New Nursing Student Must Haves and Advice From Current Nursing Students

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Apr 24, 2017

There's an app in the Apple App Store called Resuscitation and even though it's technically for medical students, I feel it's really fun and useful to help test my knowledge.

I have the Medscape app just to keep up to date on medical news.

Even though all of my electronics are Apple, I use Microsoft OneNote because I found it's much more easier to stay organized using it to take notes in lecture as well as taking notes at home as I read my books. I have it downloaded on my phone as well as my laptop.

I wear Nike Shox which aren't the best but they aren't the worst either. I just didn't want to spend the money on Danskos and have to break them in but I'm honestly thinking of getting a pair for Autumn semester.

Compression socks!!! I've noticed a huge difference when wearing them. When I wear normal socks my calves and feet kill me.

I get the Five Star Flex 1" binders. They hold so much and since they're flexible they don't take up all my room in my backpack. On the topic of backpacks, I have a North Face one which is super comfy on my shoulders and doesn't hurt my back.

For stethoscopes: even though a cardiology stethoscope sounds amazing because you'd be able to hear EVERYTHING, don't get it!!! As a nurse, you don't need to hear EVERYTHING and they just end up weighing you down and hurting your neck! Get a light stethoscope with a bell and you're good.

Bring water with you, and healthy snacks. Don't give in to the donuts in the cafeteria í ½í¸‚

I'm just finishing up my first semester in nursing school and the biggest piece of advice I have is to try and figure out and put into check any mental health problems you have before you start the program! Find out effective ways to release and prevent stress. Don't go into nursing school trying to battle depression and anxiety, you will be a mess.

Peepsimus, BSN, RN · Apr 24, 2017

The Alegria Women's Keli Professional Shoe is stupid comfortable. Amazon carries it for almost half off at ~$65. When they arrived, I had been on my feet all day in running shoes at my current job and tried them on and was amazed at the difference. The insoles are replaceable for around $30 I think, so you can bring back the magic when they start to wear down without having to replace the whole shoe.

Supplies and organization are kind of a personal preference thing. I'm a color-coder and love my big pack of Stabilo Point 88 fine felt tip pens. I color code my notecards, draw diagrams, etc. all the time. I also took some time to figure out writing instruments that minimize hand fatigue for me, esp. since writing by hand really helps things stick in my brain. Three hour lectures is a long time to write.

I have the Scanner Pro app on my phone and use it to scan my written notes for review anywhere. I like the NCLEX RN Mastery app (free trial, paid version that they send you discount emails for when you don't buy it before the trial expires). It's robust and easy to use, and I've been playing with it even before nursing school to get a feel for questions and how they want us to think.

I also have a North Face backpack I love. So comfy with lots of nice organizing details like a fuzzy padded pouch for sunglasses and one for electronics.

I absolutely love my cardio scope. The cheap one recommended for the program and available at the bookstore left me hearing nothing but tubes rubbing together. All my nurse/doctor/medic friends told me to get a cardio if I could afford it, and my parents got it as a Christmas present. They're under $200 on Amazon. I love being able to hear everything, but it's definitely not necessary. Spend more than $20, though.

For real - healthy snacks and water. If you can swing a cooking or meal prep day on the weekend (even just to cut up the veggies and plan menus), it makes it easy to eat well and take care of yourself. There are always raw almonds and a couple of Lara or Kind bars in my backpack, and I try to snack on raw fruits/veggies with some kind of protein like apples and almond butter or celery and hummus. Try to moderate your caffeine intake so you don't screw up your sleep and crash midday in a nasty cycle. If you aren't taking care of yourself, you can't take care of other people.

Chazzie_Made_It, ADN · Apr 25, 2017

Only thing I wish I started doing my first semester was - Concept Maps.

If I could go back I would start making them. They have helped me a lot since 3rd semester.

Also, start practicing NCLEX style questions asap.

That's it for me. Oh - and compression stockings are a must.

CreativeUsername · Apr 25, 2017

Thank you all for the great and lengthy advice; can't get enough of it. I never even thought of getting compression stockings before making this post. It'd be a great idea cause even when I was working 8's in the convalescent home; my feet were killing me after each shift, and I'm fairly young (20). I'll make sure to definitely look into the brands ya'll posted and start making those concept maps. As for my anxiety, I'll have to learn to manage that on my own because it seems that it is frowned upon nurses to even be using prescription drugs.

WanderingWilder, ASN · Apr 25, 2017

A good stethoscope, a good amount of my class upgraded to the Cardo iv in second semester. I had a Littmann classic II to start which was find for first semester but I couldn't hear heart sounds or lung sounds well with it, even my instructor couldn't hear with it.

Shoes, I've yet to find a pair that don't rub unfortunately.

Get a NCLEX book, I have the Saunders Comprehensive review, you get additional questions online in addition to the book questions. It will help you get use to the type of questions nursing school tests have on them.

Scottishtape · Apr 25, 2017

A planner!!

It was the one thing I didn't consider when I started my bridge program. I also didn't expect the mountain of work either haha. The planner saved me, and helped me keep track of everything that was due. I even had what I needed for clinicals each week (pathophysiology papers, med cards, etc).

The planner also helped me emotionally. Before the planner, I was looking at EVERYTHING and got super overwhelmed. Once I got the planner, I was able to do nothing but look at one week chunks, and I was better able to deal with the emotional aspect of it.

Good luck, it's a stressful, awesome adventure, but totally worth it when you finally finish!

emmjayy, BSN, RN · Apr 25, 2017

Shoes - I originally dropped $$$ on Dansko clogs. They gave me shin splints once I started working real shifts (not the 4 hour clinical shifts I had first semester). I went to a running shoe store and had my feet assessed and they hooked me up with some amazing sneakers/inserts that leave my feet, legs, and back feeling amazing. I highly recommend getting your feet looked at and figuring out what type of shoe works best for YOU before spending a lot of money on shoes that might not work.

Nursing bag/Totes/Backpacks - I have a regular old Eastsport backpack that I got from Walmart for $20 when I was in college for my first degree 9 years ago. It is more than sufficient for my needs. I carry two binders, one for my theory class and one for my lab class in it, a planner, my laptop, charger, wallet, pens, pencils, glasses, and water bottle and it does the job beautifully. No trouble with it at all.

Binders/Planners - I got a weekly/monthly planner from Walmart for like $5. Lots of space to write in my class schedule on a week by week basis, and the monthly schedule is good for writing in due dates on projects/tests. I purchased this during their Back to School promotion in the fall, right before I started school. I got a couple of generic Walmart binders (1-2", I don't remember), one for my theory class paperwork and one for my lab class paperwork. That's all I've needed, I switch the paperwork out at the end of the semester and just save my old notes in a drawer haha.

Pens/pencils - Lots of mechanical pencils for tests. I got a big pack of Papermate Inkjoy black pens because you'll need those on clinical and to write notes with. I got the really big pack so I don't have to worry about losing them! I also picked up a pack of multicolored pens of the same brand. The multiple colors are suuuuper useful for making color-coded flashcards. I also got a big thing of multi-colored highlighters, but I've really only ended up using the yellow ones.

Apps - NCLEXMastery app from HLT. It costs $20, yes. It's an amazing tool and well worth the money. Get it now to start practicing those NCLEX style questions, and you will get a jump on nursing school tests once school starts because at least you'll be used to the SATA and "choose the BEST answer" type questions. You will not know most of the content you need to know to answer questions correctly right now, and that's okay. Just apply critical thinking skills, read the rationales, and you will be a little bit ahead of the game.

Study Guides/Cheat sheets/Videos - Khan Academy videos to help brush up on A&P or concepts that are tough for you.

Stethoscopes - Everyone is going to say Littman. That's fine, Littmans are nice... really nice. They're also upwards of several hundred dollars. I got an R.A. Bock stethoscope on sale for a little over $50 before school started and it works amazingly. I've had instructors listen through it and comment on how it sounds really nice as well. I will probably eventually buy a Littman, especially if I end up on a cardiac floor or a floor that deals with lots of respiratory patients, but you will be fine without it.

Other stuff..... I got a cheap little printer, HPInk subscription, and printer paper, and that investment has been worth its weight in gold. A stapler, three-hole punch, and paperclips have also been really useful. Ummm.... get a badge holder as well. Sounds small, but you want one that is attached to a string that retracts into a little holder so you don't have to bend over or take your badge off every time you need to unlock a door or something.

MyAimIsTrue, BSN · Apr 25, 2017

These folding clipboards are pretty handy in clinicals. They come in different colors and lots of students have them.

WhiteCoat Clipboard Nursing Label

CreativeUsername · Apr 25, 2017

Wow this blew up! This is all amazing advice, thanks guys. Once I get closer to starting the program (September) I'll make a list and go out and purchase exactly the items mentioned above. You are all a big help to me.

LovelyInPink · Apr 25, 2017

I also HIGHLY recommend a good NCLEX style textbook and a planner. Start learning how to answer NCLEX style questions now so you are not at all shocked when you see your first test. I just finished my first semester of nursing school with a 4.0 (in addition to being married, raising 4 young kids including a set of infant twins, and working resource hours) and I contribute my high test scores to my NCLEX books. While I was on the waiting list, a lot of nurses that I work with gave me their NCLEX books and I read them over and over again to figure out how to answer nursing school tests. When we had our first test everyone was flipping out but I was able to remain calm and pass because I knew what to expect. So, I would definitely recommend you at least start to glance over some NCLEX material now before you start the program.

theseriousnurse2b · Apr 26, 2017

Congrats on starting nursing school! It is a huge commitment, but you are on the right track by doing a little preparation before hand.

Personally looking back on my past two years of nursing school (I graduate this May), I would say the NCLEX RN Mastery App and the Davis Success Series really help with test taking and content review. I asked our school library to invest in the Davis books and the Mastery app allows you to study on the go for around $30 (I think).

Like a fellow poster mentioned, things like concept maps are great (just find what works for you). I also love OneNote. I copy the PowerPoint (PP) info into OneNote prior to lecture and then record lecture, adding to the PP info as I record. Then, I can click on any word I typed during the recording and it will start the recording at percisely that point. This is fantastic for when your professor lists a ton of meds or says a word you have no clue how to pronounce/spell. I also love how OneNote lets you use wikipedia, online dictionaries and other resources within OneNote.

Another resource I can't say enough good things about is Medscape! I love the app as a drug reference and reliable source for pathophysiology/procedures/diagnostics. Get an online account too so that you can research specific pathophysiologies and even watch videos of surgery or invasive procedures. So cool!

Finally, Khan Academy has wonderful videos on many nursing topics. Definitely check them out!

Again congrats! You learn so much in nursing school and while it can be overwhelming, try to take every opportunity to learn and grow. Remember to be flexible with others and focused on taking advantage of every opportunity. Lastly, enjoy your summer of relaxation amidst the preparations.