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Written by Naomi Burks
As you start nursing school, it is essential to understand the differences between pre-nursing and nursing school. The first semester is a huge adjustment, and you may feel like you do not have the chance to get acclimated to nursing school. So, I think it would be good to share these things with incoming nursing students to give them an idea of what to expect. However, it all starts with your mindset.
So what are the key differences? What can you expect in nursing school?
Pre-nursing is about memorization. However, nursing school is beyond that. When you study in nursing school, it is not about getting an A on every. It is about dealing with actual patients and real lives. Long-term retention and learning the information are the key because what you have learned now will be used for the rest of your career. The sooner you can make that mindset shift, the more the nursing school will be easier and more enjoyable for you.
When you are studying, you have to apply what you learn to real life. Besides understanding the textbook versions of the material you have, you will also need to know how to explain it to a patient in a way they can understand. By then, they will have an idea of what we are doing and how we do our assessment. But how do you apply those skills?
NCLEX style practice questions are your best friend! Do a lot of those because they will prepare you for your exams, but they are also helpful in developing your critical thinking. Doing case studies, teaching the content, and connecting what you see in clinical to what you learned in class will help you apply your knowledge.
Clinical is a big adjustment when starting nursing school because it is more than just your lecture courses. Having clinical and skills days/check-offs adds an extra layer to time management and scheduling. It can be overwhelming to juggle it all since pre-nursing school is solely on your classes. So, be prepared to put in some extra work outside the classroom to practice skills and prepare for clinical days on your off time.
Tests in pre-nursing are straightforward and focused on the facts, but nursing school is more about the application. Understanding test-taking strategies will get you pretty far in your nursing school exams. Here are points in test-taking that you need to know: ABC (Airway, Breathing Circulation), Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, identification of keywords, and prioritization.
These are just four differences between pre-nursing and nursing school. If you are aware of the difference, you are already a step ahead of the game! If you are starting nursing school, enjoy the journey. It will all be worth it! Believe in yourself and know you got this, future nurse!
