WANTED: Nursing student tidbits of advice

Tracey55 · Jun 18, 2009

wow...that was sooo good and so nice of you to respond such honesty and love. I too will be starting in August and scared to death. Mostly because I can't rememebr why I wanted to do this...

DAVISJA · Jun 18, 2009

Conngrats!! I am a nursing student as well and the thing that works for me is time management. Be sure to make time for studying and reviewing because it is very easy to get behind if you don't. There will be alot of reading involved and alot of papers to write. If you stay on top of all of your assignments you will be fine.

MIZZQUINN · Jun 18, 2009

congratulations... i just finished up school on the 11th of this month and i must say i had no idea how intense the program was! i can tell you plan to make caffeine your best friend because sleep will be a thing of the past..lol.. you will need it. i did purchase a palm pilot and downloaded all my books into it it was really handy when on the floor and made it much nicer than having to drag all those books to clinicals especially having the drug book in their was nice! as far as the studying goes someone earlier said it was an individual preference they are right when i first started me and my cousin joined the class together thinking it would be perfect for studying but i soon realized when i studied with people i just didn't do as well but for her it worked well. i found that reading the chapter and writing down key points as a question on index cards with the answer on the back worked really well for me. well good luck and you will be fine :specs: now im praying i pass the nclex.

landesmummy · Jun 18, 2009

I purchased a Livescribe pen & it has saved me several times. I write my notes and record the lecture on the pen at the same time--there is an infrared camera that copies what you write as well as records at the same time-I then come home, upload the pen to the computer, type out all of the notes we are given and then put in the instructors comments, points, etc. If they have illustrations, I can usually find them on A.D.A.M. In exams, questions have been fought successfully by playing my recording of my pen--I listen to the entire lecture & if something is not correct, I mark it in my notes and bring my notebook & pen with them, and let the instructors listen to what they said...wished this had been around last year. Other hints, amazing web-sites: labtestsonline.org-explains how, why & when the labs are off, medilexicon--excellent for abbreviations, medline-for pathophys & symptoms, and allnurses.com. When you get to the evil nursing care plans (joking!!) Daytonite who is a regular presence on here, will be your saviour. She has such insight, and can help you in so many ways with the writing of such things--and you learn from her. She is amazing. I search for things on here almost daily, and the information I have found to be priceless--things that professors don't always teach, as for them its second nature--yet this is a most amazing community, and even though we aren't all graduated yet, we are still part of the clan of nurses. Make sure you get there 30 mins early for every thing--it is noticed. Be clean & organized with your things at clinicals. A bright coloured stethoscope helps, as does a small notebook that you can jot things down in your pocket. Spare batteries for your penlight--always check it before you start the shift. Couple of pens in the pocket, alchohol wipes in the pocket, good attitude--some professors are horrible, so try not to take it personal, a good lunch--take your lunch and your breaks--you need them. I come home, clean my clogs, shower & wash my uniform daily and then its all ready for the next day. I now have my kids making their own lunch and breakfast the evening before--it helps, and sometimes they make me lunch--boy, I've gotten some surprises!! Personally, try to keep up with your reading, recognize that your house gets cleaned on breaks--don't clean if you can sleep and keep the goal in mind. Good luck, it is hard with a family, children, household & I also have a business, but it can be done. Be sure to make time for your family & squeeze in some time for you--reading med-surg in the bath is not ideal, but it works!!Congrats for getting in & starting. Hope these help

trustsupplyguy · Jun 19, 2009

Here's a few thoughts:

Organization is big -- there's a free program for PDAs called Due Yesterday by nosleep software; it was very helpful.

Having typed up notes is handy, but not critical. It's nice to be able to share class notes via email.

My wife always read & highlighted the textbook assignments. On the other hand, I rarely read the textbook assignments and instead relied on my class notes and on supplemental books -- we both did well.

Consider buying used books -- they're a lot cheaper and I rarely, if ever, ran into a problem using them. Amazon has used books and good reviews; Alibris is another great source for used books. Also, check out the library.

If algebra is a weak area for you, get a book on math for nurses and work some examples in each section. This is probably a good idea even if you're strong in math.

Index cards -- I liked to summarize key lecture or reading points onto index cards. The process helped me learn the material, and then I used the cards for memorization.

Finally, nursing care planning (aka nursing diagnosis or NANDA) was a HUGE topic in my nursing program, and many of us had difficulties getting a handle on the subject. The classic care plan has with a nursing diagnosis, a "related to" clause, and an "as evidenced by" clause that lists signs/symptoms. Example: Constipation related to bed rest as evidenced by the patient's statement, "I haven't had a bowel movement in four days and I feel constipated." After that you will list the appropriate nursing interventions, such as: 1) have patient drink 300 ml fluid with each meal, 2) patient will get out of bed and walk to the nurses station and back once a day with assistance, and 3) teach patient that constipation can be caused by lack of fluids and inactivity.

The trick to doing a care plan is to gather the signs and symptoms while in clinical, and then later find a NANDA that fits them. Also, you can look up the medical diagnosis (e.g Heart Failure) in your care plan book and get a list of NANDAs that may apply.

Here are some common nursing diagnoses that will prove useful to you: Cardiovascular (Activity Intolerance, Decreased Cardiac Output, Ineffective Tissue Perfusion), Elimination (Constipation, Diarrhea, Impaired Urinary Elimination), Discomfort (Impaired Comfort, Pain), Fluid Volume Deficit, Risk for Infection, Respiratory (Impaired Gas Exchange, Ineffective Airway Clearance, Ineffective Breathing Pattern, Risk for Aspiration), Wounds (Impaired Skin Integrity, Impaired Tissue Integrity), Activities of Daily Living (Impaired Physical Mobility, Risk for Falls), and Psychosocial (Powerlessness, Ineffective Health Maintenance).

Good luck and congratulations!

guest358111 · Jun 19, 2009

I am a nursing instructor and want to comment on the bags. Most clinical sites have very limited space so the smaller the better. Also, don't bring ANYTHING of value that you can't keep on your body! Best wishes. P.S. I agree with the poster who said not to strive for perfection, because you're setting yourself up for failure. Strive for excellence. Oh, by the way, SO many of you need to learn to spell correctly. It will definitely improve your credibility!

This is a great post! Especially about not bringing anything of value. I am speaking from experience...a fellow student and I had, between the two of us, over $1000.00 worth of property stolen at the clinical site, not to mention some care plans (which are very valuable considering the time spent on them!) Thankfully, my things were recovered, but my classmates were not. It was a very expensive lesson, to say the least. Please don't make the same mistake!

And I agree emphatically with the comment about correct spelling.

landesmummy · Jun 19, 2009

This is a great post! Especially about not bringing anything of value. I am speaking from experience...a fellow student and I had, between the two of us, over $1000.00 worth of property stolen at the clinical site, not to mention some care plans (which are very valuable considering the time spent on them!) Thankfully, my things were recovered, but my classmates were not. It was a very expensive lesson, to say the least. Please don't make the same mistake!
And I agree emphatically with the comment about correct spelling.

More thoughts...The spelling and grammar usage is appalling and no offence to the nursing instructors, but it would help if all exams were written clearly, concisely, grammatically correct and spell checked BEFORE given out the students...the charting I have read would make people cringe, and worse, these are by native English speakers...when we have sloppy charting, it comes across that we are sloppy nurses...

On the note of taking things to clinicals, definitely do not take things of value--if you do have to, keep them on your person. I have a small wallet with my license, my insurance, my cpr card, & my health insurance card with a few $ that I keep with me.

Other than that, and a comfy jacket that holds my phone and stethoscope, thats it. I've yet to come across a clinical site that has enough room for everyone's backpack & lunchbags & jackets. Travel light and the staff will appreciate it.

Also, when you start your clinicals, thank the staff that you worked with during the day. It makes a huge difference--you will learn more, it fosters a great work relationship & from every single person you come into contact with, you take something of them away with you--it may not be all positive, but even with the negative, you still learn.

Prettyladie · Jun 19, 2009

i love this post so much. ive read everything, and im taking everything in. thanks to all the posts, and especially to the OP for starting this topic. I too, start the program in August, and allnurses, and student blogging have kept my anxiety to a minimum. i read the student blogs of past students on their journey of nursing school. its great. ive even started one. but definitely keep this going.

KellRrn2b · Jun 20, 2009

i love this post so much. ive read everything, and im taking everything in. thanks to all the posts, and especially to the OP for starting this topic. I too, start the program in August, and allnurses, and student blogging have kept my anxiety to a minimum. i read the student blogs of past students on their journey of nursing school. its great. ive even started one. but definitely keep this going.

your'e welcome!!!:wink2:

And, i keep reading the replys over and over myself...ive probably commited it all to memory lol....but it does really curb my anxiety:uhoh21:

Zoe*aka*studentnurse · Jun 20, 2009

HI all,

This is such a great thread!!!

I've just taken my last exam of my first semester :-) and boy oh boy, have I learnt alot this past few months. Along with that and the advise from here, I'm hoping next semster will be ever easier.

Zoe :-)

landesmummy · Jun 20, 2009

The reason I think why this post has struck such a chord with everyone, is that we are all a community and we all want to help each other succeed--even for someone soon to graduate, I have certainly learnt of some great ideas--thank you for all the input! :yeah:

Prettyladie · Jun 20, 2009

more posts, more posts, more posts!!! =)