"If I could do nursing school over again" advice thread

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Re-direct me if this thread has been done before.

I'm starting my BSN program in a couple of weeks and I'm looking for advice about study habits, school-work-life balance, any random tips, etc., from current nursing students and/or nurses. Looking back on your time in nursing school, what would you have done (or not done) differently?

Cheers.

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I work and attend school; it is not the easiest of schedules. If you are looking to work, I suggest you work part time preferably in a hospital environment. Study tips? Study everyday if your schedule allows and in your study plan to tackle at least 20 nclex-style questions. All the best, cheers

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Specializes in CCM, PHN.

I woulda dropped out and gone to engineering school :(

But if I had to do it again,

Try not to work at all

Clear the drama out of your life

Don't make big life changes during program (real estate, marriage, divorce, babies etc)

Have a sense of humor

Enforce your boundaries

Keep mouth shut but eyes/ears open

Don't buy into the Superwoman myth, you don't have to be everything to everyone perfectly

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Specializes in Going to Peds!.

I would have cared more about my gpa. In the middle of nursing school, I had the mindset that a C got me through & I was fine with it. If I'd put forth even a little effort, I could have kept a nicer gpa.

Sent from my HTC One X using allnurses.com

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Specializes in Pedi.

This thread HAS been done before, but it will take me a few minutes to find the other one. If I had to do nursing school (college) over again, the only thing I would do differently is I would study abroad.

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Specializes in Pedi.

Here's the old thread:

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/if-you-could-843295.html

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This thread HAS been done before, but it will take me a few minutes to find the other one. If I had to do nursing school (college) over again, the only thing I would do differently is I would study abroad.

Abroad?? Wow...plz share why, what it is you know now that could have helped? *interested*

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I would have made more careful notes about what was expected, because I would get toward the end of something and realize I didn't have all the data I would need, or the correct write-ups. Don't depend on your memory alone for assignments and the details about it. If the class agrees to do something a little differently, write it down. Expand on the syllabus whenever the instructor gives you extra hints or ideas.

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I would have forced myself to take more time for me and my family. I lost my mom in the 3rd semester and I regret that I sacrificed so much time I could have had in an effort to "Make perfect scores" I'd give up my As and take Bs if I could get some time back with my Mom. Don't let it consume you.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Abroad?? Wow...plz share why, what it is you know now that could have helped? *interested*

I feel as though I missed my chance to live abroad. All my friends who studied abroad had amazing experiences and- at least when you live in the US- picking up and taking off for months at a time isn't realistic. I have a full-time job, a mortgage and many other responsibilities keeping me here. Those were things that weren't issues/that I wouldn't have worried about at 21/22. If I didn't have medical conditions keeping me here/close to doctors I would have moved to either Africa or Latin America after working for 2 years. Alas, that wasn't meant to be. Maybe I'll retire in the Caribbean and get my chance to live elsewhere.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, LTACH, LTC, Home Health.

I would have continued on until I reached the level I'm currently pursuing (BSN), and entered into the military as an officer and be retiring right about now at the age of 48 instead of dreading work tonight, hoping to get out on time in the morning so that I can make that 3 1/2-hour drive home in time enough to get some sleep so that I can wake up and log on as soon as the BSN courses open up on Sunday evening.

(That loaded sentence is an English instructor's sitting-on-ready with a red marking pencil dream-come-true!:D)

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I'd buy an NCLEX-RN book to coincide with our lectures. I should have done this while i was in Nursing school...oh well.

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