Immaculate
How do you stay focused and organized in nursing school?
I am a current nursing student. It can be difficult sometimes to manage my time well when it comes to my studies, family, friends, etc. I am looking for tips to manage everything well and still maintain my sanity. Thanks!
#nursingschool #nurse #nursing #healthcare #nursing-education #nursing-schools
5 answers
Elle Colombel, CSM
Elle’s Answer
Hi Immaculate! This is a great question. We can all benefit from a little more focus and organization.
First, you need to create a system that works for you. If this seems like a challenge- determine what doesn't work and build out your system from there. Our needs like life are fluid, so accept that you'll need to shift and tweak your system occasionally. Consider creating a Nursing Binder with color coded sections and make sure to include a miscellaneous section. This will allow you to breakdown and organize your subjects, clinical rotations, etc. Maybe you also consider adding a personal journal to your binder to allow you to track your experience. Plan to create additions each semester or even new binders. These binders will be a wonderful resource when you take the NCLEX. Also, if you aren't utilizing note cards- give them a try. This is an excellent way to learn. and you can save the cards and throw in your binder. Try scheduling your time in a calendar and in blocks to help keep you organized and take advantage of flow state. Cultivating good habits and routines will help with anything you do.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
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Patty Born
Patty’s Answer
I have to say that staying organized in nursing school is so incredibly tough! We are all different and have different learning styles. For me, I used flashcards, highlighters, re-written notes, and watched YouTube videos. I learned best by studying with a group of my peers. Lectures provided some information, but it was so tough for me to sit in a classroom for hours and listen to an instructor talk, ugh, it was PAINFUL. However, it's necessary. Review your notes after each lecture while all of the information is fresh in your mind. If you can, pre-read the night before the lecture. Also, get a planner with all of the important dates written down and post it where you can see it all the time. Why memorize dates when you can use that valuable "brain space" with nursing knowledge? ;)
Best of luck,
Patty
Rachel Resnick
Rachel’s Answer
You have to set a routine for yourself and stick to it for the most part. Once you get into the groove of a routine it will be much easier for you to manage your time and have enough time for everything you need to do (including relaxing). Make yourself to-do lists on a weekly basis, use Google calendar or a planner to keep track of events, deadlines, and due dates. In addition to setting a routine and sticking to it, plan out relaxing activities into your day. Or set aside a time, after everything is done for the day, that you can have "me" time. I have also personally found it essential to not only find time for myself but also make use of that time in a way that is best for me and my holistic wellness. I have found the HeadSpace app to be an essential tool in helping me relax and generally feel more relaxed throughout the day, Guided meditation, even if you have a busy schedule, will make you feel more at ease and relaxed throughout the day as a whole (not just when you have the time to relax and focus on that "me" time).
Set a routine.Use Google Calendar.Set aside Me TimeWrite weekly to-do lists and use a planner.Find a peaceful and restful activity that will help you feel relaxed.
Patricia Ross, BSN-RN
Patricia’s Answer
When I was in Nursing School it was panic panic panic LOOL. Somehow tho you get thru it. It is a rigorous program. All the clinicals, care plans, trips to the hospitals, all niters in the library. But the study and the repetition does stick with you and gets you thru all those tests (HESIs also). I did not have much time for family and friends because the semesters are so busy and go so fast. Once you are done you will be glad you finished and will have lots of time for friends and family. You want to pass so put your study first. Keeps those grades up (you and everyone at your graduation will be glad to see that Honor Cord around your neck when you graduate). Don't worry so much about your friends. They understand. Get with the nursing students that can help you with papers and upcoming events. Good luck and God bless!
Linda Hassan RN, MS, BSN, CCM
Linda Hassan’s Answer
Tips to help stay organized:
1. Create an electronic library and categorize appropriately
2. When faculty emphazie the NCLEX in a lecture...take note and highlight...likely this section will be on the class exam.
3. Purchase the NCLEX study guide while your in school to help you study.
4. Use quizlet.com to help you study when you have some down time, or before going to bed. You may prefer to get the NCLEX flash cards because they tell you rationale for the answers.
5. Tell your friends and family you will be out of commission while you are in nursing school, and that they will need to check in on you if they want to talk; establish boundaries with friends/family so that you are not feeling guilt for being so focused on school. Let them know it is temporary and that you will be back to yourself when school is over.
6. Surviving nursing school is about strategy. Individualize your strategy to make it work for yourself and not others around you. This is the one time in your life that you need to focus on you and what is simple and easy for you and your needs to survive nursing school. https://www.nrsng.com/how-to-slay-nursing-school-forget-study-tips-go-for-strategy/
7. Prioritize school but also schedule time to exercise, and by all means pamper yourself with a massage or acupuncture to relax...you'll definitely need to find time for pampering to get through the grueling academic pressures. Avoid junk food, concentrated sugars, alcohol, smoking etc...you need to boost your immune system as the stress of nursing school will take its toll. http://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/nursing/blog/7-expert-tips-to-survive-stress-get-through-nursing-school/
8. Give up your other commitments that can wait (especially if it drains you) , and use the time instead to sleep, pamper yourself, take a walk in nature, listen to relaxing music etc... you get the picture. Nursing school should be about you and passing with accolades and pride.