What should I do to get ready for Nursing School starting this Fall?

[cmariehill]

I'm just going to start at the beginning: This June I got the dreaded rejection letter from the program I applied to, but I was put on the alternate list. Considering this school is the only (of a measly two) college with a Nursing Program in my area currently accepting students and is EXTREMELY hard to get into, let's just say getting put onto the alternate list didn't exactly give me hopes of anything. At that point I started looking for jobs so I could work and take some of the extra point classes part time. As soon as I get the job, not even 3 days later (last Monday) the program Director calls me and says that they were offering me a spot for this Fall. Now don't get me wrong I was excited, happy, surprised, ECSTATIC, but I was also VERY, VERY scared. I had in my head it would be at least another year before I would get in, so knowing I now only have a month and a half has kind of put me at a stand still. I don't have ANY clue as to how I should prepare.

I want to know which books I should get, which materials I should have, what study techniques I should start learning, anything and everything about successfully getting through nursing school: I want to know. I figured the best way to find that out is through other nursing students and people who have already gotten through it.

I do have somewhat of a background in healthcare. I got my CNA last year, did training at a Nursing home, and then worked in Home Health Care for 7 months. So I think Clinicals won't be a huge deal for me, it's the learning and understanding all the material that scares me.

Anyways, sorry for the huge post, but I'm sort of freaking out here.

Thanks ahead of time for any help, I appreciate anything I can get!

[jimithing112]

NOTHING. You'll learn it in nursing school. Relax, read a good book, watch movies all day, spend time with loved ones, indulge in whatever guilty pleasures you may have -- because you won't have time once you're in school.

[LoriRNCM, ADN, ASN, RN]

Such good advice. I'm a little intimidated but excited. :) do you guys have plans on.how to transport everything?

Jansport Driver 8 rolling backpack.

[green34]

Some require uniforms to be put together including the accessories of stethoscope, bandage scissors, hemostats, and penlight from day 1 of clinicals, but I think we had three months to know exactly what we needed.

Some international editions are 100% the same for science textbooks. My anatomy and microbiology textbooks were a fraction of the price that way. The ISBN will be different and it is legal to buy them in the United States.

For our nursing school, they have limited lockers meaning you can't keep supplies there.

For carrying supplies around, I use a bugout bag. Sandpiper of California bags are awesome. My boyfriend is a veteran so we get a discount. They are tough and sturdy. Having two bags rip (Swiss and Sierra) lead me to realize I need the toughness and size.