LET’S DO THIS! HELPFUL TIPS FOR NURSING SCHOOL SUCCESS Karin Randolph, MSN, RN Student Navigator- Nursing Instructor NWCC Division of Nursing
IF ONE OF THESE DESCRIBES YOU, YOU MIGHT JUST BE A NURSING STUDENT! Disorganized? Procrastinator? Cram for tests? Don’t understand material and afraid to ask for help? Studying with those who aren’t a good influence? Working at a job? Lack of support system? Inadequate test-taking skills? Anxiety or nervous with computer tests?
WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER! Ms. Randolph’s top ten hints for success in nursing school….
#1:GET ORGANIZED! Take good notes. Tape lectures if needed. Notes all in one place- use folders, notebooks. All study supplies together- pens, pencils, paper, note cards. Use a calendar-really! Plan EVERY Minute of your day. DO NOT focus on next week. Focus on 1 day at a time! Make a “to-do” list for the day. Check off what you accomplish.
#2: MAKE A PLAN TO STUDY EVERY DAY Spend at least 3 hours a day on THAT day’s lecture. Organize the notes you took in class today. Use the “Triage” method. Divide your notes into 3 sections: the easy/stuff, the not so easy/stuff and the tough/stuff. Read over the easy and put aside. Spend your time accordingly on the other 2 sections. Make note cards. Keep these with you at all times- even at clinical! If you are an auditory learner, listen over and over to lectures.
#3: PRETEND YOU HAVE A TEST EVERY MONDAY. “Pretend” -In your mind you have an exam every Monday on your nursing lectures. Monday and Wednesday afternoons should be spent organizing, triaging, and studying those really hard parts of that day’s lectures. Go back to the book and reread sections you have questions about in your notes. If you still have questions, ask someone. There are always teachers around or ask your clinical teacher. Review everything for the week during the weekend.
#4 USE PREP U- WE ARE NOT KIDDING HERE! Statistics show that those who consistently use Prep U do much better: Last semester, 13 people failed at the end of the course- half of those never logged in to Prep-U and the others never utilized it to its capacity. Prep U can be used also on your phone- so use your time wisely! Instead of social media, load a quick 10 questions!
#5: CHOOSE YOUR STUDY GROUP CAREFULLY Study groups are great if all are focused and doing well. If you are studying with less serious students or those who might be leaning on you to carry them through school, you may need to change groups. It’s great to help your fellow student, but do not let them monopolize your own study schedule.
#6: NURSING SCHOOL IS YOUR JOB Your future depends on your success! Your nursing school job hours are: 8-5:30 Monday through Friday with weekend coverage! Clinical days are longer! Tell your families and friends this information! They need to know so they can support you! Are you working full time at another job while going to school? It is a good idea to scale down hours or even stop working.
#7 FIND A MENTOR Make sure you have someone who you can turn to for advice- who understands what you are going through and who can support you. Good examples: a previous nursing student, an instructor, a close friend or family member And… Your student navigator!
#8 FIND A FRIEND Find someone in your class that you can connect with, who will walk with you arm in arm to your pinning ceremony!
#9 TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF Remember…It’s the little things… Stay on a schedule. Get sleep (you’ll get less, but you will get used to it!). Eat regularly. Exercise or take quick study breaks. Quiet time- a few minutes each day helps! Remember to touch base with the important people in your life. Ask for help when you need it (errands, childcare, etc.). Forgive your mistakes and move on! Do something fun every now and again!
#10 FOCUS ON YOUR GOAL-YOU CAN DO THIS! There’s a light at the end of the tunnel! This is a SEASON in your life. Focus on this!
COME SEE ME! Office hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 8-3, Tuesday and Thursday’s when clinical groups are not in session. Room 103 Phone