New nursing1 student in jan- any advice/ suggestions?

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I'm starting nursing I in jan, any tips, advice or suggestions you wish you would have known before starting?

Treat your clinicals like a job audition because it really can and will help you get a coveted new grad job. Show up early / on time. Look clean and neat. Be prepared and well rested. Be enthusiastic, ask questions, take advantage of any and all opportunities and seek them out. Have a good attitude. Try your best. Be humble. Smile. Laugh at yourself.

Nursing is about helping others, but you can often benefit just as much as your patients. Put yourself in your patient's shoes. It's not fun to be in the hospital and they're not trying to be difficult or annoying (they're usually scared and lonely and don't handle it well). The easiest way to make your day is to make someone else's. It's impossible not to smile or feel good after helping someone else smile or feel better.

Thank you for the great advice!

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I second

There are pages of tips and info here. :D

Time management- think of school like a job, you need to be there X amount of hours and then there's overtime (homework, studying), it's non-negotiable you must do it all

Realize you are GOING to miss things with family or friends, Not everyone misses everything but everyone misses something.

Let go of the things at home that you don't HAVE to do, let your support system help you

Stay organized! I am hyper organized, I color code my notes so they are easy to find (each unit is a different color)

Do your readings but know that you don't literally end up reading every word of every assignment, you'll learn what is important (all those darn boxes in the books are important!)

Breathe! It is stressful, crazy, exhausting, exciting and so much fun!

Good luck!

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Specializes in Oncology.

I start in January as well and these are great tips!! :) Any particular advice for students with kids?? I have 2 under the age of 2!

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.

A lot of prayers lol. Realize that it's okay if they eat Mac N Cheese and hot dogs more than you might like. There are going to be times they are mad bc you can't do thing you did before or are exhausted etc. If they are in child care use that time to the fullest to get as much done then as possible.

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These are awesome tips. Thanks! I begin January 7 in Alabama. So excited! I'll probably be the oldest in the class though, at 35. Maybe my real world experience will help me out?

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Specializes in Med/surg, Onc.
These are awesome tips. Thanks! I begin January 7 in Alabama. So excited! I'll probably be the oldest in the class though, at 35. Maybe my real world experience will help me out?

You wouldn't even be CLOSE to the oldest in my program. We have everything from 18-57 in ours :D 30ish is probably the median age.

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Specializes in Forensic Psych.

You wouldn't even be CLOSE to the oldest in my program. We have everything from 18-57 in ours :D 30ish is probably the median age.

I agree! The oldest in our class is 69 years old and the median age is somewhere in the early 30s.

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Congratssssss!!! I start in January as well!! :) I am TOO ready for the challenge lol it's been a long time coming an I am finally IN! Go time guys!!

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For those starting in January what schools? I start in January too! YAY:up:[/quote']

I'm going to Charles Drew University in Los Angeles (Entry Level Master)

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Specializes in Oncology.

I am going to Keiser University in Port Saint Lucie, FL. Its a 16mo accelerated associates program and I'm totally stoked to start (and finish lol!!)

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