Top 10 Rules for Nursing Students Success

Every student nurse faces challenges throughout their education; whether it comes in the form of home, work, children, family, difficult subject matter… the list of potential distractions is endless. But how do you cope with these challenges? After surveying our Unitek College faculty, we came up with this list of the top ten rules for nursing students, which we hope will help our students continue successfully down the path to attaining their RN, LVN or BSN.

Rule #10: Follow Instructions

Okay, okay… you may think this is an obvious choice, but you would be surprised at how infrequently this rule is followed. For example, when an instructor asks you specifically for 3 double spaced pages of written work, don't turn in 3 1/2; more is not necessarily better. Many students create more work for themselves this way, and don't wind up with the grades they deserved because they didn't follow directions. Don't risk it! Finish the project in the way it was outlined.

Rule #9: Pay Attention to Details

Being detail-oriented now prepares you for your work life as a nurse. Did you arrive on time for class? Excellent! Clean scrubs or uniform? Check. Hair pulled back? Check. Hands clean? Check. Pen? Check. Stethoscope? Check! Name badge? Check. Positive attitude? Good! Now you're ready to work, and to learn. It's best to get into these habits early on.

Rule # 8 Take Responsibility for Yourself

Student nurses must take responsibility for what is expected of them and learn not to depend on anyone else (including instructors & other classmates). Requirements for the Nursing program are no secret, and it is important to review them periodically and take the initiative to get the details you need. That way, you can keep moving forward and never be stopped in your tracks. Creating reasons for missed work, or excuses will only slow you down and may even possibly stop you from reaching your goal.

Rule #7: Form a Study Group

It's important to remember than when you embark on this journey towards a Nursing career, you are not alone. Your peers are experiencing the same obstacles with the same study material. Forming a study group is an excellent way to help each other. Let's face it: there is a lot of material to cover, and some of that is going to be old fashioned memorization.

Tip: Create a trivia game by simply substituting categories/questions with your study material.

Rule #6: Read Ahead

One of the best practices a student (any student, in truth) can routinely employ is to read the course material for a lecture ahead of time. By gaining a familiarity with the subject before class, you will take more effective notes, better identify subjects that confuse you, and participate in the discussion, instead of trying to read while the instructor is speaking. In fact, our recent graduate Tatum L., swears by this particular rule and maintains that you should always stay a chapter ahead.

Rule #5: Be an Active Participant

Nursing school is not the place where you want to fade into the background. It's where you embrace your strengths and weaknesses so that you can join the nursing workforce as experienced and prepared as possible. Ever hear the saying, You Get What You Give?

So speak up during class if you have a thought, volunteer for event opportunities or be the first one to try something new. Either way you dice it, you're going to have to prove yourself as a capable nurse in order to graduate. Step up to the plate and be heard! Engage yourself in the program as much as possible; it's your future.

Rule # 4: Ask for Help if You Need It

This is kind of along the same idea as Rule #5, but seriously, if you have a question do not sit on it because you think it may be stupid or you don't want to take the class time for an answer. That's what we're here for! This is especially important in a clinical setting, where the tiniest mistake can mean permanent damage for a patient. We don't mean to frighten you, but this is a learning process which requires your entire mind to be focused and as full of information as possible before clinical implementation.

Rule #3: Write What You Mean

When taking notes, practicing for clinical documentation, and especially during clinical rotations, make sure that you write exactly what you mean. We find that students sometimes write notes which result in more questions than information and answers. Rule of Thumb: Keep personal comments out of it.

Example: My patient is real nice, she has pain and is getting tests completed, but the doctors still don't know what is wrong with her.

How it should read: Physician's test orders completed, labs pending. Pain on a scale of 1 -10, 9, pt. responding to all questions.

Rule #2: Everyone is Different

During your nursing studies, you will no doubt be exposed to real patients, whether it's at an organized event or during your clinical rotations. Remember that your patients will not always share your values and they don't have to. They know smoking is bad for them, they know that washing their hands will help keep them from getting sick, and they know that eating McDonald's for every meal is probably not a wise decision.

As a Nurse, it's your job to lead by example. Just keep being a great role model and teach the behaviors that you want them to exhibit and you'll have done your job. It's up to them to change their behavior. Don't let your personal perceptions interfere with your patient-nurse relationship.

Rule # 1: B R E A T H E

Training to be a competent and capable nurse is, without question, a challenge; but one that you can overcome with hard work, patience and focus. But hey, we're human, and sometimes relaxing is difficult. The best thing a student can do to assert themselves and refocus in a moment of nervousness is to breathe. During tests, clinical practice, or even when starting initial clinical rotations remember to breath, stop, listen and care; take deep breaths before entering a room and let the information flow naturally.

It's important to demonstrate confidence as a nurse, especially around patients who are entrusting you with their care. As time goes on, you may find other ways of relaxing, such as meditation, jogging or swimming.