What do you wish you were told on the first day?

Faith213 · Jun 30, 2010

Great advice everyone!! I'm just a little lost on how tests are in nursing school. If all the answers are right how do you choose the best one?

They want you to prioritize in these types of questions. What would you do first? What is most important? Think of the A.B.C.'s (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and Maslow's hierarchy of needs when choosing the best answer. :twocents:

mariposabella · Jun 30, 2010

They want you to prioritize in these types of questions. What would you do first? What is most important? Think of the A.B.C.'s (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and Maslow's hierarchy of needs when choosing the best answer.

Ohhhh I get it now, thanks!

mariposabella · Jun 30, 2010

Important things for nursing students to know:
- nursing students MUST adapt quickly to new situations not challenge them
- find a study group right away
- listen to the instructor, not the know-it-all students
- accept the fact that nursing courses are designed to be different than other courses
- grades DO matter but they are not the most important thing
There things I wish my instructors knew, also:
- if you have a rule, enforce it strictly. There are too many students who want to push you around to get what they want. And many times, all they want is to make you look like a fool.
- limit off-topic or inappropriate discussion. 2 or 3 minutes is enough. Students pay for education and there is never enough class time anyway.
- be available as a mentor. I know that instructors are even busier than students, but the best instructors I had were the ones that offered me advice and spoke with me 1:1. Those personal conversations helped me overcome or avoid many problems.

Are study groups necessary? I see that a lot on here, when I was in A&P people would form study groups, but I never did, I have found I learn best when studying alone.

Faith213 · Jun 30, 2010

Ohhhh I get it now, thanks!

You're very welcome. :up:

ngiguere · Jun 30, 2010

1) I wish they had told us that it may not always be easy to get a job at first.

2) That nursing though it can be rewarding has the potential for much abuse. (I already knew this from 10 years of CNA work but it is nice to have a heads up for those who don't know)

3) And most importantly that you don't need to start in a hospital at first though some may learn alot from it just getting a job some times is hard enough. Let nursing students know that any experience at first is good experience.

FranEMTnurse, CNA, LPN, EMT-I · Jun 30, 2010

Are study groups necessary? I see that a lot on here, when I was in A&P people would form study groups, but I never did, I have found I learn best when studying alone.

I only had one study partner. We did our homework together via telephone. I was more skilled on care plans, and she was more skilled in Pharmacology

sproeber89 · Jun 30, 2010

I have a very solid study group, we get together the day of tests to go over what we will be tested on and just review. We make up lots of silly things that help us remember what we need to know. We also help each other with large projects, we pretty much camp out in the library and help each other.

The best thing we do is make each other laugh. We are infamous for going on YouTube and finding funny videos. It might not be helpful for studying but it keeps us all a little more relaxed.

CBsMommy · Jun 30, 2010

Are study groups necessary? I see that a lot on here, when I was in A&P people would form study groups, but I never did, I have found I learn best when studying alone.

No. You don't need a study group. I was in a study group at the beginning of my first semester and it was a huge mistake! I learn better on my own as well.

jenmarie610 · Jun 30, 2010

Some of this may have been said...I don't have time to read all the replys.

1. READ and what ever you do don't get behind in the reading. It is so hard to get caught up.

2. Do everything you can now. Even if the test/project is 2 weeks away, don't put things off. You never know what may come up tomorrow and before you know it, it will be the night before the test.

3. Eat something before clinicals. I mean a real breakfast. We had a student almost pass out from lack of eating, well she ate but it was only 2 bites of a bagel.

4. Help your fellow students (esp in clinicals.) The ones that give help get help. It will be remembered I PROMISE!

5. Be prepared. If you patient has a porta cath know what it is, why they need it, and how to care for it.

6. Understand not memorize. You may have to memorize some numbers and abbreviations, but the best way for the info to stick is to just understand it.

7. Study as you go. It is much easier to review the night before an exam than to learn the info.

8. Don't be scared to ask questions. Some people may think you are an idiot but who cares. If you don't get it ask!!

9. Schedule some down time. Nursing school is hard and time consuming. It will rule your life, so make sure you take care of yourself!

10. Get organized. Get a planner and write down all the test dates, project due dates, dr appontments, what ever it is write it all in one spot. It will look VERY overwelming and daunting but you will be able to see what is expected of you at all times.

11. Take one day, one test at a time. Don't get stuck on the fact that you made a D on the last test, just strive to do better on the next one. Our instructor says C=continue or C=RN!!

12. Work hard...don't expect the teachers to give you extra credit.

13. Do your best every day!

14. Do review questions at the end of the chapters. If you get them wrong, then you don't understand. Read again!

To the instructors--please be approachable! We won't come to you for help if you just treat us like idiots. We're still learning! Build us up, don't knock us down even farther.

To the OP--you seem really nice, I wish you were at my school!

AOx1 · Jul 1, 2010

Are study groups necessary? I see that a lot on here, when I was in A&P people would form study groups, but I never did, I have found I learn best when studying alone.

This really depends on the person, and on the group. I would find people who study similarly, and who want to work, not have social hour. Nothing wrong with a study break every hour or so, but it shouldn't be gossip/vent time. Try one out and see if it helps. I didn't think I liked study groups either, but it turns out I did. I would study prior to the group, and we would all discuss the material. I found it enhanced my learning. Try it a time or two, and if it's not for you, don't go again :)

That said, you do need a supportive group, either fellow students or outside friends/family. Somewhere to have fun, kick back, and forget about school, even if only for an hour!!

musiclovinpisces · Jul 1, 2010

Love #8, soooooo true, except I have to be there at 630 and have an hour drive ahead of me which means up at 430 after going to bed at 1 LMAO wish I had a heads up on that.

(This is in response to the first reply)

criticalRN10 · Jul 1, 2010

I usually learn better on my own too, before nursing school. Now, I like to go over all of the information in depth on my own and make sure that I understand everything and then get together with a study group to kind of quiz each other and go through everything to hear some other perspectives, it's interesting to see how many times I've thought one thing about a subject and turns out someone set me straight b/c i had it all wrong!! and vice versa! you can get really caught up on memorizing a million things but getting with a bunch of people helps you actually understand the concepts better and realize how well you undesrtand the subjects by teaching others about things you know better than they do, and letting them teach you about subjects they know better. I don't know i never liked groups until nursing school, now i just want some company after staring at the notes for a week straight!!