Many former nursing students will tell you that the first semester is the most demanding.
The coursework can be a significant adjustment, so to help, we’ve put together a helpful guide on how to prepare for your first year of nursing school.
Get Ready To Study
If you ask any former nursing student what you should know about your first semester of nursing school, they’ll tell you to get ready to study. Nursing school is heavy on reading and studying, but that first year, in particular, is a grind of textbooks and memorization.
Hone your study practices, so you’re not adjusting in the middle of the semester. Remember that studying isn’t just about doing the most reading; it’s also about working smarter, not harder, and utilizing your time efficiently.
Invest in flashcards and online quizzes to find the study strategies that work best for you.
Things You Should Have Before Nursing School
Before you start nursing school, you should purchase some general materials. Things you should have before your first semester include:
- Stethoscope
- Scrubs
- Comfortable shoes
- Masks
- Textbooks
- Planner and notebooks
- Index cards
- Nursing study guides (recommended by the professor)
Form a Study Group
The coursework and studying of nursing school is a lot to handle—almost too much for anyone. Many former students will tell you that some of their best resources were their classmates and study groups.
Once you get started with your courses, don’t wait to put together some study groups where you can work and learn together with your classmates. Other students are a valuable resource, and together you can all help share the load of coursework without feeling overwhelmed.
Shadow a Nurse
You’ll get the chance to see professional nurses as a student once you start nursing clinicals, but why wait? Before you start, take a day or a couple of days to shadow a nurse at a local hospital or healthcare facility.
For one, it’ll give you an up-close look at what the profession you’re aiming to join entails. Try to shadow nurses of different disciplines to get a better idea of the type of nurse you want to become.
Have Self-Care Resources
Working hard and studying is crucial to making it through nursing school, but students will also tell you that self-care is vital. It’s all too common for a student to focus so intensely on their studies that they burn out quickly and lose the passion for the career they want.
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Whatever helps you unwind and take your mind off your studies—books, movies, video games, art—bring that with you to school. You’ll need relief from school once the coursework and studying begin.
Nursing is not an easy job, and studying to become one is no cakewalk either. But if you keep our tips for how to prepare for your first year of nursing school in mind, we’re sure you’ll pass with flying colors.
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