I originally was thinking about ABSN programs, but I realized that this applies to anyone who is starting a program in the spring.
1. Get your BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR certification out of the way. You don't want to be running around trying to find a class right before you start school! The certifications are good for 2 years, so just make sure you'll be covered for your entire school career; it just makes things easier down the road to not have to re-up while you're still in school.
2. Start your vaccinations and titers. The Hep B vaccination, for example, requires 3 doses, and the last dose has to be 6 months after the first. A lot of schools will let you start clinicals with just the first two, but they are going to want to see evidence that you've had the third not long after that. So if you get that done now, it's one less thing to think about.
3. Start researching what student loans are available, what's out there, etc. This industry is in flux right now, but if you get a spreadsheet going now, you can just update it as you get closer to starting school.
4. Research the best places to buy a stethoscope, PDA, and any other equipment your school requires.
5. Figure out what kinds of shoes you'll be able to wear and watch for sales on them. I really like Easy Spirit shoes, so I subscribe to their email updates and they tell me when they are having a sale.
6. Get a Saunders NCLEX book and start looking it over -- no pressure! Just get used to the format of the questions. I wouldn't buy textbooks right now, though, because schools tend to change book requirements. But get your booklist as soon as you can and start looking for cheaper copies. :)
7. See if you can shadow a nurse. That will relieve a little bit of the uncertainty about the hospital environment before you start school. Or volunteer at your local hospital a few hours a week between now and when school starts.
I'd love to hear what others have done to start preparing! That Spring start will come so fast!
For those of you who itemize on your tax return, get a spreadsheet going now and update it to the current date. (My husband has a lot of medical expenses and it always takes me a while to get all that information together.) Then all you have to do is update it monthly, or do the last 4 months of the year at the beginning of January. This will allow you to file your 2009-2010 FAFSA as soon as possible. And it means you won't be running around collecting receipts (where DID I put that shoebox of gas receipts? LOL) come tax-time.
I know. Who the heck wants to think about TAXES right now??
Many in my class did not want to go that route because they thought that they would have to pay back a certain amount of time to a hospital. Well guess what, they owe time anyway due to the fellowship training.
I got a full scholarship for which I am indebted two years.
I got a six months critical care fellowship for which I am indebted two years.
I'm repaying both simultaneously.
There are lots of opportunities for nurses, take advantage of them.
Start thinking of replies to the inevitable family question in a few months: "What would you like for Christmas/Chanukah/Kwanzaa, etc.?" You can whip out your list... "Well gee, I have a few (ahem) things I need for nursing school. Maybe you can help! There's that pesky stethoscope (expensive, I know, so maybe family members can all chip in for that one). I need shoes for clinical. Oh, and that PDA thing (also expensive). How about an Amazon.com gift card? Or a Staples gift card?"
You get the picture. I know, I know. We're not supposed to be greedy. But my family members ALWAYS ask me what I want for Christmas and this year, I'm gonna be ready for them! My list of "stuff" for nursing school is long, and my checkbook balance is small! :chuckle
Way better than getting a bottle of perfume you don't even like, or yet another pair of slippers.
I am an alternate for Spring, but I'm trying to think like I'm already accepted.... just in case..
Once this Fall semester is over, during Winter break I'm planning on brushing up on my dimensional analysis. One of my friends in the program told me the other day, that a month into school you're given a math test, converting medications, and if you get less than a 90%, you fail. You only get 2 chances to pass, or you're out of the program, no questions asked. So I'm going to make sure I've got that done pat, because I know there will be other things to worry about once the time comes!
Anyone planning to clean there house like crazy before starting school? I am not a good housekeeper, but I figure it will be the last time my house gets cleaned for at least a year! :chuckle
I am moving to go to my school this weekend. UGH! At that point where it is all the odds and ends and junk, but junk you use. Cleaned the house I am moving into last weekend. Will be spending the next few months before school starts organizing it to the greatest extreme. Do I have to go back to packing and cleaning now? The only way I am managing is to remember why I am moving and what my goal is for the next 2 1/2 years.
yes, cleaning the house is definately something I will try to do before school starts in Jan. Since I posted the first time on this thread, I have received my acceptance letter! So now I am going back over all these great tips on things to do. One more thing I need to do is: Stop worrying so much!!! I am having a lot of anxiety about the thought of failing! I have got to start thinking positive! I hear everybody talking about their husband's helping and I am a single parent, so that really scares me! I know I can do it though, I just have to calm down and learn to take things one day at a time. I'm sure there are other single parents out there, right?
Thanks again everybody for all the great ideas and good luck to everyone.
Cosyla - you can do it! I am a single parent too. I am moving in with my mother who was going to help with my 3 yr old. Unfortunately, she has COPD and very suddenly can't progressed to where she can't even walk 10 ft without a major breathing episode. So now, rather than helping, I will have someone else to care for.
I have scoured all the posts on here of the single parents. Most have multiple children, work full time and go to school full time. They all get cheers from me. I won't be working while going to school and have a great pre-school that my daughter can stay in until 6pm to give me study time. One of the things I have been working on before school starts is finding a way/place to study until I absolutely must get my daughter. I am trying to plan ahead to not study from the time I pick her up until she goes to sleep. Other than moving (which naturally brings the cleaning and organizing), my biggest planning sessions revolve around how I am going to schedule this, keep a high GPA and quality time with my daughter.
LovesLucy, Thanks for the kind words of support. I'm sorry to hear about your mom. It sounds you're determined to make it work though. I'm sure you will. I am like you in that I will not have to work while in school thank goodness! The whole time I was doing my pre-reqs, it seemed like all I did was study! I can't imagine having to study like that and go to work:no:! I do have three kids though and my youngest is seven. They get so tired of hearing me say, "I cant', I have to study" I guess the bottom line is, we do what we have to do and hopefully it will all pay off soon! Good luck to you!
Also, good luck to everyone!
I am having a lot of anxiety about the thought of failing! I have got to start thinking positive! I hear everybody talking about their husband's helping and I am a single parent, so that really scares me! I know I can do it though, I just have to calm down and learn to take things one day at a time. I'm sure there are other single parents out there, right?
It sounds you're determined to make it work though. I'm sure you will. I am like you in that I will not have to work while in school thank goodness! The whole time I was doing my pre-reqs, it seemed like all I did was study! I can't imagine having to study like that and go to work:no:! I do have three kids though and my youngest is seven. They get so tired of hearing me say, "I cant', I have to study" I guess the bottom line is, we do what we have to do and hopefully it will all pay off soon!
Good luck to you!
AtomicWoman
1,747 Posts
For those of you who itemize on your tax return, get a spreadsheet going now and update it to the current date. (My husband has a lot of medical expenses and it always takes me a while to get all that information together.) Then all you have to do is update it monthly, or do the last 4 months of the year at the beginning of January. This will allow you to file your 2009-2010 FAFSA as soon as possible. And it means you won't be running around collecting receipts (where DID I put that shoebox of gas receipts? LOL) come tax-time.
I know. Who the heck wants to think about TAXES right now??