10 Things You Should Know About the First Semester of Nursing School
A tongue-in-cheek synopsis of the trials and tribulations of a first semester nursing student. This article covers just a few of the many changes I've been through in four months. My transformation at graduation should be nothing short of amazing!
Even if your family says they understand, they really don't. You may as well tell them, and your friends too, that you are being deployed for 2-4 years, depending on your program. Because you will be MIA every. single. weekend. And most nights too.
2) Buy Stock In Paper
Buy stock in Georgia Pacific. Because as much copy paper as you will use, you may as well own part of the company.
3) Buy Stock In A Printer
While you are at it, buy stock in Canon or whatever inkjet or laser printer you use. You now own Canon and Georgia Pacific.
4) Don't Forget About Your Pets!
Come to terms now with the guilt you will inevitably feel from neglecting cuddle time with your pets. They have an even harder time understanding your absence than your family. Make them homemade treats. It will temporarily assuage your guilt.
5) Say Goodbye To Your Beautiful Nails
If you have nice artificial (or even natural) nails, mourn them now. They aren't allowed in clinical. Only short, stubby, unpolished nails are allowed in clinical. It's an infection control thing that you will soon understand. Besides, even with PPE, you will be glad for less nooks and crannies that you have to scrub out after being in the hospital all day, especially if you have a patient who..... oh, never mind...... You'll see.
6) No More Haircuts - STUDY!
On that same note, figure out how to get by without a haircut for months at a time. You won't have the time for such inconsequential things as keeping up your appearance. And if you did have the time, you wouldn't have the energy. Because you would be sleeping. And if you aren't sleeping, you will be studying. And if you aren't studying, you will be feeling guilty about not studying..... so you may as well study and save yourself the guilt.
7) Failing is BAD!
If you are an A student, get over it. Your As may well become Bs, and that's ok. I haven't cried even one time over a B. And I'm a previous A student. It's not that you are trying less, or that the material is harder (it is), it's that a 90 isn't an A anymore and a 79 isn't even a C. It's now failing. Failing is bad. Bs are not bad.
? You Are Now Boring. Be Proud!
Tell your friends and family that on the rare occasions you see them that you will bore the crap out of them with all the things you've learned. And be proud of it.
9) Donuts And Coffee Your Best Friends
Accept that donuts and a coffee from 7/11 is a food group in and of itself.
10) Don't Miss Class! Make Plans.
The world doesn't stop turning now that you are in nursing. Unfortunately, things still happen to throw obstacles in your way. Make a plan now for what you will do when Junior barfs all over his teacher's shoes and he needs to be picked up from school. Because you can't miss class, or clinical. Especially not clinical.
So, now that first semester is wrapping up, I would also add that it has been a huge, life-changing learning experience. I have learned how to study, how not to study, how dirty my car can get and still run, how many ginormous textbooks I can fit into one scrap of zippered nylon, how to tell when the neurons have just totally stopped firing and it's time to stop studying because no more info is being retained anyway..... And now, after exams, a nice, long, well-deserved break is almost here. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, whatever you celebrate!!!
More information on "My First Semester in Nursing School..."...
When I went on summer break I made a menu that included a shopping list. I made 6 weeks worth of menus. e/o Sunday I would go grocery shopping and make a bunch of meals that I could freeze or eat that week so that I had healthy foods that I could eat and not eat out of the vending machine, fast food, etc.[/quote']
I start nursing school in January and I'd love some help preparing weekly menus/shopping lists to keep me healthy and diminish one stress in life! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I start nursing school in January and I'd love some help preparing weekly menus/shopping lists to keep me healthy and diminish one stress in life! Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
I went to healthy websites and pilfered their menus... I'm not a vegetarian, but I made a lot of veg food and used the no meat athlete a lot (Vegetarian Recipes for Athletes)... I also used all recipes (Allrecipes - Recipes and cooking confidence for home cooks everywhere). I tracked my food and calories using myfitnesspal (Free Calorie Counter, Diet & Exercise Journal | MyFitnessPal.com) -- also a phone app -- in the community section they have a lot of recipes shared as well. I love Amy's brand burritos, they were quick and easy that I could grab and go. I made a lot of food that could be frozen. I'd also buy some stuff to make salads that I could eat the week I went grocery shopping. I used a food processor and stuck veggies itno foods you wouldn't think you'd find veggies in (ie snuck it into the meat in lasagna).
I would buy fruit and veg and put them into single serve bags so I would be more likely to grab and go rather than spend time washing/preparing.
I love apples and babybel cheese. A fruit and a protein. Protein will help keep you full so all my food had a good protein in it.
I did a lot of trial and error when making the menus. If you google "menu templates" I used examples and found one that worked for me.
While posts like these are supposed to be fun....not everyone handles school like this. I worked through my ABSN program saw friends (albeit much less), family, and still had a designated date night every week. Things get hectic and you'll be stressed....but I really, really, really feel like so much of this "mental breakdown" and "up all night crying" stuff is 99% psychosomatic because it's drilled into their heads from the time of acceptance that that's how it's supposed to be. I haven't cried once in nursing school, have a 3.8 GPA, cuddle my cats, and make time for the people I love and my favorite TV shows. I'm not trying to act high and mighty as I realize everyone is different....but my point is that it reallyyyyyy DOESN'T have to be that bad. Use your time wisely. Spending hours highlighting a textbook is completely useless. Go to happy hour with your friends and decompress instead. You'll be better off in the long run.[/quote']
GOD ! finally someone level headed nursing school is not a nightmare ! Enjoy it learn study BOOKS ARE USELESS UNLESS YOU NEED TO RESEARCH unless its medserg or yoh are using the online resources ... enjoy life go out see friends and family go to a show or out for drinks in the long run it helps to destress .. I have a 94 avg and I had it drilled in my head I couldn't work ..... well I work 36 hours in critical care as a cna and go to school ... stop believing the crap and hype and just do it
I disagree. The important thing to remember is that all of these posts are subjective, and one person's experience is never the same as another person's experience. You are doing just fine without books. Congratulations. I find them very useful.
I honestly feel the say way. a lot of reading doesnt work for me. i am better when dealing with the task hands on. although some of the pointers listed were very good. i just feel its different strokes for different folks.
I know a lot of people can agree with this, but I cannot. I don't print all the powerpoints; why should I? I can access them on the computer anytime. I quit spending hours on end reading and reading because I wasn't retaining any of that reading. Maybe I learn differently, but I remember things best when I am applying them in the clinical setting.[/QUOi
i honestly agree i do better when i am working with my hands. all that reading is not for me. i guess different strokes for different folk.
I'm in school, work 40 plus hours a week, and still see my family and friends. I take every Saturday off. No reading (unless it is for pleasure) no school work, no study group. It's my day to me to do what I want. If I didn't have it I would go crazy!!
Hi i start NS soon and would love to know how you do it. Work, school and have time for family. Also what kind program are you in?
So, now that first semester is wrapping up, I would also add that it has been a huge, life-changing learning experience. I have learned how to study, how not to study, how dirty my car can get and still run, how many ginormous textbooks I can fit into one scrap of zippered nylon, how to tell when the neurons have just totally stopped firing and it's time to stop studying because no more info is being retained anyway..... And now, after exams, a nice, long, well-deserved break is almost here. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, whatever you celebrate!!!
38pearl
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