I wish sombody would have told me......

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I start nursing school in 6 weeks (5 weeks, 6 days to be exact) and I'm sooo excited I can hardly stand it! My question to all of you is; What do you wish you would have known either before, or during, your program?

I wish sombody would have told me...

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Specializes in Oncology.

I wish I would have gotten to start an IV in school cause I've still never started an IV. Okay, lame. I wish someone would have told me it's okay to ask for help and to be sad at times.

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Specializes in Vascular, Neurosurgery, Urology.

Party hard before you start and then say goodbye to all your friends. You won't see them again till the semester/quarter is over. :(.

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Specializes in Oncology.
Party hard before you start and then say goodbye to all your friends. You won't see them again till the semester/quarter is over. :(.

You weren't given pre-semester reading assignments for the next semester, knowing you would be given an exam on the material the first week back?

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Specializes in Vascular, Neurosurgery, Urology.
You weren't given pre-semester reading assignments for the next semester, knowing you would be given an exam on the material the first week back?

Yes, we are given our assignments for the next quarter a week in advance so we would be prepared for the first day of class. In addition, we start clinicals the first week also. The combination of clinical paperwork and 200 or so pages of textbook reading and weekly tests can really put a damper on your social life. I also worked 20 hours a week my first year in nursing school.

And that brings me to another piece of advice for you Xcited 2B-N-RN--DON'T WORK UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO!!! Your sanity is totally worth it!

Good luck in nursing school! I hope that you end up :redbeathe as much as I do!

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I will be a graduating RN in 5 days! & ...

I wish someone would of told me to take the Kaplan NCLEX class during a summer break while I was still in school. I just finished a 4 day class & learned so much about test taking & really understanding what the question is asking you, which is an invaluable skill for NSG test.

Also, I wish someone would of told me not to read every word in the text book. Understand key concepts, read the first & last paragraph & SKIM the rest!

Most of all try & take care of yourself & STAY POSITIVE. Give yourself breaks & drink lots of OJ! -hey worked for me : )

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Specializes in Med Surg, Ortho.
Party hard before you start and then say goodbye to all your friends. You won't see them again till the semester/quarter is over. :(.

You'll make new and potentially better friends......:rolleyes:

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I wish someone would have told me to get my time management skills together BEFORE nursing school.

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You weren't given pre-semester reading assignments for the next semester, knowing you would be given an exam on the material the first week back?

Even if your school doesn't give out upcoming assignments routinely, ASK FOR THEM. Ask about any big projects, ask about any papers, ask about quizzes, ask about test schedule vs. clinical schedule, ask ask ask.

You will not appear to be nagging or whatever, just eager and interested. I have avoided pitfalls many times this way.

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

I learned this quickly but it would have been less of a shock and saved me hours of mumbling "I'm a grown woman, who do they think they are?"

When your instructors say jump you will need to know how high and be mid-air before they finish their sentence. :)

Oh and this I knew and it held true: It will all be so worth it. Many congratulations!!

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Specializes in Case management, UM, AL, psych, CD.

i wish someone would have warned me about how nasty some of those nursing instructors can be for sport:angryfire. it was bullying. like a "weeding out process" attempt for some reason. i have been an rn for 13 years and yet some of the horrible treatment we received in nursing school is still freshly etched in my mind. you have to rise above the petty cut downs, and do your best to learn what you need to........to pass the tests and get out with your license! and never forget those who were nice :saint:during your clinical rotations, and never forget those who weren't:banghead:.........(you will likely work side by side them once you are done) it is an interesting turning of the tables.....:eek:

you will also learn the reality of nursing....when you are finally out in the work force! not in school!:specs:

all in all.... may you have luck, focus, will, desire & endurance to complete school and get out there and love :redbeathe it as much as i have for 13 years!:redpinkhe

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Specializes in ER, Peds ER.

I wish someone would have told me that I'd need a crash course in how to handle crying women. I was the only guy in my med surg and psyche clincal group, and I can't tel you how many times I ended up with one of the girls grabbing me and crying on my shoulder. I came home with make up stains on me so often my girlfriend at the time accused me of cheating LOL.

No in all seriousness I wish someone would have prepared me for how emotionally trying nursing school can be. It tested every aspect of my personality and character, mentally physically and emotionally.

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