Nursing school is a journey filled with challenges, growth, and opportunities. Whether you’re just starting or halfway through, adopting the right habits can make all the difference. This guide shares 10 practical steps to help you stay focused, reduce stress, and become a confident, skilled nurse. Let’s dive in!
1. Stay Organized: Your Secret Weapon
Why It Matters
Nursing school throws a lot at you—lectures, labs, clinical rotations, and exams. Staying organized keeps you on top of deadlines, reduces stress, and saves time.
How to Do It
- Use a Planner or App: Write down every assignment, exam date, and clinical shift. Apps like Google Calendar or Todoist send reminders so nothing slips through the cracks.
- Color-Code Everything: Assign colors to subjects (e.g., blue for pharmacology, green for anatomy). This makes notes and schedules easier to scan.
- Weekly Clean-Up: Spend 10 minutes every Sunday organizing your study space, backpack, and digital files.
Example
Monday: Watch recorded lecture on diabetes management (45 mins). Tuesday: Clinical prep—review patient case files.
Pro Tip
Keep a “master folder” for each class. Use dividers for syllabi, handouts, and graded papers.
2. Master Time Management: Balance School and Life
Why It Matters
Nursing students juggle classes, part-time jobs, and personal life. Smart time management prevents burnout and boosts productivity.
How to Do It
- Rank Tasks by Priority: Use the Eisenhower Matrix:
- Urgent & Important: Exams, assignments due tomorrow.
- Important but Not Urgent: Long-term projects (e.g., research papers).
- Urgent but Not Important: Group study invites when you need solo time.
- Not Urgent or Important: Scrolling social media.
- Time Blocking: Assign specific hours to study, relax, and sleep. Stick to the schedule!
- Say “No” Gracefully: Skip non-essential events if you’re swamped.
Example
7–8 AM: Review flashcards. 8–10 AM: Attend lectures. 2–4 PM: Library study session. 8 PM: Wind down with a book.
Pro Tip
Try the Pomodoro Technique: Study for 25 minutes, take a 5-minute break. Repeat!
3. Learn Actively, Not Passively: Engage Your Brain
Why It Matters
Passive reading won’t cut it in nursing school. Active learning helps you understand concepts, not just memorize them.
How to Do It
- Teach What You Learn: Explain topics aloud to a friend, pet, or mirror.
- Use Mnemonics: Turn complex info into catchy phrases. For example, “Sally Left The Party” for cranial nerves: Spinal Accessory, Leukodystrophy, Trochlear, Pituitary.
- Practice with NCLEX-Style Questions: Apps like UWorld test your critical thinking.
Example
After studying heart failure, draw a flowchart of symptoms, medications, and nursing interventions.
Pro Tip
Record yourself summarizing a topic and listen while commuting.
4. Build Your Support Squad: You’re Not Alone
Why It Matters
Nursing school is tough, but you don’t have to do it alone. A strong support system keeps you motivated and solves problems faster.
How to Do It
- Join Study Groups: Meet weekly to review material and quiz each other.
- Connect with Professors: Attend office hours to clarify doubts or ask career advice.
- Lean on Family/Friends: Share your schedule so they understand when you’re busy.
Example
Create a WhatsApp group with classmates to share notes and vent about tough days.
Pro Tip
Find a mentor—a senior student or nurse—who’s been through nursing school.
5. Prioritize Physical & Mental Health: Fuel Your Success
Why It Matters
You can’t care for patients if you’re exhausted or stressed. Self-care improves focus, memory, and resilience.
How to Do It
- Sleep 7–8 Hours: All-nighters hurt your grades and immune system.
- Eat Brain-Boosting Foods: Omega-3s (salmon, walnuts), antioxidants (berries), and protein (eggs, Greek yogurt).
- Move Daily: Dance, walk, or do yoga for 20 minutes to reduce anxiety.
Example
Practice 4-7-8 breathing before exams: Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8.
Pro Tip
Use apps like Headspace or Calm for guided meditation.
6. Master Clinical Skills Early: Practice Makes Perfect
Why It Matters
Clinical rotations are where you apply theory to real patients. Building skills early boosts confidence and reduces errors.
How to Do It
- Shadow Nurses: Ask to observe IV insertions, wound care, or patient assessments.
- Practice in Labs: Use mannequins to rehearse injections, CPR, or catheterization.
- Ask for Feedback: After clinicals, ask instructors, “What did I do well? What can I improve?”
Example
Practice taking blood pressure on family members. Compare your readings to a home monitor.
Pro Tip
Watch skill demonstration videos on YouTube (e.g., RegisteredNurseRN channel).
7. Use Technology Smartly: Tools for Modern Nurses
Why It Matters
Technology is reshaping healthcare. Familiarity with apps, EHRs (Electronic Health Records), and simulations prepares you for the future.
How to Do It
- Study Apps: Try Picmonic (visual mnemonics) or NurseTabs (drug guides).
- EHR Practice: Ask instructors for training on platforms like Epic or Cerner.
- Virtual Simulations: Platforms like iHuman offer realistic patient scenarios.
Example
Use Anki flashcards app to memorize lab values. It uses spaced repetition to boost retention.
Pro Tip
Follow nursing influencers on Instagram for quick tips and motivation.
8. Develop Critical Thinking: Think Like a Nurse
Why It Matters
Nurses make quick decisions in emergencies. Critical thinking helps you analyze situations and prioritize care.
How to Do It
- Case Studies: Discuss hypothetical patient cases in study groups.
- “What Would You Do?” Scenarios: Ask instructors for real-world examples during lectures.
- Reflect on Clinicals: After each shift, write down one decision you made and why.
Example
A patient’s blood pressure drops suddenly. List possible causes (e.g., dehydration, sepsis) and actions (e.g., notify doctor, administer fluids).
Pro Tip
Read nursing journals like American Journal of Nursing to see how experts approach problems.
9. Manage Stress & Avoid Burnout: Stay Energized
Why It Matters
Long study hours and emotional patient cases can drain you. Managing stress keeps you healthy and motivated.
How to Do It
- Set Boundaries: Designate “no-study zones” (e.g., your bedroom) or “no-school-talk” times with friends.
- Talk About It: Share struggles with a counselor or trusted friend.
- Hobbies Matter: Paint, cook, or garden to recharge your mind.
Example
Join a nursing school yoga club or start a weekly movie night with friends.
Pro Tip
Use a gratitude journal—write 3 things you’re thankful for each day.
10. Plan for Your Nursing Career: Look Ahead
Why It Matters
Nursing school is just the beginning. Planning early helps you choose specialties, network, and land your dream job.
How to Do It
- Explore Specialties: Volunteer in pediatrics, ER, or geriatrics to find your passion.
- Attend Conferences: Events like National Student Nurses Association (NSNA) meetings offer networking and CEUs.
- Polish Your Resume: Update it each semester with new skills, clinical hours, or certifications.
Example
Reach out to a nurse in your desired specialty for an informational interview.
Pro Tip
Follow hospitals or clinics on LinkedIn for job openings and internship opportunities.
Final Thoughts
Nursing school is a marathon, not a sprint. These 10 habits—organization, time management, active learning, and more—will help you stay focused, healthy, and confident. Remember, every skilled nurse once stood where you are now. Take it one day at a time, celebrate small wins, and keep your eyes on the goal: making a difference in patients’ lives. You’ve got this!
FAQS:
1. “How do I balance nursing school with a part-time job?”
Answer:
- Prioritize & Communicate: Share your schedule with your employer and ask for flexible hours during exams.
- Time Blocking: Dedicate specific hours to work, study, and rest. Use weekends for heavier study sessions.
- Side Hustle Tips: Look for campus jobs (e.g., library assistant) that allow downtime for studying.
Related Section: #2 (Time Management)
2. “What if I fail an exam? Is nursing school over for me?”
Answer:
No! Many students fail a test or two. Here’s how to bounce back:
- Review Mistakes: Meet with your instructor to understand where you went wrong.
- Adjust Study Habits: Try active learning techniques (#3) or join a study group (#4).
- Stay Positive: One exam doesn’t define your future as a nurse.
3. “How do I handle rude or dismissive nurses during clinicals?”
Answer:
- Stay Professional: Focus on learning, even if the nurse isn’t friendly.
- Ask Questions Politely: “Could you show me how you’d handle this IV insertion?”
- Talk to Your Instructor: They can mediate or assign you to a different preceptor.
Related Section: #6 (Clinical Skills)
4. “I’m overwhelmed with memorizing drug names. Any tips?”
Answer:
- Use Mnemonics: For example, “Aspirin Cures Everything” (ACE inhibitors).
- Flashcard Apps: Try Anki or Quizlet for spaced repetition.
- Group by Class: Learn drugs in categories (e.g., beta-blockers, antibiotics).
Related Section: #3 (Active Learning)
5. “How do I stay motivated when I’m exhausted?”
Answer:
- Small Rewards: Treat yourself to coffee or a 20-minute Netflix break after finishing a task.
- Visualize Your Goal: Write “Why I Want to Be a Nurse” on sticky notes and place them where you study.
- Lean on Your Squad: Vent to classmates—they’ll remind you you’re not alone.
Related Section: #9 (Stress Management)
