mommy-goes-to-nursing-schoo-blog

[mommy-goes-to-nursing-schoo-blog]

NURSING SCHOOL SUPS

I’ve been trying to get on to post some but between kids and school, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE some days. I’m in class monday-Friday for the majority of the day and it feels like information OVERLOAD!!!! The scary thing is that we are in week one but only 16 months to a dream come true. Remember wondering if you would get in?! Or maybe you are still waiting to see if you get in. Either way, it is a anxious wait. For those of you who got accepted, that wait is over! But not the reality has hit and it seems like there is never an end to the chaos but luckily I have found some resources that might be beneficial, none of which are paying me to say so!

1. NRSNG Academy: I have wanted this program since I got my acceptance letter and let me tell ya, it really is all the hype claims it to be. It can be a bit pricy but there are options. I personally chose the $50/month program and after 9 months of that payment, I will have lifetime access. This is more cost effective in the long run when compared to $30/month from when you sign up and take the NCLEX. Even if you are in an accelerated program, like myself, which is 16 months, you do pay more and your access is only good for the length of time that you are making those $30 payments.

AND

2. F.A. Davis Success books! For this first semester I’m using “Fundamental Success” and “Test Success” both of which are available on Amazon for around $40/piece. This really isn’t a bad deal. You are not used to answering questions like the ones given on nursing exams so the more exposure to them and practice, the better.

Now, you have my resources. You don’t have to buy all three, I’m speaking simply for the ones that I like and make my life a tad bit easier! If you have any questions on any of these, my inbox is open!

-Lorren Hensley

P.S. Our clinical kits come tomorrow so I will be posting on those, just remember yours may be different than ours but should have the same general tools that we do!

[mommy-goes-to-nursing-schoo-blog]

Amazing advice for us visual learners!!

How I revise as a (mainly) Visual Learner

Exams are coming and I thought I’d share my revision method as a mainly visual learner (and a bit of auditory learner) since I have to memorize a lot of information and details for my exams.

Notes:

I start off with re-writing everything I need to know. I make sure it looks pretty and neat. I also do this step a few weeks before exam season just so I have it all done when it’s time to revise since this step tends to take quite a while.

Go over the notes and use post-its:

When I’m actually revising I read everything and try to condense most of the information in diagram form on some post-its. I tend to use a post-it per page of notes but it depends. On the diagram I only write the important terms and leave out details.

Talk out loud and “teach”:

This helps me a lot. I read everything, out lout this time, and then try to “teach” the information to an imaginary person. Sometimes I do this with a friend but it works just fine if you do it in the mirror.

“Brain Dump”:

Finally, once I think I know everything (or almost everything) by heart, I take a sheet of paper and write everything I know about the subject. I try to write every single detail as if I were taking my exam. Then, once I’m done, I check what I wrote and compare it with my notes and go over with a red pen and cross mistakes, add in information I’ve missed, etc. I will, then, re-read that sheet of paper enough times until I think I’m ready!

Hope this helps!

[mommy-goes-to-nursing-schoo-blog]

Let me start by saying, if you are a mommy and in nursing school or starting nursing school, you are a SAINT! I can promise you, if you are doing this then you have passion! Nursing school is hard when you’re single, childless, and living at home with your parents, but doing it with kids and a spouse is a whole new challenge. The good news is that you are not alone. I recently started my program and from day one it was NUTS! Non-stop homework, assignments, tests to study for, labs, etc. but I learned that despite what is going on around me, I CAN do this. My BSN program is the fast track program so we are done in 16 months. I have 476 days left until graduation, LITERALLY! I know its going to fly, I’ve already started developing friendships and I love my professors!!! In the coming days and weeks I’m going to be sharing with you my tips and tricks, and also my progress. My REAL progress: the good, the bad, and the ugly! Stay tuned!! -Lorren Hensley, Mommy of 3!

#nursingschool #mommygoestonursingschool #jesseknowsmyfeeling #coffeeplease