Tips on surviving through nursing school

[CrazziiRN913]

I am a new nursing student, and school starts in about a week and a half. I'm super excited about becoming anurse because it's something I wanted to do for a very very long time...I'm just wondering if any one has and tip on making it through nursing school. I've heard it can be rough so any suggestions would most definantly be appreciated!!!!! :-)

[jeffreyballentine]

I felt the same way about math...but really, really learn ratios because med calc is all about setting up ratios, particularly in the beginning! And you need to be proficient at med calc, because, well, peoples lives are at stake with meds.

[jeffreyballentine]

She's especially right about one thing....read the chapters...don't skim...read them, yes, it's pain...but I guarantee you that one little sentance will pop up on a Hesi or Nclex type of school test.

[jeffreyballentine]

She's so right about the drama...at one point a group of students were into this "intense letter righting campaign" to the dean about how unfair the class was...um, here's a clue...shut up and learn the manifestations...sorry, but if you know those backwards and forwards, then you'll know the interventions and the associated drugs, doses, etc...guess what, then you can critical think.

[fabjulev]

hey there jeffreyballentine, if you don't mind me asking what school are you attending. i'm a 2011 hopefull for lonestar cyfair in texas. i just applied today and already anxiously and fearfully awaiting for the day that i recieve my acceptance letter. :)

[jeffreyballentine]

I go to Chamberlain College of Nursing in Columbus. I like it a lot. I did great in the beginning then hit my first serious nursing stuff and had some problems. Initially, I blamed the school. That was garbage. It was me. I didn't go ask for help. Didn't study near enough. Once I spent some time with two great teachers, Professor Z and Professor C - it made me realize that I wasn't even in the ballpark in terms study. It's a good school. Like any school - as you check things out - you'll find people who like one and hate the same one...just different viewpoints. It really is a matter of just how YOU feel...and remember, you get in what you put out...a hard lesson for this knuckleheaded male - and aren't all of my gender...LOL!....to learn....(after all, we really can only do one thing at a time...versus the multi-tasking thing...LOLOLOL!

Good luck. I love my school...even when I'm angry at them... grin!

J

[fabjulev]

Thanks for the reply, i'll check in with you from time to time.

[klaudianurse]

I just got my first nursing job. My advice is to take it day by day, sometimes even hour by hour. It helps tremendously to have a planner of assignments and really focus on what you have to do now and not in the future otherwise it may be overwhelming. I was one of those that cried, panicked, and believed I could not make it from the first semester. Try to stay positive. Tape some positive lines to your mirror and other places you often look at. Have a glass of red wine to relax. That was a suggestion from my lab instructor.

Stay strong and you can do it.

[guiltysins]

I haven't started yet but one of the things that my developmental psych professor told us to do when we had to study was don't just read, but take notes on the book! I'm a little OCD so anything I need to know, I have to write it down, some people see it as a waste and even when I had powerpoints I still rewrote the information in my notes, organizing it in a way that made the most sense to me! Sometimes its hard to study when you outline things differently from the book, also rewriting the information helped me study it more because I was saying the sentences over and over again in my head. Somethings that made me say "huh?" in the book I'd keep saying over and over, rewrite it and then say "OHH that's what it means" it works for me and it is just so much more organized. I don't want to have powerpoints + notes + textbook when I have to study, I'd rather have it all in one place together.

Everyone has their own method of studying, whether it be flashcards, talking outloud, notes, recording lectures, summary sheets ect. Don't just use other people's methods, find your own! My friends found it pretty silly when I highlighted key things in A&P with a red pen and I gave everything it's own heading, but when I needed to look for something specific to study, I didn't have to flip back and forth looking for little words, they jumped out at me.

I also agree with not buying into the drama, rumors ect. You might think it doesn't effect you but after awhile it does begin to make you question yourself. A lot of people thought my physiology professor was awful and that wasn't the case. She was difficult but I actually enjoyed her class, she was a great professor and I admit it was hard keeping up with her and her exams were just difficult, it was the hardest earned B I ever got and I still think she was a great professor. You're going to hear a lot aout such and such professor and such and such class but its best you go in with an open mind to give it and the professor a chance. There were some posts on this forum that at times made me question going into nursing all together but I'd stop myself, close the window and say "you know this all may be true but I'd rather experience it myself then take others words for it" it's kind of like the old saying that you have to "learn the hard way", I think it applies in nursing.

[jeffreyballentine]

You're so right! Plus, it takes time to find what works for you. I tried to use Power Point and it just didn't have the same impact in terms of remembering manifestations, patho, interventions, drugs, associated problems, care plans, etc. In my case, I have to write everything down....I generally use one of those old composition books, so I can use one book per chapter, so when it's time to review, I have individuals...I also re-write on flip index cards, thus make my own chapter flash-cards. It so about finding what works for you!

[fabjulev]

hey klaudianurse, thanks for the heartwarming advice:heartbeat. i am most definitely one of those people that you described, and it's reassuring to hear that you overcame nursing school and you are now an r.n.!:ancong!: me and my nine year old read your post and he's going to make my positive post notes. i hope to keep in touch with you, so that i may pick your brain on your experiences. :tku: