April 14, 2022
Nursing school is unlike any other experience. There will be stressful moments. There will also be triumphs, victories, and the satisfaction of knowing that you're training for a career that will help you save lives, enhance lives, and stand on the cutting edge of modern care.
Wondering how you can be a more successful nurse? Nobody can claim that training for a nursing career will be a breeze. However, some preparation can help you feel ready to take on everything that comes your way.
How to Be Successful in Nursing School
Here are some of the best tips to help you be a successful nurse in training.
1. Prepare Your Loved Ones
Your family and friends will become your support network during the journey of nursing school. Communicate your needs for support and understanding as you begin an educational pursuit that will require time and dedication.
Nursing students can set themselves up for success by establishing boundaries that prioritize study time. This will be different for nursing students at various stages of life. A nursing student who lives with family might need to set boundaries about quiet time, while a nursing student with a family of their own may need to reorient the household schedule to accommodate for "study days."
To be a successful nurse, it's important to communicate needs related to emotional and moral support. It's okay to ask people in your life to be understanding if you can't be as "present" as you usually are during this intense period of study, training, and personal growth.
2. Get Organized From the Beginning
Something that makes nursing school different from other common majors is that there's no "cramming" in nursing school. Nursing students must be steady throughout the semester because the learning process is cumulative. Here are some tips for staying on track for a successful semester:
- Create a sound organizational system for notes and classroom printouts. Many nursing students find that color-coded binders are helpful.
- Learn good note-taking techniques. One popular technique is to "highlight as you go" when reading textbooks. This allows you to differentiate important pieces of information. Next, go back and make notes based on what you've highlighted.
- Maintain a designated space for school-related materials. A "sacred" study area is vital for avoiding clutter, distractions, or misplaced study materials.
- Maintain a calendar related to your nursing program. Student nurses juggle class times, exams, in-person clinicals, deadlines for submitting licensing paperwork, and much more weekly. A planner keeps track of your school-related obligations.
Staying organized with studying isn't only beneficial for passing each exam while a student. A good system for taking notes is also beneficial for preparing for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) required for licensing. Learning study methods is a gift to yourself!
3. Prioritize Burnout Avoidance
Every nursing student is at risk for burnout, even if nursing is their true passion. It's important to know when to take a break. Ultimately, practicing self-care is the key to succeeding in nursing school. A self-care regimen is different from "slacking off" as a student. Some necessities include:
- Eight hours of rest every night
- Taking breaks
- Exercising
- Prioritizing nutrient-rich foods that provide brain boosts over sugar crashes
- Reasonable caffeine consumption
- Knowing when to ask for help when feeling overwhelmed.
4. Network With Seasoned Nurses
Experienced nurses are your best resource when growing your career. By engaging with nurse mentors, you can experience three benefits:
- You get to see a "light at the end of the tunnel" while going through the rigors of a nursing program.
- You get to pick the brains of other nurses and gain inspiration on building a career trajectory.
- Networking with nurses could expose you to potential job openings.
While networking is fantastic, it's even better to find a one-on-one mentor.
Key Items to Purchase for Nursing School
Most nursing schools will provide a list of essentials—some even supply kits. However, nursing students should stock up on binders, note cards, planners, highlighters, a wheeled backpack, a high-quality water bottle, and a foldable clipboard. Noise-canceling headphones are also essential for focused studying.
Of course, you will need all of the nursing basics for clinicals, including a high-quality stethoscope, nursing watch, and fingertip pulse oximeter.
Preparing for Success Starts Now
One of the big "culture shocks" of nursing school is that nursing students don't dress like everyone else on campus. Nurses grow very attached to their scrubs because this is the default uniform for the nursing profession. It's exhilarating to get your first set of medical scrubs!
Find your signature nursing attire today! When you're ready to pick out your look, Scrubs & Beyond is here to outfit you with comfortable and quality scrubs uniforms. We also carry other essential items that all nurses need, including nursing watches, stethoscopes, and more.