Starting NS in January!

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Hey y'all! I'm so stoked to be starting a BSN program in January after 2.5 long years of prerequisites!

I'll graduate in May '16!

Who else is starting the tough journey in January?

Any advice?!!

So pumped!! :yes:

My advice: hit the ground running, don't get behind, buy a planner, manage your time wisely, be careful who you make friends with (they can make you or break you), do you readings before class, write down everything, and most importantly never ever give up on yourself! Good luck to you all :)

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I am also starting in January, the 6th to be exact! I am excited as well...of course nervous too. It's kind of crazy that we are starting right after Christmas. I have a family, so the budget thing has been an interesting challenge this time of year...but I am ready! I wish ALL of us just starting (as well as all of those who are going into their next semester) the best of luck!!!! ;)

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Specializes in Transplant.

I just finished my 1st semester! My advice would be to stay ahead! There will be all kinds of assignments overlapping, so try and get any small assignments out of the way if you can. Make sure to READ over and over again! Form study groups, even if you feel like you understand the material, once you discuss it with another person you'll discover that you missed something. Most people say to get a planner, but I bought a tablet and put all my assignment due dates on the calender, there is a widget app on my home screen that shows all upcoming appts on my calender a week in advance so I had it there in front of me at all times (I'm a very forgetful person!). I also was able to download all powerpoints and view them on the tablet, but it isn't helpful if you have to have the actual printout in front of you, I just prefer to save trees. If you work and have the option to quit your job, then quit your job. This is your career and you've worked hard to get accepted, don't possibly throw it away because you were too tired to study. For those of you who have to continue working, it IS possible! I worked during my first semester and it was extremely tough, be prepared to never sleep again! I stressed way more than I should've, and I made it out alive with 4 B's...but I've decided to quit working for 2nd semester as I have heard the material gets harder. Good luck to all of you!

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I'm starting in January too. So excited!!

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For clinical: The clinical instructor is always right. Never correct the clinical instructor. Smile and nod. If you aren't confident, put your shoulders back, head up, and pretend that you are. Don't do anything outside your scope of practice or anything you haven't learned in lab in the hopsital. The nurses don't know what you've learned, so do not voluntarily do something you haven't learned in lab, or without permission from your clinical instructor. Don't cry in clinical. It's not sympathetic to the patient's. It's considered unprofessional. Go to the bathroom to cry.

For class: Get an nclex book with questions to practice. Questions, Questions, Questions!! I like Davis Q&A for fundamentals and really all the nursing classes. I have all the Davis Q&A books; Saunders 5th edition for everything. The practice questions are helpful. Lippincott Q&A Nclex-RN tenth edition is really good too! It breaks everything down by specific subjects it's great for Medsurg/Adult health, Peds, OB, and Psych ( but it doesn't have a fundamentals section.)

For your spirit: Don't stop, Don't give up! Keep trying, you'll get it right! Just keep swimming! :-)

If you invest in the time, and I mean really put in the time to study, you'll get to the finish line! Good Luck!

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I go to orientation Jan. 8 & 9 and start Jan. 21 so I have a little more time than some of you. I am excited to finally start ns..it has been a long journey for me..pre-reqs trials and tribulations, but is finally here...and also nervous because it is new and I don't know what to expect. Thanks for you advice.

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I start a ASN program on Jan. 13 and I can't wait. Super excited!!! Darton College of Nursing. Class of 2016

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Mandy, I love your name.....it's mine, too!! So, I feel an automatic connection! I am also a non traditional student with a family! Soon we will both be Nurse Mandy!! ;)

I am starting an ADN program in January. I am completing the final prerequisites

for a BSN at the same time, so I will only have a year or so to complete a BSN degree once I am an RN! Good luck to everyone starting this new journey!!

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I start Jan. 14th!!! It's hard to believe it's FINALLY here and about to go down!!! :nailbiting: It's been a long rough road for me! I took my 2 years of pre and core reqs and then applied and cried like a baby when I was accepted the first time but had to give up my spot because I did not receive clearance right away by the BON. I had to re-apply and got accepted again to start this spring and after 8 LONG months I found out a couple days ago that I have been cleared and will finally be a nursing student!! The last couple years I have been nothing but excited and positive about nursing school even when I knew I may not be allowed to go, and now that I know I will be starting in 2 weeks I am terrified and suddenly do not feel prepared. I guess it's just nerves. I'm praying all goes well and I survive!...Also I'm a little overwhelmed because I am doing everything last minute since I wasn't sure if I'd be going in Jan. I still need a TB test, scrubs, shoes, health ins, have to upload all my shot records online, back and spine screening, have to leave my bf and move from South Texas to North Texas (5hrs) and move in with my parents :***: , register and get books and all other supplies and more. I'm overwhelmed to say the least but there's a hint of excitement especially with it being a new year and all the new changes coming....Anyone else in a somewhat similar boat?

Here's to a new year and a good first semester of nursing school!!!

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Mandy I love your name.....it's mine, too!! So, I feel an automatic connection! I am also a non traditional student with a family! Soon we will both be Nurse Mandy!! ;) I am starting an ADN program in January. I am completing the final prerequisites for a BSN at the same time, so I will only have a year or so to complete a BSN degree once I am an RN! Good luck to everyone starting this new journey!![/quote']

Whoo hoo! Mandy is a great name to have :) I cannot wait to start!! Good luck to you, dear!!!!

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I also start January 13!!! It has been a long journey to get to and will be a long journey to get through but I am so ready! I still have supplies to get but I'm ready!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Tele, Psych.

My journey as a nursing student starts January 13th and I can't wait. I'm excited and scared at the same time! I know this will be the MOST challenging thing that I'll do thus far in my life, but I'll continue to pray and look at all my obstacles as blessing and as preparation for the future. Good luck yall! @theUniversityOfMemphis

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