Starting nursing school in three weeks, what am I forgetting?

[Chelonophile]

Hi all!

Soon-to-be nursing student here. I got into a pretty selective BSN program and I'm super excited ^_^

I'm very organized and like to be prepared ahead of time and have plan B, C, D and E all ready and laid out before I go into *anything*.

Unfortunately my school is slow on the details this year (going through staff changes). So I was hoping to get some advice about general gear I should look into and maybe mental preparedness.

I have my stethoscope, scrubs, books, a great backpack, watch, badge clip, pocket organizer etc. I know I still need good shoes.

I'm not sure if I should go with compression hose or socks?

Do I need a portable pulse ox? Everywhere I've worked before has had their own so I'm not sure...

Are there any good books about what to expect/how to handle nursing school? I have one my school recommended on test taking, but that's it.

I just can't help but to feel I'm either over or under prepared and I just want to make sure I've thought of all I can.

Is there anything helpful gear or study-wise that you all found helpful in your programs?

Am I forgetting anything?

Thank you in advance for any help and advice!

[ElizabethH736]

I'm starting nursing school in August and a friend of mine recommended a book called "Nursing School Thrive Guide". It's a great, fast-read book that is pretty cheap on Amazon 😊

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

It sounds like you're pretty good material-wise. Now is the time to start developing a flexible, open mind.

Nothing in nursing school starts on time. Get used to that.

Studying techniques for one quarter/semester do not work for the next.

Do not try an memorize everything -- it will get you no where and waste a lot of time.

Learn to work quickly and efficiently.

If you get your mind right and remain open to anything/everything you will go far. LISTEN to your instructors -- like, really, really listen. Do not try and interpret what they said. They say what the mean and just take it and apply it even if it doesn't quite make sense yet. You're learning a different way of thinking. You're not learning how to memorize things anymore like you did in A&P. You're learning how to take knowledge you have and apply it to different situations. You're learning the process of nursing. Once you realize that the test taking becomes so much easier.

Good luck!

[la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN]

As an ophthalmology RN, I'm curious as to what kind of eye chart they are requiring you to have?

We were supposed to have Jaeger and Snellen charts but they were provided in skills lab for assessment.

[sjalv]

I would also like to add that unless you act like a hostile bear throughout school, you will without fail form very close bonds with some of the people in your class. You'll get to know everyone, but some will become your friends for life. It of course depends on the size of your class, too. We started with 50 people and will be graduating with 19 this Friday. In our class, there have been marriages, births, and family deaths. The stress of nursing school and going through it with other people forms a kind of bond that you can't form by happenstance.

[berrien]

At least at the school I went to, it didn't pay to try to prepare too far ahead because last-minute changes would be made and you'd have to start all over. Also, don't feel like you have to go out to buy every supplemental book the faculty may suggest. I did that and wasted a lot of money, and didn't even need or use most of them. Speaking of text books, stick only with what the faculty is using. Some of my cohorts didn't like our textbook and would buy others, then not do very well on the exams.

I was the flashcard queen, and kept them bundled in zip loc bags, according to exam. I would put the cards that I knew well at the back of each stack. Then when the finals came around, I was able to easily pick out the cards that I felt I needed to brush up on. Worked great for me.

Also, if it's not too overwhelming, start practicing NCLEX questions on a recommended app while you are in school. I would do a few of them at night before falling asleep, and I think it helped me feel much more relaxed during boards.

Good luck!

[nursingcat86]

If you don't mind me asking, what kind of printer did you get?

[NurseJesseeekuh]

I found it helpful to get a small pocket address book and use it as a personal dictionary/ filing system.. for subject matter, clinical sites, policy and procedure notes to remember! Super useful and since you put info where it makes sense for you, it's quick and easy to find. Good luck and happy studying!

[Chelonophile]

Hi BuckyBadger, this is the chart they require us to have:

[Chelonophile]

Again, thank you guys so much for the advice, there are lots of things I hadn't thought of on here that I'm definitely going to be implementing. I'm excited and nervous all at once and if nothing does actually start on time, it's going to drive me crazy! I'll get used to it of course. You can bet I'll be using allnurses for any more issues or questions I have about this process. Good luck to everyone!