Starting It Right: Tips on How to Prepare for Your First Year in Nursing School
Venice just couldn’t help but feel giddy. Finally, she is done with High School and is now a few steps closer to her goal of becoming a Registered Nurse. A few months more and she’ll finally be enrolled in nursing school. She has long waited for this moment, alright, but wait, she also couldn’t help but feel a bit anxious. What’s in store for her? Can she survive nursing school? What are some things that she can do this summer to help her prepare for her first year as a nursing student?
Volunteer in the healthcare field
It’s always nice to gain some understanding as to how it really is in the healthcare field. By doing so, you might be able to see whether nursing appeals to you or not. May it be volunteering in the hospital, nursing home, clinic or other healthcare setting, you will be able to find out whether you and nursing are a good match.
Check out online nursing forums and blogs
You might be interested in participating in online discussions as they give you the chance to ask questions to other nurses. Here, you’ll get plenty of great advice and will be able to hear about what other nurses have to say. But remember to identify yourself as a prospective nursing student.
Get in touch with real-life nurses
There must be someone you know who is a nurse or a healthcare professional. Approach them (well, if they’re not busy) and let them know that you’re a prospective nursing student. Ask them for advice and about the questions swarming in your head. Most are usually eager to help and provide you with information needed as well as share their experiences. After the interview, thank them for their time (nurses usually are really busy) to let them know that you are grateful for all the things they shared as well as sparing some time despite their busy schedule.
Build a support system
Nursing school is full of challenges and it is best that you have a support system to back you up when things get tough. Find a study buddy, preferably someone who will be attending the same school as yours. Studying is always better when you have someone to study and share ideas with.
Read, read, read
When you enter nursing school, be prepared for a lot of studying. It’s better if you start early and read in advance. Review some basic nursing concepts. Review those you have learned from your Advanced Placement (AP) classes.
Take some time off and enjoy
Take a much needed vacation, after all, you deserve it after graduating from high school. Make time for yourself as much as you can. Go to the beach. Do the thing you love most. Make time for your hobbies. Energize. You won’t have that much time to go on long vacations when you enter nursing school since most of it will be spent studying for your exams and classes. Enjoy your summer as much as you can.
Develop a healthy eating habit
With a busy schedule and a lot to study for, nursing students tend to forget to eat healthy and succumb to junk food. Don’t. You need to stay healthy to be able to cope with all of nursing school’s demands. Eat greens, eat fruits. And oh, don’t forget to exercise.
Liane Clores, RN MAN
Currently an Intensive Care Unit nurse, pursuing a degree in Master of Arts in Nursing Major in Nursing Service Administration. Has been a contributor of Student Nurses Quarterly, Vox Populi, The Hillside Echo and the Voice of Nightingale publications. Other experience include: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Obstetric, Emergency and Recovery Room Nursing.
