Attending nursing school is a big step that requires a lot of time and determination. Your education can be even more stressful if you have to deal with family and work obligations on top of your studies. Thankfully, there are a few things that you can do to succeed in nursing school and make the most of your time there.
Instructions
1. Be present. It seems simple, but showing up for class and being present are two different things. You need to not only be there on time, but you also need to listen intently to everything your instructor has to share. Ask questions and engage others around you to enhance your learning experience. When you get out into the nursing field, you'll need to pay attention to the symptoms and needs of each patient, so practice being present now.
2. Take notes. You can remember quite a bit more information when you commit it to paper, so listen carefully and jot down the important points of each lecture. You may also be able to use these notes later, when doing your clinical competencies.
3. Read the textbooks before class starts. You'll get the most out of your classroom discussions if you're caught up on your reading and assignments. Jot down questions you have about the material, so that you can ask about them during class time.
4. Form a study group. Learning to work with others is vital to succeeding in the nursing field, so start early by forming a study group while you're still in school. You can bounce ideas off each other and learn to work together.
5. Stay out of trouble. Becoming a nurse is about much more than getting good grades and passing your exams. It's also about learning to work within society and staying out of trouble. Most hospitals won't hire someone with a criminal record, so steer clear of drugs, alcohol and mischievous behavior.
6. Get some hands-on experience. Toward the end of your studies, you should expect to spend quite a bit of time with clinical competencies. You can get a step ahead by volunteering at your local hospital to get some experience early on.
Tags: being present, clinical competencies, most your, nursing field, nursing school