High School Grad about to go into Nursing School...What to expect??

JAMIE__0421 · Dec 19, 2008

I would say VCU is the school to go with. I live here in Richmond and after I graduate from JOhn Tyler community college with my ADN I plan to attend VCU to do the RN-BSN program. They are one of the top medical colleges in the nation. I am so happy to have such a wonderful medical school minutes away from me.

PEBBLES1 · Dec 19, 2008

I just graduated from nursing school on December 12th. You seem very passionate about being a nurse and that is great. Nursing school is & can be very difficult. But, anything that is worth doing wont be easy. It requires alot of studying so be prepared. Don't start studying to early, you don't want to burnout. If you have to take biology, make sure you understand the disease process/patho. Once you understand what is going with the body and understand the interventions, you will be fine. Also, I wasn't that great in math, but in my state, the local community college offered math for nurses, so I took a course. As for your supplies, they should supply you with a list, so don't buy anything until you see that list. This includes books also. My school supplied us with Marianne Hogan reviews and rationales, that book was excellent. However, I did invest in a good nclex book, they really helped me out alot. Also, I work in a hospital, so people gave me books. Other good books that helped me was the dummy books. Medsurg for dummies, Maternaity/Pediactrics for dummies etc. Last but not least, check this form. Students have posted some really helpful information here, so take time and go through this form, you will find alot of information here. Good luck 2 u and I Wish you the best in your new career.

Daytonite, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2008

read all the posts on this thread: https://allnurses.com/forums/f50/first-day-nursing-school-235170.html. it is a chronicle of an student lpns year in nursing school.

shrimpchips, LPN · Dec 21, 2008

How should I ready myself to be on the right path?

If you are thinking about "studying" over summer, don't! :no: Nursing school is extremely demanding and you will be studying a lot - like pebbles said, you don't want to burn yourself out so soon! When breaks roll around you will be glad they did (but of course not me, I actually wish I had something to read or study, I think it's because it's so boring here at home... :chuckle)

What kinds of things will I be expected to do as a nursing student?

Clinically, you won't be doing injections or IV's right off the bat. First off you will be expected and responsible for your patient's basic care, vital signs, assessments, passing meds - and please please please make sure that you know EVERYTHING about the meds that you are giving to your patient(s) before giving them! Your clinical instructors will probably ask, but in my opinion you should never give a patient a med if you don't know anything about it.

All patients are different. If you are not busy with your patient(s), see what the other students are doing - for example, I was the only student in my group who had a patient with a PEG tube. Students in my group would come and observe tube feedings (or administer them themselves); other students had colostomy bags, some needed their blood sugars checked; we would "take turns" doing different things to learn and gain experience. So if someone needs help with something and it isn't something that you have done before, help them! You will learn a lot :)

Expect to study *a lot*. You will be formulating care plans/concept maps which take a lot of time. Be prepared to tell any non-nursing friends that you probably won't be able to hang out with them as much - or at all! I didn't get to see a lot of friends at all this semester aside from my fellow classmates/nursing friends, boyfriend (he lives next to me!) and my roommates. I know that a lot of campuses have a lab where you can practice your skills - our's is called the learning resources center or LRC. You can practice just about anything there, but if you ever have free time go there and practice practice practice! A lot of these skills don't just "come to you" by watching a demonstration or reading about it in your text. You may be really good at a certain skill but might think that another skill is difficult for you and easier for other students, and vice versa. Don't get discouraged - everything comes with practice!

Is it really that difficult? (people always say that its such a hard job, which i know but if you really love something then it takes some difficulty away right?)

Nursing school is difficult, but I love it. The workload and stress can be ridiculous at times, not to mention the lack of sleep. It can be hard to transition into and you cannot let yourself fall behind in your school work. Stay on top of your assignments or else they will all "sneak up" on you and then you'll find yourself having to do 3056720936097 things at once. You also need to learn how to apply knowledge in nursing school - memorizing isn't going to get you anywhere (except for things like lab values).

What things should I take with me to Nursing school?

A good sense of humor :chuckle

A coffee pot if you like to drink coffee... :chuckle

A good NCLEX book...Saunders is nice!

Nursing supplies, of course - penlight, bandage scissors, clamps, a good stethoscope - I have a Littman Classic II S.E. and I LOVE it! :heartbeat I can hear very well with it, even better than those Ultrascopes imo. I wouldn't go anything below a Littman and I know that a lot of users on this forum will tell you the same. Classic II S.E.'s generally run about $84 and you can find them at medical supply stores. Unfortunately, a lot of them do not offer a student discount on Littmans. Since you work in a hospital you might be able to get a discount on it. I bought mine through http://www.reddingmedical.com for $73.95 including tax + S&H. If I were to buy the stethoscope at a store, it would have been $90+ because my area has a high tax rate, so I saved a little bit of cash on it. The Classic II S.E. also comes with a three-year warranty so it will last you through nursing school. Also be sure to put your name on it with a stethoscope I.D. tag or engrave it and don't leave it laying around - those stethoscopes like to grow legs and walk away so please, do not let that happen to you!

I like to bring a small pocket-sized notebook to clinical to write down things that might be useful

Lots of black clicky pens so you don't have to worry about caps!

HIGHLIGHTERS :)

and a lot of notecards.

a storage clipboard. you can find these at walmart - I got mine for $10. it's a black clipboard that opens up which I love because I can keep all my papers and things in there, and it also has a calculator on the clip which is really nice for doing drug calculations! It's totally optional but I love mine!

alcohol wipes! I always keep a bunch of those in my pocket.

Will nursing school be hands on or mainly classroom work?

Both, about 50/50 in my opinion.

Hope this helps a bit! :nurse: :heartbeat

nurse901 · Dec 21, 2008

That is wonderful that you have chosen nursing as a career. Nursing needs people that are passionate like you. I am definitely passionate about nursing and I sure did everything I could do in my power to get into nursing school. Nursing school is difficult for sure but just remember that you CAN do it. I will be finally entering my last semester of nursing school and let me tell you that it has been quite a journey. I have had my fair of ups and downs and and sometimes had no idea if I could even get through the program. Every nursing student I have talked to has gone through these emotions. You may not but if you do, just remember all the people that have made it through it and are now a nurse. My advice to you is before you even start nursing school write at least three things down as to why you want to be a nurse. Trust me that list will come in handy when you feel frustrated. Hopefully you won't but just in case you do, you will be able to refer to that list. Overall, the hard work will pay off. Nursing is an extremely rewarding career so in the end I guess that extra stress and hard work is worth it when you get to save lives and inspire others. Have a great time, Good luck and always remember those things on your list:).

God Bless.

YTFutureNP47 · Dec 22, 2008

thank you all. This is incredibly helpful! I'm so excited for school. =](I never thought I'd say that lol

C. Thinking · Dec 22, 2008

How should I ready myself to be on the right path?

Learn about the programs near you and the ones that you have applied for. Know everything about them...including pre-reqs and learn which program will most benefit you in achieving your ultimat goal of being a NP. Also, ask around as to the "quality" of the programs and compare them. In my opinion, quality>quanity...just because one school offers a BSN and the other an ADN...doesn't mean that the BSN will make you a better nurse. Strive to get the best quality education you can, and decide which school will make you the better nurse.

What kinds of things will I be expected to do as a nursing student?

EVERYTHING!!! lol. Be prepared for uncomfortable situations in the best way you can and just do them. Just remember that nothing in nursing school will kill you (...as far as I can tell)...so when you are faced with those uncomfortable situations, just perform to the best of your ability and know that it will make you a better person..YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Is it really that difficult? (people always say that its such a hard job, which i know but if you really love something then it takes some difficulty away right?)

Nursing school is very difficult....I don't care if you came out of the womb wearing your aunt's old nursing cap an pinafore...it will be so difficult at times that you want to throw your hands up and go live with your parents for the rest of your life....but refere to the last answer and know that there is nothing in nursing school that you can't do...but you must work at it. The rewards are greater than the sacrifice!!!!!

What things should I take with me to Nursing school?

I am not sure what this question is all about...but some basic equipment that you should become familiar with are: stethescope (get you a good, expensive one...it's worth it in my view. I suggest Litman.), a sphymomanometer (blood pressure cuff), PEN LIGHT (Get a good one!!!! that clicks from the top!!!), SCISSORS!, PENS PENS PENS, and a good watch. Other than that, I suggest a really good drug guide...Davis is my favorite.

Will nursing school be hands on or mainly classroom work?

A mixture of both....it is pretty well balanced. You will probably have alot of clinical and will have to study study study for class. GOOD LUCK AND I HOPE I HELPED A LITTLE. YOU WILL BE A NURSE!!!!!!!!!!!