if you could give 5 tips on how to ace nursing school what would they be?

April, RN, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

Don't argue with your instructors... just do what they say no matter how ridiculous it seems.

pricklypear · Feb 15, 2009

1. Get yourself a calender book and write down all your assignments, due dates, etc. Don't lose it!

2. Be prepared for class. Read your syllabus, and have a basic understanding of the subject before the lecture.

3. Definitely be prepared to work often with your classmates in groups. You'll have lots of projects, and being able to work with a team is essential.

4. Be prepared for clinical. Be on the lookout for new experiences during the day, and be ready and willing to do new things. Be respectful of your instructors (even if you don't always agree with them) and the nurses you are assigned to work with. Understand that most nurses will have a full load of patients in addition to you. Make sure they understand what you expect/need out of your time with them. That way they can plan accordingly.

5. Last but DEFINITELY not least: Be prepared to receive lots of criticism. Some will be deserved, some not. Don't take it personally, and learn from your mistakes- you WILL make them. Being successful in nursing requires developing a thick skin and a tolerance to different ways of doing things.

Good Luck!

Whispera, MSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

Be on time.

Turn off your cell phone in class and clinical.

Don't fall asleep no matter how tired you are.

Re read your notes the same day you take them to make sure you understand what you wrote and to put it in your brain more.

If you don't understand something, ask questions.

(Don't suckup--we can see through that soooo easily! :bugeyes: )

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

1. Get the book off the site statnursing.org. Its about the difference between usuall school tests and application tests like the ones in nursing school. It goes into a lot about pittfalls students make on tests too. Its geared completely towards nursing and passing NCLEX.

2. Realize, a clinical instructor is going to not like you and know how to deal with it. Listen to what they say, dont get brave with your words towards them and take it in stride.

3. Work Work Work in the summer so you can work less during the semester. I had to work almost full time hours while in school and it hurt me bad.

4. Stay out of the classmate gossip. Be kind to everyone and give help where you can if it is needed. This is as much to help you sharpen your "dont always follow the crowd" skills you will need in nursing. Be independent and make up your own mind about people.

5. Dont be afraid to get a tutor outside the classroom if need be. I did. I went from high C's to higher B's and low A's.

jackson145 · Feb 15, 2009

Keep your mouth closed and your head down

THEY are always right, no matter how obviously wrong THEY are

Try to fly in under the radar (maybe your instructors won't notice you)

Remember, it's only school (don't let anyone else you convince otherwise)

Don't count on anyone else for help & you won't be let down

whiskeygirl, LPN · Feb 15, 2009

Get past wanting to "ace" nursing school.

Aim for learning everything you can, ask for the tougher assignments during clinicals AND do your best to stay away from the drama!

Good luck and when you need support, come here and ask questions!

eriksoln, BSN, RN · Feb 15, 2009

Get past wanting to "ace" nursing school.
Aim for learning everything you can, ask for the tougher assignments during clinicals AND do your best to stay away from the drama!
Good luck and when you need support, come here and ask questions!

I actually had trouble with your first step. Oh man did I get upset about going from A's and B's to C's during my first two semesters. Then I wised up and got a tutor.

whiskeygirl, LPN · Feb 15, 2009

I actually had trouble with your first step. Then I wised up and got a tutor.

Me too! I learned the hard way, and I do mean hard!

I wished I could have found a tutor. When I finally figured out how to prioritize life got a lot smoother.

Erik-

I love your sig! Very good!

Firefly602 · Feb 15, 2009

I know I won't recieve 100 on everything unless your the child of a superhero but I've had so many nurses tell me that many people who enroll in the nursing program fail their first semester!!!

miko014 · Feb 15, 2009

Work at a hospital if you can - not full time unless you have to, but that helped me actually UNDERSTAND the material rather than memorize.

DO NOT stand around at clinical! We had a whole group of students one morning waiting around for the techs to finish with a dynamap so that they could do their vitals. Uh, hello?? There's a sphygomanometer in every room, grab a thermometer and get on with it! I also had a couple of them that I caught in our break room watching TV. How they expected to learn anything I will never know.

Don't tell a bunch of personal stories during lecture - every class has the person who says, "we had this pt at work who..." at least 3 times per class, and everyone hates that person!

Eat. Make sure you eat before clinical to avoid the whole "low blood sugar while watching a gross procedure" effect. Nobody likes to revive students who have passed out.

Get help if you don't understand something. It's not a bad thing if your instructors know you for working hard and being truly dedicated to learning.

brem86 · Feb 15, 2009

1. don't procrastinate. it causes stress.

2. don't listen to other people stress out because it causes unnecessary stress on you

3. read, take notes, re-read your notes

4. go to see your professors when you need help. majority of the time.. the "mean ones" are nice when you see them one on one

5. try to find a good and RELIABLE group to study with.

oh and don't try to get A's in your classes.. C's pass and become nurses. (this i learned the hard way and tried to get A's .. it adds to the unnecessary stress)