How to prepare for nursing school?

[Sylfaen]

I'm going into nursing for my second degree, and got accepted into a 2-year BSN program entering in the Fall (also wait listed at accelerated BSN programs).

So I moved to a new state where I know basically nobody and have no social life. It gets super depressing but I know that it will change when I start the program. Therefore, I have a lot of time to prepare for nursing school this summer and really want to get a head start. For those who have already gone through the program, how would you suggest a pre-nursing student to prepare? How would you have liked to have prepared?

I already completed all the prereqs, including A&P, chem, stats, etc. I'm not 100% on which school I'll go to, because of being wait listed, so I can't get the books yet.

[Red Kryptonite]

I'm thinking I'll pick up that nursing diagnosis book for my 2nd semester of LPN. I think I'm gonna need it.

[ixchel]

I'm thinking I'll pick up that nursing diagnosis book for my 2nd semester of LPN. I think I'm gonna need it.

Do be careful with what you get. I recommend getting the NANDA one if your program didn't require it. I thought I was a smarty pants getting this book that grouped diagnoses by specialty. It had interventions in it, too. So I used it and my NANDA book to help with my care planning. Apparently the interventions were ludicrous because the feedback was not favorable. lol Now that it's in hindsight, and I've learned a bit more, I giggle at the things I suggested from that book. But at the time I was completely confused and brought the book in to say, "but I have this resource!!!!" They told me never to use it again.

[Wifeoffireman]

I'll be starting my nursing classes on July 6, 2015. After reading this post I went straight to Amazon and ordered NANDA-I 2015-2017 and Drug Calculations for Dummies, I'm trying to prepare as much as possible! Thanks for the heads up!!

[Sylfaen]

I didn't mean to have an attitude here and apologize if it came off that way. I just didn't know whether or not the required reading for my program included some other version of the text GrnTea suggested, and was waiting for my program's book list to be released. I'm just so worried about my money situation since I'm already in debt as it is!! But I get going above and beyond to prepare for the program (which is what I intend to do), and if it really will be a lifesaver in my classes then I'll get it. I really do appreciate the suggestions you all have made and will take everyone's advice into account.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

Get the NANDA and a good care plan book like Ackley. Look through it. It will help you pull together all the info you are learning in school. Even if you just check it out at the schools library it shows you how the nursing thought process works.

[BeachsideRN, ASN]

I also read (still reading) "I didn't start out string like this when I started out: true stories of becoming a nurse"

[mkep]

Wow...a big thank you to all of the input. OP: I'm totally feeling your drive to prepare. I just received my acceptance letter to begin a program 09/2016. Now that you've completed more than a year, what piece of advice do you think was the biggest help?

My current preparations are:

-Reviewing conversion factors (Practicing 3x wk)

-Taking CMST (co-req)

-FT CNA at LTC (Giving notice 1 mo p program)

I will definitely pick up a good planner, and try to email my prof ahead of time. I'm taking my honeymoon in a month, and training for some long distance races this summer. My question for all of you is;

Do you really have time to set aside while you're in the program for yoga/running/working out?

As a CNA for almost a year, I've learned the importance of self care. The nurses I work with seem excessively pressed for time (3:115 for AL/Memory Care). I can see that shutting off when you get home is critical. How do you all de-stress? How do you flip the switch from work to home?