Looking back I'd wish I'd know......

OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN · Dec 19, 2012

I wish I had known that you don't need all books. I wish that I would have used a recorder through the whole program, theres so much miss and never realize. I wish that I would have been more involved in outside activities, like our nursing student organization and all teh charity events they do. Another helpful thing is my school didn't require us to get an NCLEX book until our senior year and I wish I had used it all along, its very helpful. Good Luck!!!!!! Nursing school is crazy, fun, always changing, and not as bad as everyone says. It isn't easy but if you keep up with your work, study a little but often, and really learn a lot in the beginning it makes it much easier.

stewartfamily2010 · Dec 19, 2012

Thank you so much! I really appreciate the advice.

TheAmazingMrsA · Dec 20, 2012

I'm a pre-nursing student working on my final pre-req and I'll be applying to the nursing program in April 2013. I'm looking for words of wisdom, advice, anything helpful from a current nursing student that you wish you had known before hand.

I wish I had known that first quarter isn't nearly as scary or as hard as they lead you to believe. My first quarter was so hyped up that I nearly had a panic attack before my first exam. When I realized that the exams were no harder than my physiology exams for pre-reqs, I knew I could do it.

Oh... and I also wish I would have learned sooner that it's impossible to do ALL the reading. Make a study group early and divide up the reading. You'll be thankful you did this when everyone except you is having a mental breakdown.

lsprn2b · Dec 20, 2012

Stay away from the students that bad mouth the instructors, or complain and gripe about everything. When in clinical offer to help others and do it. Don't be late, if anything it's ok to be an hour or so early, use the time to study or go over your pt assignments. Take those care plans serious this is where you hone your critical thinking skills. Know you pathophysiology of you pts disease this will lead your care. Take a break, go have your nails done, get a massage, read something not related to nursing.

Shorty11, BSN, RN · Dec 20, 2012

I am not a nurse yet. I just finished my second semester; start my third in january. Along with what other posters have said, I would say pick your battles wisely. If you have a problem with an authority figure or a course, decide if it is really worth it. If it is worth it to you, don't undermine authority if you decide to take action. I have seen peers handle situations in ways that caused major problems for them and so to say "put a target on their back" when it was something that I would have just let go, if you know what I mean. Best of luck!

springchick1, ADN, RN · Dec 24, 2012

I wish I had known that first quarter isn't nearly as scary or as hard as they lead you to believe. My first quarter was so hyped up that I nearly had a panic attack before my first exam. When I realized that the exams were no harder than my physiology exams for pre-reqs, I knew I could do it.

Every nursing school is different. My first semester of nursing school was hard. My test were much harder than my test for prereqs but they were all asked in NCLEX type questions. When they tell you that you will have to study, a lot, they mean it. Buy a good NCLEX review book and use it, even if your school doesn't require it first semester. Good luck to you!

LadyLeo75, LPN · Feb 20, 2013

I'm a pre-nursing student working on my final pre-req and I'll be applying to the nursing program in April 2013. I'm looking for words of wisdom, advice, anything helpful from a current nursing student that you wish you had known before hand.

@stewartfamily2010 what school are you planning to attend if you don't mind me asking?

stewartfamily2010 · Feb 28, 2013

@stewartfamily2010 what school are you planning to attend if you don't mind me asking?

Columbia College in Sonora, CA

nguyency77, CNA · Mar 2, 2013

I wish I had known this before I started my first semester of nursing school; but I'll pass along the torch in the hope that you don't have to go through what I did! Between classes, pay attention to your classmates. Learn to read their behavior, but keep it to yourself.

Why is this important, you may ask? Some nursing schools believe that group projects foster teamwork and collaboration, while failing to recognize that group work has a tendency to be exploited. When you are allowed to choose your work groups, try to work with seemingly responsible students. Typically these are the people who raise their hands and ask a lot of questions.

There are no consequences in group projects if you don't do your work, as many students fear confrontation and want to promote a peaceful and supportive learning environment (at least, early on). This sets the stage for lazy people to just show up on presentation day and pretend they did something all along.

The worst thing about group projects? If everyone else did the work, the slackers still get the A's. So try to stay away from those types; many find smart students to leech off of and skate through the program. Don't let it happen to you; it's not a matter of grades, but a matter of integrity. If these people were not trustworthy enough to carry out a simple task, or at least own up to the fact that they didn't help, how do you know that they actually gave the med that they documented they gave? How do you know they actually assessed the patient when they said they did?

ImKosher · Mar 2, 2013

Looking back I'd wish I'd known to make a study guide for each test, after the test while its still fresh I would highlight the problem areas and popular testing subjects. That way during the final instead of scaling the whole book, the study guides will save time and help retain more of the important info.

I would suggest utilizing the internet resources from the books. They have a lot of good information (like test questions) lol.

ryanalice · Mar 3, 2013

I start nursing school in May. So nervous! Any specific recommendations for a good NClex review book?