What can I do to be productive while waiting to get into Nursing program?

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Specializes in Plastics/Reconstruction, General.

Hi all!

I am waiting to get into the Nursing program at my school. I should know something by March/April, but won't actually start until August.

I feel like I need something to do, because I have a long time off. Is there something that is beneficial to get ahead on? For example, learning about drugs/making drug cards, recommended books on Nursing that will help me, or reviewing specific subjects?

Any advice or ideas are appreciated! Thanks!

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I would suggest buying an NCLEX book and doing as many practice questions as you can. This will help you learn how to answer nursing exam questions and will help you prepare for the ultimate exam, the NCLEX. You can even find a "Nursing for dummies" book and brush up on your anatomy & physiology and pharmacology.

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Oh, and.... enjoy this time off! Seriously. Because nursing school will consume your life for a while. I was in the same boat as you with 5 months off before I had to start my program and I spent my time painting, doing yoga, and reading. & I absolutely loved every minute of it. I started nursing school relaxed and rejuvenated and I was ready to go. You're very blessed that you're getting the same opportunity because many people don't.

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If you have taken all prerequisites I certainly agree with above comment, especially knowing your A&P, you cannot learn how to know something is abnormal if you do not know what is normal. I have been a nurse close to 20 yrs and still use A&P knowledge daily (and have to brush up on it regularly). Also learning critical thinking skills is invaluable.

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If there are any non-nursing classes you need to take at any point in the program, taken them now if you can.

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Specializes in Prior military RN/current ICU RN..

Workout. Stay healthy. volunteer. Stay out of trouble. Save money. Get sleep. Prepare your body for it.

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I'm on the same boat as you. Acceptance letters are mailed out anytime between January and March. I at least still have some prerequisites to finish so as soon as I have my book list for next semester I will be studying ahead for Micro and AP 2.

However in the last few days I downloaded a few free NCLEX study apps that have questions with rationales. Even without ANY nursing education I score anywhere between 25-60% on the quizzes, I am starting to get a small idea of what the questions are like. I've been looking over the section of prioritizing, legal & ethical issues etc, that aren't heavy on the medical knowledge.

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I would suggest buying an NCLEX book and doing as many practice questions as you can. This will help you learn how to answer nursing exam questions and will help you prepare for the ultimate exam, the NCLEX. You can even find a "Nursing for dummies" book and brush up on your anatomy & physiology and pharmacology.

which NCLEX book do you recommend? Did you find the book questions to be hard or challenging?

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

I suggest this book: Critical Thinking and Nursing Judgement by Rosalind Alfaro-LeFevre as an introduction to critical thinking and "thinking like a nurse"...once you understand thinking like a nurse, it will help you approach nursing school much better.

I agree with brushing up on A&P; as far as NCLEX review books, perhaps, but it would have to be one that has a comprehensive review, not one with questions only because those particular books are designed with the basis that you have already been taught the material, including the nursing process, and you haven't, so keep that in mind.

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I would concentrate on developing or maintaining my healthy lifestyle. Develop a good exercise program that works for you and stick to it. Get a good diet and sleep/rest pattern in place. Work on relaxation techniques and/or spirituality to help keep yourself centered in the stressful days to come.

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I'm waiting too. I got the NCLEX-RN mastery app and I'll go through questions on that. When I encounter something I don't know (which is very very often) I look it up. So I'm picking up bits and pieces of information. I'm hoping this will help me, at least a little, in the long run. It will probably be more helpful once I start school. You can choose sections to study. So when I finish fundamentals, I'll go through that section specifically. Maybe this will also help us with NCLEX style questions? Who knows. At least I feel like I'm doing something. 😜

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If you really want to get ahead start looking over your fluids and electrolyte imbalances. These are prominent throughout the entire program, in my experience. Don't just know what hyper/hypomagnesemia is (for example), know how it affects the body, signs and symptoms, and treatment. Good luck!

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