Three months into an accelerated nursing school program...

[Mindylane]

Hi everyone,

I just came here to post this, not to brag, but just to say that I've pretty much made huge strides at school this semester. I'm currently attending a 15-month accelerated program, and I was slightly discouraged at the start. I was averaging high C's in Med Surg and Health Assessment, and had no idea what I was doing wrong. However, in the last month or so, things really started turning around. I can now confidently say that I have at least a B+ in every class (including an A in pharm!). I'm amazed at how fine-tuning one's studying skills and habits can make all the difference. It truly does require a new way of thinking, and as I'm approaching finals (the next two weeks!) I'm realizing that things are making a lot more sense and the concepts are really falling into place.

I had my head-to-toe on Tuesday of this week. I was terrified, and have always been pretty shy and anxious during exams, especially when being assessed by a professor or something... My health assessment professor said that it was one of the best she had seen. I was so incredibly proud of myself, and have way more confidence than I could've imagined at this point. It hasn't been easy, and I think I average 5-6 hours of sleep per night, if I'm lucky, but I just love nursing school so much and the challenges that it brings... and now that my brain is actually understanding what is being discussed... well, it's even more awesome.

I'm just so excited to have gotten to this point. I cannot wait to start my summer semester and have more clinicals (my favorite part).

[CareQueen, BSN, RN]

Whoo-hoooooo!!! I start a 17-month Accelerated prog in August as well, and I hope to have similar success. Good luck to you all!

[Mindylane]

I love reading your story. I just got accepted into a ADN program at my community college. I'm really happy and freaked too. Any advice?

My advice... totally immerse yourself in everything, but realize what is important and what you can skim through. I started out reading EVERYTHING, the textbook chapters, the supplemental readings... and soon learned that, yes, it's great to expose yourself to everything that's out there, but realistically, there are things that you'll need to know like the back of your hands and things that you can save for when you're done with school. Haha. Now that I know at least what my professors are looking for (and they're teaching generally for the NCLEX), I realize what is important. Otherwise, you'll have no time to get the critical information.

Be prepared for class and have good study habits. What I do now is record myself speaking the important information, listen to it, and make index cards so the information is going into my brain in three different ways. It has helped immensely. I listen to the recordings to and from wherever I go.

I've also been working maybe 10-15 hours per week throughout the last few months, and had to cut back on some hours (babysitting). I don't recommend working!! It was tough. Make friends and get together for study groups and teach other people the things you've learned. I talk my boyfriend's ear off about random stuff I learned in class, especially if I'm confused (fortunately he is in the medical field too, so he can contribute as well) and it helps to explain it out loud to others.

MAKE A LOT OF INDEX CARDS. I bought maybe 800 index cards and little boxes for them and have them stacked on my desk. It's perfect for studying for a cumulative final. Read a bunch of them every day so you retain the information.

It's definitely doable. It's HARD and you'll work for it, but you can do it!!!

[Gyoon]

hey mindy!

I am starting fall 2014, any tips you can give in terms of which classes to take when and where to live, where to do clinicals, anything helps! thank you so much, i would reallllyy appreciate it.

my email is [email protected]

[NurseSN45696]

This is uplifting! I'm starting a 12 mo. ABSN in August and I'm sooooo nervous!