busby's mom

I love it cause it's so true! A fellow classmate and friend and I have discussed whether or not to speak "nurse" to our non-nursing friends and want to in order to use our new language, but hesitate because we're afraid they'll think we're showing off!

Thanks to everyone who posted comments. They were very encouraging and supportive which I needed so much! I try to explain this stuff to friends and family, but in all honesty, no one gets it unless they have either already been in the program or are currently in it. There's just so much to learn and comprehend! Oh, and super congrats to superramvette for getting an A! Woo Hoo!

You're absolutely right! These tests are like nothing I've ever taken before! I really thought that I understood that before I entered the program, but until you actually take the tests, you really have no clue! I will try to embrace the grades and will work more on the application. I thought taking practice tests would help me more though. Congrats to you and good luck as you progress! Thanks for your reply!

Thanks for what you said....all of it! I'm actually improving in the fact that this time I didn't cry after getting a B. LOL! So that's progress! I guess it's just hard because I feel like I understand it and put so much time into it that you would think I would get an A. It's probably going to be good for me to break free of the perfectionist mentality. And, you're right, I definitely learn from my mistakes when we have test reviews. I just want to be a great nurse, but I guess being a great test taker doesn't mean a hill of beans if I can't apply what I know and give good care to the client. Thanks again!

Hi! I was wondering if anyone could give me some suggestions regarding studying for exams so that I can actually make an A. I make notecards, read, take practice exam after practice exam and even do some study groups (which sometimes help and other times I feel are more like chat sessions). I put so much time and effort into my studies (even giving up having a life!) all to get B's. Any thoughts? This is new for me and I must admit that I cried after my first test when I saw the B. It might sound silly to some, but I am VERY type A and have been my entire life so I strive for perfection and expect alot from myself. I know it's possible to get A's because people do, I just wish I could figure out what I'm not doing. Thanks for listening!

To KAR38: I feel for you because you're right, the program is overwhelming and we were told that no one else will understand the stress, etc. of the program except those who have been through or who are going through it now. Try to find a group that will let you join in. I would think someone would be nice enough to reach out to you once you make it known that you're alone right now. Good Luck! I hope you find a buddy!

I would definitely be interested in a study group! In case you don't know this, the Saunder's NCLEX study guide is a GREAT study tool. I read this several places and someone at orientation advised me to get it as well (this was after I already had bought it). You can go to the sections that you're studying and take tests and it gives you the rationales behind the right and wrong answers which further cements the information into your brain. I don't start until next week, but have read in many books that the more you take practice tests while studying, the better the information is retained. I don't know about anyone else, but if I understand the how's and why's of something, I remember it so much better! I also think that bouncing off different things with each other will be beneficial because we can give each other incite into the various areas. Great idea!

I make note cards in addition to my notes with answers on one side and the facts on the other and quiz myself. Also, alphabet cues work well or acronyms work well too. Another suggestion maybe try making a motto or phrase to help job your memory or mnemonics. Little pictures or rhymes help alot and when you remember it during your test, it makes you smile and helps relieve a little test anxiety!

I feel exactly the way peytonsmom says! We start a week from Sunday...yes, Sunday and I'm so excited and looking forward to it! To those who have to get up early, try having to get up at 4 and be on the road by 4:45 to drive 1 1/2 to main campus for labs so I totally understand! :zzzzz Now, I am an early bird, but more like getting up between 6 and 630. It's easy when the sun is up, but come fall and winter when the sun isn't up yet....I may need to get a rooster! And to the person who says they aren't good at studying, I think you'll find that since you want this so much, you will find the study-geek within! We will survive! That should be our mantra and theme song! We're all s.

To musiclovingpisces I am also a pisces so my advice is read all you can on this site and get on amazon and check out Saunder's Student Nurse Planner and Test Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students by Nugent and Vitale. I have been reading and studying these as well as reading "How to Succeed in Nursing School and Maybe Even Love it" and they have given me lots of advice, websites and tips as well as this site and other nursing students. Keep looking on here and those of us who start before you can offer you advice to help you through so look as starting later as a good thing (although I do understand your frustration!) Good luck to you!

Oh okay. You were the first person who started and had orientation on the same days so I thought we might be classmates. My school is in Tennessee.

oh my gosh, i feel the exact same way!! i used to hit up pre-nursing all the time, and now i spend nearly all my time on allnurses here "general nursing student" and i'm sooo excited!! orientation is aug. 26, and i start aug. 31, so nothing to report yet! are you going to motlow by any chance because those are the exact dates and events for me and that's where i'm going!

i am slightly younger than you and am changing careers. i have 2 classes left other than nursing classes, but i figure i can take them in the summer instead of with my nursing ones. i want to concentrate on those! like you, i have a family and am proud that i'm not letting age or anything get in the way of accomplishing my goals so i say way to go! it won't be easy, but we can do it! if your husband is anything like mine, you'll be okay! having a supportive family is half the battle and i definitely do so i hope you do as well! good luck to you!

I also purchased a voice recorder because I agree that you can never get everything they say. Plus, some days I have an hour and a half commute so that will be time well spent listening to the lectures again. I bought a Saunder's student planner which I have been looking through and reading and I highly recommend getting one! It has much more than calendars and day planners. There are clinical tips, websites, etc. I got it on Amazon. I also purchased Test Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students and have been reading and taking notes from it as well. It was part of our recommended list and I decided to buy it after reading the reviews on Amazon. To the person who said they read ahead, that's exactly what this book suggests. That way, you have a grasp on what the instructor is saying and it's not all brand new. I have even read to make sure to schedule "me" time or "family" time along with your school stuff so you remember that taking care of you is just as important. That one is going to be a hard one for me cause I'm a perfectionist and tend to neglect "fun" time so I'm going to make it a point to relax once in awhile so I don't get burnt out. Just think, pretty soon, we'll be on here celebrating passing the NCLEX and offering advice to new nursing students! Just think of our little journey as our yellow brick road and the Oz in this case is a RN position at a great facility whichever one we chose! Christina

First of all, congrats to all who are beginning this exciting new journey! I, too, am a new nursing student this fall and don't start until August 31st although on the calendar it has us scheduled to do some things that Sunday before so we'll see! We had our first orientation back in May and have another one next week. We have our syllabus and calendar for this semester though so I know what you're saying about how huge it is! Very overwhelming! I alternate between being excited and scared and I think the scaryness comes from the unknown just like when you start a new job or you move to a new state. Please keep me posted as your days progress since you started so much sooner and I will make sure to do the same. Good luck! Think happy, positive thoughts! This will be us soon!