Dom's Declassified Nursing School Survival Guide: 30 Tips To Successfully Make It Through Nursin

Soulful Endeavor
Aug 3, 2018
15 min read

Updated: May 21, 2019

Good afternoon everyone! It's a great day to be a nursing student! After a lot of thought, and even more requests from my fellow nursing major supporters, I have decided to give a bit of insight as to how I stay on top of my studies in nursing school, and the lessons I've learned along the way.

BACKSTORY: I am going into my SUPER Senior year at the University of Louisiana - Lafayette. I began as a Nursing major my freshman year, switched to Exercise science for a while, and found my way back to Nursing which has put me a bit behind, yet all was a part of a bigger plan. I am entering my third semester of UL's Nursing Program, and boy boy boy my first year of clinical was something S E R I O U S Jesus. Nevertheless, through trial and error I have learned from my mistakes and have become a super headstrong, diligent, successful nursing student. I am here to share with you how to do so yourself!

#1 Get Your Mind Right.

You are about to enter one of the most difficult Nursing programs in the COUNTRY (if you're attending ULL).. this is not a game! No matter WHERE you are enrolled as a nursing student, the worst thing that you can do is underestimate your first semester, or any semester for that matter. If you're entering for the fall semester you have a little more time in the summer to get your paperwork, clinical requirements and headspace together. Those entering in the Spring Semester...you literally have no time to waste! I entered the program Fall 2017, and made sure to knock out all of my requirements for my application in June so that I could enjoy the rest of my summer. I was accepted on August 4th, 2017 and had only 2 and 1/2 weeks to prepare for what was expected to be the hardest semester of my undergrad career. I began to research different strategies for studying and organizing my notes, and zoned in on having a successful semester!

#2 Invest in an agenda!

I absolutely LOVE Erin Condren's life planner, but as of recently I switched to digital planning because I have so much going on in my life 24/7. Click HERE to learn about my digital agenda! There is so much going on in Nursing school from check offs, to learning about assessments, lectures, clinical, exams, paperwork... it all becomes a lot to deal with for one brain honestly. Use your agenda to track your tests, check off dates and times, lectures (b/c yes, you will forget your schedule after everything becomes one big blob of nursing school stress) and anything else you need to remember. Give your brain a break, it's going to need one.

#3 Clicky pens are your very best friend.

When whipping out your pen to write down paperwork 1032454365 different times during a clinical day, the last thing you want to do is remove a pen cap 324546546 times a day too. Clicky pens are convenient and a good one will get you far!

#4 BE COLORFUL.

Highlighters. Sticky Notes. Markers. Colored pens. You name it! I am so obsessed with colorful notes (ask my nursing friends, they laugh but they also know that's how I make good grades and they put the respect on my name and know they can count on my pretty notes lol!) Everyone learns and studies differently. I am a visual learner, so I spend a lot of time mapping things out on paper, drawing doodle pictures and some stuff that probably doesn't make sense to anyone but me..but it allows me to connect new information with pictures and mneumonics. Stickies are great for any extra notes you want to make, but don't want to keep permanently.

#5 MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR CLASSMATES!!!!!!!!

This is soooo important!!!!! Going into the program I had friends with me that I had already known, yet I find that the best thing I could've done was network and met new classmates. You never know what connects or insight others have until you meet them and share knowledge. I have a large group of classmates I consider friends (on a level where we now can literally go out and drink together for fun) and I'm so grateful because they are some of the best people in the world. Having a common goal amongst your peers is a blessing when you are all working together to achieve it, so don't be afraid to talk to the girl or guy that happens to take the seat next to you in lecture. You just never know who you'll meet; plus, you can form study groups and really get a chance to share information!

#6 STUDY AHEAD OR YOU MAY AS WELL NOT STUDY AT ALL.

Yikes. Sorry I'm yelling but I needed to be extra loud for the procrastinating readers I have because I know you're out there! This was a very very tragic truth I came to learn from, and it almost cost me a failing grade in my recent Med Surg Class (Luckily I murdered the final exam, but I for sure will NEVER put myself in a position to barely be passing ever again). I know life can be overwhelming as a nursing student, trust me I really do. That's why you have to start EARLY from the VERY BEGINNING. Your instructors will likely send an email with the curriculum and readings for the upcoming semester extremely early (I got mine for this fall back in June), so take advantage, get your books early and get a jump start! Nursing material is NOT...I repeat...IS NOT material you can study the week of an exam. Not even a week before. You legit are pushing it if you study 2 weeks early. You have got to learn the concept of studying material to the CORE the same week that you learn it. That's key to being a successful student without completely stressing yourself out and crying yourself to sleep every night. What I aim to do this semester is study the material I learn in lecture the very same day I learn it, and at the end of the week reviewing all of the material combined that I learned that week to stay on top of everything. If that works for you, great! If not, find another way but PLEASE DO NOT PROCRASTINATE IN NURSING SCHOOL IT LITERALLY WILL NOT WORK OUT FOR YOU I DON'T CARE HOW SMART YOU ARE.

#7 Invest in a lunch kit.

You will spend 90% of your time in class, in the library, in the hospital (for clinical or for anxiety...jk jk jknotreallybutjk) and you will get tired of going broke because all you eat is Chick Fil A and Starbucks every day of your life for 150 days of the semester. Pack a lunch (and snacks), prep your meals the Sunday before a new week and save yourself some coins. You can use the money you save on fast food on some quality self care i.e. a facial or massage later in life. Thank me later!

#8 Don't Take Anything Personally.

This was another hard pill for me my first semester. You have to understand I went from making straight A's up until I switched back into Nursing, to literally slaving myself just for a low B (and sometimes not even getting that). Nursing school will humble you, I don't care how intelligent you are. Also, I dealt with a lot of drama my first semester from an instructor who slandered me for my black Egyptian goddess tattoo, stating it looks like I'm in a "cult" and that I would never make it past my first semester. Funny how God protects his babies b/c not only did I exceeeeeed my own expectations that semester of clinical, but I was MVP of my clinical group the following semester and amongst the most confident in my abilities; even after literally going through two weeks of every day drama filled hell from an instructor trying so very hard and unethically to break me. You can't let haters win. People who are uncultured, or just blatantly cruel don't deserve to take your joy, so rise above it and do what you have to do to get through your semester REGARDLESS of its obstacles (and believe me, I had plenty...maybe once I finish the program I'll touch back on this subject in full detail lol). There are going to be classmate drama, instructor drama, white on black drama, male on women drama; its what comes with such a tightly knitted program of so few people, but you have to focus on the end goal and remember all of that is temporary.

#9 Get your paperwork done early.

Depending on your semester, you will either have 1 clinical day per week or more; either way I suggest doing paperwork the very first night. I know it sucks. I know you'll think to yourself "I have one more day to do this I'ma just wait it out." Don't do it. I'll give you a veryyyyy important tip I gained this past semester: Get the job done early, bring it to your instructor and if they are nice enough, they will review your paperwork and inform you (*cough* throw you some new knowledge) of what you can change and why. Not only will your paperwork be done early, but it will be done right. You wont be up at 4am the night before it's due freaking out because you can't remember if your Nursing Diagnosis is correct format or not. You'll know, and you may get some knowledge to help you make better test grades in the process. Even if your instructor wont review it early, having the night before its due to just look at your paperwork with a clear mind and chill out for the night is always a bonus.

#10 Be early, or you're late.

They told us this Day 1. Plan accordingly to get to class, b/c 9 times out of 10 they will lock that door at 8:00am on the exact millisecond. Don't be that person sitting outside waiting for the first break so you can come in an hour late and get snotty looks from all of your classmates/instructor. That's always awkward.

#11 Actually Pay Attention In Lecture!

You'll be surprised at how much you retain and don't have to restudy just from listening in class. Make a few notes on your laptop or notebook as your professor is teaching, but really listen to what they are saying and put things into your own words/thoughts so you have an easier time connecting the dots later.

#12 If you don't have a printer, buy one.

I have had too many last minute issues come up depending on a library printer that doesn't work, or having to turn in paperwork early before any library or computer office is open. Home printing is convenient, and if you live in an apartment complex with a printing room..take advantage!

#13 Bring your laptop to class daily.

Professors don't wait around for you to take notes by hand, so either end the semester with Rheumatoid Arthritis or type up any extra notes needed during lecture.

#14 PURCHASE YOUR OWN NCLEX BOOK!!!!

From jump!!! I purchased the #1 recommended Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination, 7th Edition though I'm sure there is a newer edition out by now. NCLEX Test Prep books are not only helpful in preparing you for the exam post-graduation, but also teach you superb test taking strategies. You can learn how to eliminate answers and pick the MOST correct (because ooooooh how they love to ask you what's MOST correct). My NCLEX Prep book also gives you short lessons and full rationales on why each answer was either right or wrong, and a review on whatever the subject is speaking on i.e. If it's about Congestive Heart Failure, the book speaks a little about what CHF is and it's causes/symptoms. This is a great tool for preparing for nursing school exams because the format is exactly the same (some professors even pull questions straight out of the book and just switch the disease). It also comes with an online practice portal with a millionnnnnn practice questions!

#15 Study a little every day.

Even on weekends (I know, bummer. I'm just giving you all the worst news haha). But seriously, even if you only spend 30 minutes on a Saturday morning and 30 minutes on a Sunday while everyone else is sleeping...waking up a half hour earlier for the sake of your future career should always be worth it! The difference an extra hour of studying on a weekend can do is insane. I'm a witness. But the more studying the better. Usually if we are out of school for a break but have a test upon return (the worst!!!!) I will still try to study 2-3 hours per day that I'm on vacation whether I break that up into an hour in the morning and an hour at night or whatever. You have to treat studying like it's your job..because I mean it kind of is. Your job depends on you passing. You passing depends on your study ethic. Bloop.

#16 Understand HOW you learn.

As I said, I am all about the visual and writing things down. If I can see you do something, or I can put my pen to paper and map something out, It's locked in like I'm Junie B. Jones or something. Not everyone is able. Some people learn by audio, which I have never understood but if that's your thing you should definitely record lectures (with permission of course ;) and even record yourself talking about what you learn in your own terms. This is important. If you know how to learn, you can save yourself time of learning the wrong, ineffective way and do what's best for you to understand information.

#17 Study to UNDERSTAND. Not to memorize.

A lot of nursing students go wrong here and you can tell which nurses have no idea what they're doing in the hospital even after graduating and becoming RNs. Don't be that nurse. Actually sit down and understand what you're learning about. Someone else's life literally depends on it. When I started truly picking information apart I found a 14 point increase in test scores from a test I forced myself to temporarily retain information for, and one that I truly understood. There is no greater feeling than flying through a test because you have all the answers, not because you're just guessing.

#18 Be confident in yourself.

Personally, I struggled for a while with this because again...I had a first semester clinical instructor who really gave me hell and constantly spoke down on me and everything that I did for an entire semester. I was one semester away from being done with nursing completely just because of her. But I got to my second semester and was BLESSED... I MEAN GIFTED BY GOD with the most amazing instructor I could have ever had, ever. He truly made me fall in love with the nursing profession. I'm so grateful for him, but he would always tell me to stop hesitating when I KNOW ALL OF THE ANSWERS. So i'm telling you, be confident in your work and your knowledge. If you know the answer, speak it! Help your classmates, elevate yourself. Don't hold back.

#19 Become acquainted with your professors.

I pray NONE of you have the experience I had the first go round, but MOST professors honest to God want to see you succeed. They really do. Treat them like they're coaches pushing you through, and go to them with any questions you have! I know there have been times I've gone to my professor with a paper full of questions I had from lecture, or just brought all of my notes to their office and literally got a mini lesson on whatever I was struggling with. They are paid to help you...use your resources wisely :).

#20 Prioritize. Prioritize.

Prioritize. Again, you have so much going on around you in school, you really HAVE to map out how you are going to study which information at what time. Prioritize the complex tasks first to get them out the way, and then knock out the smaller ones.

#21 When entering a patients room, introduce yourself politely, and begin with the head to toe assessment while getting to know your patient.

This way, by the end of your "introduction" and small talk, you have finished getting your vitals and your assessment done and the rest of clinical is just checking on your patient(s) for charting and giving meds!

#22 Be patient, with your patient.

I know more than anyone that I can think of that you will encounter a HUGE variety in personalities you meet in the hospital. Nobody enjoys being a hospital patient, so not everyone is very friendly. You will love some patients, you will not love some patients. Either way, the best way to not stress yourself is to 1: not take anything personal and understand they are just not happy to be sick, and 2: do what you are there to do, and do it out of pure kindness and love. Sometimes showing love is more effective than medicine. :)

#23 Learn to become assertive in clinical!

YOU will be in full charge of patients upon graduating and becoming an RN, so start working on your confidence and asserting yourself in situations early, because some patients and even staff will try you. Also, nobody wants a nurse who isn't sure of themselves. You have to hold yourself and your patient down, so put your foot down and establish that patient's trust early on.

#24 Don't be too hard on yourself.

Things happen, you are LEARNING. You will mess up, and you will feel crappy about it. That's human nature, just do not stay there. Admit to your mistakes, move on, learn from them, and use them to become the very best nurse you can be. We have all been there. Let it make you better.

#25 If you ever have any questions or doubts, CLARIFY!!!!!

If you haven't learned how important clarification is yet, you are for sure going to hear an earful of it your first semester in the program. Ask questions, it will keep you and your patient safe.

#26 Leave your personal life at home.

Your patient has enough problems. Your instructors are dealing with enough stress. I know we go through crappy days on our own, but you have to learn to separate school from personal life and not let the two interrupt eachother. Freshly out of a relationship? I'm sorry, but you have to block that out during your hours in clinical and deal with it at home. Your patient is #1 priority because you are in charge of their HEALTH. They need you. You need to be 100% there mentally every single clinical day.

#27 Find your balance; Protect your peace.

Nursing school is time consuming, but that doesn't mean it has to consume your entire world. As you can see, I'm a very productive student outside of nursing. I am in a sorority, I have an extremely energetic dog to entertain, I'm a girlfriend, a social butterfly, major foodie (I make time to go out to eat ok?!) a blogger, and a self care guru. I make time for what's important, and what is best for my peace of mind. You have to protect your peace because being under stress all of the time really is not healthy; being at peace will allow you to perform your student duties more effectively.

#28 Create a group message with your clinical group.

This is helpful especially when it comes to getting paperwork done. Instead of blowing up your instructor (especially at 12am when most people procrastinate though I hope you don't become this person lol) learn to depend on your partners and ask them questions! Work together, you will be much more successful as a student, and learn a whole lot more as a group.

#29 Be a sponge.

Soak up every ounce of knowledge you can from lecture AND clinical. Some of the most important lessons I've learned to implement into how I can elevate as a nurse, I learned during my time within the hospital. Lecture gives you the nursing medical knowledge from your textbooks of course, but learning HOW to nurse patients back to health effectively..that's something to truly gain from watching other nurses and asking questions! This field is literally a never ending process of learning new information. You learn for LIFE, every single day is something different. Look forward to learning, and soak it all in; it will strengthen you not only as a nurse, but as an empathetic, high quality human being altogether.

#30 Have fun + Take care of YOU.

I know how ironic that seems coming from all the authentic unspoken truths I let out through all of this. But really. When you study early and have free down time, take it and go get a snowball or some hot chocolate. When you make a good grade, treat yourself! Make time for what's important, but never sacrifice study time that you NEED for what you WANT to do instead. There is a fine line there. Self care is essential in nursing school because you are literally running around like a chicken with no head stressed all hours of the day, averaging 3-4 hours of sleep every night, crying with patients, crying with classmates, just crying, juggling jobs + school + dogs + kids WHAT HAVE YOU. You need to make time to take care of your body or else you will run your own well dry and into the ground. Invest in quality skin care because the bags under your eyes will need it. Invest in epsom salts and foot rub because you'll be standing for long periods of time on the hospital floor and you will need to soothe your body after a long day. Drink a cup of lavender tea before bed and start a good diffuser oil blend to calm your spirit. Listen to a podcast on your way to lecture, or some gospel music to make you a bit less groggy in the morning. Don't forget to tend to your own needs and don't stretch yourself too thin. It's a hard major to have but never worth your own health being at risk.

I believe this concludes this portion of my series! I promise if you follow my advice from the very beginning of your nursing student career, or from here on forward, you WILL be a successful nursing student. If you have any questions please contact me in the contact portion of my blog and remember to like + comment + share + subscribe!!

XOXO