Need tips on getting prepared *Help*

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I start nursing school in a few weeks and I have been making of list of what I have to have, what I could use and things that may make the process a little less stressful.

Here is my short list:

I already have my books, Littman Cardio III stethescope, digital recorder (for lectures), ipod touch (to listen to lectures over and over), new backpack with padded straps (long walk to class from parking lot), 3ring binders, paper, pens, highlighters, white leather shoes, uniforms, watch w/second hand, dividers (school required), penlight, bandage scissors.

And thats my list. Its been 10 years since high school and I just want to be prepared. The only thing I can think of is either a calendar for my blackberry or ipod touch, calculator and a care plan book. I would like some recommendations on the type of calendar you guys use, whether printed or on a phone or ipod. Also, what would be the best care plan book to use. Is there any apps for the ipod/iphone that you could not live without?

Any tips, recommendations would be greatl appreciated!

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Specializes in Trauma & Emergency.

I still beleive in the old fashioned agenda style calendar. The reason why is because in the front it has the entire calendar for the month laid out and you can write in test dates/clinicals and see it all on one page and then it also has the day by day so you can plan your days because you will DEFINETELY need to plan. When I was in LPN school my day by day agenda literally said 4pm Read pp 20-39 6 pm-7 pm study Chapter 1-5 --> It was virtually laid out by the hour. But it is all in your preference. I would also get some of those little memo notebooks there like 2x4 or something for clinicals so you can jot quick notes. Also Post It makes those sticky flags for your books, I loved using those when I was reading/listening to lecture to flag anything that I wanted to review again or needed to ask a question about. Index cards are also a wonderful way to study. I buy those in bulk :) Anyway thats all the suggestions I can offer right now. I start RN school in the fall too--it's coming up so fast!

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Specializes in Cardiac.
I still beleive in the old fashioned agenda style calendar. The reason why is because in the front it has the entire calendar for the month laid out and you can write in test dates/clinicals and see it all on one page and then it also has the day by day so you can plan your days because you will DEFINETELY need to plan. When I was in LPN school my day by day agenda literally said 4pm Read pp 20-39 6 pm-7 pm study Chapter 1-5 --> It was virtually laid out by the hour. But it is all in your preference. I would also get some of those little memo notebooks there like 2x4 or something for clinicals so you can jot quick notes. Also Post It makes those sticky flags for your books, I loved using those when I was reading/listening to lecture to flag anything that I wanted to review again or needed to ask a question about. Index cards are also a wonderful way to study. I buy those in bulk :) Anyway thats all the suggestions I can offer right now. I start RN school in the fall too--it's coming up so fast!

Great idea, thanks! I have been thinking of using just printed calendar (word template) that is spread out weekly so I can keep track. I used google calendar once, iCal a few times, but I was not very persistant. Might as well stick to what is easiest to remember to do.

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Specializes in Case Mgmt, Anesthesia, ICU, ER, Dialysis.

There's a BIG thread on this -

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/wanted-nursing-student-398357.html

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I use regular ol paper and pencil on a spiral bound calendar. Works best for me.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Thanks for the link!!!!! :) I am up to page 6 of posts now :)

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Good luck to you all that are about to start nursing school. I graduate this coming May 2010 and my first semester I was just as nervous. Everything that you have purchased already will surffice. The biggest thing is not the supplies, but the time management once the semester starts. Try to enjoy the little bit of summer that you have left because when school starts you will have no LIFE at all guaranteed. You worked really hard to get into the program, but you work even harder to stay in the program...The best advice I can give is stay up on the reading, care plans (make sure you buy a care plan book..it is a Godsend), etc..and do plenty of NCLEX questions. You will be just fine...Good luck to you all who are just starting out.

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