How will you ensure YOU are successful in the NURSING PROGRAM?

To be successful in the nursing program you must have a firm dedication to achieving your goals. You must prioritize your time, there isn't time for partying when there are class times, homework, clinicals, and exams to do well on. I learned in school that it's okay to have a few dishes in the sink, because studying takes precedence over housework.

It helps to have a group of people that are just as dedicated as you; that way you have someone else to bounce ideas off of and different perspectives.

The most important thing to remember during the program is that memorizing will not get you far at all, you must understand concepts. While studying ask yourself, "So what does that mean and how can I fix it?"

I found that if we were on a subject that I didn't feel solid in I would create a care plan to help me understand.

Use an NCLEX study book, I like the Sauders book, and realize that an A is not worth stressing yourself out about, yes they are nice but the program generally has higher standards than the rest of the college. My program required a 93% to get an A.

Hone your critical thinking skills and you will do just fine.

I hope this helps.

First you have to get accepted.

If I were you, I would get some experience using medical terminology.

If you can study Latin as that is where most terms come from and makes it easy for you to take a word apart so you will most likely have an idea what it is.

The main issue, especially the first year is Anatomy and Physiology, and Microbiology. If you cant take them before nursing school you better start learning now all the bones, muscles, their insertion points and what they do. Cellular biology is becoming a big thing, though not when I went.

In Micro, try and team with a person that lives on campus as the biggest issue is getting the work and paper done, and it is hard if the other person isn't there.

Take a course in advanced math and a Chemistry course.

I would also get as many electives out of the way BEFORE you go into the program.

Do what they tell you and be careful. Sad to say that most nursing schools over-accept and are looking to get rid of people early as they don't have spots for them the next year. Anatomy is a big one that flunks a lot of students, then clinical warnings or unsafe which can be given for about anything!

Unlike when Bush went to Yale, a C- is not an acceptable grade in Nursing school. Usually you have to have a 3.0 average in some, if not most schools. It may be a little less the first year like a 2.8! Academics can get you tossed as well! Sometimes failing or getting a sub par grade in 1 nursing subject can get you tossed, or at least held back to the next year, if the grade is not high enough. There is always a minimum for passing and it is NOT a C or 2.0!

Sounds like a lot, but when I went, they rarely accepted students at the college level without prior knowledge of medicine. The 3 year diploma programs did, but they are no more!

So you have a lot to learn. A lot of play time will assure that you don't make it through the 1st year! That doesn't mean NO playtime.

Things will be fine if you can memorize easily and are prepared to work. If not I would pick another profession!

Study Hard

experience, experience, and studying hard. studying in advance truly does help also.