What things did you need the most as a nursing student?

robynmjay · Dec 20, 2015

A great pair of shoes. I really like Asics.

A great groups of nursing school friends.

Sleep. Don't forget to sleep. And exercise.

Patience. Nursing school is hard and can be very disorganized.

Inspiration.

Focus.

virgo7598 · Dec 20, 2015

A bunch of my classmates, myself included, got this clipfolio from Target for clinicals. Its got a removable slip for legal pads inside, a folder area,and has a clipboad on front. Its made of sturdy material that you can wipe down at the end of your clinical day. Plus, they are only $8-$10!

Greenroom Clipfolio : Target

Sizzline · Dec 20, 2015

I would wait to see what your program requires/allows before buying a ton of stuff. For example, we are not allowed to carry clipboards at my clinical site. The only stuff that comes on the floor with me in my scrub pockets are my stethoscope, a few alcohol wipes, my pen, and a tiny notebook.

As far as items that have become my "must-haves," I love the Frixion erasable pens. They are retractable, and Amazon carries a set of different colors for the best price. Tons and tons of notecards, plus the metal rings that I attach each test's worth of cards together. Saunders NCLEX review book and the Success series are great for practice questions that provide the rationales for why each answer is correct or incorrect.

Non-material things: make a few friends. I have become incredibly close with a handful of my cohort. We have a private FB group where we post practice questions that we find, ask for help on topics we're struggling with, post helpful study material that we find, and just basically support each other. We go out for dinner and drinks at the end of every semester. I honestly have no idea how I would have made it through the last year of classes without them.

Elladora · Dec 20, 2015

I used flash cards to study, so I would recommend blank index cards, a hole punch, markers, and binder rings. We had a study group of 5-7 people and we would each make flashcards for a section of the materials, then share them. We were constantly going over something.

A strong support/study group can be a lifechanger.

Xlorgguss · Dec 20, 2015

I wish that I had figured out how to study early on. I wasted a lot of time trying to take notes while reading my textbook. I learned after our second test that reading the textbook and watching our class video lectures was sufficient. Also learn how to answer NCLEX style questions. Learn your nursing process (Assess, Diagnosis, Plan, Implement, Evaluate) and know that they go in order. Learn that patient safety is the priority. Learn to never "pass the buck" and that there is most likely something you can do in a situational question before "going to notify the physician". Knowing those strategies for answering questions saved me a lot of trouble. I would venture at least 40-50% of my questions could have done choices eliminated by using the above. If only I could get better at the "best" questions and select all that apply.

acitron726 · Dec 21, 2015

If you're like me, invest in a lot of loose leaf. I take notes incessantly and am constantly running out to get more paper.

Scrubs with lots of pockets, you will never have enough pockets to keep everything you need

A good stethoscope. A lot of people will tell you its not necessary until you graduate but I find that I am able to perform a far better assessment than my classmates because I have a great stethoscope

"RN Notes" book. Its small and fits in scrub pockets but contains so much information. It's also erasable with alcohol swabs so you can write all over it during clinical and erase it after

Comfortable shoes. You'll be on your feet all day and nothing is worse then back pain on top of everything else

All the NCLEX books you can afford. I do questions every day and find that it really helps improve my test-taking in school by knowing how the questions will be asked

NurseStorm, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2015

I second the RN notes book, multiple colours of pens and highlighters, notecards (with rings), binders, looseleaf paper, litmann stethoscope, etc.

Also seconding the importance of a support group/study group.

An important thing to do is figure out your learning style before starting/early on in your program. We actually did a test in one of my first nursing courses. Once you figure this out (visual, auditory, kinesthetic, tactual), you can tailor your studying to the appropriate type to help yourself retain better.

ie. If you are visual- notecards with multiple colours, highlight etc. Diagrams, labeling blank diagrams..

If you are auditory- buy a small tape recorder and read out the chapters into your recorder. Listen to this with headphones/through your stereo as you are walking, driving, doing chores, etc.

-Look up study hints for each type for more ideas.

direw0lf, BSN · Dec 21, 2015

I just got the book "Pharmacology made insanely easy" and absolutely LOVE it. It has pictures/mnemonics to remember drugs..I learn best that way!

I also have Medsurg Success. It's pretty helpful too. I got Pathophysiology Reviews and Rationales it's just ok ...it got great reviews though.

fatrabbit · Dec 22, 2015

-A good pair of shoes (or insoles and compression socks)

-hi-lighters and index cards

-good frozen meals

-mulitvitamin

-a watch with a second hand

-hand sanitizer

-an NCLEX questions book

meganec17 · Dec 22, 2015

Hi! I just finished my first semester of school. One thing that I found very helpful at clinical this past semester was a small, spiral lined notebook that could easily fit in my scrub pocket. I would write down my daily assignment (pt room number, the RN, my lunch time, and and special assignments like meds). We had forms through my school that we had to fill out every week, but I thought the notebook was helpful. Also, it's a good place to write vitals, I&Os, and other important things you either gather from report or assessment. Also, huge recommendation is to write all of the room codes (break room, med room, supply closet, ect) that you may need to access on the back of the cover, that way you will never be without. I know this tip seems silly, but it can save a lot of hassle. Of course, good shoes, a nice quality stethoscope, and other supplies don't hurt. Don't bring all your books to class, you won't need them. Take use of open lab times if offered, as well as utilizing your professor's office hours. Study everyday, don't cram. Do the homework, even if it isn't graded or collected, it's for you and will help you learn. Find committed classmates and create a study group. Be prepared for all clinicals. That's all I can think of at the moment, good luck with school! :)

db2xs · Dec 23, 2015

I liked pants with pockets. I wish I knew about alegria shoes and how comfy they were. I wish they were more waterproof. Always order 2 uniforms. All their supplies they tell you to order is overrated like the scissors, pen light, hemostats, etc.

As a student, I was fine with scrub pants with two or three pockets. As an actual clinical nurse, I am all about the nine-pocket Dickie pants! Regarding the scissors, pen light, etc., I never used them as a nursing student but definitely as a clinical nurse I use them.

As a student, really, the most essential thing you need: Self-care. This includes good, nutritious food, plenty of sleep (no midnight cramming), exercising, and allowing yourself to have fun. And that should follow you into your professional career as well. :yes:

PrnAdnST · Dec 24, 2015

First, I would take an online quiz to see how you learn. You can be a visual, auditory, or kinesthetic learner. I would then research how you can learn.

Google and Youtube are your friends.

I also use a Livescribe pen that records when I write in lectures, It has helped me a lot. People learn differently at different ages too.

I would also know everything in the boxes in your nursing books.

I use Quizlet it's an online/app that I can use on my phone anytime. On quizlet, if your definitions are 300 characters or less the cards you can make the app voice/talk, it helps when I'm driving or getting ready for school. Sometimes the app mispronounces the words and it makes me remember them. I have used it for over year and its free! You can also use it for practice tests.

Danskos are good shoes, I live in mine, watch your ankles, sometimes they twist my ankles.

I use colored pens, (fine point sharpies last the longest) colored paper, and colored flashcards. Sometimes just the act of writing the cards helps me learn. Most of the time I only write on the front of my papers, and cards. I can't study in a group because I have ADHD, and I loose my focus and don't learn from a group, (found that out the hard way). I am still learning how I learn it has been a long road trying to figure that out... Good Luck to you!