What would you have done differently

applesxoranges, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2014

Accepted a part time position in a unit that I worked instead of going full-time in another unit.

PaulBaxter · Mar 31, 2014

Accepted a part time position in a unit that I worked instead of going full-time in another unit.

I'm not sure I follow you. Maybe you could explain this a bit?

motay68 · Mar 31, 2014

I'm halfway through my program. I wish that I spent less time whining about the workload and just did it. Also, I wish I worked less. It's not easy, especially if your the main source of income for your family, but I really could have used all the extra time to get school work done or sleep.

And most importantly, trust in what your instructors tell you and do what they tell you to do. Even if it seems pointless to you (like bothering an all ready aggravated patient again to take vitals) they have a reason behind it an you pick up a valuable lesson.

Good luck!!! You won't believe how much you learn from one semester to another!

pixiestudent2 · Mar 31, 2014

Got anti anxiety meds.

angela82 · Mar 31, 2014

Great post! I would love some feedback too

la_chica_suerte85, BSN, RN · Mar 31, 2014

I don't think I did this as much as others but don't freak out. Yes, there are some weeks where you have 40 chapters (or at least it seems that way) assigned and it is an impossible amount of reading to get through but there's no point in panicking because you will continue to see the material again and again -- anything you missed you will get a chance to encounter later as long as you don't let it bog you down. I was a mentor starting with the cohort behind me and good lord those people panicked like you wouldn't believe. Our instructors from that very first fundamentals quarter asked several of us to come and give them a pep talk things got so bad.

One other thing: start developing your resources outside of the material you're assigned. I love Medscape for everything, including the exercises and CM credits. It's great clinical practice that you just won't get from the texts, plus you already start developing the habit of what is changing in medicine and what you need to stay aware of. Remember, the NCLEX isn't going to be asking things based on what you learned 2-3 years ago. It wants to know things based on the most up-to-date info (i.e. consider how BP and cholesterol stats are changing).

Good luck!

SarahStoddard14 · Mar 31, 2014

Start doing NCLEX style "practice questions" now... Or just familiarize yourself with this style of questions. Be organized! I use a different folder for each class and a separate folder for all my clinical stuff. Know that you can never be over prepared for a test... Try to start off on the right foot... I bombed my first fundamentals test which was the easiest one we've had yet this semester. It could have been an easy A but the whole NCLEX type of questions tripped me up. Every point counts. My school is based on a point system and at the 1/2 way point if you don't have at least a C you get booted from the course and have to reapply to the nursing program. You can also start looking through your books and looking at dosage calculations. Hope this helps.

adnstudent44 · Apr 1, 2014

practice nclex style questions, I know its a repeat, but do it! also, if your program has ATI practice those types of questions too. IMO they are two different kinds of styles and I had to "learn" them both. Find a good study partner early on if possible, but try to avoid a huge group because less tends to get done with too many ppl. Also find a great drug book, and a pharm class book. A drug book just has the nitty gritty stuff you need, but a "pharm class" book, kind of breaks down the types of topics you need to know for unit tests. (I use "Straight A's in Pharmacology") Also, if you buy extra resource books to help you study- try to get bang for your buck, but also sit down at the book store and really look at them. I made the mistake in the first semester of buying what i thought was the best dollar priced book, but when I got home and started using it, id realize it didnt really help me with what I needed, so I ended up spending more money on another book.

LaneeF · Apr 1, 2014

I would've worked less during school, opened my NCLEX book during school and been working on the questions as I took those classes, I would've read more chapters and I would've volunteered more often during clinicals to do procedures. So, I'm planning on doing these things when I continue with my RN.

giannag · Apr 1, 2014

I wish I would have had a part time tech job even though I was in an accelerated program. I had zero medical experience and it would have really helped getting my foot in the door when I graduated.

RunBabyRN · Apr 1, 2014

I would have purchased a planner sooner. I love having it for writing in every assignment, clinical, and life event I have going on so I have some semblance of organization. I would also start my assignments sooner. It's easy to let things fall by the wayside.