I'm a first year nursing student.... I'm a little over a month into my first semester. Although nursing school takes alot of time and effort I must say that I love nursing school. I just hope I'll continue to love it even when I get to med surg, peds, pharmacology and other complex subjects. So far we've had two exams and I got A's on both of them. I have a pretty set guide of how to study effectively to get A's , and just hope I continue to get great grades. Overall, I must give thanks to GOD, because with out him I would not be this successful. He gives me the strength everyday to work full-time, go to school, and study everyday. Everytime before I have an exam I pray that God relieves my anxiety and bless me to do well, so far its working. I just want to encourage everyone, that nursing school is doable... especially if you love to learn. Sometimes its hard to stay focused with everything thats going on, but if you want it bad enough you will work even harder. When ever I asked how nursing school was before I started, everyone said its hard, terrible, bootcamp like, and difficult... those words kind of got to me and I received a bad outlook on nursing school. But I 'm here to day to tell anyone who's getting ready to start, that so far its not too bad. I absolutely love it !
OMG! This is so awesome. I find myself thinking and reacting the same as you. I pray before I take my test and God has been FAITHFUL! As you had said, you hear of all the it's so hard, this that and the other. I find that it's a challenge but not hard. Only what you put into it, is what you will get out. If you half study, wait until the last minute to do anything, listen to all they nay sayers and so forth, it will distract your focus. So I've learned to tune into God. As of now I have passed all of my test and currently I'm studying for the next one. I find nursing to be so interesting. You have to be passionate about it and not just look at it for the money. You have to generally love people.:nuke: Your post is an inspiration and it was such a joy to read. You stay strong, keep on praying and you will make it. Be blessed!
I'm almost done with my first month of NS and I'm with you guys I LOVE IT!!!!! My life is absolutely insane and I hardly have any free time but I'm so happpy!!! Weird huh? It's like all the hard work has finally paid off and I'm so glad I'm loving it!
I'm glad all of you are too!! All the best fellow new nursing students!! :smiley_aa
i'm a first year nursing student.... i'm a little over a month into my first semester. although nursing school takes alot of time and effort i must say that i love nursing school. i just hope i'll continue to love it even when i get to med surg, peds, pharmacology and other complex subjects. so far we've had two exams and i got a's on both of them. i have a pretty set guide of how to study effectively to get a's , and just hope i continue to get great grades. overall, i must give thanks to god, because with out him i would not be this successful. he gives me the strength everyday to work full-time, go to school, and study everyday. everytime before i have an exam i pray that god relieves my anxiety and bless me to do well, so far its working. i just want to encourage everyone, that nursing school is doable... especially if you love to learn. sometimes its hard to stay focused with everything thats going on, but if you want it bad enough you will work even harder. when ever i asked how nursing school was before i started, everyone said its hard, terrible, bootcamp like, and difficult... those words kind of got to me and i received a bad outlook on nursing school. but i 'm here to day to tell anyone who's getting ready to start, that so far its not too bad. i absolutely love it !
i'm not in nursing school yet but i can say from experience that you absolutely don't want an easy degree. easy degree means you would have a high chance of being plagued with low wages and lack of job security or plain old chronic under/unemployment for years to come. these are things nurses don't have to worry about. having a credential that will allow you to earn a decent living anywhere in the country (or in the world for that matter) whether that's in a city, town or even rural area is no small thing. i've seen some posts here by discontented nurses but then again this is probably because they take their credentials for granted and don't know what it's like over here on the other side of the fence.
as they say no pain no gain. nobody ever had anything worth having that they didn't struggle for. good luck to you all.
Can I ask you what your study method is for getting your A's? I am going to start nursing school in January and any helpful study tips up front would be great!
I just graduated NS in June and I must say I loved almost every moment of it. (A couple days of clinical I wasn't so crazy about.)
I was lucky that I had a really great group of classmates and the teachers were great too.
Although I'm enjoying my job now, I still miss NS and my friends and teachers.
I'd advise you not to sweat the straight A thing though. You can drive yourself crazy worrying about grades that way. Of course do your best, but if you get a B or two your RN won't be any different than if you get straight A's.
First, stay on top of things. Don't let a day go by without studying. There is so much reading and reviewing that it will pile up quickly if you skip a day.
I make tons of flash cards. And review them everywhere, in the doctor/dentist waiting rooms, standing in lines at grocery store, watching ballgames, on my lunchbreak at work. After a while, everyone around you just accepts this is a part of your immediate life.
I record my lectures and listen to them in the car. I have a 50 mile commute to school one way each day. I pay more attention to my lectures, powerpoints, and my notes than to my reading. I only read my text assignments once, if that. I have found that most of my nursing school program is taught through lectures rather than textbooks. I go to my books mostly for clarification of what I heard in lecture.
I am not part of a study group because it isn't my style. Some people swear by their study group. I study better away from home so you can usually find me at the library of my local community college, even though I am not a student there. Being away from the house keeps me from being distracted with housework and chores.
My friends have been great about inviting my children to join their children in activities, especially the sleep-over kind, so I can have more quiet time.
I have learned to let the housework and yardwork go. The children help with laundry and dishes, etc.
Find what works for you. Let other things go until the end of the quarter. My recommendation is begin studying the way you got through A&P and Micro, see what happens.
I have been on the honor roll throughout my LPN year, and started my RN year in August. My studying is labor-intensive, but it works for me.
Last, take your vitamins, keep your immune system up. And get sleep each and every night. Don't let yourself get run down or you will get sick.
Count your blessings, you made it to nursing school. Congratulations! And say your prayers. We all need the grace of God to get through this.
:confused:I am know taking my pre-requisites at a community college so i can transfer to a university for nursing. I am a single mother and also working 60 hours a week taking two night classes. I get very discouraged when i can't grasp a concept. At the moment i am taking an algebra class and it is kicking my butt!! my first test i studied and got a 76! im so stressed that im not going to be able to do it. - any words of wisdom
Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Psychiatric Crisis.
Hey great post....I absolutely love nursing school as well. I work full time and go to school at night( accelerated). I really like what I am learning and feel bad for those who are not happy. So far I have been getting excellent grades and I think its due to my study habits. I cant wait to graduate and start working as a NURSE1 :) :heartbeat
Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Psychiatric Crisis.
:confused:I am know taking my pre-requisites at a community college so i can transfer to a university for nursing. I am a single mother and also working 60 hours a week taking two night classes. I get very discouraged when i can't grasp a concept. At the moment i am taking an algebra class and it is kicking my butt!! my first test i studied and got a 76! im so stressed that im not going to be able to do it. - any words of wisdom
WOW....You are working 60 hours? That is a lot and I hope you can bring those hours down when you are in nursing school. I work 37.5 hours and week and go to school right after work and I wish that I would work less hours but I like my job too much to leave..Is there anyone helping you out with your child? Have you visited the academic center in your school? or perhaps studied with a fellow student who understands math really well? How far are you into your pre-requites.
Specializes in Emergency Medicine, Psychiatric Crisis.
Can I ask you what your study method is for getting your A's? I am going to start nursing school in January and any helpful study tips up front would be great!
This is what I do....I have classes 4 nights a week Mon-Thurs...I use Friday, Sat and Sunday and read for all of my classes....I of course attend lecture....and then re-read or skim over the chapter to reinforce my learning..I also study with my best friend every Sat( She is the the program as well) . I try to apply everything that I read to something in my life and the more your practice the more you become better. If your books come with CDs...use it.....If it comes with questions at the end of the chapter....answer them....If it comes with a study guide......complete it. :)..Lastly if you are confused about anything ask the teacher or a classmate for help. Hope this helped you out a littlebit :typing
:no:
thatsforreal
43 Posts
OMG! This is so awesome. I find myself thinking and reacting the same as you. I pray before I take my test and God has been FAITHFUL! As you had said, you hear of all the it's so hard, this that and the other. I find that it's a challenge but not hard. Only what you put into it, is what you will get out. If you half study, wait until the last minute to do anything, listen to all they nay sayers and so forth, it will distract your focus. So I've learned to tune into God. As of now I have passed all of my test and currently I'm studying for the next one. I find nursing to be so interesting. You have to be passionate about it and not just look at it for the money. You have to generally love people.:nuke: Your post is an inspiration and it was such a joy to read. You stay strong, keep on praying and you will make it. Be blessed!