What are things I should take advantage of in nursing school?

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

As I'm anxiously waiting to hear back from the nursing school applied, I am trying to spend my time wisely bystudying up on anatomy & physiology as well as building relationships at my local hospital through volunteering. I was wondering, for those who have completed nursing school or are currently enrolled, what are some things that you did/do in nursing school to grab at every opportunity in your grasp?

For example, I know that many people recommend meeting and speaking with the nursing manager of your clinicals. It could possibly lead to a potential job in the future at said clinic. I just want to make sure that I wisely use each opportunity I have available to me so that I can take every advantage of my education. I would appreciate any advice you guys have to give!

[tnicnat]

I for one got the study guides and supplemental material to help me in classes. With the reading it helped to work in the workbooks. In class I also printed all ppts with lines for notes, I was able to follow in class with notes and books. I talked to charge nurse on the floor, made sure they knew what I had done in class and lab, volunteered for pretty much everything....vitals, trays, setting up rooms, meds, etc. I talked to patients, I was in the er and volunteered to take vitals on a patient, I ended up watching the patient for her stay at the er, she asked my name and told me that when she does her survey she will add my name to show how well I did. I think it's things like that, that will help me with a future job.

I have aver two weeks of clinicals at the biggest trauma hospital in the region, starting next week. First day I'm on wound care...did that in the army and I liked it, I was told if we are good we can get a recommendation for a job.....we go in the OR, med surg, mother baby, etc.....I'm soaking it all up, everything helps.

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Congratulations! It sounds like you had great opportunities that you were able to seize! I tend to be on the more soft-spoken side, so it takes a lot for me to summon up the courage to approach someone. When you said that you took vitals on patients, was that when you were doing clinicals or during volunteer work?

If you don't mind me asking, are you planning on continuing to stay at that hospital after you graduate or try to find work outside of your area? I'm just curious is all. Anyways, keep up the good work!

[tnicnat]

Took vitals during clinicals.......heck I volunteer for pretty much everything.....tho I was with another student in the er, I told her we could take turns with patients, I didn't think it was fair to do everything. I don't know if she thought it was beneath her, she only did want to be with new patients, me I was with both cause it's the experience. I'm a talker, I get to know everyone, it helps and found that I can do more skills that way.....I find that if I just follow and wait I won't get the hands on, yet I don't hog the instructor or nurse....

im supposed to go to another state to finish school, but while I'm still living here and I can get experience I will take it. Even tho I've been working at the same job for 2.5 years it's not health related but it is service related and I meet medical people all day long and get all kinds of advice which is invaluable, plus networking helps.

you will get the courage to speak up when you get experience, you will do great

[cracklingkraken, ASN, RN]

Thanks for your insight. I hope that I will come out of my shell when I start clinicals. I think hospitals don't really expect newly graduated RNs to have much experience in the medical field, but I heard that they highly value customer service skills! Thank goodness for all the restaurant experience I have because I'll need it. I wish you the best of luck! It sounds like you are utilizing everything around you, which is awesome :)