I Need help and tips. Need as much advice as possible. Starting nursing school in Jan

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I am starting nursing school in Jan. I wanted tips, tricks just anything to help me prep and stuff that I can do in school to help me out more. I am wanting to learn tricks or any words of advice of those who have gone through this. I also wanted to know if anyone had any specific books/things that can help with school and learning. If there are certain books that help with certain things that will be taught in school I want to know what they are!! I want to succeed in school! Thanks so much for any help, tips or anything I can get!

I feel like my greatest advice to you before going into nursing school is to enjoy your time right now. Relax, take a vacation, do whatever you want to do before you start. Nursing school exams hit you hard, almost every week there is one exam. I'm not saying you won't have a social life, you can certainly make time for it but the tests are nonstop. Don't get me wrong, it is a stressful experience but completely worth it.

For the first few weeks, you kinda feel around in your classes, try to establish your mode of studying as early as you can and stick to it if you find that it works for you. For me, I was never a flash card person so making those just wasted my time and resources. I hand write my typed notes when I have the time and re-listen to recorded lectures.

Find what works for you so you can utilize your time and study efforts the best

For books, I have the comprehensive NCLEX saunders review and the HESI NCLEX review books as a go to guide for when i'm lost in class. The comprehensive NCLEX book (aka purple book) is thick. Treat it as a bible. It contains interventions, drugs, quick outlines for each disease or system that you're studying.

The HESI book I used for a quick study or simply to study the HESI exams. Another resource for HESI exams is yourbestgrade.com

It will give you practice exams for each HESI that you will take in your program (unless your program uses ATI testing). yourbestgrade is pricey, but you can split the cost with a friend and share your login info.

Here are the links for the books

Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination, 6e (Saunders Comprehensive Review for Nclex-Rn): 9781455727551: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com

HESI Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination, 4e: 9781455727520: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com

Wow thanks for all the great tips! You really gave me ideas and such. I appreciate it and you taking the time to write this long reply 😀 I'm working as a cna so a vacation isn't possible right now. Wish it was!

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Specializes in MICU, SICU, CICU.

The student forum at justusnurses.com is a wonderful resource.

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The student forum at justusnurses.com is a wonderful resource.

Thank you 😀

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