8 THINGS EVERY STUDENT NURSE NEEDS TO KNOW

Lexie Saige said, I quote "A Nurse is compassion in scrubs."

Like other Student Nurses and aspiring Nurses out there, I've had different questions that I've had to deep search to find answers.
Oh Yeah.. There is a whole lot more to being a Nurse beyond those scrubs to be worn.
Student Nurses are totally different from students of other disciplines. Being one, is a whole badge of honour. Within my few years of training, I've gained knowledge, I've learnt principles, and I've experienced strength.

I'm going to expatiate on 8 things, important for every Student Nurse to know.

1. Mentorship

This is undoubtedly the most important decision you make as a student in Nursing school. Being an A student necessarily doesn't make you a good Nurse. If you think you know it all from books, you're likely going to get things all  wrong, because truly, you need the counsel of one who has been there to relay experiences with.
Find your niche. Find a mentor that fits into that line of interest. Create rapport. Learn. Unlearn. Relearn.

2. Time management

"There is no time." - Every student's cry.
The surrounding reasons are truly not farfetched. The mental task of striking a balance among physiological needs, study work, clinicals, shifts, obligations, are in themselves overwhelming.
I'll share with you something I learnt to do. I treat each day as a Pie Chart. First thing every morning, I write all my tasks for the day and divide them accordingly. Sleep, school work, assignments, clinical work, recreation. They each have their place. There was no permanent rule, but I had a guide, and it sure helped effectively.

3. Study SMART

Every smart Student Nurse knows the SMART acronym.
• Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Realistic • Time bound
Your study goals have to follow these simple rules.
Another problem worthy of note is Cramming. We cram so much that we often forget the importance of these things in real life situations. Nursing examinations don't only test your knowledge, but your reasoning and practical application of your stuff.
Form study groups. This will help substantially in cushioning you academically.
Above all, Practice. Drill yourself. Practice clinicals. Yes.. Check those vital signs. Dress that wound.
Practice ideal. Get used to it. Teach ideal.

4. Online programmes

Higher education today, offers a variety of options for students. In whatever niche you've chosen as a student, you can find relevant courses online. There are opportunities to earn various degrees, from a career certificate to a doctorate. A huge chunk of these programmes are free. Only your data, time, and consistency are required. Alongside our traditional training, you can schedule your programme to suit your convenience, as a result, advancing professionally, and building relevance in your chosen field.
We all want to make a difference, don't we?

5. Get involved with the Profession

Majority of us reading this right now are here, but have no clue what is going on in our profession. We all just want to pass exams and become registered! No. There is more to be done. There are layers to be uncovered. It starts now. From your immediate population, utilize your student union, be in the affairs of the Profession and begin playing your part, contributing your quota. It goes a long way. Be up to date on Nursing news. Be concerned. It's important we realize the value of social media, and utilize it in seeking useful information.
The language is Getting Involved!

6. Social life

As an aspiring Nurse, you probably have heard comments about how Nurses have little or no social life. Relax, that's far from being true. Listen, don't you lose this for anything. It's probably the only thing that might keep your sanity together. This is all dependent on preplanning, scheduling, and organization. Nurses can sure be a perfect mix of goofy, geeky, funny, annoying too.

7. Remember how far you've come

I tell this to everyone who has ever thought about quitting. There's been amazingly awesome moments, there's been terrible times. It's all making up our formative years, enveloping our tales.
We're not where we started from. Looking back, you'll realize you've come a long way. Focus ahead, there's a lot more waiting to be uncovered.
Every day is a new opportunity to inspire a life, or for a life to inspire you. We're in eternal service. Service of inestimable worth.

8. Networking

Nursing is a large family. As such, diverse opportunities are created for Networking. There's no greater feeling for Professionals than a sense of someone's contagious energy. Meeting like-minded people with similar struggles and ambitions, opportunities knocking violently on your door. That's what Professional Networking brings to your table.
Securing this cannot be overemphasized. As Student Nurses, it begins now.
Attend those conferences, learn to speak and sell yourself, add value to yourself and impact lives.
Nursing of the old has passed away. We are the next generation of Nurses. Our focus must be Rebranding.
The foundation we successfully build now would be all that matters in the nearest future.




"To do what nobody else will do, a way that nobody else can do, in spite of all we go through; that is to be a Nurse." - Anonymous

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