RNs: what do I REALLY need for my nursing classes?

Question

I am about to start my BSN classes and would like input from RNs and those who have already started their classes on things I might need for my nursing classes and clinicals that they don't really mention at orientation. Thanks!

Answer 1

Books, uniforms, a stethescope, a decreased need for sleep, a brain like a sponge and LOADS of time to study.  Also, a compassion for people is equally as important.

Answer 2

Food you will not have time to cook so get everybody you know to cook for you and portion it out so you have home cooked microwaveable meals.

Answer 3

I'm sure they've probably mentioned some of this to you, but I'll try to list some of the things I got when I started nursing school.

- good stethoscope with a bell and diaphragm, don't forget to put a name tag on this as doctors will invariably 'forget' theirs and want to borrow yours and then they 'forget' to return it or 'forget' where they laid it down

- small calculator

- package of notecards on which you can make 'med cards' to take to clinical with you.

- really good pair of sneakers with good arch support

- a black pen with a clip to clip to the inside of your uniform pocket

- I know the support hose are ugly, but varicose veins are even more ugly so wear the hose under your uniform and prevent from 'ruining' your legs.

- a medical dictionary

Can't think of anything else right now, but feel free to contact me if you have any questions! Good luck.

Answer 4

Time - if you don't really structure your time well in your life, you will never have adequate time to study, write papers, etc. And it take much more time than you would have ever expected. So make yourself a schedule and stick to it. I made a calendar with all my classes big events like paper due dates and clinical days and test dates written in, color coded for each specific class. It was helpful to have the visual aid to see it all laid out.

Patience - Many people start off all gung-ho and excited, but quickly find themselves overwhelmed and thinking the instructors are expecting too much of them too fast, the tests are harder than you expected, during clinicals you feel sort of like a lost puppy and unsure of exactly what you're supposed to be doing. This can really freak some people out into thinking nursing isn't what they thought it would be, and they question their decision to become a nurse. All I can tell you is hang in there, because nursing school is NOT representative of what the real job is like. Everything you will endure will be worth it in the end.

Assertiveness - You can't be afraid to ask questions of your instructors. If you don't understand something, someone else probably doesn't as well, so just ask. No question is too stupid. Ask them if they provide study guides, ask them to give you any kind of a rough outline on their upcoming tests. Ask them if there is specific content you should focus your studies on. You'd be surprised - they will often tell you great pieces of information on what you will be tested on and you can be well prepared. Most instructors want their students to do well and will help in any way possible short of handing out the test key. ;)

Make relationships - Find a few buddies in your courses / clinicals and get together before or after class and study together, hang out in the simulation labs to practice your skills together as a group, etc. Nobody wants to go through nursing school alone, and you will be expected to do group work anyway, so you might as well work with people you like. Go outside your comfort zone and befriend people you wouldn't necessarily do outside of school. It will be a good experience as you will contact many different kinds of people in your nursing career.

Best of luck to you!