What to expect the first semester of nursing school

[KWRN29]

Hey everyone,

I start nursing school (adn program) 2 weeks from tomorrow, while I'm very excited, I'm also very very nervous. I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight based on your experience on what to expect. Will they start lecture on the first day? How often did you have tests? Also, I have all of my lecture classes (fundamentals, health assessment, pharmacology) on Mondays and Wednesdays along with my health assessment lab. What did you purchase to carry all of your class material and books in because we have like 10 books and my classes are pretty much back to back so I can't run out to my car to swap books before class starts.

[emmjayy, BSN, RN]

Haha I havent been dreaming about it, but the closer it gets the more nervous I am. I know im not even gonna be able to sleep the night before which is gonna suck bc I have to be there from 8-3:30 lol

Once I get my schedule (later this week, hopefully), I'm going to start putting myself on the sleep schedule I'll need to be on to get up on time and get prepped before leaving. I think that will help me to relax enough to sleep the night before classes start, because I won't have to worry about my body screwing me over and sleeping in too late.

[NICUismylife, ADN, BSN, RN]

Every school will be different, but we had a lecture the first day. I had 3 classes and we had at least 1 test per week. Sometimes more than one per day! Finals were all comprehensive and accounted for 33-50% of the grade depending on the class (this has been the case for all of nursing school), so you could technically go into the final with a "A" and still fail! Retain, retain, retain. Any test you don't do well on, study study study that material.

I use this as my backpack. Amazon.com: Swissgear Granada Rolling Case Black Nylon Fits Up To 17" Notebooks: Electronics

[KWRN29]

Our grades are 60% unit test, 25% final, 5% clinical and 10% cat. Its gonna be an adjustment for sure bc none of my pre reqs had cumulative tests

[GourmandG]

Congratulations! What a nerve wrecking but exciting and fun time ahead of you!

First day of nursing school, we didn't have lecture. We went over the syllabus, introductions, Q & A and expectations though we did have a group exercise in communication.

My ADN program started off with a "nursing math test" (you get 3 attempts to pass with at least 90% or get kicked out of the program) and also a pharmacology quiz during the 1st week and averaged about 1 to 2 exams each month. We also had skills testing ( giving a bed bath, handwashing, giving meds, giving shots, making a bed etc) before clinicals.

Review the syllabus in detail to see which powerpoints/subjects/chapters of each book will be covered in class and bring those material/books accordingly. We were not required to bring any of our textbooks to class as readings were to be completed ahead of time so during class, we went over powerpoints and case studies. Our professors did say they would tell us to bring a physical book in if applicable (but never needed to) so perhaps you can ask your professors to do the same.

About 2 students brought those backbacks on wheels to carry stuff in and half the class brought laptops in order to follow and make notes on powerpoints. I learned best by handwriting notes and also recording the lectures and then replaying it and updating my notes. Find out how you learn best!

Please do not procrastinate and if you need help, ask! The sooner the better. It is always better to over prepare than not enough. If you didn't do well on an exam, learn from it. Talk to your professors during office hours. Review the answers at the end of your exam to see which ones you missed. You will learn what type of questions will be asked and by which professor so pay attention. You will increase or decrease your study time based on how well you know the material. Arrive early in order to get a seat close to the front (so your recorder will be clearest) but not too close (in order to get a good view of powerpoints). Also, by going early, you'll get a chance to meet your classmates before class starts so find someone you mesh with and then sit next to them! This person will may be a good choice as a future lab partner and/or study buddy. Make a few friends so if you have a falling out with one or discover this person likes to study alone, but you need to study in a group, you will still have others to turn to. It is easier to form these friendships early than later on when everyone has a group already.

A cautionary tale: if your buddy is not doing as well and you are not able to help her without hurting your own studies, you must focus on yourself. A classmate of mine whom wasn't doing so well decided to help two other classmates and they both passed while the one whom did the helping failed herself.

Good luck!