New RN Student

Medic8205 · Dec 18, 2009

I just finished my first semester in nursing school, and all I can say is if you dont know how to study, learn. I have a wife that is a full time student in NP school and works full time in the ER, I am a full time nursing student and work full time as a paramedic. We also have a two year old son that demands attention! I am lucky to have such great instructors, they really care and want you to succeed. The one thing that has helped me the most is that they give us study guides. Now before you think that is all you have to do, wait. They are very helpful tools, but they only guide you, there is still a lot of studying need to be done. I am glad the first semester is over, oh did I mention that I am in an accelerated program too. But anyway I am ready to tackle med surge I/II plus pharmacology in the Spring. I still have a 4.0 too, it just takes a lot of discipline.

NursingStudent2012 · Dec 18, 2009

I'm in the same boat as you! I begin nursing school in January too, and am SO nervous! :eek: I've heard that the NCLEX review guides are good. Also, I've been going on to Amazon and looking up the ratings on nursing books to see which ones I should buy! Maybe you can email your instructors? Good luck with your program! :yeah:

FIDOGS · Dec 19, 2009

I just finished my first semester in nursing school, and all I can say is if you dont know how to study, learn. I have a wife that is a full time student in NP school and works full time in the ER, I am a full time nursing student and work full time as a paramedic. We also have a two year old son that demands attention! I am lucky to have such great instructors, they really care and want you to succeed. The one thing that has helped me the most is that they give us study guides. Now before you think that is all you have to do, wait. They are very helpful tools, but they only guide you, there is still a lot of studying need to be done. I am glad the first semester is over, oh did I mention that I am in an accelerated program too. But anyway I am ready to tackle med surge I/II plus pharmacology in the Spring. I still have a 4.0 too, it just takes a lot of discipline.

Hi all

Medic8205 i'm also a medic who is planning to start school next month and also planning to work full time. besides the study guide what else would you say helped you. From what i hear, there is alot of material to read. i am looking to make 4x4 study cards to process the information better. i think that helps alot.

I have most of my pre reqs completed and for the most part i only have to take the core nursing classes. I am focused and determined to tackle this the only way i know how to, and that is to study hard and communicate with my preceptors. Thanks for in advance for the your input.

Medic8205 · Dec 19, 2009

Hey FIDOGS, it's a good thing your done with your pre reqs, it makes things a lot easier. I was taking micro with my first semester but I am done with everything except the nursing classes now. As for the 4x4 cards, sounds like a good idea but I haven't tried it. I didn't even have enough time to do all the required reading if that tells you anything. There is a tremendous amount of reading required but it is not impossible. We just gotta keep our heads down and we will hopefully make it through. Are you doing the bridge program?

FIDOGS · Dec 19, 2009

No there isn't a bridge program in New York unless it's in Excelsior College. I might have to repeat micro biology, there is a possibility they might not approve it. The program I am attending is in St. Paul's School of Nursing in Queens.

CRIMSON · Dec 22, 2009

I'm in the same boat as you! I begin nursing school in January too, and am SO nervous! I've heard that the NCLEX review guides are good. Also, I've been going on to Amazon and looking up the ratings on nursing books to see which ones I should buy! Maybe you can email your instructors? Good luck with your program!

Saunders NCLEX review, 4th edition. Great resource and really helps. The MOST important thing is to read and be ready so that in lecture it will begin to make sense.

Good Luck.

AndiePi · Dec 22, 2009

I'm starting nursing school this January too! I'm super excited about it. My only question is.....are nursing classes similar to anatomy and physiology classes, cause I did real well in those. I was planning on applying the same sort of study habits to the nursing classes.

nyteshade, BSN · Dec 22, 2009

I'm starting nursing school this January too! I'm super excited about it. My only question is.....are nursing classes similar to anatomy and physiology classes, cause I did real well in those. I was planning on applying the same sort of study habits to the nursing classes.

Yes! If whatever you did worked in A&P, do that for nursing too. Doing well in A&P is a pretty good indicator...good luck! :heartbeat

sydneymum14 · Dec 23, 2009

Hi I am starting universtity Bachelor of nursing in Australia in Feb 2010. Good luck to us all hey!!

Mr I Care · Dec 24, 2009

If you want to get a head start on your studying and understanding of nursing material check this post, " Obess with Nursing." I have been reading nursing textbooks.

RNotes

Med Notes from amazon.com

tokyoROSE, BSN, RN · Dec 24, 2009

Oh goodness don't feel insecure! You should be excited to start this new phase in your life. As a young student myself, yes I thought about how my classmates are much older and much more experienced (many have been working as CNA's for years). But then I realized that hey, I'm young and I'm in the program, I can compete with the best of them. And I was right. Honestly nursing school isn't that bad. It's a lot of effort but you get to learn so much all the time. I really love it (it's funny I say this only while I'm on break). Don't psych yourself out! You can start reading some nursing texts but I didn't prepare or anything and did fine.