Is Nursing School Fun?

Absolutely! Are you ready to start the journey of a lifetime?

So you are getting ready to start nursing school. It is important to start strong. The momentum will carry you through the first few weeks. If you want some tips on starting strong, check out our previous blog (CLICK HERE). 

This week let’s talk about having fun and building a framework for a successful nursing career. 

Top Tips to Thrive in Nursing School

1. Work or volunteer in a hospital or other healthcare facility while you are in school.
2. Find a study group.
3. Take care of yourself.

Success Tip Number 1: Work or volunteer with patients!

Isn’t this the reason you are in nursing school in the first place? Working with patients prior to nursing school or during school will give you several distinct advantages. You will:

1. Have the opportunity to practice empathy,
2. Develop strong communication skills and
3. Learn to organize and prioritize.

If you can manage to hold a very part time job in a hospital you will be well on your way to preparing yourself for school and graduation. When I hire new nurses, those that really struggle have no prior work experience in a healthcare facility. Working in a healthcare environment sets you up for success and gives you a distinct advantage. Healthcare demands excellent communication, organizational and prioritization skills. If you can’t manage a job, look for volunteer opportunities. 

Pro RN Tip: Find a job in the facility you think you want to work in and work your bottom off! If you have a good work ethic, word will get around. Leaders will fight for you. On the flip side, if you complain a lot, cancel your shifts, and are difficult to work with…. Guess what? Word will get around.

Success Tip Number Two: Find a study group.

I don’t know what I would have done without my study partners. I listened to their hearts (literally) checked their pulses, assessed their tonsils, and palpated their abdomen. They even let me poke them with needles. Today these are some of my closest friends. We studied together, complained about our professors together, ate bad food, laughed and cried, held each other up and graduated together. Find a study group. They’ll keep you sane.

Bonus Tip Number Three: Budget time for yourself!

My daughter (who happens to be in nursing school), suggested I add one more. Budget some time for yourself. We get busy and stressed. Call someone you love. Remember your manners. Say please and thank you. Find a quiet place, take a walk, watch a movie or keep a journal. Practice positive self-care. We can’t take care of patients if we aren’t taking care of ourselves. Whatever it is, reserve some time to revive.

There is lots of research out there boasting the benefits of connection, strong relationships and positive self-care. Positive self-care improves happiness, increases life span, and decreases chronic illness. There is even evidence that happy providers diagnose patients faster and more accurately. Empathetic nurses are less like to restrain patients. Connect with people and practice self-care. The benefits to you and your future patients is priceless.

Ready to get started? Click HERE to check out some of our free resources!.

Do you want to get a jump start on Nursing School? Check out our free dosage calculation course! 

Enroll in our Free Dosage Calculation 

Class Today!

Get a jump start on your Nursing Career.

Our LIVE dosage calculation course will walk you through the five easy steps to ACE dosage calculation. 

Start Nursing School Strong!

Our top tips to start strong!

1. Learn how to introduce yourself to patients. 
2. Keep a calendar or an agenda.
3. Eliminate time wasters!

Tip Number 1: Learn how to introduce yourself to patients!

Do you know that most students don’t know how to introduce themselves to patients? You will get nervous, you won’t know what to say and you will stumble over your words. Students don’t know what to say. Patients are vulnerable. Sometimes they are angry or sad. It can be difficult for the beginner to communicate effectively. You may not be sure what to say and you may or may not have an instructor who provides good coaching and direction. I know, it sounds silly, but I’ve found this made a big difference in the first week of the clinical experience. Most students become nervous or even afraid to meet patients for the first time.

 Over time, I learned to have students practice introducing themselves. Some students told me they practiced introducing themselves in their mirror or even to their dog. It will take less than 10 minutes and you will be glad you did. It may sound silly, but I could tell the difference and so could the patients. I’ve attached some scripting for you (CLICK HERE). 

At my facility we use AIDET® from the Studer Group. The information is listed below.

Tip Number Two: Keep a calendar or an agenda.

I prefer to use the old-fashioned paper calendar but there are lots of electronic calendar applications you can use. I like paper calendars because it’s easier for me to see a month at a time. Map your course a few weeks at a time. In addition to preparing for multiple classes you will also have clinical and most likely care plans (which can take hours to complete). Know when your tests are. I’ve watched students mismanage their schedule and leave zero time to prepare for an exam because they did not account for their clinical schedule.

Tip Number Three: Eliminate your time wasters!

What is your Achilles heel? Is it binge watching NETFLIX, “Game of Thrones”, checking social media, Candy Crush, 8 Ball Pool, Game Pigeon? It may be time with friends or family. It might be reducing the numbers of hours you work each week. More than likely something will have to go. When I’m working on big projects I remove apps from my phone and I set time limits on others (for me it is Facebook). I also turn off notifications. Whatever it is, remove the distractions. Get a head start. Make a plan. 

Full disclosure… I have never played Candy Crush, 8 Ball Pool or Game Pigeon. I’m blessed with a couple kiddos in their 20’s. Apparently this is how they waste their time.

How hard is nursing school?

If it was easy everyone would do it. Make a plan and start STRONG! You’ve got this. At the end of this road begins the journey of a lifetime.

Do you want to get a jump start on Nursing School? Check out our free dosage calculation course! 

RESOURCES

AIDET® from Studer Group: https://www.studergroup.com/aidet

Start Strong Introduction Handout

Enroll in our Free Dosage Calculation 

Class Today!

Get a jump start on your Nursing Career.

Our LIVE dosage calculation course will walk you through the five easy steps to ACE dosage calculation.