I don't have a clue what to do with myself!!

PapaBearRN, BSN · Dec 11, 2013

Congrats!! I would keep your anatomy and physiology fresh in your head. Enjoy your break because nursing school will consume you! Lol

PurpleLover · Dec 11, 2013

I am just enjoying the break. I have been reviewing here and there from anatomy so it is fresh in my mind. I am use to high stress, so nothing to do feels weird.

The y'all lets me know I am dealing with a fellow southerner!

Eru IlÃºvatar · Dec 11, 2013

I totally understand how you are feeling. You are used to have so much stress and pressure, that now that is gone you feel lost and without a purpose. My best personal advise is to breath deeply, sit back and relax, the journey is just starting and you need a little break before the storm to come.

ethnikCHIC · Dec 11, 2013

You could get your books and read ahead for 1st semester. The first 7.5 weeks of any program is usually SUPER intense with Foundations, Skills and Assessment. You don't want your 1st hiccup in the program to happen the 1st semester! My program had these 3 classes the first 7.5 weeks and Med/Surg I the second 7.5! Get your books early and start reading if nothing else. Good luck!

cjcaet · Dec 11, 2013

Yes!!! I just finished my last pre-req (micro bio) and am starting an absn in January. I plan on enjoying my kids and reviewing a&p especially the nervous system and the cardiovascular system.

LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN · Dec 11, 2013

No way we could have read ahead as much as they jumped around in the books. But you could learn lab values, especially relating to renal, cardiac, glucose..... and practice a million dosage calc problems.

BundokSaint · Dec 11, 2013

If you feel up to it, browse through an NCLEX or Fundamentals Success review book. Not that you'll necessarily know the material, but just so that you can get an idea of how they ask and the types of questions you'll face in nursing school and the rationales for the answers.

Nursing school tests are a whole different beast from regular college course tests.

MrsStudentNurse · Dec 11, 2013

That sounds good to only have to wait until January! I am in my last few days of my last semester of pre-reqs but I have to wait until August because we're moving cross-country between then and now. Good luck in Nursing school!

chuckster, ADN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Dec 11, 2013

Hey y'all,
This is a celebration post! I just finished my last final for the semester, and my last set of pre-reqs! I can't believe I made it!!!
I'll be starting nursing classes in Jan., but meanwhile I don't know what to do. Last time I had a break I was studying for the TEAS, but this time I don't have anything to study for, which feels really weird!
Anybody else feel this way?

The best advice I can give is to find a job as a patient care tech or hospital aide and keep the job through nursing school. Nearly all of those from my 2010 graduating class who were working as PCTs or aides were hired on as RN's where they were employed once they passed the NCLEX. Most of those without that connection were unable to find hospital positions and instead are working in other less well-paying jobs in LTC and elsewhere. Worse, something on the order of a third of that graduating class have been unable to find a nursing position of any sort.

Developing that job connection now can pay big dividends at graduation.

lilgop · Dec 11, 2013

@purple lover: Yes, darlin! Country girl to the bone! :)

lilgop · Dec 11, 2013

Thanks everybody for the advice! I odered all my books yesterday, so I when I get them I'll probably start getting familar with them. My first semester is going to be Pharmacolgy and fundamentals of nursing; Anybody know what would be best to study before hand?