Whether you’re a current or future nursing student, it’s helpful to think about how to succeed in nursing school. Some of the top nursing school tips for success include getting organized, joining a reliable study group, personalizing your study plan, reviewing material before each class and using supplemental resources.
Making a career transition to healthcare can be one of the most meaningful and rewarding decisions you’ll make. Nursing education is challenging, so it’s helpful to know how to succeed in nursing school before your program begins.
One of the most important nursing school tips for success is to choose the right program. If you decide to attend Northeastern University’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program, you’ll have plenty of student support resources to tap into, plus dedicated instructors.
We’ve compiled 10 tips on how to be successful in nursing school, including staying organized, joining a study group, reviewing before each class and more.
Do you have what it takes to be successful in nursing school? Check out these top 10 nursing characteristics and skills.
1. Stay Organized
It’s most effective if you implement an organizational system that works for you from the start. This is important if you’re working through the nursing curriculum at an accelerated pace. With Northeastern’s ABSN program, for example, you can graduate in 16 months if you have prior non-nursing education.
Tips to stay organized include:
- Maintain digital notes organized by class and topic areas. Compared to written notes, typed notes allow for later expansion.
- Use a planner or planner app to track your schedule each day, as well as upcoming deadlines and reminders.
- Establish a weekly routine.
- Set reminders on your phone so you won’t forget a study session or important deadline.
- Each morning, double-check your bag for everything you’ll need for that day and plan your wardrobe accordingly. For instance, if you have clinicals after a lab, bring your scrubs and avoid wearing sandals.
2. Join a Reliable Study Group
Your nursing courses and onsite labs will offer opportunities to get to know your cohort and form a study group. Study groups can be effective, which is why they’re one of the best nursing school tips for success. If your first study group is unable to coordinate or is unreliable, it’s ok to seek a new one or connect with a study buddy.
3. Prepare Before Every Class
Spaced repetition is helpful for memory formation and learning retention. One way to increase the number of times you review material is to study your notes and course material before each class for 10 to 15 minutes. Consider using the same strategy after each class to review the material that was just discussed.
What is nursing school like, exactly? Check out this blog to get an inside look at what you can expect.
4. Regularly Assess Your Knowledge and Comprehension
The fourth of these nursing school tips for success is checking your progress at regular intervals. Consider taking a full-length practice NCLEX test at least once during each semester of nursing school. This can help you get a better idea of your strengths and weaknesses.
5. Nursing Student Tips: Personalize Your Study Plan
You can use the results of your practice NCLEX tests to personalize your study plan. Consider the following:
- Spend more time reviewing content areas that you struggle with.
- Dedicate some time to your stronger areas.
- Adapt the plan to your schedule.
- Stay flexible. You might be able to devote more time to studying some weeks than others.
Ultimately, do what works best for you to make the best use of the time you have.
6. Prioritize Coursework Materials
The bulk of your focus will be on your coursework materials. As you work through the materials, be aware of how the nursing theories and concepts apply to real-life situations.
The NCLEX doesn’t just test rote memorization; there is a greater emphasis on your ability to make appropriate clinical judgments based on patient situations.
At Northeastern, our online coursework materials consist of:
- Audiovisual and written lecture materials
- 3D graphical representations of concepts
- Simulated learning activities
- Discussion forums
- Chat sessions with instructors
You can read or watch lectures and complete learning activities as many times as you need to master the material.
7. Seek Out Supplemental Resources
Although the coursework material will command much of your focus, look for supplemental resources. Some examples include:
- Listening to podcasts
- Online sites with nursing practice questions or study guides
- Scheduling an appointment with faculty to discuss some tips
- Using nursing-related apps
- Watching video tutorials
8. Maintain Healthy Habits
You became a nursing student to help other people care for their health, but it’s important to care for your own health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) points out that “healthy students are better learners,” and this holds true regardless of age.
Nurture your overall health, body and mind, by prioritizing healthy habits such as:
- Getting plenty of sleep
- Making healthy food choices
- Exercising regularly (Try HIIT circuits for less time-consuming yet impactful workouts.)
- Limiting your intake of caffeine and limiting or avoiding alcohol
- Practicing good stress management
9. Set Aside Time for Decompressing
Nursing school is challenging, so set aside some time for mentally decompressing.
Schedule some short “me time” each day to do something you love, such as reading or talking to a friend. Once per week, set aside a larger chunk of time to do something fun. Scheduling time for decompressing can help you reduce the risk of nursing school burnout.
10. Remember Why You’re in Nursing School
Lastly, when times get tough, remember why you decided to enroll in nursing school. Chances are, you wanted to become a nurse to help other people. Perhaps the strong job prospects and salary potential were attractive, as well. Stay motivated by remembering your end goal.
Nursing school isn’t the only challenge you’ll face. Get our top 8 NCLEX tips here.
How to Be Successful in Nursing School at Northeastern
The secret to success lies in the philosophy of the Bouvé College of Health Sciences at Northeastern University. We believe that hands-on experiences are an integral part of the learning process, which means our nursing students graduate fully prepared to tackle modern challenges in healthcare.
Ready to succeed at Northeastern? Contact admissions counselors today and discover if you’re eligible to graduate with a BSN in as few as 16 months.
