Prepping for nursing school

[clf1926]

Is there anything I can do to lighten the mental workload prior to attending nursing school? Would practicing NCLEX questions help (eg each question I come across would probably require me to research the question and all answers and I'd therefore familiarize myself with some material), or, could I buy the books early prior to starting classes? Is this ridiculous given how hands on nursing school is? What do you wish you had done prior to attending? Any other sage advice?

[Neo Soldier, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't recommend studying questions you are unfamiliar with. If anything you're going to be more anxious when you get low scores.

Get your school supplies ready for sure. Do get a book like lippincott q&a because there are practice questions in there. Also get a care plan book.

Take a vacation. Relax. Nursing school is a challenge so have fun before you get in.

If you're looking to do something, work at a hospital if you aren't already. You can do this part time to make some money and gain patient care experience.

[pro-student]

Preping for the academic content of nursing school is likely to be counterproductive. As the previous post mentioned, trying to answer questions about material you haven't learned yet isn't going to teach you anything but is likely you make you more nervous and anxious. You best bet is to make sure you have good overall study habits and social supports in place. Strong study skills will pay off way more than any amount of studying you could do before hand because there will always be more to learn. Study skills make sure you know how to do that effectively. Content knowledge only serves you till it runs out and, trust me, in nursing school, it will run out soon. You will also want to have the best social supports you can for when things do get rough. Enjoy spending some time with family and friends and make sure they understand what you are about to undertake. Know who you can do to when you just need a kind word or shoulder to cry on.

I would caution against buying books and materials before hand unless you're absolutely sure they are the ones that will be used in your program. But editions change, instructors choose to go with different materials, and you don't want to be left holding expensive textbooks that are not exactly what you need. If you have completed pre-reqs like A&P, you could review this information. Having a solid understanding will serve you well. If you haven't taken these classes yet then don't worry about them. Any half-way decent nursing program will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to be a good nurse. The best you can do is put yourself if the best position to acquire that knowledge and those skills.

[carti, BSN, RN]

i dont know why you'd buy a book to do NCLEX questions if you have no idea "how to nurse" lol. That's like me buying an USMLE prep book to study right now even though I am not in med school

honestly don't even waste your time or stress yourself out. i guess the only thing that will help you out is if you get a job as a PCT or nursing aide or whatever their called where your from

[clf1926]

Thanks for the helpful responses! I'm in NY and having a hard time finding ANY job in any nearby hospitals; even receptionist jobs are competitive in hospitals around here. Working in a hospital for hands on experience would be ideal right now. I'll hold off on studying and maybe brush up on A&P before I begin my program.

[RainbowSprinkles]

I've worked at an primary care/urgent care facility as a receptionist . You get to see a variety of issues and its a great opportunity to start learning about meds and what other specialities do... for ex cardiologist/radiologist/endocrinologist/ob gyn/gastro/ ( lots of referrals and communicating with other offices will be going on). Im almost half way finished with my program, my advice is get all your ducks in a row; financially and even more importantly emotionally. Find your zen because you WILL need it, most of my classmates suffer from anxiety because they are so freaked out and accustomed to be A+ students and that isn't the case anymore. Also be aware of what learning style works best for you. Last bit of advice, try to get in tune with your emotional intelligence. You will be communicating with clinical instructors, patients, physicians, professors, other students. You cant take everything personal, understand your emotions and the emotions of others and learn how to separate them. If you can master emotional intelligence for nursing school, it will help tremendously with the clinical aspect.