Go ahead...ask me!

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Project "Ask-A-Student"

Ok, so here's the deal...when I was a pre-nursing student, I stalked allnurses.com religiously and soaked up all the information I could about nursing school. Then, when I started nursing classes, I was a transfer student and didn't really know anyone. At the time, I kept thinking, "Gee, I wish I had a nursing student I could ask questions!"

Well, here I am, about a month from nursing school graduation, and I'd like to do just that. If any pre-nursing folks have general nursing school questions, I'll take a shot at them!

I can't answer program-specific stuff, and I won't do homework (too much of that already!), but I love to talk about nursing school, so have at it! :D :redpinkhe

Oh, and what shoes you sportin'? :)

Oh, when I started nursing school, I bought these ultra-supportive, super-practical, majorly "nursey" (and expensive) "gettin'-down-to-business" shoes.

I got over that after a few semesters. Now I just wear my all-white Nikes. :lol2:

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how is the job market out there? any hirings ?

You know, I used to see all the posts about the lack of nursing jobs and think, "Gee, I don't really see that problem in my area." As graduation nears, though, it seems I am seeing less and less when I look at the same sites.

My thoughts on this are pretty moderate: I fall somewhere in between the "Eh, it'll be OK" and "OMG PANIC!" camps.

It pays to think about what you'd like to do before you actually graduate. It also pays to be realistic and somewhat humble about your options as a new grad (i.e. you may not get your first choice job, so be a bit flexible in your mental planning). A smartly-written resume is a must for any job, and if you get the chance to work part-time in health care or do an internship or anything else that might give you a boost, that may be a good idea.

People in various fields are having difficulty finding work, so nursing is no different. If you want to do it, go for it, work hard, and show employers why it would be a mistake not to hire you.

P.S. - I'll let you know how my job search goes! ;)

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Always Learning- this is nice of you! I'm also a month away from being a new grad! I can help you out here a little too!

Just some helpful tips:

Start doing practice questions for NCLEX right off the bat. Not the hard things you haven't learned, but when you're learning fundamentals and assessment and pharm..etc in the first semester, use practice questions to help you get down NURSING EXAMS...they are quite different than what you may be used to and they are meant to get you to "think critically" (a term you will get tired of about week TWO!!!! lol) you will FEEL like it's meant to trick you or confuse you and think they are unfair questions and you will argue with your professors until the cows come home (and may win occasionally with the right evidence and proper presentation :) bottom line- start really trying to understand how to answer nursing exam questions. Plus if your institution uses HESI every semester, you won't have to cram along with your finals to study for them. (p.s. if you do study for end of semester HESI- studying for your final and doing practice questions will suffice- don't try to relearn everything to a T.)

People aren't exaggerating- it's mentally, emotionally, physically, and intellectually exhausting. Prepare yourself- DON'T FREAK YOURSELF OUT and take everything that everyone says with a grain of salt, but do know that it will be taxing on you in a way that you've probably never experienced.

Don't sweat the small stuff. You already have so much to worry about and so much to do. It can be overwhelming at times but just take one thing at a time and don't let little details get the best of you. Remember- you will be learning about nursing the rest of your career. You don't have to (nor will you) learn EVERYTHING right now! The experience you'll gain after working as a new grad and a new RN will make everything start to make much more sense.

I remember when I was waiting to start nursing school I had so many questions- what kind of shoes should I buy (hehe) what type of scrubs to I have to get- I know they will be maroon but what style will they prefer?? Stethoscope? Do I need a personal sphygmomanometer? Do we practice IVs and shots on each other? (which we do but it's not with the school's knowing about it!! lol) It's such an exciting time and you're in for the ride of your life :) ups and downs but in the end it will make you much stronger and so proud of yourself! Our class' motto has been "Just keep swimming!!!" :) good luck to you all!!!

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Did you have an interview for nursing school?? If so, what did they ask?? I have my interview on 4/11 Monday!! And I have no idea what to expect. I've been so nervous since they called, last Monday, that I haven't slept! I've never been so nervous!!

Sorry if you answered this already. I didn't read the whole thread. It's late and my brain is fried.

Thanks in advance!!

Caitlin

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Did you have an interview for nursing school?? If so, what did they ask?? I have my interview on 4/11 Monday!! And I have no idea what to expect. I've been so nervous since they called, last Monday, that I haven't slept! I've never been so nervous!!

Sorry if you answered this already. I didn't read the whole thread. It's late and my brain is fried.

Thanks in advance!!

Caitlin

I didn't have an interview, but we did have to write an essay. "Why you want to be a nurse" and that sort of thing. I think the best policy is to be honest...and if they throw you a HUGE curveball, it's OK to say, "That's a great question. Can I think on that for just a minute and get back to you?" That may keep you from being rattled. That, and remember you're paying THEM to go to school! :lol2:

I saw on your profile that you have taken care of your father when he was ill; if that's one of your motivations, then feel free to share that. Share why you're motivated to follow through with school, and speak from your heart. Just be you, and you'll be great! Best of luck; let me know how it goes. :):redbeathe

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i didnt see this mentioned i only glanced thru the posts....i read about rote memory

for A & P...thats were i am now...tho i dont mind that to much,its the cells of the muscle or nerves or what have you.. how they work,what they are doing when a contraction is going on etc....how much time do you spend on that....i love learning how oragans function and what signs to look for if not functioning properly,but all that cellular level info,my brain cant wrap its lil fingers around it half of the time....I am a LPN now and work with several RNs and i am always picking their brains on this stuff..do you use it? does the doctor talk that deep to you? they just laugh and say NOPE...you will never use it....

thanks...going back to read all your responses now!!

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i didnt see this mentioned i only glanced thru the posts....i read about rote memory

for A & P...thats were i am now...tho i dont mind that to much,its the cells of the muscle or nerves or what have you.. how they work,what they are doing when a contraction is going on etc....how much time do you spend on that....i love learning how oragans function and what signs to look for if not functioning properly,but all that cellular level info,my brain cant wrap its lil fingers around it half of the time....I am a LPN now and work with several RNs and i am always picking their brains on this stuff..do you use it? does the doctor talk that deep to you? they just laugh and say NOPE...you will never use it....

thanks...going back to read all your responses now!!

Yeah, I can't say you will use that cellular level stuff unless you're a microbiologist. ;) When you're studying, do pay attention to how organs and organ systems work together. Also, if you have a good professor for A&P like I did, sometimes they will gear the A&P towards nurses. If they discuss how certain signs/symptoms manifest, that's good to remember to understand the big picture. In general, though, I think A&P gives you a good foundation for nursing, but you don't have to remember every teeny little thing. Best wishes! :)

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I'm starting nursing school next month. I had to order 17 books for the first semester. I realize some are drug guides, nursing diagnosis and others that won't be used every day....but still....17? I'm starting to worry about the amount of reading I'll have to do. I'm a very visual learner and love the YouTube videos and diagrams, however, when it comes to reading large amounts of information I find my mind wandering and I've read a chapter without knowing what I've just read.

I've found that with my pre-reqs, I study my notes and the powerpoints but really only use the books as a reference or for clarification.

Do you really read everything, all the time in your nursing classes?

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I'm starting nursing school next month. I had to order 17 books for the first semester. I realize some are drug guides, nursing diagnosis and others that won't be used every day....but still....17? I'm starting to worry about the amount of reading I'll have to do. I'm a very visual learner and love the YouTube videos and diagrams, however, when it comes to reading large amounts of information I find my mind wandering and I've read a chapter without knowing what I've just read.

I've found that with my pre-reqs, I study my notes and the powerpoints but really only use the books as a reference or for clarification.

Do you really read everything, all the time in your nursing classes?

I hardly read. That said, lecture was a huge part of what was on our tests and I rarely missed lecture, I have also recorded some lectures and listened to them back. I am just not a textbook reader, I find it brutal. I take my last final on Tuesday and I can honestly say I have probably read about 3 full chapters in Nursing School. A few weeks ago I read "Fluids and Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy" and that helped a lot with that stuff. I have primarily maintained B's in the nursing program (85%-93% in my program). But whether you can function like this will depend on a lot of how they test in your program. If it's mainly out of the book or lectures.

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I'm starting nursing school next month. I had to order 17 books for the first semester. I realize some are drug guides, nursing diagnosis and others that won't be used every day....but still....17? I'm starting to worry about the amount of reading I'll have to do. I'm a very visual learner and love the YouTube videos and diagrams, however, when it comes to reading large amounts of information I find my mind wandering and I've read a chapter without knowing what I've just read.

I've found that with my pre-reqs, I study my notes and the powerpoints but really only use the books as a reference or for clarification.

Do you really read everything, all the time in your nursing classes?

I'll be honest; I generally skim the asigned text readings unless they tell us to really concentrate on something. The material that is given in class is typically enough to convey the necessary information, and then if I need to review something, I may go back to the book. Sometimes there is just an impossible amount to read, and I have to skip it all together. Just depends on my comfort level with what is being presented.

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Always Learning thanks for your response!! I'll respond when I get done with my interview today. Thanks again!!

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