How to prepare for nursing school?

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I was just accepted into nursing school and I was wondering how can I prepare myself for the program?

Are there any books you would recommend I read? Any new habits I should pick up? Anything else I should know?

Basically, I want to be as prepared as possible. Yes, I realize I cannot be truly ready for the great unknown, but if there is something you nurses or nursing students wished you had done/learned/read/etc. prior to nursing school, us newbies could really benefit!

Thanks!

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There are many threads on this topic that you might find of assistance in the student nurse forum.

I wish I would have focused more on enjoying my time before nursing school rather than trying to "prepare." Truth be told, I don't think there is a true way to be totally prepared for nursing school. It is a different ball game.

Do yourself a favor and enjoy your free time now with your friends ad family. You will be busy enough in nursing school. You'll have plenty to review an study then.

Best wishes.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Scan through posts in this forum. There are literally THOUSANDS of threads just like this. You can also click on the magnifying glass at the top to search for key words.

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I wish I would have spent some more time reviewing some basics from A&P. I don't say it's necessary but I think the review would have helped.

I also wish I would have taken up some time to work as a CNA before my classes started, even if it was just a few times a week/weekends. In our program we're required to take a CNA course before applying but if you don't actually become a CNA that knowledge is wasted because it's another 6-12 months before you're in the program. When clinicals came around I had forgotten how to do quite a few basic tasks (like how to set someone on a bedpan properly) because I hadn't practiced them in months and our instructors assumed we all knew how to do them because we took the CNA training months prior.

That's really about it. Enjoy the time you have now - nursing school is a lot of work but it will be worth it! :up:

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

If there is a way to get your syllabus and just preread a bit, that is helpful. Otherwise, there is no way to prepare other than get your fun in now.

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Specializes in CVICU.

As a student about to go into his final semester of RN school, I can honestly say there is no way I could have prepared for nursing school.

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Congratulations. I accepted to nursing program too and I will start on this winter. I am so excited. I was talking with my nursing advisor. She suggested me to prepare dosage calculation. I bought this ( http://www.amazon.com/Dosage-Calculations-9th-Gloria-Pickar/dp/1439058474) I think it is good textbook for self studying.

I hope it can help. Good Luck!

Btw, did u have your orientation yet?

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Congratulations! I'm currently finishing up my first semester. What I did to prepare was look over my former anatomy and physiology textbooks. I also would suggest brushing up on your medical terminology; it's used a lot in my classes, and has really helped this semester. Other than that, I suggest preparing yourself for the ride of your life. It's a lot of studying and class time, but it's been an amazing experience to date. I'd do it again in a heart beat! (We'll see how I feel about second semester though, ha!) :)

Best of luck!!!!

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Specializes in ICU.

There really is not a way to prepare. Even if you get the syllabus, you won't understand anything if you read ahead and reading the book is not really the way to go. The instructor do not specifically just lecture out of the book. There is just too much what I call fluff info in those books.

Enjoy the holidays. Really. Get all of your work done like background check, drug test, physical, titers, immunizations... Get your supplies and just enjoy the holidays. January will be here soon enough. Then you will have tons to do. :up:

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I think the best thing you can do to prepare for nursing school is get yourself into the right state of mind. Ask a lot of questions, and have the right attitude! You're there to learn, and part of that means thinking critically! Nursing school isn't just about facts and wrote knowledge, its about applying what your learn to any given situation and most of all KEEPING THE PATIENT SAFE! You learn by making mistakes, but safety is the number 1 priority in this profession!

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Specializes in CICU.

ditto to everyone else. I'm 2 semesters away from graduating and my advice to you is beyond buying school supplies, ENJOY YOUR FREE TIME WHILE IT LASTS!

If you just had to do something I would brush up on your CNA skills, review how to take vital signs (fun family activity), & get a book on medication calculations.

Other than that, I hate to tell you but there is no way to prepare. Again, enjoy your free time until you start!

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I will be starting an fast pace LVN program and already went to my local library to check out several NCLEX-PN books, A&P, and also checked out study guides from pharmacy tech and phlebotomy just because the study guides cover pharmacology, medical terminology, A&P, dosage calculation and etc. What are your helpful study tips? tape recorders? study groups? repetition ? share the l.o.v.e. :)

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