Understanding the Contrast Between Pre-Nursing and Nursing School
By Naomi Burks
As you begin nursing school, it’s important to grasp the distinctions between pre-nursing and nursing school. The first semester can be a big change, and you might feel like you don’t have much time to adapt. So, I believe sharing these insights with incoming nursing students can help them anticipate what’s coming. It all begins with your mindset.
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So, what sets them apart? What should you anticipate in nursing school?
1. Studying to Make a Difference
Pre-nursing often involves memorization. Yet, nursing school goes beyond that. In nursing, studying isn’t just about getting high grades. It’s about dealing with real patients and their lives. Holding onto what you learn for the long term is crucial. The knowledge you gain will be used throughout your career. Shifting your mindset early on can make nursing school more manageable and enjoyable.
2. Applying Knowledge to Real Situations
When you study, you must apply what you’ve learned to real situations. It’s not just about understanding concepts from textbooks; you need to explain them to patients in understandable ways. This helps patients grasp our assessments and actions. But how can you put these skills into practice?
NCLEX-style practice questions are a great tool! Engaging with these questions prepares you for exams and boosts your critical thinking. Working on case studies, teaching concepts, and linking clinical experiences to classroom learning will help you apply your knowledge.
3. Learning from Clinical Practice and Skills
Clinical practice is a significant shift when starting nursing school. It goes beyond classroom lectures. Incorporating clinical and skills sessions adds complexity to time management and scheduling. Balancing these aspects can be challenging since pre-nursing mainly focuses on classes. Be ready to invest extra effort outside of class to practice skills and prepare for clinical days during your free time.
4. Mastering Test-Taking Techniques
Tests in pre-nursing emphasize factual knowledge, while nursing school tests focus more on application. Understanding effective test-taking strategies goes a long way in nursing school exams. Here are some points to consider: ABC (Airway, Breathing, Circulation), Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, identifying keywords, and prioritization.
These are just a few differences between pre-nursing and nursing school. Being aware of these distinctions puts you ahead in the game! For those starting nursing school, embrace the journey. It will be rewarding! Believe in yourself and remember, you’ve got this, future nurse!
Preparing for Nursing School
The Difference Between Pre-Nursing and Nursing School
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?
1. Study to Save Lives
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.
2. Apply What You Learn to Real Life
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.
3. Learn from Clinical and Skills Practice
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.
4. Know Your Test-Taking Strategies
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!
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