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So you got into nursing school. Now what?
Graduating from nursing school is one of the hardest, yet most rewarding things you could ever do for your self. Read more to discover some helpful hints and to locate great resources for you during your collegiate career.
A few words of wisdom for the first year nursing student
Congrats for being admitting into a nursing program, a feat that is almost impossible in its own right! So now what? Well, first spend a lot of time with your family because when classes start you will not see them a lot. Also, if you have a job and work more than 1 or 2 days a week, consider quiting. Success in the first year is so crucial to your education and will make the second year and the NCLEX much easier.
The professors will push you and try to get you past the point of sanity to see if you are 100% devoted and serious about becoming a nurse. So, take a deep breath and remember, you got in, so you are an intelligent being and it WILL get better. I almost quit so many times in the first semester. I hated it! However, I stuck with it and each semester got a little "easier" and more enjoyable. The rewards for receiving a nursing degree are endless and your hard work and dedication will definitely pay off almost immediately upon graduation. So good luck and remember you can do it!
The professors will push you and try to get you past the point of sanity to see if you are 100% devoted and serious about becoming a nurse. So, take a deep breath and remember, you got in, so you are an intelligent being and it WILL get better. I almost quit so many times in the first semester. I hated it! However, I stuck with it and each semester got a little "easier" and more enjoyable. The rewards for receiving a nursing degree are endless and your hard work and dedication will definitely pay off almost immediately upon graduation. So good luck and remember you can do it!
Useful websites for students
- Nursing forum
- Nursing Community of 200,000, Where nurses and nursing students talk everything about nursing.
- Sigma Theta Tau International
- Nursing, scholarship, leadership and excellence in the nursing profession
- Nursing World
- Great articles and additional resources for students.
- NCLEX Review
- Kaplan NCLEX Review is excellent. They offer a package with over 3,000 questions with rationale accessible online, plus an online tutorial which reviews all body systems and their diseases. You also receive a review text and a CD with additional questions.
- National Board of Nursing
- NCLEX information for all states.
- RNstudents.com - Nursing School Assistance
- Online nursing school assistance - resources, forums, schools, jobs and more.
Become an advocate!
If you have not already discovered, nurses and the nursing profession are poorly represented on The Hill. There is no better time than now to become politically involved. Whether you want to voice an opinion regarding the patient to nurse ratio or you want to help speak for the 1.1 billion people worldwide that are living in poverty, becoming an advocate is one of the most rewarding and beneficial steps you can take in your career.
Additionally, by becoming an advocate, you have the opportunity to speak for millions of people that are unable to have their voices heard by our politicians. So, act now. Find something that is passionate to you, take a stance, join an advocacy group, and instantly begin to make positive global change for our future.
Below are some links to several excellent advocacy groups/humanitarian aid orgs. that I support. Take a moment to see what they do and what you may have to offer them.
Additionally, by becoming an advocate, you have the opportunity to speak for millions of people that are unable to have their voices heard by our politicians. So, act now. Find something that is passionate to you, take a stance, join an advocacy group, and instantly begin to make positive global change for our future.
Below are some links to several excellent advocacy groups/humanitarian aid orgs. that I support. Take a moment to see what they do and what you may have to offer them.
- CARE :: Defending Dignity. Fighting Poverty.
- CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. We place special focus on working alongside poor women because, equipped with the proper resources, women have the power to help whole families and entire communities escape poverty. Women are at the heart of CARE's community-based
- Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc.
- Planned Parenthood offers many ways for supporters to get involved in our work. Whether you prefer to show your support through a financial contribution or through a letter written to a legislator, we make it easy for you to learn about the challenges we face and to do something to help. Through our online advocacy campaigns, you can make your voice heard on important state and federal legislative issues affecting women's health and safety.
- Save Darfur
- The Save Darfur Coalition's mission is to raise public awareness about the ongoing genocide in Darfur and to mobilize a unified response to the atrocities that threaten the lives of two million people in the Darfur region.
- International Council of Nurses
- The International Council of Nurses is a federation of more than 120 national nurses' associations representing the millions of nurses worldwide. Operated by nurses for nurses, ICN is the international voice of nursing and works to ensure quality care for all and sound health policies globally.
Fantastic Educational Opportunities
- International Scholar Laureate Program Delegation on Nursing : About The Program
- Each year the Laureate Program offers a "Delegation on Nursing" where the goal is to provide nursing students with an in-depth examination of particular health care issues in the home country, as well as to give delegates an excellent overview and initial emersion into the culture.
This year, the program was held in South Africa, its focus being HIV/AIDS and the Nursing Shortage. I took part in this years delegation and have just recently returned. I found the experience to be absolutely rewarding both personally and professionally. The next conference will be held around June 2008. Check it out!
Nursing Tees and more
Be nice, I could be your nur Women's Pink T-Shirt
Price: 18.99 
This is Not the Hilton Tote Bag
Price: 15.99
Did it! RN Graduate Women's Light T-Shirt
Price: 24.99
Great Stuff on Amazon
Nursing Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy! (Incredibly Easy! Series)
Amazon Price: $39.95 (as of 11/21/2008)
Fluids & Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy!
Amazon Price: (as of 11/21/2008)
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (Thumb Index)
Amazon Price: $27.68 (as of 11/21/2008)
Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications (7th Edition) (LABORATORY & DIAGNOSTIC TESTS W/ NURSING IMPLICATIONS (KEE))
Amazon Price: $39.64 (as of 11/21/2008)
Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (Nursing Care Plans)
Amazon Price: $49.45 (as of 11/21/2008)
Crocs on Ebay
Crocs serve as great nursing shoes. Check them out on ebay. I know, you are probably wondering what happened to danskos. I bought a pair of danskos last winter and I am not impressed. They feel great when you put them on in the store. However, after the 6th or 7th hour on your feet, they aren't so great anymore. Plus, crocs are so much cheaper!
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Scrubs on ebay
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If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at the address below
madiern@gmail.com
