What was your secret weapon for surviving nursing school??

Headhurt, ADN · Jul 7, 2004

Starbucks...a venti iced white mocha with a shot of almond. Worked every time!!!

MelissaRN · Jul 7, 2004

Fresh air, exercise, 8 hours of sleep most nights and a really good daily planner in order to prioritize assignments.

lovinghands · Jul 7, 2004

Fresh air, exercise, 8 hours of sleep most nights and a really good daily planner in order to prioritize assignments.

You sure you went to nursing school? :chuckle Just teasing - I look back at when I went to nursing school and wish I'd had taken better care of myself. The stress really did a number on my sanity and family life.

Kingbandit · Jul 9, 2004

I was part of a study group. We were "different"... not the agressive get "A's" on everything types nor the "just do what you can to scrape by" types. Our group fed off the strengths of each person and helped overcome weaknesses. It was great. We got together at least once weekly and always a special meeting before tests.
It definately helped me.
Same here! After particularily grueling tests, we would occasionally plot our imigined revenge on the horrible test writer -- or else head out somewhere for icecream to celebrate our survival through another test!!
Sometimes we would study at DENNY's or some other all night diner -- they didn't mind too much -- we drank alot of coffee/soda and ordered brain food on occasion ( mozzerella sticks, fries, pie...). the manager christened the back corner table as "the nurses nook" . He used to get a kick oat how nurses talk when we get in a group!! ( eat and discuss abcessed wounds etc. without any problem, etc.)

I formed a study group. We met so much the first few quarters that other students labled us THE NURSING CULT. But after we became so strong and powerful that instructors were referring students to us the rest of the students wanted in. I was the "Professor" and we used a local coffee shop to study the owner let us use a private room free as long as we bought lunch or breakfast. When we got to psyche I realized we had a full fledged support group. Without the cult I wouyld not be a nurse today.

cd48x · Jul 9, 2004

nursing school was one of the most difficult challenges i ever met in my life!

i was bound and determined i was gonna make it! (i was divorced, had 2 kids.)

no one or nothing was gonna get in my way! i prayed and prayed...and took one day at a time. thru determination, fear, and support from above and my 2 boys, i struggled.

i shot for an "a" and prayed for a "c" lol. i did really well, but it's hard work.

don't give up, and in the end you will remember this quote:

"i hung in there!" :nurse:

sweetcheekers · Jul 9, 2004

I think the person that said "how bad do you want it" summed it up. Nursing school is kind of like marriage. It is up to you wether it works or not. (Luckily with nursing school, though, its up to you alone and not dependent on your "other half" as well.) It all comes down to committment, discipline, and perseverence. If you make up your mind that this is what you are going to do and go full throttle ahead, you WILL do it. I think discipline is the key. Just remind yourself that you can do ANYTHING temporarily. This is not for the rest of your life, just for awhile. I just finished my LPN year and am 6 weeks into my RN year. I am counting on those that have told me that there is life after nursing school. Oh, and BTW, completing my LPN year as a mom of 2 small children with straight A's was the best feeling of my life!!!! Last year was hard, but there are huge payoffs. My self esteem has never been better. I feel completely empowered. I've never met more interesting and fun people than I have in my program. There is a sense of comraderie among nursing students that you don't find in other areas. Believe it or not, it is stimulating to be learning new things that will benefit others and it was very encouraging to me to realize that I still have a functioning brain after spending 7 years home with my children! GOOD LUCK!!!:)