Registered Mommy

Everything You Need to Start Strong and Stay Sane

Nursing huh? Really?  Just kidding. You are reading this because you obviously are interested in becoming a nurse or are preparing to start your nursing program. Congrats!  You’ve made a wonderful decision to join the many other “Type A” personality nurses, nursing students, and dreamers of entering the exciting world of medicine. I am here to give you a few tips on how to prepare for nursing school, both mentally and physically.

Starting nursing school is a big step — one filled with excitement, nerves, and a little bit of “What have I gotten myself into?” You’re not just entering a program; you’re stepping into one of the most demanding and rewarding careers out there. The good news? A little preparation now can make your first semester feel a lot more manageable.

First, I would like to ask you to think about your “Why”. My pediatric nursing instructor had us students think about our “Why” on our first day of the PEDS rotation, and it has always stuck with me.

“Why” are you going into nursing?

This helps you center yourself every time you feel yourself wanting to quit, doubting if you can keep going, or when you finally pass that math test you never believed you could. Why and what is all this for? Years from now, when you are a successful, kick ass nurse, you can reflect on your “Why” and remind yourself why you went into nursing.

Get Your Mindset Right

Nursing school isn’t just “hard” — it’s a whole new way of learning. You’ll need to memorize, critically think, and apply concepts all at once.

• Expect the workload. It’s heavy, but it’s temporary.
• Be adaptable. Schedules change, instructors change, and clinical assignments shift. Be flexible.

Gather the Right Tools

Before day one, invest in tools that will make your life easier:

• Quality stethoscope (don’t go too cheap—your ears will thank you).

My favorite stethoscope add-on is my little second-hand clock that attaches to the tubing. I use this every time I take vitals.

• Comfortable shoes for long clinical shifts.
• A planner or digital calendar to track assignments, exams, and clinicals.
• Laptop or tablet for note-taking and study materials.

Learn How to Study Smart

Find your people — classmates, mentors, and even online nursing student groups.

I’m a big fan of studying in small groups because often, when you have too many different learning styles trying to study together, you get off topic and waste time. There is no time to waste in nursing school. Over the next 2-3 years, you will need to study every chance you get. Nursing school is its own beast. There is no lag time. There are no “breaks” from studying because there is an endless amount of knowledge you will need to know when you are put on the spot in clinical settings or when your patient takes a turn for the worse. You will thank yourself when that crucial moment arrives that you stayed up those countless hours studying, and your patient will too.

Nursing school exams are different from anything you’ve done before.

Buy that NCLEX book NOW. I know, the NCLEX is not what you’re thinking about now. But every moment of nursing school will lead up to the most important test of your life- the nursing boards (NCLEX). I suggest buying this thick, daunting book now because there is no way you will be possibly able to read all the material assigned for each section. People who say they do all the reading are lying. The NCLEX study guide breaks down subjects into a few small pages with specific outlines of things to focus on and it trains your brain to think like a nurse. I didn’t catch on to this until my third semester, and man, I would have loved to have started studying from this book in the first semester. There are also practice questions at the end of each section with rationales to explain the answers.

Read the rationales! A lot of people mistakenly skip this part in an effort to save time. After you take your practice quizzes, there will be remediation options for each question. If you read through these explanations of why the answer is right or wrong, maybe even take a few notes, you are much more likely to remember a key bit of information when a similar question presents itself to you again or you are faced with a dilemma in clinical settings.

Take Care of Yourself

Burnout is real — even before you graduate.

• Prioritize sleep (yes, more important than that extra hour of studying).
• Figure out when you study best.

I was the type of person who could retain information better early in the morning. I would wake up a couple of hours before I needed to leave for class and study then, rather than waste hours at night knowing that no information would stick in my brain after 8 pm. Figure out what works best for you and stick to it.

• Stay hydrated and eat balanced meals.
• Move your body — even a short walk between study sessions helps.

Final Thoughts

That moment when they call your name at your pinning ceremony will be one of the most unforgettable moments of your life — and for good reason. By then, you’ll have worked harder than you ever imagined, studied longer than you thought possible, and crammed more critical information into your mind than you believed it could hold. That moment will be the reward for every sleepless night, every challenge you pushed through, and every ounce of dedication you poured into your journey. And you will have earned every bit of it.

Nursing is a unique field that takes a special person to become a part of. It will be rewarding, stressful, and draining all at once. My husband often asked me if I was sure this is what I wanted to do- watching me crying while studying for extended periods of time, so tired down to my bones. I knew it would all be worth it in the end. I’m not saying there aren’t days when I want to quit and become a Pilates instructor on a tropical island, but I can honestly say I made the right decision becoming a nurse. It’s a wonderful feeling to love what you do for a living.

Nursing school will challenge you in ways you never expected — but it will also transform you. Go in prepared, stay organized, and don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way.

You’ve got this, future nurse.

Side note:

My very good friend wrote this amazing little book- From Nothing to Nursing, How to Become and RN in the US.

I know, the last thing you want is another book to read. Trust me, it’s a short, concise informational guide to help get you on the right track before nursing school, during school, clinical rotations, and after you graduate. Check it out.