Open Letter to Nursing School Seniors...

[JGM2008]

hi there,

i promised myself i would post this thread when school was finally over and i passed my boards, which happened a few months ago

i'm here to tell you everything i wish i knew going into my last semester...

1.) you got this far. you are smart enough to be here and don't forget that. always remember that.

2.) fellow classmates will start getting competitive (like who has the best internship, interview, who gets the best grades in class). remember this ... their internships, interviews and grades do not affect your life whatsoever! forget about them, and stay the course, focus on your studying, remembering you belong to be here, and don't worry about anyone else.

3.) if you're taking the hesi, do the case studies (probably in your bookstore; did not come with the book). the book is a waste of time, and you'll need more experience answering questions than relearning content. remember... you already know the content! the case studies will help you with strategy to answer tricky multiple choice questions.

4.) the nclex! if you can afford it, take a review class. if not, again, focus more on online question banks, rather than content. of course review weak areas, but focus more on answering questions. even if you get them incorrect, you'll be learning along the way reading the rationalizations. take your boards when you are ready! don't worry about when other people are taking them.

5.) the real world. it's scary out here. i graduated w/my bsn in december 07' and i've been working for about a month. i have bad days and good days. i just never let myself forget, i worked so hard to be here and i deserve to be here. everyday is a new learning experience, some good; some bad.

6.) the job. seriously, there are so many jobs out here no matter what they tell you. take the job you really want, not just because it's right in front of you. if you really want pedi/maternity/etc hold out for it :) you worked hard for your degree. i wish i did that, i'm on an adult surgical unit, and i like it, but my heart is in pediatrics. after a year or two here, i'll try to get back there.

remember: you can do this! this is a very stressful time. eat well, exercise when you can and sleep as much as you can. enjoy your clinicals and get the most you can out of them. if something scares you, ask to watch a procedure, or even do the procedure! you do it once and it's yours for life :)

good luck to all of you!

ps: don't let nurses in your clinical, new job or even on this website bully you. nurses by breed are cut-throat to their young. ignore them all. the are miserable humans. just promise yourself to ever become them, and when you become a nurse be nice to students!

[mimi13]

Thank you for the much needed inspirational words from someone who thinks daily "am I really going to be able to do this?". Notes like yours really do help.

[adamsmom]

Thank you for your post. I have 8 weeks left of my 3.5yr trek to becoming a RN. It has been very hard yet a wonderful experience. I am a older student (43) and have 2 kids. I am not the smartest in the class but I am still here. I almost quit last year when I failed a test. I do my best, I also work on the weekends as an aide. I did get a job at a (hopefully)wonderful hosp. It is 40min from home but the repututation is great and I had a good feeling about it when I shadowed there for a day.

Anyway thanks again.

[MySimplePlan]

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts. The items you mention are all on our minds. Good luck as you progress in your career, but please keep us updated with more advice!

[sg2629]

Thanks, well said! I graduated in Dec 07 and will soon be starting my first job. I needed to hear that!

[travel soon]

thanks so much for the inspiration in my final weeks with that letter. you know, what you said about some students trying to out do others, i swear a few of us were just talking about that yesterday, because a few people have changed so much. anyway i just wanted to thank you and wish you good luck in your career.

adamsmom, i wanted to say hello to you too, i have been in nursing for a long time, will be 43 in april and i also graduate in may. seems we have a lot in common but i only have my one son timmy who is 21 now. congrats on your upcoming graduation...