What is the best advice you can give to new nursing students?

GingerSue · May 31, 2008

Make a schedule for the reading materials and assignments.

Melony, RN · May 31, 2008

As a new nursing student starting in the Fall 08, I am curious about the journey and what is the best and most efficient way to get through nursing school with good grades. I have done well up to this point, but I am hearing how difficult nursing school is and I'm wondering if I am as prepared as I should be for the intensity of it. Any advice? Thanks!

Take good notes, don't wait to the last minute to cram for a test. Learn your lab values well, breathe, laugh, cry, and breathe again!!! lol...Nursing school is Rough, but it is do-able. Just make sure you take time for yourself as well. One key point that I noticed during school was that the ones the missed class regularly, did not do as well or eventually was kicked out or dropped out. It is fast moving and you do not want to get behind. And remember, that even though sometimes it feels like the world is gonna end, we all have been there and walked in your shoes. You can do it. It is worth every minute of it. Some of the people that I met through school are now the best friends in my life. We have shared so much together, I cannot imagine not having them around. So have fun, take as much in as you can, and remember the light is at the end of the tunnel!! :up:

Riseupandnurse · May 31, 2008

Get a good, current NCLEX review book and go through practice questions over the material being covered before tests in the course. It's amazing how much that will help.

Zookeeper3 · May 31, 2008

You can't be a good student/wife/mom/brother/friend... if you don't schedule time to take care of yourself too. You MUST have some YOU time to stay mentally fit.:loveya:

elprup, BSN, RN · May 31, 2008

I totally agree with the "get NCLEX books now" and study and learn from them! I was way ahead of my classmates in the "how to take NCLEX style tests/questions" because I was reading those books from my prerequisite days (6 years ago!). And even though I did not know what I was reading, the books taught me how to look at the questions and figure out what the heck it was really asking. I graduated May 24 and am taking the kaplan review and we just did a pre test to see where we stand, and their comment was if I took the NCLEX tomorrow I would pass! Amazing, because I always got mostly C's in nursing school! So, maybe it did help, i'd like to believe so.

If you really want nursing school you can do it. And when you are done you'll be able to do anything.

take care,

lucky1RN · May 31, 2008

1. Don't get overwhelmed by your reading assignments. Evaulate how your instructors teach (from the text or from their own notes). I was often able to read from the text while in class, highlighting as I went because the teacher was lecturing directly from the book. I was then able to go back and review the material she emphasized. Your texts are going to be huge...you have to able to pick out and retain the most relevant/important info from them.

2. Take good notes. If you can't write fast enough, ask if you can bring a digital or tape recorder for review later.

3. If you don't already have a study routine that works for you...develop one. Do you do better reading on your own? Rewriting ideas in your own words? Flashcards? Group study? Listening to recordings while you exercise? Going to the library before or after school? etc.

4. Use your resources. Your texts will have CDs and websites. There are often free NCLEX style questions available. Do them. Understand the rationale for the correct answers. And like others have said, by one or two NCLEX study guides and do the questions for whatever area your studying before your exams.

5. NEVER BURN YOUR BRIDGES. Every contact you make during nursing school is a potential reference for future employment and school applications. In clinical, you may be challenged by your instructor. Don't see this as a threat. Clinicals are the only time you have to "practice" being a nurse. Once you graduate and have a license, you don't get to practice anymore...it's all for real. In clinical, you're working under your faculty's license. He/she has every right (obligation) to challenge you to ensure the a) the safety of your patients and b) her license.

6. Be on time. Dress appropriately. Be prepared. If you come across unprofessional behavior, rise above. Don't lie or cheat or make excuses. Be respectful. Turn the cell phone off. If the temptation to text is too great, leave the phone in your car during class and clincial. Appreciate the huge cut in pay your faculty has taken to grow the next generation of nurses.

7. Develop a healthy stress-management strategy. Make time for the people and activities you love. You will most certainly need a shoulder to cry on, someone to vent to, someone to laugh with.

8. Try to be in the moment. Most people only get one shot at nursing school. It's only a few years of your life. You may miss out on some fun now, but if your prioritize right, you can make it through school with your dignity, your humor, and pride for your accomplishments.

Good luck!

mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP · May 31, 2008

Be willing to listen and learn everything you can.

Be open to knew ideas and thoughts.

Keep in mind the difference from clinical settings to classrooms settings. You are being taught the "right way for NCLEX". There is a right way for the clinical setting too when you graduated.

Don't panic if you don't know everything from "day 1", it will all come to together in the end.

Make friends, enjoy yourself during some free time. NS can suck the total life force out of a person before they even know it.

I 3rd the motion, get some good NCLEX book right now and use it from the start. Not only will it help you study but it will get you used to NCLEX questions and when you go to take the final test of your NS career, it will help to ease the anxiety somewhat when you've seen and done 1000's of those questions while in school.

NS was a difficult road in my life but I had some awesome friends who helped me thru it and gosh darn it, I've never been so proud of myself in all my life after I completed NS.

Now, go and enjoy the rest of your summer!!!!

Good luck, congrats and have a great couple of years!!!!

Cathyxis · May 31, 2008

Accept the fact that you are not going to be perfect at everything that you do.

psalm51 · May 31, 2008

1. learn to manage your stress!

You are about to engage in a rigorous academic program. the academic

component alone is stressful enough.

2. take responsibility for your actions / inactions. placing blame on others

doesn't solve the problem.

3. pace yourself! organize! organize! organize!

nurse2b2010 · May 31, 2008

Thank you to all of you for the wonderful advice. I am going to invest in the NCLEX review books now. I start my A & P I and II classes this coming Tues for summer school. Thought I would get that out of the way before the fall starts. I know I can do this. It's good to know I can come to this site and get help and a shoulder to lean on when I need it. Thank you again!

nurseinlimbo · May 31, 2008

Make sure that you don't spend all of your time studying, make time for stress relief, you will need it. Focus on what's important in each course, meet your assignment deadlines, don't stand out too much in class or clinicals, good or bad. Blend in.....

Find co-students who share your values and commitment to your education and form study groups or buddies to get ready for tests, proof read assignments and partner up on projects. Get rid of the friends who are just there to get an easy mark if you are doing all the work.

Good luck, remember to have fun and smell the roses, school is a great time of your life and you will miss it....