Tuesday, May 02, 2006

Tips for Nursing School

A lot of people have posted comments or emailed me about their studies.

You guys ask "I am applying to clinicals next semester, what should I do?"
or "I'm about to take class X, is it hard?"
or "How did you know this was what you wanted to do?"
etc...

Well, I've been thinking about what I've learned over the last year and I think it's time I gave you some insider information. Here's a few things I've learned that may or may not help you out in school.

1) If you are thinking about going to nursing school but aren't there yet, volunteer at the hospital. I'm serious, it's not just for old ladies and community organizations. I was privileged enough to volunteer for a couple semesters at Hermann Memorial Hospital in downtown Houston. The place was massive and they had everything imaginable over ten floors in several buildings. I got to wander around all over the place and meet doctors and nurses and therapists of every kind. I got to see what the job was really like. It focused my goals.

Another solution would be to get a part time or summer job working in a hospital, though these are sometimes harder to come by. I have several friends who work as unit clerks or pharmacy techs... good jobs but not nursing jobs. I'm applying for a student nurse tech position for the summer... but I wasn't even eligible for it until I completed 2 semesters of clinicals. For students, hospital jobs can serve to ease your transition into the working world (if you can handle the extra stress). But they might not be the best way to feel out nursing as a potential major.

In any case, you can't really know if you want to do it without spending time in the hospital.

2) Go ahead and buy an NCLEX review book at the beginning of clinicals. Look on Amazon and try to find the one with the highest rating, especially one that has questions sorted out by topic with rationales for the answers. (Also, some instructors pull questions from review books... but that's not why I'm mentioning it.)

The thing about the NCLEX is that it asks you questions based on your ability and adapts to your level. The passing questions are based on synthesis and critical thinking, not recognition and recall. Sure, if you keep answering questions incorrectly the computer will eventually start asking you where the liver is. But you have to answer a minimum number of difficult questions to pass. You can answer every single anatomy question correctly from here to infinity and never meet the minimum requirements.

If you are attending a good nursing school, your instructors will try to format their test questions similarly to the passing NCLEX questions. They won't ask "What is this disease" as much as they will ask "What is the priority thing you need to watch when a person has this disease?" They won't ask "What does this medicine treat?" so much as they will ask "What lab value do you need to monitor when these two medicines are combined?" This principle should hold true for any course, so when you study you should try to think on a higher level than simple fact regurgitation. A review book might help you anticipate the kinds of questions your teacher will ask. Even if you never see the exact questions on your tests... you'll be more prepared for boards upon graduation.

3) Don't study for the grades. I know it sounds ridiculous, but your goal in studying shouldn't be to make A's. Studying isn't a product-oriented activity. It is process-oriented.

What good is school if you only cram enough facts in your head to pass a test? What good is your education if you stay up all night before each exam trying to store just enough info in short term memory to bump your grade up a letter? That kind of behavior was okay for English and Psychology... those things aren't your major. But nursing is something you'll have to do every day for work, and your mistakes won't take the form of typos. They'll take the form of injuries and deaths.

I know it isn't easy to do; we're all busy people. But if you make it your habit to reread the week's notes every day... if you make it your habit to learn and retain a little information each time... you'll gain more than class credit. You'll gain competency. Powerpoint is destroying our ability to take notes and listen actively. Printing out the slide handouts isn't enough.

Okay, so some of school is silly and useless. Something you have to get through before you go out into the real world and learn how things are done. Still, constant efforts really will carry you farther in life than intelligence alone. It becomes a matter of discipline and will.

4) Take time to play. But don't do it all the time. Some days you're just going to have to work hard from sun up to sundown. Just remember to relax on weekends. Take time to exercise. That freshman fifteen wasn't your birth control. It was your metabolism slowing down. Even if you only go for a walk on the weekend, it's better than nothing. Don't drink too much. Try to get off the caffeine and cigarettes. You're going to be a nurse; set a good example. The immediate gratification will cost more in the long run.

~~~
That's enough for now. More tips as I learn them.

One more thing: do you have a nursing/health blog or website? I know a lot of you read me but I haven't gotten around to reading linking you. Just post a comment with your URL, I'll check out your site and add you if I like what you have to say.

60 Comments:

hey, azhar, RN/army medic from singapore here. been reading your blog for quite some time after coming across it through some links. i have a 'medical blog' too.

feel free to add me azharazhar.blogspot.com/ .

see you at my blog! :)

By Blogger azhar, at Friday, May 5, 2006 at 4:14:00 AM PDT  

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, May 8, 2006 at 1:09:00 PM PDT  

I'd ditch that last post.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, May 8, 2006 at 7:28:00 PM PDT  

It is interesting to read about the differences between your studies and the British course.

Just on my second practical placement of the course, and the last section of the year until the end of July.

One thing you and another blog I read have said is about volunteering - good for experience, but not too good for surviving what with no pay and all. Do you have the job of healthcare/nursing assistant over your way? I did this for 3 months before my studies, and am continuing it in my spare time to top up my funds. Also here we have a staff bank, where people work as and when they want if vacancies are there - and with the state of the NHS I have never not found a vancancy when I have wated one!

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, May 18, 2006 at 12:05:00 PM PDT  

Excellent post!!! Very useful, particularly the "don't study for grades" piece. I enjoy your blog and have had you linked for a while. I am at http://nurse2be.blogspot.com, Becoming A Nurse. Thanks!

By Blogger Nurse2B, at Friday, May 19, 2006 at 5:55:00 AM PDT  

Came here via Nurse2B's blog. I'm starting nursing school June 1. Will bookmark you and continue to look for your wisdom to add to my collection of good tips.

Thanks!

By Blogger Unemployed Nurse Jack, at Friday, May 19, 2006 at 6:27:00 AM PDT  

Brilliant post.

You made a great summary of the important information.

By Blogger SVN, prn, at Friday, May 19, 2006 at 7:32:00 PM PDT  

Applause! Applause! I appreciate your telling the truth b/c nursing school is unlike liberal arts or some of the other disciplines. I also like your suggestion about working as a pharmacy tech. One of my cohorts worked as a pharm tech and a patient care tech (CNA+) and is way ahead of the rest of us in her skill level.

Found your blog via Nurse2Be...I'd love to add a link to your blog on mine: www.thirddegreenurse.typepad.com

By Blogger The new Third Degree Nurse, at Sunday, May 21, 2006 at 6:53:00 PM PDT  

All of those tips are really great- *especially* getting an NCLEX book(student nurses need all the test-taking practice they can get), as well as having fun. Nursing school is so stressful, you REALLY need to take time for yourself or you'll go insane!

I also like what you have to say about not studying for grades. I think we as nursing students are so focused on wanting to make the grade, that we forget we actually have to KNOW this stuff. But that's how we are - anal perfectionists. The more we realize that we have to study for the knowledge, the better we do on tests(in my opinion). Great post. :)

By Blogger Stephanie, at Monday, May 22, 2006 at 6:33:00 PM PDT  

finally I have found somewhere that is interested in hearing how much I want to be a nurse. My husband is over it. and when ever I learn something new I fight the urge to say "Did you know...." I have finished all my pre req's but I can't get into a ADN program to save my life. I am applying to about 7 by the end of the year.So wish me luck!!!

mom of three

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, May 22, 2006 at 11:17:00 PM PDT  

Hope your summer is going well so far:)

By Blogger Raspberry Stethoscope, at Thursday, May 25, 2006 at 5:27:00 PM PDT  

You are so right about not studying for the grade! My hardest class this semester was the one I studied that most for, and got a "C" in - but it's also the one I learned the most in, and applied what I learned in clinicals, especially ortho.

Great blog, check out mine, White Scrubs - www.whitescrubs.blogspot.com

I'm adding you to my links list!

By Blogger Unknown, at Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at 7:31:00 AM PDT  

It hik your blog is awesome. I'm taking basics for PA school, but I've consdered nursing as my back up plan.

Your blog is very interesting - good luck with your studies!

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at 8:21:00 AM PDT  

Heather:

Here's my blog:
http://1nurseonmyway.blogspot.com.

I just started an accelerated program on 5/30. I started blogging my dip into the nursing school pool a month after I sent in my check to reserve my spot in this class.

I'm studying away, but still trying to blog regularly and keep my sanity.

Good luck to all!

By Blogger nurseonmyway, at Thursday, June 8, 2006 at 7:32:00 PM PDT  

Hi Heather,
Excellent post and what a refreshing approach to blogging.

I am a webmaster/publisher in the process of building a site on nursing. I am looking for nursing students like yourself to be contributors of real information from real life situations.

If you are interested please visit my site and leave your contact information.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Jim

http://www.nursingchoice.com

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, June 23, 2006 at 3:08:00 PM PDT  

Thanks for the write-up. It will become useful because I will become a nursing student this september. (WOOhoo!) Anyway, I wrote some tips about GETTING INTO Nursing School, so feel free to add some of your own if you still remember.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Sunday, July 2, 2006 at 12:17:00 AM PDT  

A hospital executive would feel more comfortable contracting a nurses from an agency dedicated to temporary medical staffing than from a one-stop-shop that also places welders, janitors and filing clerks.

More info at http://www.startanursingagency.com the ultimate step by step guide to build your own Nursing Agency Business!

By Blogger Nurse Jenny, at Friday, July 7, 2006 at 8:31:00 PM PDT  

I wish I had known you way before first level!! You have been so much help to us fellow classmates. These tips are very good!! Good luck this fall!

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, August 7, 2006 at 2:29:00 PM PDT  

All very good advice regardless of what level nursing school one is in!

By Blogger Unknown, at Monday, August 28, 2006 at 5:49:00 AM PDT  

Hi,
I enjoyed reading your sites and perspectives. I am a nursing instructor and can identify with many of your stories and suggestions. I have a website that may be of interest to your readers. http://freenursetutor.com
It is a review and activities site for prelicensure nurses.
Thanks

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, September 9, 2006 at 4:12:00 PM PDT  

Celestial,
I attended a community college in Nc. They offer PN and ADN programs. I have two kids and it was tough as nails at times, but I graduated a couple weeks ago. The programs are hard to get into but not impossible. It is a small college so the competition is not fierce, yet. They accept you based on your etrance scores and previous classes. Don't give up, I got accepted at a least likely time.

By Blogger melb, at Sunday, May 20, 2007 at 6:19:00 PM PDT  

I am a retired Army medic, EMT, RN
Nice blog. I have written a small book of things that I had to learn the hard way. cheeringangel.com
If you let me "spam" you here, I will send you a free copy if you want one.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, August 6, 2007 at 10:18:00 AM PDT  

Hello,
I just wanted to say that I like your blog. I will just be starting nursing school in the fall and it's nice to find tips and things to keep in mind. I just set up a new blog as well, you can check it out if you want. http://autumn-coffee.blogspot.com/

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, May 8, 2008 at 12:00:00 PM PDT  

Hi,

I was wondering if we can exchange links. My blog is NurseReview.Org Nursing Blog PR 5, it will really help our website gain traffic.

Here is my blog info:

Title: NurseReview.Org Nursing Blog
URL: http://NurseReview.Org

Please drop me a comment if you are interested and have place my link in your blog roll.

Thanks,
Myk
Nclex Blog Resource

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, June 9, 2008 at 4:16:00 AM PDT  

I am 42 year old male currently in my second semester of nursing school. I am taking or finishing A&P as a summer course and it was a killer. I hold a masters degree in Ed and taought at a college level for years etc. I did not come in with an attitude but it seems the faculty and more experienced students do. I have been told to give up my personal life, any recreation etc. It seems I am being flooded with B.S. I got my masters in 9 months, 4.0 my first semester but it seems instead of encouragement all I am getting is , you can't make it or you can't have a life. I understand academic demands but this what I think is propaganda is depressing. I know I have what it takes to be an RN. My big question is this. Are they playing mind games? Is this some sort of weed out process? Please! someone give me some straight answers.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, July 28, 2008 at 5:16:00 PM PDT  

Science-based degrees are hard. And nursing degrees are particarly hard. Telling you straight that passing the clinical program will require sacrifice isn't an attempt to weed you out. It's a thoughtful warning! As hard as A&P can be, it only gets harder. Huge percentages of classes fail out each level. I can testify from personal experience that I dedicated 85% of my time to school, 10% to my part time job, and only 5% to myself. I can't imagine how the single mothers did it!! Sure, the instructors could make the questions easier, but the fact is, the questions on the NCLEX are even more rigerous than the ones from your classes. Even some who pass classes easily fail licensure. And it's all about boards!

While I sympathize with your struggle, knowing it so intimately, you can't approach it with such a victim mentality. You're a teacher. If you feel there is some "personal" element to the instruction, let me recommend the book "How to Win Friends and Influence People".

By Blogger esunasoul, at Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 8:01:00 AM PDT  

I have just finished all my pre-recs for nursing school but am finding it difficult to get into the program in which I applied. Any suggestions?

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Tuesday, August 5, 2008 at 4:43:00 PM PDT  

hey. i really liked your blog. I am in my first year of nursing and i found this very helpful. if you have any more tips just throw em my way! thanks :)

By Blogger ♥Mrs. D♥, at Monday, September 22, 2008 at 8:34:00 AM PDT  

I start nursing school in Jan. and am so excited and getting nervous. I am finishing Micro now. My question is this, how much harder is the nursing classes than A&P or Micro? I have studied constantly to make A's in these classes and I am wondering how much harder nursing school is going to be.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Saturday, November 1, 2008 at 6:16:00 PM PDT  

Hi...You made a great point of the value of learning...what if you are a SVN at the end of a 12 month program and realized you crammed your way through just barely passing...do you have any advice on how someone would make it as a RN by means of a LVN to RN bridge program with a background of just cramming? Your feedback is greatly appreciated, GNTB ;-)

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, November 10, 2008 at 7:28:00 PM PST  

i found your blog really encouraging i am in my first level of clinicals at northwestern and i have been having trouble in my lecture class....any advice?? thanks anyways keep up your blog its really helpful

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, November 12, 2008 at 10:57:00 AM PST  

I enjoyed checking out your blog.I am a second year student. I put in a lot of time to learn the material and keep my grades up. I have been on the Dean's list continually. It can get pretty overwhelming, but I know that all this hard work will pay off.

By Blogger Crystal, at Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 5:18:00 AM PST  

I appreciate the statement about grades, I just finished my 1st semester of pre-reqs, I did preety well in Nutrition and writing, but math is not my strong point, I got a c+ in Pre ALgebra, I thought I at least got a B. I am soooo upset with myself. Reading your blog has eased my pain, so thank you.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Thursday, December 18, 2008 at 1:26:00 PM PST  

Hi, Just took A & P I and it was hard. My teacher's approach was excellent. He made it fun but you had to not just pass it but learn it. That's the best way. Just passing or studying to pass is not a good way. You must learn it. These all help you with your nursing. Strong foundations are inportant. I got an A, 103 average.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Wednesday, January 14, 2009 at 11:54:00 AM PST  

Hello my name is Lena and I made my mind up and im going to nursing school But I want to know if there r any sites or books you can recommend so I can start studying now, So i will at least know what i'm walking in too before i get there.I hope you can help me.Thank you Hope to hear from you soon.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, January 26, 2009 at 1:45:00 PM PST  

Hello, What a great blog. I am an RN and have been for 20 years. I love my job! I am also a clinical nursing instructor. It has been a while since I was a student and I sometimes forget what it was like going through nursing school. Hang in there students because it is very rewarding in the end. There is so much you can do. Obtaining your RN gives you so many more choices. If you can manage push for the RN. It's not for everyone though.
http://www.liveperson.com/nurse-kay

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Monday, January 26, 2009 at 8:23:00 PM PST  

hiiii...

i think our blog at the same page...
hope you want to exchange link with me...

if agree,link me and confirm to my blog for link back..

thank friend, have a nice days

By Blogger Mhd Masykur, at Monday, February 2, 2009 at 5:25:00 AM PST  

This is great that you are persueing your nursing career

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, February 13, 2009 at 10:56:00 AM PST  

The highlighting of distinguished course content was some think interesting. More over it helped me to get more informative.

By Anonymous LPN ursing Training, at Thursday, April 2, 2009 at 2:57:00 AM PDT  

Taking prereq's for BSN but applied of LPN and RN. I am so nervous. I went to LPN already and flunked out due to health and finances. I am terrified of doing it all over again. However, this time, I know that I'll make it.

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Sunday, April 19, 2009 at 8:26:00 PM PDT  

Hi, Im an LPN student and I was looking for encouragement on the NCLEX style questions. I am discouraged because no matter how much I study or how much I think I know I end up choosing the wrong answer or changing it to the wrong answer after I had it right the first time. I feel like every test is a mind game.7 more months left.. I need to get through it. Thanks for your site, I found it very helpful and encouraging. Deb

By Anonymous deb, at Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 11:00:00 PM PDT  

Although it's true that you should study not just for the grades, most nursing programs require you to get at least a C in your classes and you will be dropped from the program if you don't and it could take years to get back in. So while yes, grades are not the only important thing, it is important to learn what you need to to pass your classes or the knowledge you have won't matter because you won't be a nurse if you fail out of nursing school.

By Blogger Nicole Knight , at Monday, July 6, 2009 at 10:27:00 AM PDT  

This is true. We should learn the material not for the grade. Think of it like, "job training." If you can't learn the info on how to perform your job, how are you to have a job at all?

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Friday, July 17, 2009 at 12:55:00 AM PDT  

Hi I'm a nursing student in my final semester of nursing school. I loved my OB/peds rotation and am hoping to be an L&D. That being said, my blog is mostly related to mother/parenting topics but I can't help but dig into the medical aspect of it all. And I went hit school this fall, you better believe I'll be sharing the stress and excitement of my final semester of nursing school! Nice to read your blog!

By Blogger Unknown, at Monday, August 3, 2009 at 11:28:00 AM PDT  

It does make some sense. But we can't completely avoid studying for good grades.

By Anonymous Aaron, at Tuesday, August 4, 2009 at 10:12:00 PM PDT  

WOW this blog is amazing!!! I just got accepted into Clinicals at NSU Shreve....lol OK....so they dont specify what length our lab coat is supposed to be lol...or what scrubs we're supposed to have....I'm like...Landau?..Grey's Anatomy?!

By Anonymous Amber Rhodes Laffitte, at Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 10:28:00 PM PDT  

I am a clinical instructor and have compiled a booklet for nursing students to bring to clinical as a resource, the booklet can fit in your pocket, it has vital sign parameters, simple drug calculation, SBAR and much more to help the novice nursing student. If you have any other ideas on how I can help the new nursing students, please let me know. Thank you Carleen Varga, RN, MSN

By Anonymous Anonymous, at Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 4:55:00 AM PDT  

Hello, student nurse from the UK here. Great to have stumbled on your blog. Mines at:

http://nursejulianne.blogspot.com/

Feel free to follow mine, this is an invitation to anyone reading this too as I'm new to blogging and have an empty follower list! Keep up the good work, I really enjoyed reading :)

By Blogger Julianne, at Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 3:49:00 PM PDT  

I am a couple of days away from starting nursing school, I can truly say that I am extremely terrified of all the things that are coming my way. But I like your blog, and I will keep in touch with it because I know that you have been able to survive nursing school..... we will see how it goes starting jan. 11th.

By Anonymous Rocio, at Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at 12:39:00 PM PST  

I am a Regjistered nurse and would love to give advice, listen to your struggles and most of all encourage you all out there. You can reach me at valerie223344@yahoo.com

come on you guys! you can do it.

By Blogger Unknown, at Wednesday, January 27, 2010 at 8:45:00 AM PST  

I like your tip about volunteering in a hospital first. It is really the only way to see for yourself what a nursing career is all about. Some people, before deciding about going into a nursing program, take a nursing assitant certificate course (this will normally take only a few weeks) and spend some time working first as a nursing assistant so that they can know the nursing life from th inside and see if it is for them.

You asked to post our websits, so here is mine: nursing classes

By Blogger Lisa Wyle, at Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at 12:52:00 PM PDT  

Thank you for the info i really get what i was looking for.
LVN Certification

By Blogger Viresh, at Monday, May 24, 2010 at 12:36:00 AM PDT  

Hi I'm Begining my Nursing program this fall and I'm very nervous any suggestion will help

By Blogger ans, at Monday, August 2, 2010 at 5:07:00 PM PDT  

hi,
what actually we have study(subjects)for the nursing major in the college?

By Blogger Thoughtful Collective, at Saturday, December 11, 2010 at 6:19:00 PM PST  

I found this site very helpful, I am in the second semester of my BSN degree. What I am finding extremely difficult is the fact that I have to work while I am in nursing school. The stress from nursing school alone can be overwhelming but working to support two households is about to send me over the edge. I have worked so long and hard to get to where I am now just to end up failing out. I hope to find some competant counseling here at my University that would help me with my dilemmma. Thanks again.

By Blogger Dreadlock Darla and Captain Guacamole, at Monday, January 17, 2011 at 12:21:00 AM PST  

I agree 100% that volunteering at a hospital is an excellent idea if you're looking into nursing. One of my good friends did just that while working as a receptionist at a small clinic. The volunteer experience looked really good on her when she applied for nursing school. Thanks for the post.

Michael
Nursing Schools In Southern California

By Blogger Michael, at Sunday, September 11, 2011 at 4:40:00 PM PDT  

http://avennefamilyportrait.blogspot.com/

just found you today. I'm 2 semesters into a 5 semester RN program and can TOTALLY relate :)

By Blogger misty, at Monday, March 12, 2012 at 9:17:00 AM PDT  

I love this post. I am starting nursing school in the fall and have been searching and searching for blogs that people have wrote about nursing school and I really enjoy yours. I have also started one. I find it helps withw the anxiety about starting and hopefully will help me through...my blog is keepcalmnurseon.blogspot.com. :)

By Blogger BrittanyNicoleRN2B, at Saturday, April 21, 2012 at 1:26:00 PM PDT  

im taking pre requisites for the nursing program. where should i start looking for work to get my foot in the door?

By Blogger puchodog1977, at Monday, May 14, 2012 at 6:31:00 PM PDT  

Hey Heather,
I know that these posts on your blog are quite old and that you have graduated to be a successful nurse but I wanted to say thank you for taking the time when you could to document what you were going through. I am a girl in her mid 20s who has been lost most of her life not knowing what she wanted to do and after Pre-health & a year of Pharmacy Technician I discovered I want to be a nurse. However I am from Canada so our schooling will be a bit different but we are all the same when it comes to the real world and your blog has given me some amazing insights into what its going to be like. I am applying for a Practical nursing program come January and hope I can become as successful as you! Thanks! -- going to continue reading your blog through the years now.. :)

http://caffeinepoq4h.blogspot.ca/

By Blogger Vertically Challenged, at Monday, June 29, 2015 at 3:39:00 PM PDT  

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