tips for nursing school

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TIPS

FORSUCCEEDINGINNURSINGSCHOOL

Advicesubmittedfromnursingstudentsacrosstheprovince.

2012

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Note from the Editor & Contributors………………………………………………… 3

Time Management & Schedule……………………………………………………… 5

Finances…………………………………………………………………………….....10

Extracurricular…………………………………………………………………………13

Career Development……………….…………………………………………………15

Essay/Paper Writing…………………………………………………………………..17

Coping with Unexpected Challenges………………………………………………..20

Miscellaneous………………………………………………………………………….23

Final Words…………………………………………………………………………….24

Table of Contents

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Note from the Editor

Dear Nursing Student,

Congratulations on the beginning of a gratifying experience in the world of nursing! I hope the shared knowledge provided by nursing students across the province will help guide you through nursing school. Please take the advice at your own discretion.

All the best with your journey!

Janny Lee, UNB/Humber College Vice-President of the Nursing Students of Ontario

Special thanks to our contributors:

Julene Chung Lakehead University

Samantha Chin-Fook Diandra Leane Ryerson University Ryerson University John Gajasan Ryerson University Kathleen Kerr Marisa Kucha George Brown College/ McMaster University Ryerson University

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Special thanks to our contributors (cont.) Stefanie Lys Queen’s University Margaret-Hope

McDermott Ryerson University Sean Noronha Jessica Preston UNB/Humber College York University/Seneca

Poonam Sharma, Valerie St-Denis Natalia Stanichevsky UNB/Humber Alumni York University Ryerson University

Niall Tamayo Amanda Tomlinson Nina Wan UNB/Humber College Trent University/ Queen’s University Fleming College

Brittany Medeiros-Peixoto McMaster University

Jayme Paterson McMaster University

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Natalia Stanichevsky, Ryerson University

• Break up big tasks into littler ones. There is A LOT of reading to do in

nursing school, and it is always in your best interests to keep on top of them. This is on top of projects and studying for tests and exams. Since all of these activities involve reading, I break up my readings into smaller readings and write this in my calendar. For example, you have a psychology reading to do for your class next Friday. The chapter is over 30 pages. Every day I set little goals for myself to get that reading done: "Monday: pgs. 1-4, Tuesday: pgs. 5-8, etc.". It's a lot easier than reading all 30 pages at once, and will make the task seem less daunting.

• School comes before work. I was able to make it this far working about 8-12 hours a week, sometimes less. As much as I need the money, I am paying to be at school. It's more expensive if you fail a course and have to repeat it anyway. Be honest with your employers about school, they are usually pretty understanding. Be honest with yourself about how much time you need to study and complete assignments. Factor in travel time.

• SLEEP is SO important. As I mentioned above, I would advise NEVER to pull all-nighters unless you absolutely have to. Sleep loss can make you depressed, slow, sick and unproductive - trust me. I treat sleep like a job or a class, something that must be done. Clinical placements require your full attention, so get as much of it as you can.

• Learn to say No. It seems like less-busy friends need you most when you’re busiest. In this program, you can’t be available all the time. I try my best to push all my social commitments to Friday nights and some Saturday nights. Be honest with yourself and gauge how much work you have that week.

• Don’t take shortcuts. This is especially important when learning clinical skills. Our faculty advisor would give us comprehension questions about clinical skills, such as IV and medication safety. Since we were so tired and starved for time, we would copy each other’s answers without taking time to really learn. This would come back to bite me when she would ask me a question related to those topics. It took me twice as long to learn those topics. Not to mention, we are dealing with people’s lives. Give yourself time to learn.

Time Management and Schedule

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Brittany Medeiros-Peixoto, McMaster University Don't let everything you need to do in terms of assignments overwhelm

you. Prioritize, and focus on what is due first, then move on to the next "you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time."

Amanda Tomlinson, Trent University/Fleming College

When it comes to your first year in Nursing or Post-Secondary it is crucial to have a calendar with you at all times. On your first days entering into the program you will be enlisted in many different courses in the same semester. It is important to look at each course syllabus and write in your calendar each assignment due date, your seminar facilitation date, papers etc. This way you can plan when to start each assignment to ensure you have enough time to complete it with satisfaction. Always bring your calendar or a notebook to class because professors tend to give out dates for assignments or study sessions, reviews etc.

Start your exam review the first week of school! I know it sounds crazy

but by making study notes from lectures and seminars will give you more time to study in the end! Making exam notes before exams gives you less time to study and you’re cramming for your exams, which can lead to a lot of stress! Pace yourself and it will allow you to obtain and remember the material easier if you start early and review it during your reading break. Samantha Chin-Fook, Ryerson University

When it comes to time management, I'm guilty for being a procrastinator. I get easily distracted, and would much rather exercise than sit down and study. Here are some helpful tips I find useful when its crunch time. 1) Pomodoro effect - Choose one task. Set a timer and work for 25 minutes (one Pomodoro). Take a short (5 minute) break. Every four Pomodoros take a longer (10-15 minute) break. Record how much work you accomplish in one Pomodoro and see if you can increase your productivity.

2) Fill in the blanks in your timetable - schedule study sessions and breaks. Allow yourself a set time to relax (i.e. going out Friday nights) but know your limits. I schedule time to workout because it is as important to me as studying.

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Stefanie Lys, Queen’s University

It is important to review the material as often you can. There is a lot of new

material taught and it can be overwhelming. Before exams, I would study in groups with other people from my program. We would teach each other different topics and help out if anyone had uncertainties with the material. Cue cards for courses like pharmacology were useful in learning the multitude of drugs. Julene Chung, Lakehead University

So your midterm is in a few days and you still have a seemingly insurmountable amount of readings to catch up on. Don’t panic. There’s still a lot you can do. Here are a few strategies I use when the pressure is on:

1. Do past midterms and the textbook review questions. A “resourceful’ professor will often use the same or similar questions in the upcoming midterm. This strategy also helps identify areas you need to focus on while studying and the concepts you can just skim over. 2. Read the chapter summaries, figures and tables first. Doing so (along with re-reading your lecture notes) will help ensure you have a scaffold of information to build on. Once you have the basics down, you can fill in the gaps with further detail as needed. 3. Draw a concept map. Once you do you’ll begin to realize you do know more than you think you do. A concept map will help you organize your knowledge and bridge connections between concepts that were taught separately. The more connections you make, the easier it will be to remember facts and concepts during the test.

Valerie St-Denis, York University

My number one suggestion, do not procrastinate. If you are a visual person, it helps to lay out your entire semester’s schedule with all deadlines written out to help you visualize when you should begin studying, writing, etc. I also suggest as soon as you learn a new medication, write it out on a q-card including its drug class, mechanism of action, and side effects as these are handy to carry with you at clinical for easy referencing as well as studying for exams.

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Margaret-Hope McDermott, Ryerson University

• Schedule the things you have to do for the week at the beginning with rough time estimates for how long they will take

• Most importantly, PRIORITIZE. That goes for your social life, and deciding how much time to put into each assignment. If something is worth 5% you should not be spending as much time on it as something worth 20%.

• Study how you can, not how you can't. Find a way that works and makes sense for you.

Nina Wan, Queen’s University 1. Start off at the beginning with good study habit- Make sure keep you up with the readings and that you don't fall behind in class! Your professor won't constantly be there to remind you to study. There will be consequences if you aren't kept up, for example, trying to cram 100+pgs in 2 days before the exam (that was the biggest mistake I made in 1st year, first semester). Also, make friends in your class, because they can be helpful when you want to form a study group or even ask questions! Who knows, they might even be your best friend! 2. Listen in class and take notes! If you walk into your class thinking "meh, I'll spend 50 minutes on Facebook and will read the textbook later", you will end up doing that. Go to your class with a positive learning attitude. You made it to class so you might as well pay attention carefully. Fully engage your attention to your professor as they might emphasize on any important information! Normally, I would bring 2 colour pens, my lecture note, and a clipboard to limit distractions (like my computer). If there is a class that requires intensive note-taking and you'd need to bring your laptop, I have avoided distraction by downloading a program called: Self control (I also use it when I study too!) which blocks websites (Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.), for however long you set it. 3. Make sure you have free time to do other stuff- If you think about it, you have 168 hours a week, you spend approximately 56 hours sleeping, 18-24 hours going to class, maybe 30 hours studying, meaning this leaves you up to almost 60 hours of stress-free time. School can be stressful, so make sure you spend your free time hanging out with your new friends, going to the gym (super important!), taking fitness classes like yoga, or being involved with extra curricular. Make sure you keep your life well balanced!

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Diandra Leane, Ryerson University

• Go to class! It is so important to be visible and to pay attention- often times professors will give hints on exam questions and will definitely point you in the right direction for your studying as to which topics to focus on.

• Be on time, especially for your clinical placements- first impressions and

the little things do matter and can go a long way for relationship building and marks

• Clinical is not as scary as you think. If you show up on time and listen to what your clinical instructor tells you half the battle is won.

• Friends are an invaluable resource for support and a helping hand- but

don’t always believe everything you hear- if you want correct information head straight to the source, either your professors or your year coordinator.

• Choose your friends for your group projects carefully, fellow students who are like-minded in terms of goals and grades for the assignment are your best choice. Everyone being on the same page in expectations and desired result will save you a lot of headaches, potential conflicts and time.

• As a nurse, you are a piece of the larger context of the health care delivery system. In any clinical placement you will be working with people from other disciplines who may not share similar ideas with you- you must get used to working in groups and collaborating ideas with others.

• It is almost impossible to study every detail for every test for every

subject. Try focusing on the most important concepts first- the ones that will get you the most marks on a test- then move on to the details.

• As soon as you sense that you are falling behind in the course or will be

needing help- ask for it! Your professors are there to help you, and can often provide tips, perspective and what topics to focus your studying on

• If you are still having trouble with completing all of your tasks most

schools have guidance/ academic counselors that can help

• This one may sound obvious but don’t leave it to the last minute, even just reading the details of an assignment and jotting down some ideas will help get the ball rolling and help you think of ideas, the hardest part of any assignment is starting it.

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Bottom line, keep a budget. Also, do not just look to your school bookstore for textbooks. There are plenty of other ways to purchase your textbooks for a lower price – including discount textbook store, Amazon.ca, used bookstore, or online. Julene Chung, Lakehead University Having a part-time job during post-secondary studies has quite a few benefits:

1. It helps build your resume and your connections (e.g. future references!) 2. It teaches you responsibility to others and how to interact in “the real world.” 3. It forces you to appreciate and manage both your time and money wisely. 4. It helps ensure you are not that 20-something year-old who asks his/her parent’s for movie (or pocket) money. P.S. There is often a lot of competition for on-campus, part-time jobs. Start your search as early as 2 months prior to the start of the school year. For the best summer jobs, start your search as early as February.

Apply to as many scholarships and bursaries as possible. Even the smallest award will help save you from some student debt and may also add to your resume. You can start your search through your campus Student Awards & Financial Aid office. Websites like studentawards.com and scholarshipscanada.com are also helpful. Other sources of awards may be community organizations and your (or your parents’ employers). Once you built a list of awards you want to apply for, keep track of the due dates and requirements (e.g. essays, budget sheet). Most awards will require references as well, be sure to request your reference letter as soon as possible. Hint: A request letter stating why you are a good candidate for the award and a copy of your resume will help make the process easier for your referrer.

Finances

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I found OSAP to be my saving grace. I did work for a year in between degrees, which helped pay for most of my first year. However because I am in the Accelerated program, making money to pay for my second year is near impossible. I lucked out and managed to get a job during our two months of summer vacation, but even that won't cover all the expenses. I would advise everyone to apply to OSAP if they need the extra help. For both years I was awarded a large sum of money, which will definitely help during the school year. Natalia Stanichevsky, Ryerson University

• Don't spend more than you have. Tuition comes first over clothes and alcohol.

• Live at home if you can. This saved me a ton of money on rent, food, laundry and other expenses.

• Sell books you will not need at the end of the semester. Some books will invaluable throughout your career as a nurse: your anatomy book, your med-surg book, your drug guide, your lab guide, and your assessment book. These books are definitely worth keeping. There are other books that are probably okay to part with. Every year, I sell my textbooks back to Amazon.ca or I advertise them on Craigslist or Kijiji and end up making some money back.

• Keep school-related receipts and payments and put them together in one place. This includes receipts for books, supplies and metropasses/transit. You can claim them around tax time and get money back!!


• OSAP is great however, you must remember that it is not free money and

you will have to pay it back (with interest) so use it wisely. • If you live close to school try riding your bike or walking- it’s great exercise

and can save you a lot of money in transit fare. • Cutting out small expenses can definitely add up- for example not

spending money on eating out with friends can save you $40/ week (that’s over $2000 per year!)

It can sound impossible at times, but try and set some money aside as an emergency fund- you never know when an unexpected dentist bill can come up but you can be prepared when it does.

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Jessica Preston, York University/Seneca College I pay for everything on my own. Well, pretty much everything I live with my mom however, she is unable to work so a lot of the bills I have to pitch in for. I took a year and a half of from high school to college and I saved. I worked 2 jobs and banked as much as I could. What I find really helpful is writing out a budget for a month. So I took what bills I have each month and wrote them down on my white board. I also cut up my credit card with the highest interest and highest balance. I called my other credit card companies to see if they can lower my interest rate (21% to 9%!). At the beginning of the semester I take what money I save from summer and take out all my parking money (I commute to school). By the way, if you are going to York park at Black Creek Pioneer Village it is half the cost. I also recommend car pooling if you are commuting too. It makes for a cheaper, more eco-friendly drive but also good for studying and making friends. Apply for scholarships. All of them even if you don’t fit the criteria, you never know you could be the only one who applied. Check out to see if your work offers one. I work at a grocery store and head office offers scholarships every year. These help a lot when you least expect it. I have never banked on getting any but this year I received 3-they have been a HUGE help!

Samantha Chin-Fook, Ryerson University

If you have a job during the school year, realize when your must education takes priority. There is little use of having a part time job, if it means doing poorly in your classes and having to repeat the course. So yes, a job is nice but not if it jeopardizes your grades. Homemade food - Try packing your lunch, snacks, and drinks. I have found this to be very effective and can significantly reduce spending. Think about each time you line up to buy food you're spending between $5-10, multiply that by five days and that equals $25-50 per week. But don't forget to add in that extra morning coffee and muffin to get you through the day. And by the end of your day you're too tired to cook dinner, so you pick up something on the way home... Eventually everything adds up. By preparing your meals at home and in advance, you get to choose whatever you like - not to mention eat healthier and prevent the dreaded 'freshman fifteen'. Saving money and eating healthy?? Count me in!! Textbooks - Yes. We all know how expensive (and heavy) nursing textbooks can be, but they are important. Go to the first class and find out which books are required and which books are optional/recommended. Try buying used textbooks first to save yourself a few dollars.

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Margaret-Hope McDermott, Ryerson University • If you need money- get a job. Some studies have shown that students who

work do better than their non employed counterparts. • Buy things in bulk when you can, or see if there is anything you can split costs

with your roommates. • Walk - it's better for you and saves on gas/transit • Devise a budget at the beginning of the month for all your expenses and stick

with it- this is easier if you operate in cash.


Extracurricular activities always worked out in my favor. Schools might ask you for a resume when trying to place you in a placement, and they might look at your past experience to make their decision. Plus, these activities enrich your learning and make you a more well-rounded student and person. Amanda Tomlinson, Trent University/Fleming College Becoming involved with your school is one thing you will not regret doing. Yeah you may be nervous to join, step up to the plate but muster up that courage because it will benefit you in the end. In my second year of Nursing I ran for 2nd year representative for the Trent/Fleming Nursing Student Association. I thought it was a great experience; I met so many people, became closer to my classmates and was able to get a broader understanding of different types of nursing. Not only did I receive those benefits but I also received a co-curricular for becoming involved in the first place! So push yourself to go out that much further and become involved because it will benefit you in the end. (Plus it looks good on a resume and transcript!)

Extracurricular

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Jessica Preston, York University/Seneca College

I took part in the nursing games this year at Western U and wow so much fun! It was a great way to meet fellow nursing students and have fun! I also took part in an outreach to Jamaica that my school had hosted. (I fundraised my way too). It was a life changing experience. It confirmed many goals I had and inspired me to do more. I met a ton of awesome people and made some great friends. I took part in the Model WHO event last year and working a little bit as a RNAO liaison as well. The Model WHO event was amazing. I developed confidence and learned to debate. Very rewarding experience.


I found going to the gym and working out was a good stress outlet. I know most of the people in my program were active users of the gym facilities as well to help as a stress reliever. Making a few good friends in the program was also very helpful! We would have date nights and watch TV shows or movies, which was a great way to help me get through the hectic schedule. I also found having friends outside of the program or going home every few weekends helps to keep me grounded and realize that there is more to life than just school. Diandra Leane, Ryerson University • Find something that you are truly interested in- don’t just do it because it

looks good on your resume. You won’t be interested in it and most employers can tell the ‘fluff’ part of your resume apart from your the things you are passionate about.

• Become involved, you will meet new people, gain some valuable life

experience and have fun doing it. If you are an over-achiever and tend to take on too many activities at once, learn how to say no (politely) you cannot be everything to everyone, it will cause burnout.

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Jessica Preston, York University/Seneca College

Network! Go to job fairs even when you are not in your fourth year. Meet recruiters and talk to them. Any volunteer health/people related events and organizations in your community try to get involved. It's a great resume builder but it also gets your name out there. You would be surprised how small of a world it is out there when you get involved. I volunteer as much as possible. I have a steady volunteer position but I also help out with any community events and host my own fundraising events. Amanda Tomlinson, Trent University/Fleming College

I cannot express how important it is to get involved with your community whether it be a job or a volunteer position. By becoming involved in the health care field while still in school will broader your nursing skills and knowledge. Experience is important for resumes, placement practice/knowledge and bringing that knowledge to class. Either work or volunteer during school or during the summer because I cannot stress enough how important that experience is for you as a student and as a future nurse. Valerie St-Denis, York University

Everyone who graduates from nursing school are equals as we are all emerging with a BScN. What will set you apart from the rest of your classmates once you begin your job hunt are the extracurriculars you participated in. Some suggestions; get involved with the RNAO and/or CNSA, attend healthcare conferences, become a part of your school council, and volunteer. These are all items you can include on your CV and helps you connect with significant nursing professionals. Stefanie Lys, Queen’s University

I worked in a Nursing Lab with a PhD Nursing Student doing data entry during the academic year. I found this helpful as I was able to understand more of the academic side of nursing as opposed to the practical side like in the clinical placements. During this academic year though, I hope to volunteer once a week to strengthen my interpersonal skills. I did volunteer for 3 years at the hospital during my undergraduate degree, which is what first sparked my interest in the nursing profession.

CareerDevelopment

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Samantha Chin-Fook, Ryerson University Get to know your professors well - Many professors are actively involved in the research field and can provide a great opportunity for nursing students to become involved as research assistants. Not only will your professors know your name and face, but this may prove to be an excellent reference in the future as well. Volunteer in the hospital - Volunteering provides a chance for you to become familiar with the hospital setting, and encourages professional and personal development. As a volunteer in the Hospital Elder Life Program I was able to further my communication skills which assisted me in providing client centered care in my nursing career. Margaret-Hope McDermott, Ryerson University • Look for jobs in healthcare and local hospitals even if they don't seem directly

related to nursing • Find good mentors and role models • Look for opportunities in your clinical to learn and to network. • Keep up with research and explore different opportunities in nursing. Tailor

your choices accordingly.


• Any time you spend volunteering within health care will not be time wasted. It looks great on your resume and you will learn something even if it is in an area that you don’t want to work in.

• Volunteering is a great networking tool, you can meet lots of people that may even help you in the future with paid employment opportunities

• Volunteering shows employers that you truly want to be there, and can set you apart from other candidates applying for paid employment positions

Nina Wan, Queen’s University

STAY INVOLVED! I cannot stress how important staying involved with school is, because speaking from experience, when I have joined a few school clubs, or being a leader of a group, it really helped me learn more about myself, built my character, enhance my leadership skills and confidence, and best of all making new friends. What's great about joining clubs, the people there have similar interests as you so it is easier to connect and make friends with them. Learn more about your school clubs by going to the club fair that is normally held during the first month of school or orientation week.

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Jayme Paterson, McMaster University In high school, I was always taught to use plenty of direct quotes from text to support my points. However, I quickly learned that in university, direct quotes are frowned upon. Instead, professors prefer indirect quotes, as this is your own writing, and not simply quoting the work of others. Use direct quotes if the quote is so good you couldn't possibly say it any other way. If you can rephrase it and get the same message across, do so - but don't forget to cite absolutely everything you write!

Julene Chung, Lakehead University

Feeling overwhelmed, with a blank screen and impending deadline? Take

a break from your laptop. Grab a sheet of paper and a pen (yea I know, eh?). Next, take the rubric or instructions for the essay. Write down the main questions/requirements for the essay of the left side of the sheet of paper. On the right side, write down how you plan on addressing these questions in point form and with quotes from your peer-reviewed sources (keep the name(s) of the author(s) and the year next to the quote so you remember the source when you are writing in APA format). Once you’ve filled out the right side, number your points in the sequence that makes the most sense. Then type up the points in paragraph form, complete with your APA referencing. Add a grabbing intro, a clean conclusion, reference list, et viola! Jessica Preston, York University/Seneca College

APA! Find out what your professor likes. There are a number of variations to title pages. Therefore, I have always emailed an example to my prof and if s/he approves of it I save that email. If not I make the changes they want. If you Google APA OWL there is a great web site (http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/01/). I have used this along with my uni's library web site for any APA problems. Also take advantage of the supports your school offers- you are paying for them so why not use them. I have always been a good writer but I go to tutors and services all the same to make it that much better.

Essay/PaperWriting

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Natalia Stanichevsky, Ryerson University A well-written paper in a class can sometimes be a lifesaver in terms of grades. It could mean the difference between a final grade of B or C.

• Get help. Every year, at the beginning of the year, profs will remind you about the school resources. Most likely there will be a writing centre. Take the time to use this resource, especially if essays are not your forte. Check if your writing centre offers classes. I attended a few on the proper use of APA and writing abstracts. I thought I knew APA, until I took a class. They’re free!

• Keep your first year APA Manual and use it. Or at least use some sort of official guide to APA. This comes in handy when it comes down to the nuances of APA that some professors look for. Even if you think you know APA, look it up. I’ve lost way too many easy marks to APA errors not to mean this. It’s really disheartening to find out you lost marks over something as trivial as a title page or a reference.

• There is no need to put your paper in a binder or sleeve, unless it has many loose papers. A prof told me once that these sleeves actually make the paper pile heavier and are inconvenient to remove. They also technically do not follow APA format. All it needs is a staple in the corner.

Margaret-Hope McDermott, Ryerson University The only way to become a better writer is to read good writing. Take the time to read good books. Stefanie Lys, Queen’s University

Coming from a previous background in Biology, I found the APA style of writing in the Nursing Program confusing. It is a very important aspect of each assignment. I would suggest to the incomers to go to a tutorial on APA style or ask for guidance. I have lost a few marks on assignments for formatting issues, which I believe is a sad way to lose marks. Therefore, learn the proper style early to ensure you achieve the best you can! Sean Noronha, UNB/Humber College

Realistically speaking, It would be good to start your essay two weeks in advance: The first week you get all your material, and the second week you create your paper. During the second week, you can even do half to one page a day. Finishing your essay ASAP gives you the bonus option of getting it reviewed by your peers or the writing center. This will help you gain more insight on how to improve your paper and getting that ‘A’ you want.

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Most professors are sticklers for APA formatting. Ensure that you get a second person, preferably someone who excels in APA formatting, to read over your paper. It always helps to have a second opinion to see if you missed anything or help with the flow of your paper. Also, most school campuses have resources available for you that help with writing. If you need it, you can talk to the upper year students to suggest resources too. Reflection writing is an important type of essay that you will need to learn in nursing school as you will write them A LOT! Learn to be open to expressing yourself and your feelings while adding scholarly resources to your reflection papers. Utilizing the CNA, CNO, and RNAO Best Practice Guidelines are always a bonus to add to your papers, which your professors will appreciate. Samantha Chin-Fook, Ryerson University

Take advantage of feedback - Not many, but some professors may allow students to submit a draft for feedback prior to the final essay submissions. This is your chance to score that 'PLUS' on your grade. By obtaining feedback you know what your professor is looking for and you can improve on those areas of weakness. If your professor does not accept drafts for review, then still keep in mind the comments from final submissions for future essays; this can strengthen your essay writing skills. TIP: If you are struggling to meet the minimum page requirement for essays or research papers, you probably need to do more research. There are tons of nursing journals and resources waiting to be read. Knowing how to use library databases and resources is key, and if you are unsure of how to do so, ask a librarian. Diandra Leane, Ryerson University

• Set aside a time after your paper is written to edit JUST APA, it may take you an hour the first time, but it will seriously help your grades and with time you will become faster at it

• Probably the most important part of writing an essay is following the rubric (down to the letter!) it will save you a lot of time and form the structure of your essay

• If English is your second language or you just have trouble with essays in general most universities have Writing Centres where a graduate student usually helps undergraduate students. They won’t write your essay for you but they can definitely help point out where your weaknesses are and usually have tips to help.

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Kathleen Kerr, George Brown College/Ryerson University Membership Officer of the Nursing Students of Ontario

Challenging issues that can occur throughout your four years in Nursing School are: personal health issues – such as recent diagnosis of an illness or a chronic health issue, financial issues, emotional issues – such as depression, anxiety, or bereavement (loss of a loved one), etc. Unforeseen challenges can occur at any point in life however when they occur during Nursing School you can feel even more overwhelmed. This is due to the already tight schedule and then you add the shock of an emotional or financial crisis and you can hit your maximum threshold for stress. As a person who has been a part of the health care system for many years with a chronic physical debilitating illness I found my first flare of my illness during University to be very overwhelming. Just to give you some background and insight into what I have been through I have a Rheumatic Illness that is polycyclic in nature meaning I can have periods of remission and flares in my illness that cause great physical, mental and emotional strain. This strain can impede my ability to function while in school. I earned a degree prior to entering Nursing School and within my first year I had a lot of medical issues. I had physical issues getting around campus and I had multiple appointments weekly and monthly that took away from class time, my study time and my personal time. I went to seek help from my academic guidance office and that advice I was given in regards to my situation was, “That maybe my path wasn’t right for me?” The conversation did not go much further from that point. Because of the discouraging nature of the person whom I consulted for advice and because of the lack of support and knowledge she supplied me I never went back for help. I struggled alone for many years until I had my second flare when in University. At this point I was greatly involved in school extracurriculars and I asked for the help of my Dean of Students. From here I learnt about a multitude of services and coping strategies I will highlight for you below.

CopingwithUnexpectedChallenges

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I am a very honest person and thus why I am telling you the whole story as I feel it helps to learn from others whom may have suffered or are suffering with the same struggles as you. I am now a more educated and versed student in the assistance a student can ask for when suffering of challenges. My best advice for students of any year or age is be honest about your circumstances. If you feel that you need help whether a big or small challenge the best thing is to speak up and advocate for yourself before its too late. Remember you are in a program. Which is loving, caring and empathetic in nature. Your teachers will be sure to provide you with some compassion due to their professional training, so inform them of any difficulties before it affects your academic or clinical performance detrimentally. 1. First and foremost – ASK FOR HELP! If something comes up unexpectedly that will cause you to not meet a deadline or miss school ensure let your respective professor or clinical instructor know about your situation. If you can only email your professor and not see them in person due to geographical constraints then just email them as much as you can tell them about your situation via email. If you are in hospital because you are ill be sure to ask a family member or friend for help in communicating with someone at school. I find it extremely helpful to save all my faculty contacts in my Blackberry. If you have a Smartphone it is wise to save any contacts you ever need for school in this device, as it generally is the most accessible device you will have when a challenge occurs. 2. Be HONEST – I totally understand and respect confidentiality about one’s health and personal situation but when I say be honest I mean be honest to yourself. Be honest about the challenge you are faced with and be honest about what you are going to be able to handle as you go through your challenges. Balance your schedule so you can make medical appointments or work (if the issue is financial) and make sure that you do not cause yourself to burnout. This is already a huge issue in nursing so you do not need to cause yourself anymore risk of burnout especially in your education. Faculty can help adjust your schedule or your assignments so you can have a fighting chance at succeeding just like your fellow classmates. 3. Accommodations – If you have a medical issue or a learning disability or you feel you need testing/ academic accommodations due to another reason it is always wise to book an appointment with your Accommodation Service at your school. Even if you feel one semester your health/ situation should be okay its better to have the paperwork prepared and submitted so that your professors can be aware of your situation before its too late. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

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Examples of Toronto School Accommodation Services: George Brown College – Accessibility for Students http://www.georgebrown.ca/accessibility/ Ryerson – Access Centre http://www.ryerson.ca/studentservices/accesscentre/index.html 4. Embrace your emotions – and by this I mean FEEL your emotions, cry when you need to, be angry when you need to, be alone when you need to, be around others when you need to, but productively deal with your emotions. If you feel angry, sad, depressed, happy or maybe even ecstatic show these emotions in a positive way. If you are going through a new challenge or a continuing challenge or you just need someone trusting and honest to talk to, all schools have some form of a Counseling service. This service is FREE, confidential and does not affect you academically but it helps you learn productive and effective ways of coping. A Few Examples of Counseling Service in Toronto Schools: If you are from University of Toronto they have a health and wellness centre where they offer Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS). http://healthandwellness.utoronto.ca/ If you are a George Brown College student they provide Counseling through your campus and workshops as well to help with Academic Issues such as: note-taking, test prep, stress management, etc. http://www.georgebrown.ca/current_students/counselling/ If you are a Ryerson Student they also provide Counseling in the Community Service Department. They also offer academic as well as emotional support. http://www.ryerson.ca/counselling/ 5. HAVE FUN!!! – even when the going gets tough, you can still find ways to enjoy yourself. After the crisis point of your challenge has passed find a way back to some form of fun and enjoyment for yourself. Sometimes you may need to change temporarily how you have fun due to your circumstances but there are a lot of ways to find enjoyment in life that don’t cost too much and that are not too physically demanding if you cannot be very physically active. I really hope that you find this sections informative, helpful and encouraging. I wish you all the best in your studies in Nursing School and I hope your journey to become a RN is one you will never forget and one that you find equally as rewarding as I have found mine.

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Help others. Since this is a challenging program, I try my best to help others. I send my notes to people or take the time to explain an assignment. They, in turn, will be more likely to help you when you need it.

Jessica Preston, York University/Seneca College This quote is something I look at when I am stressed and I find it a true inspiration. "Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful" - Joshua J. Marine Diandra Leane, Ryerson University I think one of the hardest parts of nursing is not just the academic, you have to be prepared for a lot of the emotional stressors like dealing with those who are acutely or terminally ill. I think this is one of the areas that can be the most concerning for new nursing students especially if they have not been in contact with death or dying before. It’s not meant to scare but I think nursing students are not well prepared for some of the emotional grievances that they will encounter in nursing.

Janny Lee, UNB/Humber College A contributor suggested that mobile apps should be included in this book. A few I would highly recommend are: RNAO Best Practice Guidelines Lippincott’s NCLEX Q & A Smeltzer’s Med Surg (FREE) Lippincott’s NCLEX Q & A Health Assessment (FREE) Lippincott’s NCLEX Q & A Essentials of Pathophys (FREE) Lippincott’s NCLEX Q & A Review for NCLEX-RN (FREE) Eponyms for Students (FREE) Epocrates (FREE) – mobile drug reference

Miscellaneous

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Nursing was not my first career. After being out of school

for seventeen years I decided that I wanted to return to school to follow my passion, to become a nurse.

Books and tutorials definitely teach you the theory of nursing. Your practicums will allow you to gain the needed confidence and skill to practice nursing. But it is your involvement in your school community that allows you to

connect the dots. Why you ask? Well, as a student I knew it was vital to do all the required readings and review before each class but what you are not taught in nursing school is the importance of going beyond the classroom setting and getting involved.

For me, my involvement in my school nursing association and nursing

professional association the RNAO allowed me learn about the real breadth of nursing. I learned the real art of nursing.

Nursing was diverse. Nurses were leaders, researchers, policy advocates,

educators, and much more! Becoming involved allowed me to meet other nurses and students to gain more insight into how I wanted to develop my career after graduation.

It was my extracurricular activities that provided the foundation for my nursing

path in community nursing. After my consolidation, I soon realized that I wanted to work in the community. I was fortunate to gain employment in public health in the family health division after graduation. This fall I will begin a Masters program and I think this is just the beginning!

My advice to students is to challenge your self by getting involved with your

school community or nursing body. Listen and learn from your mentors. You will gain confidence and reach for the stars! Wishing you all the best of luck in your nursing journey! Poonam Sharma, MN (c), RN, UNB/Humber College Alumni

FinalWords

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2012

tips for nursing school

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