Thinking About Nursing School? 5 Facts You Should Consider Before Applying
It is completely understandable if you feel intimidated by nursing school, especially if experienced RNs or recent graduates have told you that a nursing program is one of the most difficult things you will ever do. But don’t let this discourage you from applying to a nursing program. It is true that you will have to study diligently and work hard in nursing school; however, knowing what to expect will make all the difference in the world, so that you are prepared and can manage the workload.
We’ve put together five facts you should know before applying to nursing school.
1. Establish a Schedule
Nursing students are hit with a lot of information starting on day one. Begin on the right foot by knowing what you’re getting into, know what to expect and what is expected of you. This is a good moment to create a routine that will help you stay organized and focused. You will have a class schedule, of course, but you might benefit from establishing a more comprehensive schedule of your responsibilities and things that matter to you, like self-care and social time. This way, you can block chunks of time for not only your academic responsibilities, but your personal life, family time and hobbies.
2. Learn How to Study
Find a location that helps you to focus and study effectively. Perhaps that means finding a corner seat in the library or a quiet spot in your home. Get into the habit of studying in the same place so that the environment cues you to work with concentration and avoid distractions.
Phone notifications are one of the most common forms of distractions for students. Consider turning your phone to airplane mode or putting it on silent and turning the screen facedown on your desk. There are even some apps that can help block access to the Internet (if you’re working on a tablet and want to focus solely on reading).
Prioritize time with your textbooks and lecture material. The key, of course, is to comprehend and retain what you study, and this is rarely ever achieved by reading the material one time. The trick is to study consistently instead of cramming. The brain simply can’t cram nursing fundamentals or subjects like pharmacology in a short period of time.
Nursing school is not all about rote learning and memorization: It’s also about applying skills to specific situations, like learning to make the right decisions about a patient’s care plan and interventions. Paying attention to nursing theory and developing your critical thinking skills will help you become a better test taker and a sharp nurse. It will help you make the right decisions when applying what you learn in school to a clinical setting.
3. Clinicals are a Key Part of Nursing School
A lot of your time in nursing school will be spent in clinicals. Before starting direct patient-care in a clinical setting, students gain hands-on experience in a clinic or hospital, where they can apply the skills they’ve learned thus far under a professional’s watchful, supportive eye.
It is very important to treat clinicals with the same kind of professionalism and proactive attitude as if you are going into an actual job. This means being on time, learning the names of those on the floor, communicating with confidence and not being afraid to ask questions. In other words, be engaged and proactive during your clinicals instead of hanging back or only passively observing what is happening on the floor. If you feel nervous when trying a skill for the first time, know that the RNs and clinical staff were once in your shoes and will be happy to answer your questions or walk you through a new skill.
4. Create a Nursing School Community
You will get to know your classmates very well as you spend a significant amount of time with them in nursing school. These peers will become your support system, helping to make things easier and add a bit of fun as you go through classes and clinicals together.
A study group composed of other motivated students can be tremendously helpful. An effective study group will help you cover more material. Choose your study buddies carefully — keep an eye out for people who take extensive notes, grasp concepts well and are responsible and timely with communication.
Find an online community and immerse yourself in the world of nursing. There are Facebook groups for nursing students and lots of high-quality blogs and podcasts series on every aspect of the nursing profession.
Try to think of your professors as coaches/mentors. Don’t be afraid to approach professors if you are struggling with assignments or new material, or if you are overwhelmed with classes and clinicals. Your professors really do care about your success, especially as you’re a representative of their program. See if your program offers an alumni network as well, so you can continue to expand your network as you grow in your career.
5. Take Care of Yourself
You’re going into a care profession and probably look forward to making a positive impact on others. But you cannot take care of your patients if you don’t take care of yourself. In order to keep up with lectures and clinicals, you will need to stay active, eat well and rest. To do this, you will need to stay organized and schedule self-care.
Meal prep is a popular way to make sure you are getting well-rounded meals when on the go. You can either pack lunches the night before a long day on campus and clinicals, or know where the wholesome foods are located in the cafeteria. Getting all of your essential nutrients and staying away from convenience foods (like fast food as your staple) will keep your immune system strong, which you will need to deal with the stress of school and being around sick patients.
Regular exercise will also counteract the negative impact of stress on the body and will help your mood. Plus, regular exercise will help you rest better at night. Sleep deprivation makes it hard to retain information from lectures and your textbooks. You will need your rest to get through long clinical days, too.
Mindfulness practices, such as meditation or yoga, can help to calm an anxious mind before a test or presentation. You only need 10 or 15 minutes of intentional quiet time every couple of hours to make a positive difference in your mental health, which is great for your physical health, too. Those same techniques, along with outdoor walks and exercise, are great ways to clear your head after a long day or a busy week.
Being a nurse is a rewarding career path. When it comes to finding the best colleges for nursing, you’ll want to explore programs that keep your work/life balance in mind. There are programs, like those offered at Chamberlain University, that offer on-site clinicals for hands-on learning and customized care programs to offer support during schooling and after graduation. Entering the application process with an understanding of what type of student you are and what community support and program opportunities you’re looking for allows you to have a sense of clarity as you apply to find the best fit for achieving your goals.
Submitted by Chamberlain University.
