Well, I just finished my first year of nursing school and decided I'd share some insights on how to survive this oh-so-feared first year. Please feel free to contribute from your experiences! :)
First of all, the three golden rules to remember when you start freaking out about projects/readings/clinicals/classmates/instructors/general nursing school annoyances:
-stop
-breathe
-you WILL survive
And now, HOW to survive:
-don't get too ahead of yourself. You'll be taught everything in a timely manner, so stop stressing.
-set aside a few hours a week to hang out with friends. Yes, nursing school is busy. Yes, you don't have time to have a life but trust me- your sanity matters way more than your GPA.
-remember that having a GPA below 4.0 is NOT the end of the world. How well you understand the material is what matters most, not how well you can decode your prof's way of wording questions on the test. Got it? Now stop crying over your 3.7
-ask questions. No matter how mean that instructor or nurse looks. For all you know, they can be the nicest person you will ever meet. Besides, when faced with a choice of answering another routine question or having you make a mistake, any one would choose to answer your question. All those people are there to teach you, so take advantage of it.
-don't let people who say that you're "JUST going to be a nurse" discourage you. Some people will never understand what it means to be a nurse so don't listen to them.
-this one is for all the new male student nurses out there: no, you won't be treated much differently than anyone else. With all the estrogen, it's nice to have a guy around for a change. Just don't get caught up in any cattiness that can arise.
-keeping up with your readings is important, but don't forget all those practice questions. They will save you.
-get those personal dramas out of the way. You won't have time nor energy to deal with nonsense.
-time management is kind of important. Unless you're cool with pulling all-nighters the day before your assignment is due. (Ok, I'm being a big hypocrite on this one because I can never bring myself to write my papers in advance but trust me when I tell you that it's not fun staying up till 5am).
-venting is good. Get it out of your system and you'll feel better. Journals, mirrors, friends and the AN chat boards are all good when it comes to listening to you vent.
-try your best. If you don't get it the first time, try again. And again.
-avoid comparing yourself to others. You're your own person. When in doubt, refer to my previous point.
...that's all I can think of for now. I'm sure other members will have more things to add.
Just started my 3rd semester of ADN program. Things I have learned in the last 10 months, in no particular order:
1. If you don't know how to critically think, LEARN. It will save your bacon in the long run.
2. Buy at least one NCLEX-RN book now that covers everything; it doesn't matter which one you choose, just get one and use it to study for your exams. Make sure you read ALL the rationales, this will help you with #1. Try to study 100 questions per week, if you do this, you will have practiced over 5,000 questions by the end of your first year. This will also help you with any comprehensive mid-curricular exams and exit exams you may encounter along way.
3. Make time for your family, even if it is just a Saturday afternoon, or a friday night football game. Nursing school doesn't last forever, family does.
4. Make sure your family knows that Nursing school will consume a vast portion of your life, and to please not take it personally if there are family events that you JUST cannot attend because of school.
5. Home made note cards are your best friend, they are portable study tools.
6. Read your material.
7. Know your disease processes, signs and symptoms, etc., as these are the things you will see on a test in critical thinking format.
8. Learn how to identify the STEM of the question and answer it accordingly.
9. On those odd days when you do not have class, clinicals, project, paper, or reading to do; do something that truly rejuvenates your mind, body and spirit.
10. Resign yourself, that unless you are a single, independently wealthy hermit, who craves reading long, dry textbooks, you will not always make a "A" on a test or in a class. There are times when you will have to accept that a "B" or even a "C" was your absolute best. Also, remember that C=RN.
11. Strive to do the very best you can in every situation.
12. If you don't know, ASK someone who does.
13. Learn to ignore the cattiness of your fellow nursing students. Do not allow yourself to caught up in the drama of others.
14. Not all nurses like nursing students; don't take this personally. Do your job and do it well, just to prove to yourself that you do have what it takes to be a great nurse.
15. NEVER, ever, ever do anything without express permission from the patient, your clinical instructor, and/or your preceptor, depending on what you are needing to do.
16. Until you have RN after your name, you are NOT a nurse. However, you are a trainee, as such LOOK for tasks to do that will improve your skill set. Ask nurses other than your preceptor if they have any tasks that you can do that are within your SCOPE of practice.
17. Help the Patient Care Techs when you can, they will truly appreciate it and reciprocate when they can.
18. Know the difference between prioritizing, delegating and assigning tasks, as well as how to do all of the above.
19. Find those few people in your nursing class with whom you get along and foster those friendships. They will be the people who talk you down off the ledge when you are about ready to jump ship.
20. Learn to LOVE coffee, you're gonna need it.
That's all I can think of right now, plus my study break is over, I must get back to reading my text book now.
Good Luck to all the new nursing students, you will all do GREAT!!
don't be disappointed if you don't get a's or b's. just be happy to pass each 8 wks! no you don't have to be in a study group no matter what your instructors tell you. some people do better w/o a study group. nursing school will be your one and only life.
your housework will probably suffer, your family will feel neglected, they'll learn to deal with it. this is your moment to make something of yourself! don't let family or partners take this from you!!! if you fail a subject, go back and take it over. life does not end. i know this from experience!
always use any breaks between subjects for reading ahead! if you are beginning in august, get your books and start reading your fundamentals because you will be dumped on with reading starting with the first day of class.
supplies you need: lots of highlighters--get different colors, pencils, cheap calculator, ink pens that click (no caps), backpack on wheels (books weigh a ton!), plastic clipboard that has storage (walmart sells them), notebooks that don't rip with a jagged edge, very comfortable white shoes for clinicals. you instructors will tell you what else you need and some sell a bag with iv supplies, stethescope, blood pressure cuff, needles, etc. in it.
Thanks so much for posting this thread! Lots of great information. I'm starting in August and am using my time off during the summer to try to get organized.
hello, are u guys talking about R.N or LPN because im wondering whats the hardest thing to learn in the LPN course? Thnx
I'm in a BSN program but from what I understand when it comes to an LPN program it's keeping up with/getting to practice all the skills that's very important. Sorry I can't tell you more =S. I think the threads in the section for LPNs might be of more help
not sure if anyone said this yet, but... MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR FELLOW NURSING STUDENTS!! a lot of people have this attitude like "i'm not here to make friends, i'm here to become a nurse!" nursing school would not have been possible without the classmates that have become true and wonderful friends! they helped make it fun :) be nice to everyone because you can all count on one another. and plus, it's nice to have people that understand your frustrations, people to study with, cry with, and drink beer with after finals :cheers:
Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
not sure if anyone said this yet, but... MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR FELLOW NURSING STUDENTS!! a lot of people have this attitude like "i'm not here to make friends, i'm here to become a nurse!" nursing school would not have been possible without the classmates that have become true and wonderful friends! they helped make it fun :) be nice to everyone because you can all count on one another. and plus, it's nice to have people that understand your frustrations, people to study with, cry with, and drink beer with after finals :cheers:
I agree, outside of many friendly associates I made, I came out of nursing school with 2 very good friends. It was with their support I got through a lot of various things. They will be friends I have 10 years from now. We studied/gossiped lol together, went out to eat together, went to turn in our apps to the state together, shopped together, celebrated together and they understand the other side to it all that outside family and friends often can't.
Make sure you understand the "why" of everything-it makes it easier to know what to do if you know why you're doing it. Don't be afraid of looking stupid when it comes to asking questions-you will look a lot more stupid if you don't. Don't let people tell you it isn't possible to get A's in nursing school-trust me, it is, and yes, I do still have a life. Look for opportunities to practice skills-if you stand back and wait you will miss a lot of chances. Don't slack off in the early part of a semester because the work is easier-that is the time to get your grades as high as you can so you won't be sitting there at the end of the semester realizing you need to get a 98 on the final in order to pass. Don't let classmates make you feel guilty about not joining a study group if you stidy better alone-but be nice, and be helpful to them any time you can. Never put anything off-there is enough work to do without getting behind and overwhelming yourself. And last, enjoy the experience-go to lunch with classmates, keep a sense of humor, and just do your best. It's not really as bad as people say-if it was impossible there wouldn't be any nurses!
Thanks for all of the great advice! I have a year before nursing school starts, and my plan is to review my A&P and get a few review books. (I took the A&P lectures online and still have access to them--they are AWESOME--if anyone needs a review I would highly recommend checking them out--Gulf Coast State College) I was considering getting a Fundamentals, Med-Surg, and anything else that would help. I'm currently taking Medical Terminology and I'll be starting Pharmacology soon. Any review book suggestions?
Use breaks between 8 week or semester sessions to get a head start on reading the next subject. Don't let other students drag you down. Let your family/friends know that you don't have much time for a social life, but you need their support :hug:. Keep copies of everything! Our school was notorious for losing paperwork!
.thumb.jpg.5aa4d55557c0228e31b94de19666bbbb.jpg){kind=small}
ms_miyagi
57 Posts
Just started my 3rd semester of ADN program. Things I have learned in the last 10 months, in no particular order:
1. If you don't know how to critically think, LEARN. It will save your bacon in the long run.
2. Buy at least one NCLEX-RN book now that covers everything; it doesn't matter which one you choose, just get one and use it to study for your exams. Make sure you read ALL the rationales, this will help you with #1. Try to study 100 questions per week, if you do this, you will have practiced over 5,000 questions by the end of your first year. This will also help you with any comprehensive mid-curricular exams and exit exams you may encounter along way.
3. Make time for your family, even if it is just a Saturday afternoon, or a friday night football game. Nursing school doesn't last forever, family does.
4. Make sure your family knows that Nursing school will consume a vast portion of your life, and to please not take it personally if there are family events that you JUST cannot attend because of school.
5. Home made note cards are your best friend, they are portable study tools.
6. Read your material.
7. Know your disease processes, signs and symptoms, etc., as these are the things you will see on a test in critical thinking format.
8. Learn how to identify the STEM of the question and answer it accordingly.
9. On those odd days when you do not have class, clinicals, project, paper, or reading to do; do something that truly rejuvenates your mind, body and spirit.
10. Resign yourself, that unless you are a single, independently wealthy hermit, who craves reading long, dry textbooks, you will not always make a "A" on a test or in a class. There are times when you will have to accept that a "B" or even a "C" was your absolute best. Also, remember that C=RN.
11. Strive to do the very best you can in every situation.
12. If you don't know, ASK someone who does.
13. Learn to ignore the cattiness of your fellow nursing students. Do not allow yourself to caught up in the drama of others.
14. Not all nurses like nursing students; don't take this personally. Do your job and do it well, just to prove to yourself that you do have what it takes to be a great nurse.
15. NEVER, ever, ever do anything without express permission from the patient, your clinical instructor, and/or your preceptor, depending on what you are needing to do.
16. Until you have RN after your name, you are NOT a nurse. However, you are a trainee, as such LOOK for tasks to do that will improve your skill set. Ask nurses other than your preceptor if they have any tasks that you can do that are within your SCOPE of practice.
17. Help the Patient Care Techs when you can, they will truly appreciate it and reciprocate when they can.
18. Know the difference between prioritizing, delegating and assigning tasks, as well as how to do all of the above.
19. Find those few people in your nursing class with whom you get along and foster those friendships. They will be the people who talk you down off the ledge when you are about ready to jump ship.
20. Learn to LOVE coffee, you're gonna need it.
That's all I can think of right now, plus my study break is over, I must get back to reading my text book now.
Good Luck to all the new nursing students, you will all do GREAT!!