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!
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
Ok...I'm a bit behind but that is my plan too. And yup, I think it will be quite a while before it gets a good cleaning! I feel like I can hear you laughing
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.
My SIL just started NS in Florida and she has 4 kids and her husband just got deployed for at least 6 months. I know it's not a permanent situation but she is doing it and I know you can too!!
these are some awesome suggestions!! thank you very much for posting them!!
"....they require 2 hep b before you start, and then a third dose of hep b 6 months after the 1st one. i could waive meningitis vaccination because i wouldn't be living in a dorm. "
if you're just out of high school, get a meningitis shot, too. 18-20y/o is prime time for meningitis.
speaking of kiddos.....
make the daycare arrangements now even if you do not know your schedule yet. at least get them a guaranteed spot at your place of choice otherwise you may have difficulty getting them into where you really want them to be.
i suggest you have plan b, c and maybe d--just in case!!
Great tips everyone! I have got to get started on my vaccintations. In addition to what everyone listed we also have to get a Hep A vaccine.
I love the idea of asking for nursing supplies for Christmas. I think that I am going to ask for a stethescope. I already got a PDA for my birthday so I am good to go there and I already have some crocs that don't have any holes and I love 'em.
I think the main thing that I am trying to do is start a savings account. My hubby and I just moved in with my parents and I work now but when I finally start NS I am going to quit my job. Things will be extremely tight but my parents are willing to help us. The only thing we have to pay is our car payment and insurance and then our schoo tuition (hubby is going to school too but he should have financial aid). I have a loan from a few years ago that I defaulted on and I am working on taking care of that but right now I can't get any financial aid.
I am also trying to not stress so much. I don't even apply until March and I already have nights where I just lay in bed freaking out. Anxiety is going to be my enemy!
These are awesome suggestions! I'm *hopefully* starting in the spring and I am desperately trying to track down my Hep B vaccination records and a BLS class. I was not aware that my doctor is a fan of destroying medical records that are older than 3 years, so I may have to get the Hep B shots again even though I've already had them. Grrr! But hey, if I can get into nursing school I'll do whatever I have to do!
These are awesome suggestions! I'm *hopefully* starting in the spring and I am desperately trying to track down my Hep B vaccination records and a BLS class. I was not aware that my doctor is a fan of destroying medical records that are older than 3 years, so I may have to get the Hep B shots again even though I've already had them. Grrr! But hey, if I can get into nursing school I'll do whatever I have to do!
Are you sure he didn't just put them in storage? I work in a doctor's office, and we cannot destroy medical records until they are 7 years old. The office manager told me that's federal law... she could be wrong, but 3 years seems way too soon to be destroying medical records. you may want to double-check on that. It would be a pity if you had to get those vaccinations again, although maybe your school would accept Hep B titers as proof?
Thank you for the info! Unfortunately they are destroyed...it's a pediatrician's office and evidently when I started going to a regular doctor I neglected to transfer my immunization records. Since I hadn't been back to that office in 3 years they destroyed my files. Can't say I necessarily blame them, it's my fault for not making sure my regular doc has everything. The school said I could have my blood tested for proof of immunity, but that takes at least 6 weeks and there's no guarantee that my body ever became fully immune. I'd rather just get them over again and be done with it. I checked and my doctor said it won't hurt me or anything. I did find a BLS class though so yay! Now I just have to wait on that darn letter...I'm DYING to find out if I got in. 3 more weeks...
If you don't already have one get a coffee pot with a timer. Sometimes just knowing there is already coffee ready to go is the only thing that can get me out of bed when it is still pitch dark outside.
If you don't already have one get a coffee pot with a timer. Sometimes just knowing there is already coffee ready to go is the only thing that can get me out of bed when it is still pitch dark outside.
it's an alarm clock that would raise the dead. :zzzzzit rolls off your nightstand and all around the room so that you have to get out of bed and go find it to turn it off. by then, you're already up and if you've got your coffee already brewing, you're good to go!
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?
Ocelot
106 Posts
Ok...I'm a bit behind but that is my plan too. And yup, I think it will be quite a while before it gets a good cleaning! I feel like I can hear you laughing