HELP! what do i expect in nursing school??????

NamasteNurse, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2009

There's a lot of posts on here related to this topic. Here's my experience and opinion...I'm 50 with a BA in education, so probably ahead of the game in a lot of ways. I also taught for 20 years so know how to study and take tests. But, if you are smart and dedicated, if you are ready to say goodbye to most of your social life and really get into nursing, yes, you can do it.

Here's my best advice.

1. Buy your books ahead of time and skim through. learn some vocabulary and medical terminolgy that goes with each body system.

2. Follow ALL the rules of your school regarding times, dates, schedules, uniform, due dates etc.

3. Have an open accepting mind in regard to learning. Don't be defensive when you get something wrong, take all criticism as a learning opportunity.

4. Don't get involved with "the popular or loud" crowd in the class. They are going to struggle and cause a lot of drama. TRUST ME on this one!!

5. Study every single day even when nothing is due or you have a day off. In the same way, take some time for yourself and force yourself to visit or phone call with friends a little each week. Even a Saturday morning walk or a night out will refuel you.

6. Aim high, but don't beat yourself up. Do the best you can without excuses but don't think you have to be perfect. (except when you have to like the med test)

7. Brush up on math skills. Most schools require perfect math scores. You cannot, repeat..CANNOT make medication or dosage errors!

8. Plan on reading the material 3 times. Once go through and do the key terms...write them out even if not required. Then when the teacher lectures, highlight everything s/he says. Make flash cards. Study study every night. The third time the night before the test, read again, write down important things and review key terms and flash cards.

9. Expect to be tired. Eat well. Sleep. Don't drink yourself into oblivion and expect to do well the next day. Plan your week in 48 hour segments.

10. Ask for help. Family, friends, classmates teachers. Don't be afraid to ask if you don't get it. Again, you're here to learn. Don't compare yourself to others. Do YOUR best.

11. Write me anytime you like! :)

12. Enjoy and have fun. I know there's more but I gotta go study! :)

Peace

Karen

RN2BE1210 · Apr 6, 2009

Lol well I don't think I have too much to add on to that one. She pretty much covered it all. My main thing is that you need to prepare yourself to see grades that you've probably never seen before in your life. No one prepared me for this. I've always done well in school and expected to do well in nursing school. Don't get me wrong it is obtainable but when you take the first exam, it will sting to see that test result. Just don't give up, know you've done your best, and keep pushing everyday!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Apr 7, 2009

read these threads:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/first-day-nursing-235170.html - first day of nursing school (this is a thread that was started by an lvn and journals her entire year of school experiences up to her passing nclex-pn and getting licensed)
https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/first-day-nursing-360006.html - first day of nursing school ***unleashead***post yours (this is a currently running thread of an rn student in an aa program)

busy5kids · Apr 7, 2009

Well, nursing school sounds exciting and fun, but it's not!!! I am about to finish in about 4wks, "ya!!!", but I absolutely hate nursing school and I don't think you'll get from anyone that nursing school was a blast. It makes you stronger of an individual and it can also break many peoples spirits. Instructors can be awful, intimidating and just mean and you have to stay strong if this is what you want. Your grades may not be what you want them to be BUT " A, B, AND C" MAKE A NURSE, don't forget that. Nursing school is a total different way of thinking and it's not easy for everyone. Instructors will come to you and tell you that they feel your grades are not good and that you may consider "withdrawling" from the semester, BUT if you feel you have a chance by changing some bad habits, or you know how your grades got to that point and you feel you can turn it around, then you STAY IN THE PROGRAM!!!! You have to know yourself well...Good luck and study hard:heartbeat

OhioCCRN, MSN, NP · Apr 7, 2009

Thank you so much New in Ny!!!!! wow!! your advice really made sense! i will definitely be writing to you!

busy5kids · Apr 8, 2009

your welcome, I'm just honest. I just started writting on this website and can't figure out how to reply to some other people? Do I have to up grade from this free site, do you know? And I would love to keep up with you :)

lilo2010 · Apr 8, 2009

The best advice is to enjoy the summer! :onbch: Because you will be working your butt off when the fall starts!

cursedandblessed · Apr 8, 2009

acceptance, acceptance, acceptance.

start taking vitamins, now (unless contraindicated). get a flu shot. while you're free this summer get your life in order. deep clean the house, get rid of all the extra stuff you haven't used in a year or more, put your bills on automatic payments if possible. get your teeth cleaned. fill the freezer with quick dinners (cook yourself and freeze if possible). set up a place in your house to study.

once you start, stay out of the drama there will always be those who are into the drama, and you don't want to be remembered by the instructors as one of them. myob unless it has to do with patient safety. you're not there to enforce the cell phone rules, the white or beige underwear rules, etc. learn to say good morning to everyone, and thank people automatically. (it sounds simple, but it isn't all the time when you are focused on remember the 40 drugs prescribed for your patient). make a list the night before clinical of all the stuff you have to do for your patient: take report, breakfast, oral hygeine, bathing, meds, bs, lunch, etc. it will make life easier if you don't have to try and remember all of that during the day-especially when you're first starting out and trying to get a rhythm, and you're nervous.

OhioCCRN, MSN, NP · Apr 8, 2009

Thanks everyone for such great comments and advice:yeah:!!!!!! in 8 posts i have gotten more constructive information than i got out of anywhere else!!! keep 'em coming!!!:)