What should I expect? New nursing student, begining Jan 2010.

tentay87 · Dec 12, 2009

After your first round of exams, (and you didn't do so well) go to your teachers and go over your tests. It really helps a lot because although each exam tests different materials, the questions are usually structured the same way. Teachers want to help you succeed so let them :)

&& if you are a couple of points away from an A , it really helps that the teacher knows you and know that you put in effort throughout the semester... so there's a good chance that they'll give you the A

Good luck!

RhodyGirl, RN · Dec 12, 2009

I am a BSN student going into my 4th semester in January, so I will try to pass along what I've learned.

-Make friends. You will need support from people who know exactly what you're going through.

-Get NCLEX books; I have a Saunder's review book and a Q&A book. Very helpful.

-When you're studying....READ RATIONALES. This is how you learn why each answer is correct or incorrect.

-Not all nurses are nice. You will undoubtedly come across some who will not want anything to do with you at the clinical sites. Don't let this get you down; you are in charge of seeking out opportunities, so go find them!

-Invest in a decent (doesn't have to be SUPER expensive) stethoscope, and comfortable shoes. I like my Littmann and Dansko's. The cheapie steths are just that....you get what you pay for.

-Don't worry if you aren't getting A's on everything. Nursing school is challenging.

-Get a little pad of paper that can fit into a scrub pocket. You'll definitely be writing things down at clinical, and I found this to be very convenient.

-Be appropriate, don't be shy, and be real with patients. I've seen some students who get a patient and can barely exchange a sentence with that person. Communication skills are VERY, VERY important. These people are sick (usually), and the last thing they need is someone sitting there looking at them like a deer in headlights.

-RELAX.

Enjoy the ride. I've learned a lot....and changed a lot as a person since starting this journey.

ese1212 · Dec 12, 2009

I am a BSN student going into my 4th semester in January, so I will try to pass along what I've learned.
-Make friends. You will need support from people who know exactly what you're going through.
-Get NCLEX books; I have a Saunder's review book and a Q&A book. Very helpful.
-When you're studying....READ RATIONALES. This is how you learn why each answer is correct or incorrect.
-Not all nurses are nice. You will undoubtedly come across some who will not want anything to do with you at the clinical sites. Don't let this get you down; you are in charge of seeking out opportunities, so go find them!
-Invest in a decent (doesn't have to be SUPER expensive) stethoscope, and comfortable shoes. I like my Littmann and Dansko's. The cheapie steths are just that....you get what you pay for.
-Don't worry if you aren't getting A's on everything. Nursing school is challenging.
-Get a little pad of paper that can fit into a scrub pocket. You'll definitely be writing things down at clinical, and I found this to be very convenient.
-Be appropriate, don't be shy, and be real with patients. I've seen some students who get a patient and can barely exchange a sentence with that person. Communication skills are VERY, VERY important. These people are sick (usually), and the last thing they need is someone sitting there looking at them like a deer in headlights.
-RELAX.
Enjoy the ride. I've learned a lot....and changed a lot as a person since starting this journey.

thanks a lot for this info

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Dec 13, 2009

Best way to know what to expect is by talking to someone who is in your program right now. I remember reading a lot of posts here about how difficult their first semester of nursing school was and how they had no social life and never saw their families. I fully prepared myself for this but it never came to be. I think the first semester of my program was very compariable to my more difficult pre-reqs (A&P, microbiology, chem) but i still had plenty of time for my family and friends and fully expect to finish the semester out with all A's, possibly one B+. Now I have been warned by those further along that the 2nd and 3rd semesters will be MUCH more difficult than the first, so I am expecting a busy 2010, lol!
I guess my point is, for some people/programs the first semester was immensely difficult and time consuming; for others, not so much. Best way to prepare yourself is to talk to someone who has just finished their first semester at your school. Good luck!

This was the same for me! I am not fooling myself though to think it will always be this "easy". I have a feeling I will struggle with Med/Surge so I am preparing for this. But I was the same, I didn't give up my social life. I didn't gets all A's but I seriously put in like a 10% study effort. I know had I really put forth more of an effort I would have got the A's, I still did well and got an A,B and C and my C was an 84.4% and my B was a traditional A HAHA

Elizabeth Oliva · Dec 13, 2009

Thanks to everyone who put in there :twocents:. I really appreciate it and will utilize all of your suggestions. I really would like to do well. I know that it will be a challenge and that there will be some ups and downs. But I am READY. Ready to learn, ready to experience and ready to be surrounded by other people that share the same interest as me . I am sure that this will be one of the most memorable experiences in my life:yeah:

ese1212 · Dec 13, 2009

Thanks to everyone who put in there :twocents:. I really appreciate it and will utilize all of your suggestions. I really would like to do well. I know that it will be a challenge and that there will be some ups and downs. But I am READY. Ready to learn, ready to experience and ready to be surrounded by other people that share the same interest as me . I am sure that this will be one of the most memorable experiences in my life:yeah:

well stated my dear