How to Pass Nursing School

Copyright and Disclaimer

How to Pass Nursing School

Published by S.L. Page

Copyright 2013 by S.L. Page

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is a RegisteredNurseRn.com production.

Copyright Information

This book is copyright © 2013 by S. L. Page. All rights reserved. This eBook (and all related content) is protected by national and international copyright laws. No part of this eBook may be reproduced, rewritten, resold, redistributed, retransmitted, emailed, published online, stored in a database or retrieval system, or distributed in any other means (digital or physical) without the author’s expressed written consent.

Contributing editor: Benjamin Page

Legal Disclaimer

While every effort has been made by the author and publishers to ensure this eBook only contains factual and helpful information at the time it was written, the fields of nursing and education are rapidly changing, and the rules and regulations in each state are constantly changing. Therefore, this eBook should not be viewed as a final legal authority on policies, procedures, laws, nursing practice, or other content mentioned within. No warranty is offered, expressed or implied, to suggest this information will be safe, accurate, or viable in all situations (or areas) in the future. Furthermore, while the author firmly believes that the advice offered in this eBook will dramatically help nursing students increase their odds of success, this eBook should not be construed as a claim, warranty, guarantee, or representation of success concerning any of the topics covered. By reading or accessing this eBook, you agree not to hold the author or publishers liable for any damages or consequences that may arise from the use or misuse of the information given in this eBook.

Introduction: From the Author

Thank you very much for your purchase of this eBook. I truly hope this guide will help you succeed as a nursing student and future nurse.

My name is Sarah, and I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) in 2009. I officially became a licensed RN when I passed the NCLEX-RN exam shortly after graduation.

I’d always wanted to be a nurse, but by the time I was ready to enter nursing school, I was terrified. I’d heard so many horror stories of how hard nursing school was, how terrible care plans were to make, how students often flunked out of the program, and so forth.

I didn’t have any mentors or older friends at that time who could tell me what to expect. As a result, I often battled a lot of anxiety and stress each semester—especially my very first semester.

In fact, I remember how I almost talked myself out of going to nursing school because I thought I was not smart enough and that I just wouldn’t make it. When I tried to research answers to some of my questions concerning nursing school, I could never seem to find a good source online.

After I became a nurse, I worked as a preceptor on my floor and trained many new nurse graduates. I quickly realized that many of them had shared my same experience of fearing nursing school due to the many rumors they’d heard. They also had so many questions as a new nurse in training.

That’s how I eventually started the website, RegisteredNurseRn.com. It started as a small, personal blog documenting some of my experiences as a nursing student (and later nurse), and it quickly grew into a developed website.

My goal was to offer a resource to help put down some of the myths and horror stories that were circulating about nursing school and to offer tips and other resources to help nursing students (and current nurses) succeed. Because I received such a positive response, I eventually decided to write this eBook, hoping to help even more nursing students who were struggling in their journey.

I eventually passed nursing school successfully, and I even graduated with honors. I was also hired very quickly at a local hospital after I passed the NCLEX-RN exam.

Through the years, I’ve worked in many hospital settings, and I’ve mostly worked with cardiac patients. My first job was in an ICU step-down unit, and I eventually moved to work in a non-invasive cardiology department where I currently perform stress tests, transesophageal echocardiograms, tilt-table tests, and stress echocardiograms.

Over the years, I’ve learned that being a nurse is more than having a career. Being a nurse is a calling. I admire the brave nurses of the past, such as Florence Nightingale, who risked their lives to help others. These great nursing heroes often worked in deplorable conditions, were given little respect, little to no pay, and some even lost their lives after contracting diseases from their patients. Yet these brave nurses persevered because they knew nursing wasn’t only about making a salary or getting respect, but rather, they realized that nursing was about making a difference in another person’s life.

Reflecting on their sacrificial approach has helped me become a better nurse through the years, and I hope that their courage will also inspire you.

Nursing is a wonderful profession, but let’s be honest—it isn’t always the most glamorous one. You may not always get your break on time. You may not always be treated with respect by co-workers or patients. You may have to see body parts, touch fluids, or smell scents that you will soon hope to forget. You may even have bad days where you wish you could walk out and never look back.

Even so, always keep in mind that what you are doing makes a huge difference in the lives of people—even if the very people you are working with don’t seem to appreciate it. Nursing, in many ways, is an art form of sacrificial care that extends from one human being to another.

Florence Nightingale could not have said it better:

"Nursing is an art; and if it is to be made an art, it requires an exclusive devotion, as hard a preparation, as any painter's or sculptor's work; for what is the having to do with dead canvas or dead marble, compared with having to do with the living body—the temple of God's spirit?

It is one of the Fine Arts; I had almost said, the finest of Fine Arts."

-Florence Nightingale

I hope you find this book useful, and may God bless you on your journey in becoming a nurse.

Table of Contents

Disclaimer and Copyright

Introduction: From the Author

Chapter 1: Overview of Nursing School

-Who Can This eBook Help?

-Don’t Get Overwhelmed

-How to Use This eBook

Chapter 2: Preparing for Nursing School While in High School

-GPA

-Choosing the College Path

-ACT/SAT Testing

-ACT vs. SAT: What’s the Difference?

-ACT and SAT Score Interpretation

-What Do I Need to Score on the SAT or ACT?

-Studying for the ACT or SAT

-Joining Nursing Clubs

-Student Nursing Clubs and Nursing Organizations

-Volunteering, Shadowing, and Working

-Graduating from High School (or Obtaining a GED Equivalent)

-Researching and Applying to Nursing Schools

-Planning How You Will Finance Your Education

Chapter 3: Entering Nursing School as a Returning Adult

-Requirements for Returning Adults

-Do Older Adults Succeed in Nursing School?

-Already Have a Bachelor’s Degree but Want to Become a Nurse?

-How Long Are Accelerated Second Degree Nursing Programs?

Chapter 4: Finding a Good Nursing School

-Nursing School Accreditation

-NCLEX Pass Rates

-Job Placement Rates

-Clinical Placements

-Age and Reputation

-Nursing School Costs

Chapter 5: Financing Nursing School

-Applying for Federal Financial Aid and Grants

-Applying For Scholarships

-Common Nursing Scholarships

-List of Scholarships Available

-Employer Tuition Reimbursement Programs

-Tax Deductions (and Credits) for Educational Expenses

-Pros of Tax Deductions/Credits

-Cons of Tax Deductions/Credits

-Common Tax Deductions Students Should Consider

-Work Study Programs and Jobs

-Student Loans and Other Debt

Chapter 6: Selecting a Nursing School Degree Program

-Technical Nursing Non-Degree Programs (LPN or LVN)

-Salary for LPN/LVN

-LPN vs. RN

-LPN/LVN Sample Curriculum

-Undergraduate Nursing Degree Programs

-Educational Requirements for Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) Programs

-Sample ADN Curriculum

-Educational Requirements for Nursing Diploma Programs

-Sample Diploma Program Curriculum

-Educational Requirements for a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN)

-Sample BSN Curriculum

-Salary Information for RNs

-Pros of an ADN Degree

-Cons of an ADN Degree

-Pros of a Diploma Program

-Cons of a Diploma Program

-Pros of a BSN Degree

-Cons of a BSN Degree

-Should You Get an LPN, Diploma, ADN, or BSN Degree?

-Advanced Nursing Degrees

-Doctor Degrees in Nursing

Chapter 7: When to Apply to Nursing School

-Applying to a University/College with a Nursing Program

-Declare Nursing as Your Major

-Meet with Your Advisor

-Check Nursing Program Application Deadlines

-Common Requirements for Nursing School Applications

-Tips on How to Make the Nursing School Application Process Stress-Free

Chapter 8: Nursing School Essays and Interviews

-How to Write a Nursing School Application Essay

-Things to Include in a Nursing School Essay

-Nursing School Interviews

-How to Prepare for the Interview

-Research

-Have Your Resume on Hand

-Be Punctual

-Dress to Impress

-Have Questions?

-Role Play

-List of Common Questions You May be Asked

Chapter 9: What Is Nursing School Like?

-What to Expect in Nursing School

-What to Expect the First Day of Class

-Sample Syllabus

-Hours in Nursing School

-Assignments in Nursing School

-Presentations in Nursing School

-Common Classes You'll Face in Nursing School

-What are Nursing Skills?

-Common Skills You'll Learn in Nursing School

-Nursing Skills List

-Nursing Care Plans

-A Sample Nursing Care Plan

-Why Do Nursing Students Use Care Plans?

-Nursing Clinicals

-What to Expect During Clinicals

-What Are the Health Requirements for Nursing School Clinicals?

-What Type of Skills Will I Be Learning in Clinicals?

-What Are the Hours Like in Nursing School Clinicals?

-Types of Clinical Sites

-Do You Get Paid for Clinicals?

-Supplies for Clinicals and Nursing School

-Dealing with Patients in Clinicals

Chapter 10: Nursing Proficiency Exams (HESI and ATI)

-HESI Entrance, Mid-Curricular, and Exit Exams

-HESI A2 Entrance Exam

-HESI Mid-Curricular

-HESI Exit Exam

-HESI Study Guide Tips

-ATI Proficiency Exams

-ATI TEAS-V Exam

-What Is Considered a Passing Score for the ATI-TEAS V Exam?

-How to Study for the ATI-TEAS V Exam

-What is the ATI’s Comprehensive Assessment and Review Program (CARP)?

-What is the ATI Comprehensive Predictor Exam?

-ATI Proficiency Levels

Chapter 11: Researching Professors and Classes

-Researching Your Professors Online

-Contacting Professors Directly with Questions

-Ask for a Syllabus

-Ask Fellow Nursing Students about Professors

-Auditing a Course

-Qualities to Identify in Professors

-Good Teacher Qualities

-Bad Teacher Qualities

Chapter 12: Saving Money on Textbooks

-Buying Textbooks at Bargain Prices

-Buying Digital eBooks for Classes

-Exchanging/Buying Textbooks from Students

-Selling Your Textbooks

-The Best Places to Sell Textbooks

-Shouldn't You Keep Your Textbooks?

Chapter 13: Tips for Studying in Nursing School

-Assessing How You Learn Best

-Class Attendance

-Taking Notes Efficiently

-Using Recorders

-Using Flashcards

-Study Guides

-Using the Internet

-Making Diagrams to Study

-Using Popular Mnemonics: Acrostics, Acronyms, and Visual Imagery

-Using Acrostics

-Using Acronyms

-Visual Imagery

-Study Groups

-Are You an Introvert or Extrovert?

-Creating Effective Study Groups

Chapter 14: Testing Strategies

-Long-Range Studying

-Short-Range Studying

-Practice Tests and Quizzes

-Common Test Formats in Nursing School

-Tips for Actually Taking the Test

-Come Prepared for the Test

-Read All Instructions and Questions Carefully

-Find Out If You Can Write on the Test

-How to Handle Failing a Test

Chapter 15: Staying Organized in Nursing School

-Plan Ahead

-Prioritize Important Tasks

-Develop a Plan and Stick to It

-Use Folders or Binders

-Use Your Time Efficiently

-Don’t Procrastinate

-Staying Motivated in Nursing School

-Control Your Negative Thoughts

-Avoid Negative People

-Remind Yourself that Nursing School Is Worth It

Chapter 16: What to Do If You Are Failing

-Increase Study Time

-Find a Study Partner

-Hire a Tutor

-Speak With a Professor

-Withdraw From a Class

-Repeating a Failed Course

Chapter 17: Managing Stress in Nursing School

-Stress You Will Encounter in Nursing School

-Consequences of Stress in Nursing School

-Ways to Manage Stress in Nursing School

Chapter 18: Preparing for Graduation

-Coursework

-Exams

-Grade Point Average (GPA)

-Meet with Your Advisor

-Documentation

-Internships

-Jobs

Chapter 19: FAQ about Nursing School (with Answers)

-What if There's a Waiting List?

-What Classes Do You Take While in Nursing School?

-Is Nursing School Hard?

-How Many Hours Should You Study?

-Do You Start IVs in Nursing School?

-Is There a Lot of Math in Nursing School?

-Do You Have to Write a Lot of Papers in Nursing School?

-Can I Go to Nursing School with Kids?

-Am I Too Old to Go to Nursing School?

-Should You Work While in Nursing School?

-What are Care Plans?

-What are Clinicals in Nursing School?

-Should You Choose a Minor While in Nursing School?

-Should You Attend a Community College, Then Transfer to a Nursing School Program?

Chapter 20: International Students Transferring to the U.S.

-What Exam Do I Pass before I Can Take the NCLEX If I'm an International Student?

-NCLEX Requirements for International Nurses

-How Much Will It Cost to Take the NCLEX Internationally?

-Where Are the International Testing Centers (Also Known as Non-Member Board Jurisdictions) That Can Administer the NCLEX Located?

-Do I Have to Know English in Order to Become a Nurse in the US?

-Will I Need to Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL Exam)?

Chapter 21: NCLEX

-Types of NCLEX Exams

-NCLEX Requirements

-NCLEX Pass Rates

-How to Study for NCLEX

-Recommended Study Guide for the NCLEX Exam

-How to Register for NCLEX

-What to Expect on the Test Day

-What If You Fail NCLEX?

Chapter 22: What is Nursing Like?

-What Exactly Do Nurses Do?

-What Do Registered Nurses Do?

-Things Registered Nurses Do Not Do

-What Do Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) Do?

-Things Licensed Practical Nurses Do Not Do

-What are the Working Conditions Like for Nurses?

-Nursing Career Outlook

-Job Prospects for Nurses

-Nursing Stories

Chapter 23: Specialties in Nursing

-What Are the Requirements to Become Specialized?

-Brief Overview of Common Specialties and Nursing Areas

Chapter 24: Creating a Resume

-Pre-Resume Preparation

-How to Structure a Resume

-Important Things to Include in Your Resume

-How Long Should Your Resume Be?

-Tips to Make Yourself Sound Qualified (Without Exaggerating)

-Sample Resume

-Cover Letters

-Sample Cover Letter

-Where and When to Submit Resumes as a New Nurse Graduate

Chapter 25: Letters of Recommendation or Reference

-What Is a Letter of Recommendation or Reference?

-What a Letter of Recommendation or Reference Includes

-How Do You Request a Letter of Recommendation or Reference?

-When Should You Request a Letter of Recommendation or Reference?

-Should You Include a Letter of Recommendation or Reference?

Chapter 26: Nursing Portfolios

-How to Create a Nursing Portfolio

-Common Items Included in a Nurse Portfolio

-Tips on How to Organize a Nursing Portfolio

Chapter 27:  Getting a Job

-Network While In Nursing School

-Take Advantage of Job Placement Programs

-Be a Nurse You'd Want to Hire

-Apply for an Internship Program

-Attend Job Fairs

-Searching for Jobs

-If All Else Fails, Be Prepared to Settle

Chapter 28: Getting a Job Interview

-Preparing for Interviews

-Common Interview Questions

-What to Wear to Your Interview

-For Women

-For Men

-How to Behave During the Interview

-Tip #1: Timing is Everything

-Tip #2 Have Some Manners

-After the Interview: Make Sure to Follow-Up

-Negotiating a Salary

-Reviewing Job Offers

Chapter 29: Succeeding At Your New Job

-Taking Advantage of New Nurse Opportunities

-What Type of Job Atmosphere to Expect as a New Nurse

-How to Delegate Tasks to Other Staff When Needed

-Building Relationships and Helping Others

-How to Talk to Doctors as a New Nurse

-Taking Advantage of Educational Opportunities

Chapter 30: Advancing In Your Career

-Build Bridges and Network with Others

-Seeking Certifications

-Keeping an Eye Out for Opportunities

-Applying for Management Positions

-Advanced Nursing Specialization

-Getting an Advanced Degree

Conclusion

Free Bonuses and Other Resources

Chapter 1: Overview of Nursing School

I once heard a great quote: A person who fails to plan is planning to fail. There is a lot of truth in that quote. If you don’t have a strategic plan in place for how you will approach nursing school, then you will likely struggle or flunk out.

If, however, you go into nursing school with a positive attitude, have a strategic plan in place, and know exactly what to expect, then your chances of success will be very high.

I’d like to illustrate this basic principle using two extreme types of imaginary nursing students: Judy, the prepared student, and Sally, the unprepared nursing student. Sally and Judy are both smart girls. Both students scored well on the ACT test, and both are passionate about nursing. The only difference is that Judy went into nursing school prepared, whereas Sally didn’t.

Judy: The Prepared Student

Judy started preparing for nursing school in her senior year of high school. She was always busy researching nursing schools (looking at pass rates, accreditation, tuition expenses, etc.). As a result, Judy found a great nursing program with reasonable tuition.

Judy applied to this school and submitted a great nursing school application essay. She took the time to write one that was unique, and she got some friends, family members, and a past English teacher to help her edit it. As a result, she got an interview with the nursing school.

She showed up professionally dressed and fully prepared (she had practiced some interview questions), and she performed well in the interview. She was eventually accepted into the program.

Judy then applied for various scholarships and financial aid. She was able to obtain enough funds so that she had to work very little during the semester (perhaps not at all). She was able to focus completely on her studies and had much less stress in her life.

In nursing school, Judy continued to be strategic. She would research her professors before class began each semester. This way, she knew exactly what to expect. She also shopped around on textbooks and saved a lot of money.

Unless there was an emergency, she showed up to each class on time. She took notes during class and set aside time to study at least 4-5 days each week. She also used many different study strategies to help her learn the material, including study guides, practice tests, and other learning tools.

Judy also used a planner to schedule her day and to keep up with test and assignment dates. She used folders to keep track of her notes, read the syllabus for each class regularly to keep up with assignments, and recorded her grades on the syllabus. As a result, she knew exactly how she was doing each semester and was able to stay organized.

Because Judy used strategic planning and organizing tactics, she was able to succeed in nursing school. She had very little stress, graduated with a high GPA, and went on to be a successful nurse.

Sally: The Unprepared Student

Sally, on the other hand, just picked a nursing school closest to home. She didn’t bother comparing tuition rates, NCLEX pass rates, or anything else.

Sally also wrote a nursing school essay, but she didn’t bother getting help to edit it. She submitted a poor quality essay with her application, and she was rejected from the school closest to home. Eventually, she was accepted into another nursing program, but the tuition was higher, and the NCLEX pass rates were lower.

Once there, Sally simply applied for student loans and took a part-time job. She didn’t know about financial aid opportunities, workplace tuition programs, or scholarships. As a result, she acquired a lot of debt and had to work a few days each week while juggling nursing school. This added a lot of stress to her life.

Sally continued to be unprepared in nursing school. She’d often show up to class late, and she never hesitated to skip a class when she felt tired. During class, she’d catch up on her text messaging. As a result, she missed many opportunities to take notes and even lost points for attendance.

She never took the time to research professors and often struggled to pass since she selected professors who were more difficult. She also failed to learn about strategies to pass each professor’s class.

Sally also never took the time to develop study strategies. She never used flashcards, bought study guides, used learning techniques, or anything else. Instead, she would only read her notes a few days before the test, which were incomplete since she didn’t even attend every class. She struggled to remember all of the concepts or definitions, and she often performed poorly on tests.

Because Sally didn’t stay organized, she always had to spend time finding her notes. She was often shocked to realize that a test was coming up in just a day or two. She spent a lot of time cramming and trying to pass. She never used a planner and often asked her peers when tests and assignments were due.

Since Sally was not strategic and did not have a strategy in place for nursing school, she struggled immensely. She’d often talk about how hard nursing school was and how she feared she may flunk out. She also fought bouts of depression, often wondering if she picked the wrong major or if she should pursue a different career path.

The two illustrations above are not based on actual people, but they do give a lot of insight about how two perfectly intelligent people could have two radically different outcomes based on how they approach nursing school.

While not everyone will identify with the two examples above (I started out doing some of the things Sally did myself), they do help illustrate the importance of planning, being disciplined, and taking the time to research things.

That’s why I’ve tried to include as many tips and strategies as I possibly could in this eBook. I want nursing students to be prepared and enter nursing school with a plan of success. The information I’ve written about in this book comes from my own experience and struggles as nursing student, as well as my experience in running a website, where I’ve had the pleasure of helping thousands of nursing students succeed.

Because you’ve purchased this eBook, you’ll know all of the ways you can begin to plan for success in nursing school. You’ll learn information some of your peers may not know, and you’ll be able to use that information to your advantage.

As a young nursing student, I had to use a lot of trial and error to find what worked and what didn’t work. Through a great deal of effort, I was eventually able to graduate with honors and go on to have a successful career as a nurse. I only wish I had a guide like this when I entered nursing school because it would have saved me a lot of time and frustration along the journey. I sincerely hope this guide helps you succeed in nursing school and that you can go on to have a wonderful career as a nurse.

Who Can This eBook Help?

This eBook was written to help every person attending, or considering attending, nursing school. Whether you know absolutely nothing about nursing school, or if you are in your last semester and you’re simply looking for some study tips or ways to transition into a job—this guide can help. Even a recent nurse graduate could benefit from the section on interviews, the resume templates, and more.

This guide was written in a way to help all nursing students (or pre-students) at any level of knowledge or experience. Specifically, the goal of this guide is to help the following people:

-People interested in nursing: If you’re considering a move into nursing and you simply want to know what nursing is like, then this book can offer some basic salary data and job descriptions. You can also learn what to expect in nursing school and some information about the different types of nurses.

-High school students: If you’re a high school student interested in becoming a nurse—or if you’re planning to attend nursing school—this guide will help you start preparing right now. You’ll learn what you need to do to get up-to-speed and how to be successful once you are accepted into a nursing program.

-Returning adults: If you’re an adult interested in returning to college to become a nurse, this guide will tell you everything you need to know as well. You’ll know what steps to take to prepare for admission as well as a few strategies to help you succeed. It also includes a section on older adults who already have a bachelor’s degree but want to return for a nursing degree.

-International students: If you’re an international student and you want to know how to become a nurse in the United States, I’ll cover information on this too and let you know what to expect in a U.S. nursing school. While this guide is primarily focused on nursing schools within the U.S., it also contains some basic strategies that can be used worldwide, including study tips and interviewing strategies. I’ve had many international students visit my website, and I’ve received a lot of positive feedback—so this book should help you too.

-Current nursing school students: Even if you’re already enrolled in nursing school now and you know most of the basics about getting into nursing school, you’ll still get information that can help. You’ll learn how to best study for exams, tips on passing NCLEX, additional resources for scholarships, strategies on transitioning from a student to professional nurse, free resume templates, interviewing tips, and much more.

-Recent nursing school graduates: Even if you’ve recently graduated from nursing school, you’ll get some tips on how to transition into the job, interviewing tips, resume templates, and more.

In short, this guide is written with everyone in mind, so it covers a lot of material—whether you’re a beginner or advanced student.

Don’t Get Overwhelmed

I did have one challenge when writing this book. On one hand, I wanted to make this eBook so comprehensive that it covers everything a student (or pre-student) needs to know about nursing school. On the other hand, I didn’t want this guide to be so long that it took weeks to read. I didn’t want to leave students (or pre-students) in a state of information overload, getting so overwhelmed with all the details of nursing school that they felt discouraged. Therefore, I’ve tried to strike a fine balance between making this as comprehensive as possible without making it too long or detailed.

Even so, this eBook covers a lot of material that you will learn very gradually over a long period in nursing school. It is perfectly normal if you don’t have a clue about some of the things mentioned in this eBook. You are not expected to know anything about care plans if you are