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?
I don't think there is a "nursing for dummies" but you could look for an old copy of a Nursing Fundamentals text. Try borrowing from local libraries to save money. Or "Nursing Fundamentals DeMystified", which is probably the closest there is to a nursing for dummies. The fundamentals books are THICK so the "DeMystified" book might be a more realistic goal while waiting.
Another approach would be something like the book "How to Survive in Nursing School."
There is not much you can do to prepare. NCLEX a questions will not make any sense until you are taught how to answer them and the material that is on the Nclex. I know you are excited but you really can't prepare for nursing school. You will be guided through step by step and then one day you will wake up and realize you can answer almost all of the Nclex practice questions!
Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.
Great tips guys!! ((Hit the *bookmark* button))
A&Ox6
What study skills and time management skills helped you succeed most?
I think that for each person something different will work. For example, I printed out a grid for each day of the semester with 24 hours broken into 15 minute intervals. I planned for everything including bathroom breaks, showers, sleep, grocery shopping, each of my five jobs...
Others who tried this technique did so with varying degrees of success.
There are great books for time management and study skills, some nursing specific and some not.
One of my jobs at the time required me to blog tips for college students. I cannot link that to this site for personal privacy concerns, but if anyone is interested, pm me.
Thank you all so much for all of the great ideas/tips.
I will probably do a combination of studying and also just taking care of myself before all the craziness starts. I find that I am such a busy body, it will be impossible for me to do nothing related to the program. I might get a couple of books from the library, as I seem to have loads of time on my hands (even working full time).
Did anyone work their way through their nursing program? Were you able to change shifts or accept another position completely?
I currently work in the OR as a Surgical Tech, 7-3/M-F a lovely schedule that I know will be doomed once I start school. I believe that I will be in class or clinical 4 days a week. This leaves me with 3 days off and the need to do school work and actually still make money. I can work weekends at the main hospital, but the work is only casual.
How much time did you devote to studying for class? Is one day off of doing everything enough time plus week days after class/clinical?
Thank you all so much for all of the great ideas/tips.
I will probably do a combination of studying and also just taking care of myself before all the craziness starts. I find that I am such a busy body, it will be impossible for me to do nothing related to the program. I might get a couple of books from the library, as I seem to have loads of time on my hands (even working full time).
Did anyone work their way through their nursing program? Were you able to change shifts or accept another position completely?
I currently work in the OR as a Surgical Tech, 7-3/M-F a lovely schedule that I know will be doomed once I start school. I believe that I will be in class or clinical 4 days a week. This leaves me with 3 days off and the need to do school work and actually still make money. I can work weekends at the main hospital, but the work is only casual.
How much time did you devote to studying for class? Is one day off of doing everything enough time plus week days after class/clinical?
I think you'll find varying opinions on this (you will find many people that say you shouldn't work, and you'll find many that say they went to school full time and worked full time). Here is my opinion:
If you are doing an ADN program or a BSN program part time, it'll be A LOT easier to manage everything. I just finished my first semester of my BSN program (doing it full time), and I was working 30 hours/week (4 days/wk), evenings (3p-11p). To fit in the classes, I had to work every weekend. At the beginning it was ok, but after awhile, it was a little overwhelming. By the end of the semester, I was looking for a new job, and I'm actually starting a new job tomorrow (and at the hospital I hope to end up in as an RN) which is much more flexible (you can work anywhere between 2-4 days a week, up to you). Keep in mind things like the commute.
You should study a little every day. It's very easy to get behind, since you cover a lot of material each week. Also, keep in mind that besides class, lab, and clinical rotations, you'll most likely have other things to do outside of those scheduled hours. For example, for me, we had skills checks that we had to sign up for outside of class time, exams for one class were outside of class time, there were review sessions outside of class time, and you'll want to practice your clinical skills outside of class time to be prepared for the skills check, skills practicum, etc. You'll have a better idea of how this all works for you specifically when your program starts.
So, I'd suggest you start school and see how it goes for you with your current work schedule. Everyone is different, and could work out for you. Although having a job is great, contributes to your clinical experience, and can definitely help in getting an RN position later on, your priority should be school, learning, and passing those classes.
MarkMw
11 Posts
I don't think there is a "nursing for dummies" but you could look for an old copy of a Nursing Fundamentals text. Try borrowing from local libraries to save money. Or "Nursing Fundamentals DeMystified", which is probably the closest there is to a nursing for dummies. The fundamentals books are THICK so the "DeMystified" book might be a more realistic goal while waiting.
Another approach would be something like the book "How to Survive in Nursing School."