Just Got Accepted.....Any Advice?

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I was just excepted to a CUNY nursing program for Spring 2011. Besides getting all of my ducks in a row as far as admissions paper work and BLS card etc. does anyone have any study tips or strategies that I can start to incorporate into my study routine? I can not fail any of these two nursing courses this semester or I am out of the program. Looking for any advice that would be helpful at this point. What do you wish someone had told you before entering your nursing program?

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i wish someone had really drilled into my head how important it is to be ORGANIZED. read ahead of time, i can't stress that enough. i still have a problem with studying the night before a big test and i will graduate in may lolll study in bits and pieces and make sure you have enough down time for yourself. exercise when you can, don't make your life ALL about nursing because it will stress you out if you do so. just relax, take one day at a time. good luck!!

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I'm starting nurs school on Jan 10th so I've been prepping myself by looking at youtube vids of nurs skills like bedmaking, handwashing, ng tubes, wound care, etc. I have the majority of my textbooks already so i try to skim thru them. we've already been assigned to read the chapters on vital signs and decision/critical thinking so i'm going to read and outline those once i'm closer to the first day of school. im pretty excited to be starting so soon and congrats to u as well!

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Yes, stay organized and on top of all the readings, do assignments well ahead of time, etc. The people that really struggled in my class were the ones who left everything to the last minute - some hadn't even done any of the readings until a couple of days before the exam. Take notes as you do the readings so that you have something to review later that isn't as bulky. I always highlight the important stuff so that I can find it quickly later on.

To stay organized, I keep a 8 1/2 x 11 monthly calendar in a plastic pocket in my binder. On the calendar, I write down any important due dates or test dates. On the back of the page, I have drawn lines to divide it into the number of classes I have, and each box gets labeled with a class name. Then I take those skinny colored page markers (every week gets a different color, and exams and projects are a different color) and write down any readings, notes on the readings, etc that need to be done for that class, each on a separate page marker. As I complete the readings, I remove the page markers. This way, I can see at a glance if one week is lighter or heavier than another, and plan my time accordingly. It's also kind of satisfying to remove the page markers, lol!

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I would suggest read ahead and have a medical dictionary close by(PLEASE look up any words that you don't know!!!). Have yourself some highlighters, notetabs, and lots of index cards...READ!!! Be sure to have some excedrin migraine meds in your purse/bookbag(if you can take them). Explain to your friends/family that you have to STUDY!!! Not trying to scare you or sound negative but nursing exams are not like any other exams you will take.(I've had fun along my way to 2nd semester). Stay positive and you will be fine...Oh yeah and READ!!!!!!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

In addition to the excellent advice already given, study every single day even if it's only for a few minutes. It's a lot easier--and your grades will be a lot better--if you do that than to try to cram weeks' worth of coursework into a night or two of cramming.

I can not fail any of these two nursing courses this semester or I am out of the program.

Take your sentence, print it on a piece of paper, and tape it to the wall of your study area so you see it often. Seriously. Nursing school is an entirely different beast than what you're used to. For starters, the passing grade in college is usually 65 or a D. The passing grade in nursing school is usually 78 or 80...which is a B to the rest of college, but in nursing school equals a C. Sometimes you need to remind yourself--OK, scare yourself--about what is at stake and about how little wiggle room you have with each test. This will hopefully motivate you to stay on top of your schoolwork from day 1.

Congratulations and good luck!

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time management and organization are key!

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Thanks for the heads up brokenroads27. I usually try to read ahead in my classes. Not so organized though so that's something I will have to work on. Thank you again and good luck on your nursing career. Can't wait to be where you are!

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Thanks caskew7. I will surely look up some youtube vids. I never thought about that. I will be getting my books on Jan 6th so I will definitely read up on a few topics. Thanks for your respons, it was helpful. Good luck in nursing school!

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I would suggest read ahead and have a medical dictionary close by(PLEASE look up any words that you don't know!!!). Have yourself some highlighters, notetabs, and lots of index cards...READ!!! Be sure to have some excedrin migraine meds in your purse/bookbag(if you can take them). Explain to your friends/family that you have to STUDY!!! Not trying to scare you or sound negative but nursing exams are not like any other exams you will take.(I've had fun along my way to 2nd semester). Stay positive and you will be fine...Oh yeah and READ!!!!!!

I will definitely get a medical dictionary. I usually read complete chapters when I study so that wont be a problem. I know exactly what you mean when you say I need to remind family members that I need to study. I just had a baby in August. He's four months now. My husband understands how much I need to study and supports me 100%. But there are still times when he lets me do all the work and keep the baby the majority of the time while he relaxes and I suffer in my classes for it. This time I really need to demand the time I need to study. I refuse to come this far and get accepted into the program and fail. Thank you for your comment.

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Specializes in Geriactrics.

i would get an nclex review book and glance over it. after getting low b's on the first couple of test i bought two books and did some of the practice test and now i've been getting all a's. i recommend kaplan's- rn review and test success. at this point you may not understand some of the question and the rationals behind them but they show you how to pick the most correct answer, because as you will soon find out all the answers look correct but you have to figure out the most correct:icon_roll, it'll all make sense soon:d. also surround yourself by positive people and get a hobby outside of nursing school because school can be draining if you don't take some "me" time. oh and the crock pot will be your best friend after a long day in class and you just want to wind and eat a good home cooked meal. well thats all i have for now:)!

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Wow! Jrussell thanks for the info. I never thought about getting an NCLEX review book. Like you said, I probably wont understand it but I'm sure it will help me out a great deal. Thanks again and good luck on your nursing career!:nurse:

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