Nursing school supplies

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Hey everyone,

I have a list provided from my school, but are there any suggestions for nursing apps, supplies, and tools that will help with studying in nursing school. I also have read that repetition is important when trying to memorize/conceptualize science subjects. Do you find that it is archived in your memory? Or do you have to study this stuff everyday for the rest of your career? I currently read everyday for any subject involving medical science, and I frequently find things that are related to what we learn in school. If anyone else has a similar experience please feel free to comment.

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Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Shouldn't you wait until your background check clears you for clinical?

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Absolutely and that isn't for a while bootz, I am asking what you found useful.. Not what I should purchase. I hope that gives you a clear understanding of what I was expecting of this thread. Thanks for your comment :yes:

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Moved to general nursing student

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Shouldn't you wait until your background check clears you for clinical?

Got the news today :up:

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I don't start my program until August but I achieved my near 4.0 prenursing GPA by repetition, spacing, and sleep. That's it. Go over all of the material frequently, space out your study sessions appropriately (two hour study sessions tops, and have them frequently rather than just a few times a week). Make sure that you are getting AT LEAST 6 unbroken hours of sleep a night, or all that time you spent studying will be for nothing if your brain can't encode the info into memory. Everyone studies a little bit differently. Learn how you study and then you won't be worried about buying study tools, apps, etc, because you'll already know exactly what you require to succeed.

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I just finished my first semester. Every program is different and everyone studies different ways. Having said that...

I heavily studied off of all power points the teachers supplied us with. I also took notes in class and had my book open to highlight and mark pages. I purchased the Nclex RN app and love it. You can trial version it and they will send emails when it goes on sale which is fairly often . We were supplied with BP cuffs and stethoscopes but my BP cuff died in lap so I purchased my own on amazon. I also purchased a Littmann stethoscope which I absolutely love. It's up to you if you wanna buy one before graduating but I love love love mine. The pair we were given hurt my ears but it's still nice to have the spare pair. I plan on buying a pulse oximeter before this semester starts also. There was a shortage of those during clinicals. Not necessary but definitely will make my next rotation a little smoother.

Also, as for studying... if it's mentioned but nothe thoroughly covered, look it up and be prepared to at least know the basics. If it's mentioned it's fair game. I'm not trying to scare you because I had a smooth semester but you do need to be dedicated and willing to study. If you do well studying with others, make friends and try a study group. I always studied at home before meeting the group. Allow a few minutes to chit chat but be sure someone says OK time to study!

Ask questions, volunteer as often as you can, and be curious. Good luck on your journey. :)

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Shouldn't you wait until your background check clears you for clinical?

Yes I received the news the other day. Now do you have any suggestions? I am eager to hear.

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I just finished my first semester. Every program is different and everyone studies different ways. Having said that...

I heavily studied off of all power points the teachers supplied us with. I also took notes in class and had my book open to highlight and mark pages. I purchased the Nclex RN app and love it. You can trial version it and they will send emails when it goes on sale which is fairly often . We were supplied with BP cuffs and stethoscopes but my BP cuff died in lap so I purchased my own on amazon. I also purchased a Littmann stethoscope which I absolutely love. It's up to you if you wanna buy one before graduating but I love love love mine. The pair we were given hurt my ears but it's still nice to have the spare pair. I plan on buying a pulse oximeter before this semester starts also. There was a shortage of those during clinicals. Not necessary but definitely will make my next rotation a little smoother.

Also, as for studying... if it's mentioned but nothe thoroughly covered, look it up and be prepared to at least know the basics. If it's mentioned it's fair game. I'm not trying to scare you because I had a smooth semester but you do need to be dedicated and willing to study. If you do well studying with others, make friends and try a study group. I always studied at home before meeting the group. Allow a few minutes to chit chat but be sure someone says OK time to study!

Ask questions, volunteer as often as you can, and be curious. Good luck on your journey. :)

This is great advice! I like that you mentioned to volunteer as often as possible. I am usually one to volunteer, especially if the class gets quiet. I don't like to be seen as shy when it comes to a field I am studying as a profession. I am eager to learn, and have been reading TONS, maybe a bit too much. Would you say its better to prepare or come with a spotless mind?

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I don't start my program until August but I achieved my near 4.0 prenursing GPA by repetition, spacing, and sleep. That's it. Go over all of the material frequently, space out your study sessions appropriately (two hour study sessions tops, and have them frequently rather than just a few times a week). Make sure that you are getting AT LEAST 6 unbroken hours of sleep a night, or all that time you spent studying will be for nothing if your brain can't encode the info into memory. Everyone studies a little bit differently. Learn how you study and then you won't be worried about buying study tools, apps, etc, because you'll already know exactly what you require to succeed.

Hi, thanks for sharing this.. Can you please explain what you mean by spacing?

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Hi, thanks for sharing this.. Can you please explain what you mean by spacing?

By spacing I mean that everyone learns much better when their study sessions are frequent and spaced out appropriately. So instead of trying to cram for a test for 8 hours the day before, your brain will encode a lot more information when you start studying 2 weeks before, and hold shorter study sessions vs marathon all-day study sessions. After about 50 minutes of staring at a book you are worthless anyway. I like to do 50 minute sessions followed by a 5-10 minute break and repeat that 2 or 3 times. Even if you feel like you have NO time to devote to daily studying, find the time that works for you. I personally study a lot better at night when everything is quiet.

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By spacing I mean that everyone learns much better when their study sessions are frequent and spaced out appropriately. So instead of trying to cram for a test for 8 hours the day before, your brain will encode a lot more information when you start studying 2 weeks before, and hold shorter study sessions vs marathon all-day study sessions. After about 50 minutes of staring at a book you are worthless anyway. I like to do 50 minute sessions followed by a 5-10 minute break and repeat that 2 or 3 times. Even if you feel like you have NO time to devote to daily studying, find the time that works for you. I personally study a lot better at night when everything is quiet.

I have been trying to make nursing my life, that seems to work a bit for me. I have a lot of time to study, so I guess I need to make a more feasible schedule that would prove to be beneficial. Things like steps to photosynthesis, did you use flashcards? I am assuming that you have taken micro? How did you come to memorize the many different bacterium?

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