You just decided on a college, congratulations! Now it is time to choose what you are going to be studying for the next four years! You probably clicked on this article because some part of you is interested in becoming a nurse. Fortunately, you’ve come to the right place since I am currently finishing up my last semester of nursing, and already have a job! Over the past four years of nursing school, I’ve learned a thing or two. Here are the 5 top things you should know before becoming a nursing student:
- It’s All True.
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It’s all true. The workload and stress of nursing school is tough to handle, which is why you should know this beforehand. Figuring out ways to de-stress when you have free time is an important part of maintaining a social life and academic success in any major, but especially nursing school. For me, I have always loved to read; however, after reading textbooks all day with heavy information, I thought that another way I could de-stress was to have spa days and put on a face mask, paint my nails and listen to music with my roommates!
- Be Open to Living with Other Majors!
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Be open to living with other majors! I made it a point to have a non-nursing major as my freshman and sophomore year roommates. I wanted to be able to expand my friend circle outside of nursing, which also allowed me to have my social life be separate from my nursing life.
- STUDY!
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STUDY,STUDY, STUDY!!! Find the time of the day where you can be extremely motivated and focused on your studies. Whether that’s early in the morning or late at night, pick the time that works best for you! Also, remember to break up your studying in increments. Studying for 25 minutes then allowing 10 minutes off helps you to soak up the information better and not get overwhelmed.
- Take advantage of any lab time that your school offers!
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Take advantage of any lab time that your school offers. Hands-on skills are one of the most important experiences to have before graduating. When the opportunity arises, be sure to take it. This is a valuable asset that will serve you well in the workforce.
- Nusing is a Calling
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Lastly, nursing is a calling, NOT just a major!!Caring for people and committing to nursing for 30+ years is a lot. Make sure that this career path is right for you! It always helps to have hands-on experience with real people to know if this is truly right for you, so try and volunteer or work in a hospital throughout your four years of school!
These five pointers are definitely something that I would’ve liked to hear from an upperclassmen on the verge of graduating. It has been four years of intense studying, work and stress, but I am so grateful that I was able to figure out my calling to nursing in high school. Always believe in yourself and remember that everything happens for a reason!