New nursing student. Advice?

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I recently got accepted into an accelerated BSN program that is 17 months long. I begin in August of this year, so I want to get as prepared as I can before the program starts. I am constantly reading articles on here from current nurses, nursing students, etc. and I already feel overwhelmed. I am actually terrified! Everyone I know just tells me how hard it is going to be, how I won't have a life, etc. and I expect that. However, while reading some of the posts on here, I think "What does that even mean? How am I possibly going to learn all of this stuff in such a short amount of time?! Am I actually smart enough to do this?!". I may be overthinking, but if anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated!

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Specializes in Neurology.

Hello!! First before responding to your post I would like you to know where I'm coming from: I am a senior nursing student in a traditional BSN program- I graduate in May (woohoo!).

You are wondering how we learn all this stuff in so short amount of time. WE DONT! ha! Please know this: You will never know everything in nursing. It's just not possible to know it all, there is too much information out there. Nursing school builds your foundation of knowledge, skills, and clinical judgement, but you are going to continue to learn so much throughout your career. Don't panic about knowing everything. If you don't know something make sure you look it up or ask. Looking things up helps you learn it.

As far as knowing everything for exams - Nursing school will help develop your critical thinking skills and this will help you on exams (obviously along with studying the material they cover!). In my experience, a lot of nursing school exams is the style of questions. They are different than typical test questions and it takes a little getting use to. Doing practice questions helps in studying so you could try that also. There are a lot of resources out there to aid you in learning the material that you can use once you're in school.

Are you smart enough?? You got accepted didn't you! Don't discredit yourself. Be confident - you got this!

You will be very busy with studying and clinical and everything but here is my advice: Take it a day at a time, otherwise it becomes overwhelming. You will have some time to yourself still but you will be very busy. Just breathe and remember you will get through this and it does NOT last forever. It's only 17 months - thats a drop in the bucket of your life. Also, don't stress yourself out right now - you'll have enough stress come August. Get off the articles and relax and enjoy life before nursing school comes!

Anyway, hope this helps you! Congrats on your acceptance and good luck. Stay focused and take it one day at a time!

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Specializes in NICU.

I did a 15 month ABSN program. The key to getting through it is to keep organized or become best friend with someone that is highly organized. I got a day planner and put all of my assignments and tests down on the calendar. I also got a large dry erase board and listed every assignment (with date) and as I finished the assignment or completed the test, I would erase it. It gave me a sense of accomplishment to see one less item on the board. Do book reports/ term papers early in the semester. Things tend to pile up towards the end of the semester.

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I can say with 100% confidence that I have thought and felt all of those things you mentioned above and still do now from time to time. I will officially start nursing school in 2wks and am so scared I don't know what to think anymore. However, I have found that when I start really overthinking I remind myself that I am here because I worked hard at getting here. Nothing I can say or do will prepare me 100% but I had to make a list of my strengths and weaknesses beforehand. For example, I am bad at making myself study so I have set times that will allow me to do this and also purchased an inexpensive desk to put in my room to make me sit in a neutral area and get work done. I find that the couch and bed studying only leads to TV and sleep lol. One thing I learned while doing my prereqs is take it one day at a time and when that task is complete place a check and move on to the next.

Good luck with everything and YOU GOT THIS!!!

Alicia

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