Overcoming Challenges in Nursing School: Are You Ready?
Nursing is very different from other degree programs that you will find in a college or university. It prepares you to hold a patient’s life in your hands; you learn how to administer drugs that can be dangerous in the wrong dosage; you also learn how to resuscitate a person and perform physical exams, and this helps you to develop critical thinking skills. A nursing degree also prepares you to become an educator as well as an advocate for healthcare providers, patients, and their families.
Nursing is a field that has a host of responsibilities that can make you question why you only have 24 hours in a day. Not ideal for the faint of heart, you need to be able to overcome challenges you might encounter in nursing school before you even step into your first nursing job.
Time Management
One of the most common challenges that you will face as a student nurse is maintaining a balance between your studies and your personal life. Keep in mind that it’s important to succeed in both because neglecting your personal life will have a negative impact on your studies and vice-versa. Therefore, to maintain a balance, you have to manage your time correctly.
While you may get burned out by focusing on school alone, failing to focus on academics is a recipe for disaster. If you’re struggling to balance family, work, and school, then take a deep breath. It’s a lot for anyone to deal with.
Tips to help you manage your time:
- Keep a schedule
- Limit your time on social media networks
- Plan your meals
- Stay organized
- Be flexible
- Download free studying applications that allow you to record notes and organize class information
Becoming Overwhelmed
Most student nurses get overwhelmed during the practical phase of nursing school, especially when demonstrating important skills in front of supervisors and other students. To avoid getting overwhelmed, try writing down everything you need to do and when you need to do it by. That way you can break your workload into smaller chunks and worrying about a test next week doesn’t cause you to miss out on a lecture this week.
Problems Reading Materials
Just like any other discipline, nursing school bombards you with information. However, this is information that you will need to understand and apply in a real-world scenario. This means that you need to find the best reading technique that works for you. If you find yourself staring at a page without reading, try reading out loud. Sometimes our minds can wander and the only way to remain focused is by reading aloud.
To avoid problems when sifting back through pages of your notes, save time by highlighting key information when taking notes. Be judicious and only highlight important information. Doing so will help you remember what was emphasized during class.
Problems Choosing the Most Correct Answer
Nurses have to use their intelligence in more ways than most people. As a student nurse, you will notice that a problem can have several correct answers. However, the challenge involves choosing the most correct solution. To be able to choose the most correct solution, you need to have good deductive reasoning skills and a strong grasp of the material, especially in tests that require you to select the best solution from a list where all answers are technically correct.
Passing the NCLEX
The NCLEX is most likely the biggest challenge that all nursing students have to face. Keep in mind that it’s never too early to start preparing for the NCLEX. In case you have purchased a review book, don’t wait until a few weeks before the exam to dive into it. It’s advisable to use it along with your course material to help you understand the most important parts of the exam. Other than having a review book, it’s equally important to take advantage of practice questions.
Tips on How to Remain Focused on Your Goals While in the Thick of Things
Study smart: While most people cram for tests, in nursing you have to understand the material. To do this, create some time after class and get into the habit of reviewing what you have covered.
Take care of yourself: Nursing school is a marathon, and while you may be able to endure a short period of exhaustion, with time your performance will plummet. Therefore, regardless of how exhausted you are, ensure that you make healthy choices.
Lean on friends: While having friends outside school can help you get away from work and school, having friends at school is beneficial. Studying with a friend or a group of friends is fun and will help keep you on track.
Are you interested in becoming a nurse? If you want to earn your Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, consider ECPI University for your education. For more information about this exciting degree program, connect with a helpful admissions advisor today.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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