You are starting nursing school! Welcome to an elite club of incredible individuals. As you begin the foundation of the most demanding career you will ever love, you feel excited, nervous, and overwhelmed. Here is the best advice to get you started.

Connect with upperclassmen

Forging friendships with students ahead of you in the nursing program is the first of many essential things. Other students are excellent resources to help you know what you need and what to expect. They can assist as you navigate classes, instructors, and clinicals. They also often serve as tutors or can help you with studying. 

They are highly resourceful in knowing all the ins and outs of the campus, and they can advise you on supplies such as stethoscopes, scrubs, and shoes. Try not to become too focused on this, as it can be overwhelming with so many choices. 

You may need a specific color of scrubs/shoes for clinicals according to your college guidelines or clinical facility. Some facilities may require a particular color for students or that unit.

I always suggest getting a middle-of-the-road stethoscope when you are beginning. Some stethoscopes are more comfortable to use than others, which can vary from person to person. There is also a broad range in terms of quality and cost. When you decide on your area of specialty, you will find an abundance of stethoscopes specialized to that area and patient population. 

Find your people

The next thing - what I feel is perhaps the most critical piece of advice - is to find your crew. These will be your people for the next several years as you maneuver some of the most challenging moments of your life. The friendships you forge in nursing school are friendships like no other.

Your group will be a blend of students from all walks of life. If you are a traditional student, some will be a peer experiencing the same adjustments to college life and being away from home. Suppose you are an older student returning to college after a significant gap. In that case, the younger students may be able to assist you in maneuvering all the new technology, computer documentation, and EMR (electronic medical records). 

The highly knowledgeable student will love to share their understanding while studying together, which in turn will reinforce their learning. The paramedic or allied health student advancing their degree will love to share all of their tried and true hacks and real-world practice. 

The single mom who may have to miss class to tend to a sick child would love the support of other students to fill in the gaps, and she will feel like a touch of home or the tough love of a parent when needed. You will be amazed at how you blend in a supportive and meaningful way as you all navigate uncharted waters.

Don’t just take my word for it…

The NurseSocial community had some incredible pieces of advice, especially related to studying and organizing your time. Bailey shared very insightful advice to “be here now,” especially in those moments of chaos when you’re having trouble focusing or feeling overwhelmed. Taking time to be in the moment goes a long way to help you focus your mind and energy on what you are studying to make the most of your time. 

Nicole mentioned that understanding what you are learning and translating it into practice is crucial to being a proficient nurse. Studying so you comprehend the information is vital.

Diane and Bern mentioned taking time for yourself. You are laying the groundwork for caring for others, and learning to care for yourself so you can care for others is important to put in place now. Bern also expanded to include great mental health strategies, like positive affirmations. You will have days that, despite the best prep and studying, you may fail a test or assignment or not get the desired grade. Having an area with positive affirmations will help you redirect those negative thought patterns and help you remember to keep fighting toward your goals and believe in yourself. 

Rachel, a nursing student, shared that recently a physician encouraged her to enjoy nursing school despite the challenges and stress.

Seek out relevant work experiences

Finding a position as a PCT (patient care technician) is another fantastic way to gain experience and make money while you are in school. Most facilities offer these and are thrilled to have nursing students fill this role.

It's also an excellent way to get your foot in the door at an organization you may want to gain employment with after you complete your degree. Some offer incentives, sign-on bonuses, and student loan forgiveness programs. It is also a great way to begin professional relationships with others in the medical field. Learn to trust your nurse and physician mentors you have along the way and seek them out as a source of advice and empowerment. 

From me to you

The best advice I can give you is that your nursing colleagues are just as vested in your success as you are. We are here for you, as you are the future of our profession and patient care. The NurseDeck community is an exceptional resource for all nurses in every stage of their career, especially students. 

Never hesitate to reach out to another nurse if you are struggling or need help. No one understands the demands of being a nurse or a nursing student more than we do, especially during extremely challenging times.

Now more than ever, the future of healthcare is in your hands.