Tips For New Nursing Student

HealthcareProf · Mar 31, 2012

Hello all,
I am a middle school English teacher who has just received my acceptance letter to the nursing program at Murray State for Fall '12. I was wondering what advice you could give to a just-starting-out student. This could anywhere from clinicals to classes to juggling school and family or anything else you think of that a nursing newb might need to know.

Hello, I'm in my 40's and returned to school with a family. I'm not kidding here...those little spongy ear plugs work great for focusing when the kids are being loud. Also, leaving the house and going to a place like the library or even in the car helps with focusing.

Good luck!!

TnMtnRose · Mar 31, 2012

I'm 37 with a hubby and 4 kids and am currently in the last weeks of my first semester in nursing. Best advice? Buy a rolling back pack (trust me it will save you some pain), highlighters, lots of paper and ink too. Make sure you set aside hours to study even on the days you don't have classes but more importantly TAKE TIME FOR YOUR FAMILY! Even if its just dinner together and an hour or 2 of mindless tv, be together and forget about school for a while. Let your family be involved in helping you study.My kids and hubby enjoy quizzing me on my notes.We get extra time together plus I'm learning (and they are too). Don't be afraid to ask questions and keep a good relationship with your fellow students and instructors, you will be together for a while :) Remember, the first week tons of info will be flying at you at lightening speed. You will be overwhelmed and more than likely will cry and think you can't possibly do all that stuff....but you can :) After that first week you will find your groove. Google NCLEX style questions and practice trying to answer them. Our questions are written in that "format" and trust me, its not a matter of which one is the right answer but which one is the BEST right answer. You won't truly know how to study for a test in nursing til after you take the first one. That's when you can plan out your best study methods.Most of all , enjoy it...time will fly by :)