Helpful Hints From Previous SMC Nursing Students…
1. Don’t get overwhelmed – you aren’t expected to know everything the first day. Be serious but have fun!
2. Go ahead and buy two uniforms – it saves time and money on laundry! Also the lab coats are really handy from N15 onward, since you have to pick your patients the day before it keeps you from having to wear your uniforms four times a week!
3. Uniforms caveat: follow the dress code to the letter. The faculty is serious about violations. Even if the instructor isn’t present when you pick your patient, the staff at the facilities is aware of your attire and will report back to the school.
a. Ladies – watch your nail length, there is nothing nastier than a glove breaking while you are cleaning up patients! Ditto with hair – if it is long, keep it out of the way. You don’t want to know what kinds of things we have seen ponytails brush against. b. Gents – we recommend plastic bands on your watches so they can be washed or wiped down with alcohol pads at the end of the day.
4. If you are into saving money, try shopping for textbooks on the Internet. Some really good websites for books:
a. www.bigwords.com, www.ecampus.com, www.bn.com, www.amazon.com, b. www.allheart.com, www.efollett.com
5. More websites that we find useful:
a. www.a1scrubs.com, www.12330.com – equipment, shoes, etc. b. www.handheldedmed.com, www.medscape.com – PDA downloads (pharmacopoeias) c. www.nsna.org – information on National Student Nurses Organization
6. Read the assigned chapters before lecture – it helps immensely to understand what the instructor is talking about and you can focus your notes which saves you time!
7. Stay on top of assignments and care plans – unlike other courses, nursing classes aren’t conducive to last minute procrastination.
8. Also stay on top of graduation requirements – see nursing counselors every semester to stay on track!
9. Stick together – make study buddies – nurture and support your classmates, not only will you be together for the next two years, you may work together after graduation. Nursing school is a good time to learn and practice getting along with every type of person out there – you’ll need those skills after graduation to be sure.
10. Take advantage of the Professional Role Development points – you can earn points for having fun participating in health fair booths, flu shot clinics, the American Heart Walk, and more. Refer to your handbook or ask your instructor – remember, turn in your proposals early so you receive credit for your work!
11. Get active in the Student Nurses Association – it is the way to make your voice heard. In the past, students have lobbied to have the uniform changes from old fashioned whites to blue scrubs, lab coasts over nice street wear to pick patients, and other school policy changes that directly affected students at SMC.
12. Volunteer to be a class representative, make phone trees in the first week, take pictures and post them on your bulletin board by the office.
13. Practice your skills in the lab – it is there for you. If it isn’t open when you need it, ask your instructors or Ms. Danzey to arrange for extra hours.
14. Ask the upperclassmen to volunteer as mentors – they can help you will skills, study plans and general class advice. It is ok to ask for help, just don’t wait until the last minute!
15. Make of your education and experience what you will – you get out of it what you put into it. Nurses are desperately needed and you will be great ones if you stick with what you learn at SMC!
Revised 06/04