WANTED: Nursing student tidbits of advice

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hey guys,

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

In terms of what to bring to clinicals I bought two pairs of plain coloured scrubs, a littmann stethescope, completely white running shoes, a penlight (it was eight bucks and I was the only one with one in our group - it was constantly being borrowed so I'd reccoment one!) and also brought our school name tag, prepared med cards, drug guide and physical assessment manual (plus extras like stickers/crayons for school clinicals and things like that).

I could not live without my drug guide, and a day planner/agenda to make sure all clinical/lab/exam days are sorted out without conflicts. I didn't really get anything extra other than what they reccomended - ie. care plan books, and I did fine. I do love my laptop because I can take it to every class and open slides/look up resources while they're talking about it in class etc...

For studying I don't use cue cards or anything like that - I rewrite all my notes, then read over them several times, then go through and memorize. The rewriting takes a lot of time but I find it's worth it to have everything in a little compact package to look over.

Congrats on being accepted, should be a lot of fun :D

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Specializes in critical care nursing, ED, education.

Thanks again so much for all the tips in this thread! I took my first nursing class this summer with our program to officially start next month. I am beyond excited and nervous all at the same time. I hope to take the next 4 weeks and get prepared. House cleaning, doctor appointments for self and kids, re-familiarize myself with my crock pot, a little relaxing, etc... ;-) lol all things I am sure I will not have time for once sep 8th is here.

This post has been a great help and I am really looking forward to putting all these tips into action. Thanks again to all!!

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I just debound my med/surg book and it is going to work well I can already tell. I bought a 3 inch 3 ring notebook and a bunch of clear reinforcements to strengthen the holes if needed. I plan to keep my entire book together in this notebook, except for the chapters we are studying which I will put in a smaller 3 ring binder. My book will be contain in a notebook at all times so it will still be organized, just not as heavy to carry.:cool:

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Specializes in Pediatric Hem/Onc.

Yeah I don't get the debinding your books thing :( I'd hate to destroy a text book.....

Ooooh AND! Job interview at children's hospital on Thursday. The phone interview went very well so I'm anticipating good things. Woot! *crosses fingers, toes, legs, arms, eyes, and anything else that can physically do it*

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Specializes in Trauma & Emergency.

I am also entering Nursing School in September. Since my college is about 45 minutes away from home and I am the type of person that likes to carry a backpack that is on the smaller side I came up with my own system that hopefully will work for me. If I have Chemistry I pack up my backpack with my textbook, lab book, and my binder and go to class. Inside my trunk I have one of those plastic storage containers and inside I have all my binders and textbooks lined up as well as extra pens, pencils, sticky notes. If I have a class after Chemistry I go back to the car unload all of those books into my "portable library" and reload with the books I need for the next class. This is also good if the lecture ends early and you find yourself with an extra 45 minutes. I would hate to sit there thinking that I had a paper due with 45 minutes to work on it..but all the material was at home. This way you don't actually have to carry everything around, but it will all be at your disposal in case you need/want to use it. Congratulations to everyone entering nursing school this fall--and thanks to everyone for the good wishes & advice!

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Specializes in Cardiac.
I am also entering Nursing School in September. Since my college is about 45 minutes away from home and I am the type of person that likes to carry a backpack that is on the smaller side I came up with my own system that hopefully will work for me. If I have Chemistry I pack up my backpack with my textbook, lab book, and my binder and go to class. Inside my trunk I have one of those plastic storage containers and inside I have all my binders and textbooks lined up as well as extra pens, pencils, sticky notes. If I have a class after Chemistry I go back to the car unload all of those books into my "portable library" and reload with the books I need for the next class. This is also good if the lecture ends early and you find yourself with an extra 45 minutes. I would hate to sit there thinking that I had a paper due with 45 minutes to work on it..but all the material was at home. This way you don't actually have to carry everything around, but it will all be at your disposal in case you need/want to use it. Congratulations to everyone entering nursing school this fall--and thanks to everyone for the good wishes & advice!

Thats a good idea. I will have several classes a day in my program so that would work for me.

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Thanks to all those that gave advice and to Mrskellrd for starting the thread. I too am so nervous about starting in the fall and I already feel totally lost because I don't know what's expected. This thread has helped...thanks!

Hi. I am starting LPN school in March of this year.... this thread is helping me tremendously! I'm so nervous lol. Thanx everyone!!!

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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Long Term care.

Recieved my grey Littman in the mail and im super excited! Also, bought a neat bookbag that is huge and has great storage. Still gotta buy all white shoes and my books!

3 more weeks guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Bump ! Love all the great advice. I can't wait till I start nursing school. I'm till in pre nursing. By this time next year I hope and pray to be one of you guys ! Congrads to every one who is starting ! And good luck.

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3 more weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This thread just keeps getting better and better, I'm glad to see more new users! :D

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Really like the idea of the "in-the-trunk-library"!!! that is awesome! I have my orientation on Thursday for my ADN program!! AHHHHH I am so nervous but so excited at the same time! Can't believe that I am actually going to be a nursing student!!! Kinda doesn't feel real yet. Maybe when I get through my first day, then it'll feel real!! Congrats to all of you starting this fall!!!

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Just a thought about debiding...I did it with my A&P book and I regretted it. Sure, it was nice to carry around only a chapter at a time but there were several times the instructor referred to other chapters that I didn't have. Or impromptu labs where I needed other chapters plus the index! I got by using partners' books during those times. The biggest problem though is now I can't resell that A&P book. I have been selling books on Amazon from classes I'm finished with and getting good money for them. I'm really glad I didn't debind them all.

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