes to use as temporary tabs. I love the colors and it makes it feel like... sub tabs :) You have your big tabs... then you have your sub tabs :) I love to keep everything organized inbetween ... cuz I'm cool like that :)
i had a small folder for every subject. in each folder, i kept the CURRENT notes for the upcoming test. that way i could study them during lunch or whenever i had free time. once the test was over, they would go in a LARGE binder..had one for every subject, too. that way..they were all there and in order for finals. also kept me organized when i studied for boards. hopefully i'm going to find out tomorrow that i passed so all of that can be recycled!
also, kept a small planner in my purse or clinical bag at all times.
i had a small folder for every subject. in each folder, i kept the CURRENT notes for the upcoming test. that way i could study them during lunch or whenever i had free time. once the test was over, they would go in a LARGE binder..had one for every subject, too. that way..they were all there and in order for finals. also kept me organized when i studied for boards. hopefully i'm going to find out tomorrow that i passed so all of that can be recycled!
also, kept a small planner in my purse or clinical bag at all times.
I second this!! I absolutely love this small binder-big binder system! I had 1 small binder with a section for each class and that'd have all the current notes, and once the test was over, the notes would go into the large binder (also sectioned by class). This is super helpful for not losing your notes for the cumulative final exam (or even just future reference).
Also, those plastic folders with 3 holes in them are excellent too! (you know, they're clear, durable, and have a diagonally cut front) I had one for each class and put it in the current binder (also doubles as dividers). These are super handy for putting in hand outs you get from class, and each class's syllabus. This way, you won't lose them before you can 3-hole punch them at home. Also handy for holding things you're about to turn in.
I also second (or third, fourth, whatever) the small notebook for clinicals. They fit perfectly into the big pocket in scrub bottoms & are great for taking down report quickly. very handy.
Same goes for the organizer! I carried one with me at all times.
I'd also recommend getting a giant desk calendar. I had one posted on the wall next to my desk, and wrote in all the important test & due dates on it right after receiving the syllabus from each class. I used magic markers to color code them & this really helped with organization. (because sometimes if you aren't constantly looking in your organizer you won't see some reminders you wrote a long time ago...with a giant desk calendar, all your due dates are right there in your face so you can't possibly forget about them).
shannonFNP, BSN, MSN, RN
263 Posts
I planned on doing something similar to this, only I bought a bunch of bright neon sticky notes to use as temporary tabs. I love the colors and it makes it feel like... sub tabs :) You have your big tabs... then you have your sub tabs :) I love to keep everything organized inbetween ... cuz I'm cool like that :)