Nursing school isn’t easy — and, rightfully, it shouldn’t be! As an aspiring nurse, though, a little challenge should only excite you. If it were easy everyone would be doing it, but nursing isn’t for everyone, and nursing school is meant to show you this and prepare you for the nature of the path itself. By preparing for your nursing program through networking, updating your immunizations, researching and purchasing the proper supplies and more, though, you can help yourself make the most of nursing school. Read on to gain a deeper understanding of what exactly it takes to get ready for — and excel in — your nursing career!
Why Go to Nursing School?
It’s important to know and remember all of the amazing reasons why you’re choosing to become a nurse not only to make sure that you’re pursuing the right path for you but to keep in mind along the way and in the future whenever you need a little added motivation. With accessible and flexible education options, major job demand and variety, incredible fulfillment and purpose, the super functional, fashionable and respected scrubs uniform that you’ll wear every day and so much more, it shouldn’t be hard to know or remember why you’re doing this!
Preparing to Pursue the Path
Know What You’re Getting Into
Being a nurse boasts a lot of benefits, but it’s important to consider every aspect of what you’re getting into. Being a nurse can mean getting a rush from saving lives, slowing down to fill out paperwork, dealing with emotional mental and physical burnout and more. It is essential to consider and prepare for all of these aspects, whether they are overwhelmingly good, underwhelmingly mundane or just plain bad.
Research Programs and Paths Extensively
There are plenty of options when it comes to nursing programs, and all of them offer different benefits and cater to different needs. It’s important that you take the time to research these different options and weigh them against what it is that you really need out of a program to excel. Before you begin your research, ask yourself questions like: Would I benefit from a career placement program? Would online classes work better with my schedule? What level or type of nurse do I want to be when I enter the field?
Complete Prerequisites
It only seems right that there are different prerequisites for different programs, but you can be sure that prerequisites will exist in some capacity. From program overviews and information sessions to admissions counselors and program advisors, there are many resources available to help you make sure that you have and know everything that you should before you enroll in a program.
Network
For student nurses and seasoned nurses alike, it is essential to make connections and create support systems. Whether for emotional support to help prevent burnout or academic support throughout the schooling process or to create impressions and open doors for your future, networking is a highly effective way to be proactive, no matter where you are, in preparing for your nursing career or even launching it.
Preparing for Nursing School Once You’ve Been Accepted
Update immunizations
Most programs that place you into healthcare settings require that you have the essential immunizations first in order to keep yourself, your patients and the general public safe. Resources such as the program’s admission requirements or your admissions counselors can help you to figure out exactly what you need for your specific program, but immunizations for Meningitis, Mumps, Tuberculosis, Chickenpox and Influenza are all commonly required.
Receive Certain Certifications
Along with immunizations, know that there will be other things to update before your program begins. Most likely, you’ll be required to either receive or update your CPR certification, First Aid certification, Interpersonal Skills for Healthcare Workers certification, and maybe even more before beginning your program, depending on what it is.
Get Used to the Uniform
All of a sudden your closet is going to be overpopulated by scrubs, and you’ll find yourself in them every day. When we wear new clothes for the first time it’s easy to feel uncomfortable — and when we feel uncomfortable it shows. So make sure that you start researching the best scrubs for the type of nursing you’re pursuing, start window shopping and thinking about your work/school wardrobe and maybe even start buying and breaking in the feel of your new profession.
If for no other reason, this can be highly beneficial as a motivator and to get you dreaming about your goals. While they’re adjusting, casual scrub styles such as short and long sleeve scrubs can be some of the best for new or student nurses.
Stock Up on Supplies
You’ll want to review your program’s list of necessary supplies or talk to your program advisor to see what kinds of equipment and supplies you’re required to purchase, but it’s important when entering a nursing program to be aware of the fact that there will be costs, research time, and testing time associated with finding the best supplies for you.
From avoiding embarrassing incidents in the classroom or on the floor to improving your performance and helping you excel at your career — it’s crucial that you invest the necessary resources into this step!
Make Sure You’re Preparing Physically, Mentally, and Emotionally
Studying hard and getting good grades is what it’s all about, but that’s not all that it takes. Nursing school can be demanding in more ways than one, and it’s important to make sure that you’re paying attention to your physical, mental, and emotional health if you want to bring your A-game day after day. Being a nurse requires that you prioritize your own well-being as heavily as that of your patients and preparing for and enduring nursing school will be your time to master this!
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