I start this fall in my nursing program and Im extremely anxious!!! Im looking for any advice that will help me in school. Whats the thing you can NOT live w/o during nursing school? What was the best study method for you? Index cards, recorders, palm pilots? What should I take to clinicals? I know you all were anxious when u started!!!
thanks guys
p.s. ....im hoping this will end up being a HUGE thread that other anxious students can read
hahaha...i think im OBSESSED with starting NS. Even though all current NS keep telling me to enjoy this time b4 school starts I cant help but be anxious! Ive been searching to find the most comfy shoes. Ive also fine tuned my list of supplies that I will need for class and clinicals (thanks for all the tips guys). Ive got my bb curve, downloaded some apps, even already programmed my school schedule for the whole semester in it. Oh guys i meant to tell all u fellow bb users that google calendar allows u to sync your calendar with theirs. It is sooo cool because i also synced it with my husbands phone so he knows when im in class. Last thing is figuring out how to pay for the books....which are over 1000 (wth, lol)...thinkin ill ask family for some help ...besides my bday is aug 14th and xmass is dec 25 (lol)...ill just request large monetary gifts (or a check made out to the bookstore for 1000, ha).
ok...enough of my ramblings
Hi I was wondering what apps u downloaded to ur blackberry curve .. ??? Iam also starting in fall
Specializes in Case Mgmt, Anesthesia, ICU, ER, Dialysis.
To the person who posted about a rolling crate: You go, girl! My classmates call it "my luggage", but I'm the one with all the reference texts and sheet protectors.
Glue sticks are a good idea.
In addition to your loose-leaf paper, get a ream of multi-colored paper. When you draw something out yourself - charts, graphics, etc - put it on there. Then you can find YOUR reference, done the way YOU understand it, at your fingertips. I did it just tonight for my "Heart-Man" - learning the leads for a 12-lead and how to read one. (Another story all together...may God have mercy on our souls tomorrow for the test!)
Apps for the Blackberry Curve: Epocrates. It does math, calculations, gives diagnoses synopsis, differential possibilities for various symptoms and has drugs, to boot. You may want to find a nursing care plan one, as well...I know they make them, but I don't have to deal with them anymore (neener! ) so I don't know what the name of the program is. Look at the Merck Medicus website, too, and go to http://www.crackberry.com to browse what all is available.
I have Epocrates and Merck on mine, and those two cover anything I've needed.
Additionally, many of your textbooks will have a place you can register them online, and if you have internet capabilities (phone, netbook, etc) you can access the full-text of the book online as opposed to having to haul it around.
To the person who has such expensive books - do NOT buy from the school's bookstore!!! Amazon.com, and buy used! You can often get BRAND NEW BOOKS for 1/4 of the cost. Many of mine were still in the shrink-wrap when I got them. Be careful to buy from people with a high feedback rating, and you should be fine. Don't spend more than you have to!
According to the "Donut of Misery, I have 16.96 months to go, and am 39% done. Onward, Anesthesia Soldiers!
I dont think the boyfriends/ husbands will every understand this inner nerd in all of us, but nursing school is just in another playing field. All of us are extremely determined, so we have to find excitement in the little things such as shopping for school supplies lol. If not, places like walmart and staples would go out of business without our sales. Because of course, like you guys, I totally looked at glue sticks, paper clips, protracters and every planner out there just to possibly see if I might ever need it. :nuke:
I really like to come back to this thread and read all your posts. I remember how excited I was when I sat the first day in that chair and I had no idea what to expect. Nursing School will be very hard, but it will be so rewarding when you get to the finish line and then you look around and you realized that you possibly made at least one good friend ( who was your battle buddy) throughout nursing..who cried with you...laughed with you....feared with you....and then in the end passed with you. You guys will have a closer bond then most. In fact...I am in the Military and I had a close bond with my battlebuddies who went with me through thick and thin..Nursing school and the friend I found there...felt almost the same way. Good luck to all of you!
hey guys, if any of you are like me, i want to know how current students, and even graduates study or studied for nursing school. i started a thread, and it has GREAT information. its called "tell me how YOU study" , just look for it, and you'll find it. its got soo much information, and helps with organization too.
You guys crack me up!!. I used to nail my husband after work and then I went after my cat. Not just with the stethascope..but had a blast trying to do head to toe assessment on him....practice lifting and the guy would bust up laughing..and then play like he was dead and just drop to the floor and make me practice my CPR.
My 2nd block nursing instructor always said "you shouldnt be in nursing if you arent having any fun." ROFL...
Make sure to get some regular exercise and take study breaks to refresh yourself (ok, I know that wasn't QUITE what the OP had in mind, but it's kept me sane so far).
Since the boyfriend thing seems to be so amusing, here is a new tidbit to add to it, haha:
Today was my birthday, so we went to Olive Garden. The ENITRE time, I talked about how excited I was for nursing school, what I needed, about the books, about scrubs, about classes, etc, etc. I'm pretty sure he wanted to kill me! But it's my birthday, so he can't It was such a great feeling, until he laughed at me cuz I have so many classes and he has like, one, maybe two a DAY. Then it wasn't funny anymore!
Just thought I'd share... and I'm still excited to school-supply shop/get my books!
Specializes in SNU/SNF/MedSurg, SPCU Ortho/Neuro/Spine.
look at yall getting so excited!!! I remember when i was in your place... now i just cant wait to finish this thing! lol
to be honest with you, i have not used 1/2 of the stuff i had.
all i use:
1 binder for each class those "thick ones"
markers and collored pen to write on powerpoints
my iphone (NANDA, DRUG guide, internet, epocrates, skyscape, medcalc, my onw e-mail, voice recorder...etc)
i use about 3 glue sticks at least per chapter we cover, because i type my notes and print them into white paper, which i cut and glue it on collored flash cards!
thanks God for dollar stores!
and a bag that i bought at ross for 20$ with wheels which is great and build tough!
Wow, what a great thread! Now I have what feels like a really good list of things to buy and keep with me. I'll be starting NS in August, and this has really helped me gauge where I stand as far as preparednes and mentality. Definitely keep this thread going!
Hey, first of all congrats! I graduate this December and here are the biggest things I've learned in nursing school.
1. Eat healthy. - You can't make it through clinical off of a doughnut or a pack of crackers.
2. Get good sleep.- Studying is important but I've found sleep is even more important. If you are studying and you can't keep your eyes open...just go on to sleep. If you are that tired you won't retain it anyways.
3. Study hard.- I'm sure you know this already..! Go home and review what you did that day. If you have ANY questions or don't understand something, ASK! Then smallest concept that you don't grasp can become major. All the stuff you learn just builds on to itself.
4. Take time for yourself.- At least once a week do something you enjoy. I take Friday nights off from studying and I go out with my boyfriend or friends. Very rarely did I break that. You have to stay healthy emotionally!
5. Strike up friendships with girls in your class. -They will always have your back and will be there to ask those questions that you might be too embarrased to ask your teacher!
6. Have an outlet. - Whether it's walking, reading a novel (dont know anyone that has time for that lol), playing with your dog, praying, swimming... If you get frustrated or just can't study anymore. Take a break and do something to get your energy out.
7. Learn how you retain info best and study that way.-Find out if you are more of a visual or audio person.
And last but not least...
8. Don't ever give up. -You've made it this far.. you can do this! Even when all odds are against you. If you make a bad grade..don't give up. Just keep trying. It's hard but its do-able. It takes sweat, blood, and tears- but be dedicated and stick with it.
) so I don't know what the name of the program is. Look at the Merck Medicus website, too, and go to 
It was such a great feeling, until he laughed at me cuz I have so many classes and he has like, one, maybe two a DAY. Then it wasn't funny anymore! 
curlylights06
24 Posts
Hi I was wondering what apps u downloaded to ur blackberry curve .. ??? Iam also starting in fall