How to prepare for nursing school?

[JACSN]

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!

[katness]

Congrats Jacsn on being accepted! Definitely get a day planner. Otherwise, I agree with the poster that said just take this time to relax with your family and friends. Once you're in the thick of it, time with them is limited. Good luck to you in your college experience and future profession!

[Nienna Celebrindal]

Review A&P and micro (like the inflammation process).

The nclex has focuses on assessment and intervention. Buy 2 colored highlighters and every time you see something related to assessment highlight it in one color and the same for interventions. It's a simple trick to train your brain.

I agree with pp, attitude is everything. Commit to school (which means you decrease going out, spending time with friends, social media etc). Remember it's a marathon not a race. Take it one week at a time, or one day because it can be very overwhelming.

Good luck!

[SopranoKris, MSN, RN, NP]

I'm one semester away from graduating. There really is no way to prepare. It is unlike anything you'll ever experience. You just can't prepare for that, you have to go through it

Best advice: relax & enjoy all your free time now! I wish I had done more of that before starting.

Good luck!!!!

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

The advice I was given by my awesome mentor was . . ..just enjoy the time before school starts. Mine was summertime. Be with your family, go on a vacation, just relax.

I see a few others have given you the same advice.

It worked for me. And I was a returning student at 38 years of age with NO background in medicine.

[Fearless_leader]

I agree with every poster. There is know way to prepare. However if you have previous medical experience I would say order Fundamental of Success by Davis/Nugent book. Amazon has the older version for at least $2bucks. That's a great investment. This book will help you to understand nursing questions if you already know some medical terminology. If not you can use it later on when you become a little seasoned with the nursing lingo. LOL You can also work on Basic Math skills for instance Decimals, Fractions, Division, Multiplication, Adding, and Subtracting. You may say to yourself oh that's easy. Yes you are correct. I found that practicing is good, because I actually made a few mistakes when I should of been adding I was multiplying. Reviewing these basic problems helped to awaken my brain to know and remember the difference. I had know clue that I would make those simple mistakes.

Lastly if you do what I suggested only work on 5 questions a day from each area and just relax:yes:. You are about to join a bumpy ride. Rest as much as you can because your going to endure late nights:banghead: and early mornings.

Congrats and Good Luck!

[JACSN]

A big thank you to everyone who replied. I really appreciate all of your advice. I bought an A&P book, so I'm going to glance through that, but mostly I'm just going to enjoy my last month of freedom. I can't wait until I start though!