It’s important to know how to prepare for nursing school, so you can hit the ground running. Some top nursing school tips include understanding what to expect, improving your time management skills, brushing up on study habits, and building a support network.
If you’re considering pursuing your Bachelor of Science (BS) in Nursing at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, you Learning how to prepare for nursing school is essential for success in a rigorous program. Nursing school represents a major transition in your life as you work toward a new career. While exciting, it also has challenges. You must learn a great deal of information and develop new clinical skills in a short amount of time. You must stay focused on your goals, stay on top of your coursework and labs, and follow helpful nursing school tips to understand how to succeed in nursing school.
If you’re considering earning a Bachelor of Science (BS) in nursing, the University of Mount Saint Vincent’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program might be right for you.
If you have a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, you can leverage your experience towards a nursing degree and earn a BS in nursing in as few as 16 months. Although the program can be challenging, our students are supported by attentive instructors, thanks to our small class sizes and Academic Success Coaches.
Start preparing for nursing school by learning what to expect from a nursing program and getting organized in advance. You can also brush up on effective study techniques and time management habits.
1. Know What to Expect in Nursing School
Discovering what to expect is an essential part of preparing for nursing school. First, consider your chosen program. A traditional BS in nursing program takes four years to complete and includes general education and nursing courses, while an accelerated BS in nursing program is faster-paced because of the shortened and primarily focuses on nursing courses.
While specific courses vary across programs, you can expect to complete a combination of classroom or online-based courses and in-person, hands-on experiences.
In Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN program, nursing coursework introduces core nursing and science concepts that are further developed in skills and simulation labs. These labs occur in an advanced simulated laboratory made to resemble a real-world hospital, where you will practice the fundamental nursing skills and clinical decision-making you’ll need as a working nurse.
You will also complete a series of clinical rotations, during which you work in healthcare facilities throughout New York City. You’ll start by performing basic tasks, such as preparing rooms for new patients, and gradually move on to providing direct patient care under supervision.
Learn more about how an accelerated nursing program works.
2. Get Organized Before Classes Begin
You can expect plenty of homework, assignments, and exams, dates to track, and expectations to meet, so organization is key. Using a planner, online spreadsheet, or app can help you manage your schedule and track all assignments, study periods, and deadlines.
Whether you prefer to type or write your notes, you’ll need a system to keep them organized. Keep typed notes organized in folders on your computer, backing them up when you can. If you handwrite notes, try establishing a color-coding system and storing notes in physical folders or binders.
3. Prepare for the NCLEX-RN Early
Even though you’re focused on preparing for nursing school, don’t forget about the NCLEX-RN. You’ll need to pass the licensure exam after graduation, so it’s important to start preparing for the exam early. Although nursing school coursework is designed to help prepare you for the NCLEX-RN, it’s recommended that you start studying during the first semester of school.
Look for reputable online resources, such as nursing podcasts, tutorials, and educational videos. Even before enrolling, you can start reviewing common nursing terminology, dosage calculations, and bodily systems, so you begin the program with a head start.
4. Research Study Strategies That Work
If you’ve been out of school for a while, you might find it difficult to return to an academic routine. To help adjust, familiarize yourself with effective study techniques so you can have productive study sessions.
In addition to reviewing lectures and reading through learning materials, try incorporating active study techniques during your study sessions, such as:
- Formulate questions as you read the material and try to answer them.
- Use active recall. After reviewing a section, look away and quiz yourself on the material.
- Participate in study group discussions.
- Rephrase nursing concepts in your own words and explain them so someone without a medical background can understand.
If you feel you need more support and resources to aid in your studies, you can schedule an appointment with your instructor or other student resources. At Mount Saint Vincent, ABSN students have access to Academic Success Coaches who can help.
5. Find a System That Works for You
When determining how to prepare for nursing school, it’s important not to overlook the benefits of a consistent routine. Start developing healthy habits and incorporating systems that support efficiency from the very start of your nursing education.
Try the following as you develop a consistent, structured routine:
- Set a consistent wake-up time and bedtime.
- Schedule time to complete coursework.
- Instead of cramming, study frequently throughout the week.
- Schedule extra study time on weekends.
- Consistently set aside time for exercise during the week.
- Consider your strengths while scheduling study time. For instance, if you concentrate better at night, plan an evening study schedule.
- Arrange non-school activities so they don’t conflict with your study or class schedule.
How long does it take to become an RN? Explore the career requirements as you plan your pathway.
6. Develop Time Management Skills
The nursing curriculum is rigorous and requires the same time commitment as a full-time job. It’s common for nursing students to put in more than 40 hours a week on their studies and assignments. Balancing coursework, labs, clinicals, and personal responsibilities takes careful time management.
Create and adhere to a study schedule and set aside time to complete coursework. If you tend to procrastinate, consider using the Pomodoro method. Follow these steps in order:
- Set a timer for 25 minutes.
- Commit to staying focused and working through the entire 25 minutes without distractions.
- Take a five-minute break after 25 minutes.
- Set the timer for 25 minutes again and repeat.
- Take a 15-minute to 30-minute break after every four work intervals.
7. Build a Strong Support System
You will need a strong support system to succeed in nursing school. Loved ones are often encouraging in difficult times, and this might be what you need to keep going. Open up to them and keep them involved in your day-to-day life.
Allow your support system to keep you grounded. Asking about your loved ones’ lives and activities and speaking about anything other than pharmacology and IV line placement will help you decompress. If you have children at home, they can also be grounding and encouraging.
Sometimes, the best way to learn how to prepare for nursing school is to speak to others who have been there before. You could ask your admission counselor about online groups that connect you with current nursing students or alumni. They may be able to provide invaluable insight into how best to prepare.
How Mount Saint Vincent’s ABSN Program Prepares You for Success
Now that you know how to be successful in nursing school, it’s time to take the first step toward a nursing career. At Mount Saint Vincent, you can leverage your previous education to earn a BS in nursing in as few as 16 months. Our rigorous curriculum is designed to challenge students to become leaders in modern healthcare while supporting their academic success.
Contact an admission counselor to find out if you are eligible for the ABSN program. With three start dates per year at five New York City ABSN sites, you could get started sooner than you’d think.