📚Study Habits and Tips in Nursing School👩🏻‍⚕️

Nursing school is not like any other degree program. You have to learn how to study in many different ways. Th difficult part about that is figuring out study methods not only that will help you grasp the information, but figuring out these methods quickly. The semester goes by quickly so you don't have much time to test out different ways to study. Some study tips that may be helpful in Nursing school are the following:

1. Take a break when you need a break
If you’re feeling like you need a break from studying, then take a break even if your thinking that you need to power through and keep cramming. You might think more and come out better when study after taking a break.

2. Know your own learning style
Some people learn best by reading, some by writing out notes, others by listening, and still others by seeing or doing. The important thing is that you realize that no way is the “right” way, but there is a right way that will work for you, so experiment to find out what works best for you.

3. Give yourself a Reward
Give yourself a task to complete such as finish your flash cards for a chapter or complete at least 25 practice questions, etc. and once completed you will watch a tv show of your choice or go out with your friends, etc. 

4. Do Not Cram
Make sure you give yourself enough time to study all the content before your test! Complete study questions and always make time for yourself so you don’t overload yourself with the stress of the assignments and studying!

5. Schedule your study time 
Time management and prioritizing are key in nursing. Scheduling out a time to study—don’t just leave it until you feel like it. 

6. Try the 45-15 study strategy
The strategy is simple: set a timer for 45 minutes, then take a break for the next 15. The key is really, really focusing during those 45 minutes (no social media!) and then really, really taking a break. Get up, get moving, take a walk, and then get back to it. The strategy is a good way to prep and take advantage of the natural ebb and flow of concentration in your brain. 

7. Create a study ritual
Pay attention to how you feel when you sit down to study—are you dreading it before you even begin? There is no reason to make study time something you absolutely hate; instead, try to set up little rituals for yourself before and while you study to make it more enjoyable. Try setting up a special corner, lighting a candle or even stashing your favorite snacks nearby for a little treat. And on the flip side, if you’re a creature of habit while studying, you could also try mixing up your environment.

😬 Family, Friends, and Nursing School

Being a nursing student it really becomes not only an educational job. But your family and friends make it an actual job within the healthcare field. They don't understand that you are not a nurse or doctor, you're just studying to become one. As a nursing student I get phone calls and text messages that obligate me to help in a health care situation. I'm sure we all have experienced this in one fashion or another. For example, I received a phone call from my cousin. She explained her son who is seven years old has a fever, he's extremely hot, crying, won't eat, and he is vomiting. What do I think she should do? Well, between me and you I told her to go to the ER or call the hotline because I'am not a licensed clinician to be giving medical advice. This could be the flu, stomach virus, dehydration, among other things. But little ole me can't diagnose no one, especially over no phone. I am a nursing student, I do not work in the health care field, yet. Another situation was my girlfriends grandparents, they called me to come to the house to look at some paperwork. I get there and it's her grandfather's lab results. In my head I'm thinking great here we go. He ask me to explain to him what all the test that were ran, what the values mean, and break it down into how he can understand it. Now to be honest I wanted to say "well poppop you just came from the doctor's office getting these result's. You were not able to ask him to explain what is going on?" But I ain't say that I just looked at the paperwork and started explaining what BUN, creatinine, glucose, and his cholesterol values were. Things I thought were fine for him to know and enough for him to understand and not expect anymore from me. It was a long list of lab values, I wasn't going into them all. Then he says "well my doctor says I have to work on one of those on there because it's not where he wants it to be and that's the second time it was in that range. So just tell me am I going to die?" I looked at my girlfriend and in my head I'm thinking, is he going to die now what type of question is that and why would he ask me that and not that doctor. I was so lost I literally drew a blank. I really think they be testing me for real, because this can't be real. I kindly said the politically correct answer as a granddaughter "why would you think you were dying? Where is any of these test indicating death?" Come to find out he don't trust the doctors, he think they won't tell the truth about what's really happening, until a person is almost dead. And because I grew up in the family with my girlfriend he trust me to be honest. I was so stuck and flabbergasted, I said "I appreciate the trust you have for me but you need to consult and follow up with your provider, they are trained and skilled in their profession." I explain to anyone who calls, text, ask me anything about their health conditions. "I am a nursing student, not a nurse or doctor, I'am not clinically trained to advise you of anything. So please contact the nearest hospital, ER, providers office, urgent care, or hotline for all your health care needs. Thank you." Some things are just above my pay grade and I don't want to be the one giving advice when other factors are prevalent that I may not know about. I'm helping save them and me from any danger, by directing them to the clinically trained. Signed your future nurse. 💞

😏 Clinical Misconceptions

When I begin the semester I was so excited about starting clinical but I was a nervous wreck. I was scared and nervous because I didn't know what to expect or what was going to be expected of me. I just wanted to be great, learn, and do well while in my clinical's. When I began to speak with nurses who had Med/Surg clinical's they would explain that Med/Surg is going to be hard. I was told it would be the hardest, most difficult clinical in my life. That Med/Surg patient's are not pleasant, they give a lot of push back and don't want to be compliant at all. On top of that the nurses and doctor's would also be a lot to handle. I was basically told many don't survive in the Med/Surg clinical's but the good thing about it is that it teaches you structure and organization. I find that it can be challenging in the Med/Surg clinical but it's not as horrifying as the nurses portray it to be. I think it's all about the nurse or nursing students preference of the type of patient or nursing area they are interested in. I personally enjoy the Med/Surg clinical because I have had experience before so I know how to be with my patient's. I believe it's a misconception about Med/Surg, the horrible clinical site can be the Psych clinical or the Maternity clinical. It's just about what that nursing individual's likes, interest are, and comfort level during their experience's in the clinical setting's. I just say Don't be afraid of new adventure's and experience's, embrace them fully and whole-heartedly. It's good to get advice and a head's up of what may be to come but you must take some thing's and not apply everything to your experience. We are all different with different mindsets and feeling's, so how one may feel is not how you may feel. Be you and great things will happen. Signed the happy, nervous, open, adventurous nurse to be. 💋

The Haves and The Have Nots 😟

As a nursing student I find it quite interesting as to how my life has truly changed. I have attended a four year university, lived a very active full life, where I had time for Everything, and graduated on dean's list. But now in nursing school I find I don't have time for Anything, not even sleep. I feel bad when I'm tired or when I sleep in late like I did something wrong. I think to myself do I have time to study and watch this movie or tv show or can I do both? I studied for this class so I have a little free time to relax my brain. Do I have time to wash these clothes, cook dinner, read, and take notes? Or do I not have time to do all four? Do I have lead way to go out with my friends all day? Or do I not have that leisure to not study? Sometimes, I give in and just relax my mind and have a free day to not do anything because I feel I may deserve it. 💆 However, most of the time I'm studying and taking notes. Many people don't understand my new life, the life of a nursing student. That I just do not have time like I use to, for many gatherings or outings. That is time wasted that can be used to review or read. I feel guilty a lot but I know I'm not alone in those feelings. Every nursing student goes through this hectic period. To be honest I tell them just think about how I feel, I have not 1 minute to waste to do nothing. 😔 I'm the one suffering not you, so you shouldn't feel bad for you, feel bad for me. 😆 In the end people will see and understand why I had to sacrifice time, when I hit the finish line. Future nurse coming to everyone live and direct. 😘

Where Nursing All Began! 💖

At the tender age of four I had encountered a tragedy for the first time, which was the murder of my beloved father. I can recall this day very vividly as if it were just yesterday because it was not only the happiest day of my life but it became the saddest too. It was right after I had my fourth year birthday party and my father came with some black patent leather clogs he bought me as a gift. I cherished those clogs because my father had bought them especially for me and he was the light of my life. He asked my mother if I could spend the weekend with him and I was so elated because all I wanted to do was be with my father but he worked a lot so I never could go. Once we arrived at his home my uncle had called explaining that there was a last minute block party for family and friends. My father accepted the offer but said we would only stay for a couple hours. Everyone was dancing and having a good time, it reminded me of a mini family reunion. This guy who you could tell was intoxicated saw my uncle dancing harmlessly with his girlfriend, expressed his displeasures and threatened he wanted to hurt my uncle. He left and came back with a knife in hand, waving it around threatening he would kill somebody. Now in the streets of Philadelphia the police officers don’t come as fast as you would think they should, would, or could. Due to this guy being a known family friend and he was intoxicated, my father stepped in to diffuse the situation so no one would get hurt by the time the police arrived. 

However, the guy became infuriated by this gesture, turned to my father and charged at him with the knife. My father was trying to stop the man by knocking the knife out his hand. He then punched my father so they began to fight and tussle around on the ground. The guy was able to grab the knife again and my father started running for his life, all while I’m crying. At this moment my life changed in a flash, the guy caught up with my father and stabbed him twice in the back through his heart. My fathers body lay lifeless by the time the police and ambulance had arrived, there was nothing that could be done. My father died right before my eyes. I couldn’t help him as bad as I wanted too and no one else could help him either. As a child no one should experience such a horrific tragedy of losing their father especially not to senseless murder. But the death of my father made me vow to myself I would go to great schools, go to college, and become a doctor so I can save lives. After growing up into a teenager I realized through observation that nurses make more of a difference in peoples lives. If I can’t save a life then I want to be the person who influences lives, which are nurses and they engage more with patients than doctors. Throughout my journey in life, all I knew in my mind was that I needed to be a nurse in my heart. Thinking about it I realize that I want to give others what I needed in my moment of despair, which is hope, affection, attention, help, a shoulder to cry on or hold on too, and an ear to listen. I want to bring a smile to someones face, put joy in their heart, and uplift them when they're down. My humble beginning from a daddy's girl. 😘

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