Want to know what to expect from nursing school – from the perspective of someone who has been through it recently? This video is for you.
Stephi Nguyen originally became famous as a dancer and moved on to present health, beauty, and lifestyle – and now also nursing – videos on YouTube where she has over 200 000 followers. She is a newbie registered nurse who completed her BSN in May 2017.
The first point Stephi highlights in this clip is one that I haven’t come across in any other guide on preparing for nursing school. Besides the school fees, you must have some money saved up for expenses related specifically to nursing programs. Most of these fees are connected with the clinical assignments and include immunizations, background checks, equipment, clothing, and shoes (which must be a good quality if you are going to be spending 12 hours of your feet!).
Stephi emphasizes that while at nursing school your whole life will revolve around your studies. You will need to find a balance between coursework and time for your family, socializing, exercise and possibly even work. However, most of your time will have to be dedicated solely to studies and clinicals. “You also need to know that those sacrifices are going to be so worth it.”
Time management skills will be critical. Although Stephi does point out that for her, the more she has to do the better she does. A full schedule helps her to be more productive.
If you are entering the nursing course as a straight A student Stephi’s next point is especially for you – it is ten times harder to make an A in nursing school. Achieving A’s is, however, not that important if you study hard and try your best. What matters most is retaining the knowledge and understanding the content. It is not the same as studying, making an A on the test, and then letting go and moving on. “The skills that you learn and the knowledge that you put into your head will one day be the line between your patient and death.”
And then there are nursing care plans – a ton of them. Stephi hates care plans and said that some instructors can be nit-picking about them and seem to be out to get you. She invites you to visit her once your course is done so that you can burn the stack of care plans together.
Comments on the video fully support Stephi’s advice. “I totally relate to what you said. Everything!” wrote Almaris who is in her final year of nursing school.