Top 10 tips for nursing school

ProudStudent · Aug 2, 2012

My program starts the same day, so of course I came here looking for those tips too. Anyone?? :lol2: I have been recently informed that organization is top priority. Next on my mental list comes reading material before class, to be some-what familiar with the topic. I guess this goes for any classes, but I have a feeling I'll take the advice more to heart during NS than your regular prerequisite.

trudiegrl · Aug 2, 2012

This worked well with me, so I hope it helps you as well.

1. Never skimp on reading the textbook. There's no way getting around it.

2. Flashcards are your best friends

3. Easy on the caffeine. It increases anxieties even more

4. Don't get involve with classroom drama

5. Choose your study buddies wisely

6. Plan ahead and think about what you're going to study before you dive into your textbook and notes.

7. There's a reason why textbooks have accompanied CDs -- it never hurts to check it out

8. Read.

9. Don't underestimate the power of exercise -- take a 10 min break to workout

10. Give yourself some credit.. you know more than you think.

Best of luck :)!

ER(notso)n00b, ASN, RN · Aug 2, 2012

Congratulations! Nursing school is a whole lotta fun and a whole lotta crazy! My advice is:

1. Stay organized. Get a good calendar and write your schedule on it.

2. Do not put off studying or doing assignments. Something else will usually come up and then you will be stressed and scrambling.

3. Figure out how you study best and stick with it. I study best alone and have to avoid the temptation to get sucked into study groups. Study groups = waste of time for me. But so tempting to socialize! Other people like to study in groups.

I have a husband and 3 kids, so not a lot of free time. My priorities are (in this order): school, kids, husband, housework, other relationships. Sounds brutal, but I keep telling myself it's temporary. I worked my butt off to get into nursing school and I am unwilling to sacrifice any of it.

Good luck and enjoy the ride!

ScrappytheCoco · Aug 3, 2012

My biggest tip would be LEARN the lab values/first actions/patho of major stuff/med s/e & med administration no no's...the first time. If you don't learn them in fundamentals/pharmacology/med surg 1 it WILL come back to bite you later on.

phuretrotr · Aug 3, 2012

1. Stay up to date on assignments and readings but don't stop there. If you have free time, try to at least start on a future assignment or paper. Doing this will not only give you more free time in the future but also a lot less stress.

2. ALWAYS be ready and prepared for clinical. Showered, hair brushed, iron clothes, white shoes, and a smile. Maintain this appearance every clinical day. Clinical instructors really enjoy seeing their students neat and clean when caring for patients. Patients like this as well!!

3. Stay focused. You know you want to reach that light at the very long end of the tunnel. Keep that dream alive. It may be hard work to get there, but no one wants something that isn't worth working for.

4. Listen well in lecture and take good notes. You can learn a lot just by listening, and not being distracted. Also, we were taught to review our new notes within 24 hours of when we learned the material. Try to go over your notes at least once within this time frame.

5. At all costs, try not to miss a day. Missing a day feels like you missed a semester, especially trying to collect the notes from last time from other classmates.

6. Use available lab times for clinical to your benefit. Usually you only go over a procedure once or twice before your expected to actually preform it. You will also probably have skills check off, so utilizing this lab time is good to go through the procedures once more before being tested on it. It will also help to calm your nerves.

7. Don't procrastinate. I, myself am such a hypocrite on this, but if you do procrastinate, try to find a way not to. If you get bored of one subject, try moving on to another.

8. Try to learn and not memorize teachings. Your brain learns more if you study in different places. On times when I feel myself slacking, or cannot retain the information, I often move places, either from my bedroom to my living room or from the library to a study room.

9. If you need help with something, or have a question, ASK! Instructors are usually very helpful if you ask a question that you have tried to figure out yourself. Also, by asking for help, it shows you are willing to work as a team and not afraid to ask.

10. Don't worry. It is useless. If you have studied enough and practiced a lot, you will be fine. Nerves will come and go, but only you will go on.

ProudStudent · Aug 3, 2012

These tips are great, thanks!

allnurses Guide · Aug 3, 2012

Best tip of them all: learn don't memorize.

WahineMakai · Aug 3, 2012

I haven't started my program yet (August 27!) but I will share a piece of advice from one of my best friends, who just graduated from an RN program. She says this is one of the most important things to know:

If your uniform consists of white scrub pants, ALWAYS wear skin-colored underpants.

:lol2:

meluvsquki · Aug 3, 2012

Try to make the most out of your clinicals. Ask questions. Get an externship or a tech/na job at a hospital. Learn how to write a good cv & resume.

ames86 · Aug 3, 2012

Thanks for all the wonderful advice.

Mama_Cashew, ASN, RN · Aug 3, 2012

3. Easy on the caffeine. It increases anxieties even more

I love that you said this. I see so many times where people say you will need to mainline caffeine. Well due to a medical condition I have, I can only do about 1 caffeinated beverage a day, so mainlining it is not an option for me!