20 SECRETS OF
Successful
NURSING
STUDENTS
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
Dear future nurse,
Congratulations on your decision to become a nurse!
I am so excited to share these twenty secrets of successful
nursing students with you as I truly believe any student can
be successful in nursing school.
By aligning yourself with the attitude and habits of a
successful student, something incredible happens. You
begin to believe that you are a successful student. And
what you believe is what you become!
You are about to embark on one of the most intense and
richly rewarding experiences of your life. But the truth
is, nursing school is hard. As it should be. The level of
responsibility you carry as a nurse is enormous. So, the
amount of material you must learn to take on that
responsibility must also be enormous.
These secrets of success won’t make nursing school any
easier and they won’t make the amount of material you
must learn any less. What they will do, however, is make
you stronger and more prepared to handle whatever
nursing school throws your way.
Throughout this guide, I have included action steps to help
you brainstorm ways to incorporate these habits into your
life, starting right now.
Ready to be successful? Let’s do this!
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
Successful nursing students…
SECRET #4
S E CRE T #1
Take care
of themselves
Make time for
time management
SE CRE T #6
Don’t always read
their textbooks
Keep
socializing separate
from studying
Avoid
wasting time
SECRET #7
Successful students
are resourceful
S E CRE T #9
Know your
preferred learning
style(s)
Know what
to memorize vs
conceptualize
Take advantage
of every learning
opportunity
SE C R E T # 1 2
Avoid cramming
for exams
Make organization
a priority
Don’t compete,
they collaborate
SE C R E T # 1 6
SECRET #15
Know how to stay
engaged, even with
online classes
Accept feedback
with grace
Pay attention to
the details
Keep test anxiety
under control
Create their own
study guides
Know what to review
before nursing school
starts (and between
semesters)
SECRET #19
SE C R E T # 20
Have a
positive attitude
and mindset
Have
constructive coping
mechanisms
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1
Take care of themselves
Successful nursing students make their own wellness a top priority. I know, I know. You’re probably thinking this
is a no-brainer. But you would be surprised how many nursing students start out with great intentions and, as the
intensity of the program grows, begin neglecting their self care as they devote more and more time to studying.
I’ve even had students tell me they feel guilty for not pulling all-nighters. Seriously? This is exactly the attitude
that leads to nurses working while sick, never taking vacation days, and burning out at the bedside.
Let’s start by setting boundaries right now, in nursing school. Say it with me…”my wellbeing is a top priority.” You
will not get far if you are constantly tired, stressed and poorly nourished. So what does this mean?
As a successful nursing student, you will do things like:
Make sleep a priority. This means
not studying until all hours of the
night, and no all-nighters EVER!
Adhere to a consistent sleep/
wake schedule
Plan ahead to eat healthy meals
Reach for study snacks that fuel
your body and your brain
Schedule exercise just as you
would an exam
Drink more water than you do
coffee or energy drinks (this
one is huge!)
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
ACTION PLAN
Now let’s brainstorm a few ideas that you truly feel you can implement along with one or two action steps to help
keep you on track. Choose a date by which to complete your action step and then mark it off when you are done.
For example, if I were to commit to exercising three times a week, an action step might be to download a running
app or score some hand weights on Facebook Marketplace.
Have fun and be creative!
Ideas to take care of myself
Action steps
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
Date
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 2
Make time
for time management
Nursing prerequisites are definitely no joke, but
nothing can really prepare you for the intensity of
nursing school. It hits like a ton of bricks in the first
week or two of classes and does not let up until you
turn in that final project or hit submit on that final
exam.
I cannot count how many students have written to me
telling me they simply were not prepared for how busy
and impacted nursing school is...and these are the
students I prepared ahead of time with my book
Nursing School Thrive Guide, my nursing school prep
course Crucial Concepts Bootcamp, or my Facebook
group! There’s simply nothing like it, which is why
having a solid time-management strategy is
absolutely vital.
The key is to use what works for you. If you’re a list
maker like I am, you might want to look into a paper
planner or a large white board so you can write
things down each week and check them off. If you’re
into technology-based planning, then it helps to
experiment with different systems so that you have it
all in place by the time your new schedule begins. You
do not want to be setting up a system or learning how
to navigate a new app or planner once school starts.
If it’s not in place by the time classes begin, then it’s
not going to happen and you risk falling behind.
Regardless of what type of planning system you use,
it’s important you make time every week to plan out
your schedule. Prioritize your most-important action
items, block out time for everything you need to do
and make SLEEP your absolute #1 priority.
Love paper planning?
Check out the planners I make specifically for nursing students, available at:
www.etsy.com/shop/straightanursing
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
Ready to put this plan into action? It starts by asking yourself some key questions.
What kind of planner will I use?
Standing commitments (kids, work, etc…)
Things to keep my life running smoothly (errands
and chores).
I will get to bed by _____ each night.
I will exercise _____ times per week.
Activities I enjoy are:
What are my non-negotiables? In other words, what
am I NOT willing to sacrifice for nursing school?
Now, you simply need to make time each week to incorporate these elements into your planner.
Looking for guidance on how to do that? Then you’ll LOVE Module 9 of Crucial Concepts Bootcamp!
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 3
Avoid wasting time
The next key to your nursing school success is to
identify those things that steal your time and keep
you from taking care of yourself or completing your
coursework.
Here are a few examples of the biggest time
thieves:
•
Social media
•
Video games, television or streaming services
•
Unproductive study groups
•
Not knowing how or what to study
•
Reading the textbook word for word
•
Household chores
What are some things that take up too much of your time? How can you set limits so they
don’t derail you from your goals?
Things that waste my time
Ideas to limit their impact
1
2
3
4
5
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 4
Know what to
memorize vs conceptualize
One of the first things you’ll hear your nursing instructors say is that you will need to start studying and learning in a
whole new way. They will tell you that the days of memorizing facts are over and that you must now fully understand
concepts in order to answer critical thinking exam questions (also known as NCLEX-style questions).
This is partially true. It is also partially false.
The truth is, you will still have to do some memorizing in nursing school. Knowing what information to memorize vs
conceptualize is key to studying effectively and performing well on exams. Successful students know this and use it
to their advantage.
For example, you’ll need to memorize things like the cranial nerves and the pathway of blood flow through the heart,
but you must conceptualize the nursing interventions for a patient with heart failure or a stroke. Here’s the best part.
The things you memorize (such as the blood flow pathway) should help you understand concepts (like heart failure).
It’s a win-win!
For MEMORIZING information, which of these
strategies will you use?
Flash cards
Drawings
Verbal repetition
For CONCEPTUALIZING information, which strategies
work best or sound most helpful to you?
Re-writing your lecture and book
notes into your own words
Creating tables and graphs
Writing repetition
Teaching the information to a
classmate
Other:
Writing a study guide
Watching videos or listening
to podcasts
Other:
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 5
Don’t always read their textbooks
Well, they don’t read ALL their textbooks. With the
amount of assigned reading in nursing school, there is
no way to do all the assigned reading word-for-word.
It’s just not possible, especially if you want to actually
spend time reviewing information, working on
assignments and studying for exams.
Instead, successful students skim the text before
class so they have a very basic understanding of what
topics are being discussed. After class, they use the
text as a reference book to augment the lecture and
fill in the gaps.
Some students will even use a truncated version of
textbooks such as the Made Incredibly Easy or ATI
study books. These resources are great for getting
right down to the nitty-gritty, must-know information.
You may come across an instructor who relies heavily
on the text. In these cases, it may be helpful to form a
reading group with other classmates and take turns
outlining the chapters. This way, you’re not reading the
entire text, but you are getting the information in
outline format. Just make sure you partner with
students you trust.
Textbooks are not novels, so you shouldn’t read them the same way.
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 6
Keep socializing
separate from studying
Having a social life is absolutely critical to being a happy and successful nursing student. The key with socializing in
nursing school is to do it when it works for you, not when you should be working.
One of the biggest time wasters in nursing school is the study group. These meetings can quickly become more about
sharing the latest gossip, venting about a professor, and complaining about the schedule rather than studying for the
upcoming exam. Smart students either set clear expectations for their study groups or even avoid them altogether.
A great alternative is to forgo the large group meetings and, instead, collaborate with one or two other people for very
focused, intense study sessions where you quiz each other and teach one another the material.
And, of course, don’t forget to schedule some social time on a regular basis!
ACTION PLAN
If you choose to utilize a study group, what are some
ground rules you can set to help ensure the group
stays productive?
What are some social events you can look forward to
this semester? Schedule these into your planner!
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 7
Successful students are resourceful
If there’s one trait that trumps all the others (except
maybe for being organized) it’s being resourceful.
re•source•ful
When it comes to undergraduate programs, nursing
school is the Big Leagues. Your professors are not
going to hold your hands, spoon feed you, or even cut
you slack on things like late assignments or clinical
days. They expect you to show up prepared and ready
to learn...every single time.
They also expect you to be resourceful because
the job of being a nurse absolutely depends on it.
Resourcefulness means you take responsibility for
your own education, you seek to understand and
you find ways to overcome obstacles. I once had a
student email me asking for the definition of a word
that is easily found in any dictionary. Not only did this
waste her time (she had to wait a few days for me to
respond), but it also wasted my time. Resourceful
students have the ability to figure things out and it is a
trait that will serve you well throughout all of nursing
school and your career.
A great example of resourcefulness is the student
who, during the COVID pandemic, realized she had no
access to hands-on learning since the skills labs were
shut down. This student had a choice to make. She
could throw her hands up in frustration and complain
about how unfair nursing school is. Or, she could get
resourceful. She called around to feed stores (they
provide food and supplies for farm animals) and got
syringes and a few other supplies used for animal
care. She now had a way to practice giving injections,
even though her school had done nothing to augment
her learning outside of the lab. Resourcefulness for
the win!
adjective /
having the ability
to find quick and clever ways to
overcome difficulties
Resourceful and successful students…
1
2
3
4
5
Don’t email the instructor questions that can
easily be answered in the school handbook,
syllabus or course schedule
Seek answers to questions about concepts
on their own, before reaching out to the
instructor
Identify resources for acquiring information
such as trusted websites or reference books
Actively engage in problem-solving, whether
it’s in an online class, in simulation lab or in
clinical
Say, “I can figure this out” far more often than
they say, “I give up.”
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 8
Take advantage of
every learning opportunity
In my book, Nursing School Thrive Guide, I tell a story
about a time when I had two nursing students working
with me in the ICU. One of them leaped at every
opportunity, while the other declined a task stating
she had “already done that before.” Say what, now?
Successful nursing students view absolutely
everything as a learning opportunity. And yes, this
includes things you’ve already done before. News
flash here... things don’t always go as planned. The
troubleshooting and problem solving that come
into play are priceless.
So, if you’re in clinical and someone asks if you want to
help or observe, say YES! If your clinical rotation isn’t
in your “dream unit”...guess what? You will still learn
a ton! Clinical time is absolutely golden so take every
opportunity to get in there and practice taking vital
signs, performing assessments, taking a health history
and assisting with mobilizing or ADLs.
Don’t practice until you get it
right. Practice until you can’t
get it wrong.
And yes, successful students even learn from their
failures. When you receive a poor grade or have a
rough day in clinical or the lab, you have a couple of
different options. You can go on about your life and
risk stumbling again in the exact same way. Or, you can
reflect on what went wrong and come up with a plan to
behave differently in the future. Guess which method
will set you up for success? You got it!
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 9
Know your
preferred learning style(s)
Many students start nursing school not really knowing
the best way to learn. They listen to lectures, do the
assigned reading and then cannot figure out why they
are struggling.
Not every student learns optimally through listening
to a lecture (auditory learning) or through reading the
text (visual learning), so these methods may not be the
best way to study.
I encourage all students to take the learning style
assessment quiz at:
http://www.educationplanner.org
(click on the STUDENTS tab, then SELF
ASSESSMENTS, then LEARNING STYLE).
Not only will you learn how you learn best, you’ll
get tips for maximizing your learning that are totally
customized to YOU.
Let’s take a moment to dive into your particular learning style!
What methods have worked well for you in the past?
1
2
3
4
5
6
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
Are there methods you’ve tried that simply did not work? Let’s try to avoid those!
What type of learner are you based on the quiz?
What methods can you utilize for this learning style?
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1 0
Avoid cramming for exams
For starters, successful students manage their time
exceedingly well so there’s never any need to “cram” for
an exam. In fact, successful students typically review
the evening before and then don’t open the books at all
on exam day.
If you’re starting to panic just thinking about it, stay
with me. Exam days are stressful enough all on their
own. Adding hectic, frenzied and unproductive
cramming at the last minute only adds to the stress.
Successful students schedule adequate time to study
and wake up on exam days refreshed and ready to
perform their best. It’s that simple.
ACTION PLAN
When you manage your time well, you set yourself up
for success when it really matters most. Successful
students trust that they’ve prepared adequately, that
they know the material and that they will stay calm and
focused during the exam.
Not cramming for exams will make me feel:
Calming activities I can do before the test:
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1 1
Make organization a priority
Nursing school is in a league of its own when it
comes to overwhelm. Overwhelming numbers of
assignments, overwhelming amount of paperwork,
overwhelming projects and reading...everywhere
you turn there’s just SO MUCH.
You’re going to take care of your study schedule by
following Secret #2, but what about all the paperwork
and digital files you accumulate? Your goal as a
successful nursing student should be that you can
locate any document, piece of paper, or tidbit of
information in less than one minute. Successful
students don’t waste time hunting for things.
They have a system in place to organize all of it.
The key to getting your systems in place is to
do it before classes begin. Once the onslaught of
material, assignments, tasks and studying commence,
it doesn’t let up...not even for one minute.
Set a goal of being able to
locate any document in under
60 seconds.
Some ideas for organizing include:
1
2
A consistent and logical digital filing system
like the one I share with you in Crucial
Concepts Bootcamp
Before you set a piece of paper down, close
an email, or x-out of an online document, ask
yourself “Will I be able to quickly find this again
in the future?” If the answer is NO, then that
3
Organizing your email into folders for specific
categories, classes or urgency
4
Digital note taking with an app like GoodNotes
or Notability...no more paper!
5
A system for your handwritten notes,
paperwork and printed documents. This could
item needs to be placed where it belongs. Don’t
be my 2-Binder System or a filing cabinet...do
save this for later. Successful students have
what works for you!
a “one-and-done” mindset around managing
paperwork and online documents.
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1 2
Don’t compete, they collaborate
To get where you are today you had to work very,
very hard. And, in a lot of cases, you were in direct
competition with your peers to get a coveted spot in
the nursing program. But now it’s time to set that
competitiveness aside and embrace collaboration.
Competitiveness within the nursing program helps
no one and fosters an environment of pettiness,
judgment and envy. Let me be very clear here...you do
not have time for that. Period. By collaborating with
your cohort, you create and foster an environment
of positivity, encouragement, professionalism and
kindness. I don’t know about you, but that’s definitely
more my style!
clinical, you’ll start to understand this, but it won’t
really become clear until you’re out there working on
your own. The amount of times a co-worker (or team
of co-workers) has jumped in to help me with a
situation are too numerous to count. Whether I’ve got
a crashing patient who needs immediate intervention,
am starving and need a quick break, or simply don’t
know or remember how to do a specific skill...I’ve
relied on the collaboration and generosity of my
coworkers time and time again.
Start helping one another now, and you’ll set yourself
up for a long, rewarding career with the best people
and the most amazing teamwork you’ve ever
experienced.
Another reason to embrace collaboration is that
nursing is a team sport. When you are working in
Some ideas for fostering a collaborative environment in nursing school are:
1
Introducing yourself to other students on a
regular basis...get to know your classmates!
2
Volunteer to lead a group project (only one per
semester!)
3
4
5
6
Offer to practice a new skill with a classmate
7
Other students may need help from time
to time. Rather than label them as lazy or
unmotivated, understand that they may be
experiencing challenges you know nothing
Congratulate other students when they do well
on an exam or in lab
Form a small study group - just be sure to
follow the advice of Secret #6!
about. Instead of focusing on the negative,
ask “Is there anything I can do to help?”
8
Help one another in clinical. Nursing is so
much more fun with a friend!
Avoid bragging or complaining about your
grades...focus on the material
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1 3
Know how to stay engaged,
even with online classes
This can be a tough one for a lot of students. Online classes are becoming more and more common,
and students often find it challenging to stay engaged and learn effectively in this environment.
Some tips for maximizing online learning are:
CREATE A DESIGNATED STUDY AREA
As wonderful as it sounds to watch your lectures in
bed, that’s not the most effective way to stay engaged.
Designate a specific study area that signals your brain
that when you are in this space, you are “ON.” It doesn’t
have to be anything fancy. A corner of the dining room
table or a desk in your bedroom are great options.
TAKE NOTES AS YOU GO
The act of writing notes, jotting down key words
and summarizing information goes a really long way
toward staying engaged in class AND retaining the
information. Note taking isn’t just for lecture-style
classes, you can also take notes off online modules
and reading. Make it your rule to take notes with every
single lesson and you’ll get so much more out of it
(and stay engaged in the process!).
GET RID OF DISTRACTIONS
This could be noise, visual or physical. If you get
distracted by people walking past your window, can
you face your desk the other direction or close the
blinds? If noise distracts you, can you get a
white-noise machine or wear noise-cancelling
headphones? And if it’s physical...maybe your dog is
begging for play-time or your chair is uncomfortable...
can you get a more comfortable chair or take Fido for
a walk before classes start?
GET UP AND MOVE
Online classes may mean you’re sitting at your desk
a lot more than usual. Make sure you take some time
between classes (or halfway through longer lessons)
to stand up, move around, stretch, do jumping jacks...
whatever you need to do to get your blood moving and
ease that stiffness from your body. And, for bonus
points, schedule actual physical exercise most days
of the week!
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
STOP MULTI-TASKING
While it may seem like “checking this one text” or
quickly looking on Amazon for your favorite pens
during an online class are no big deal, this constant
switching of tasks can pull you out of the experience
of learning and cause more fatigue. If you find yourself
thinking, “I’ll just do this one thing before I forget”
simply jot it down so you can come back to it later.
KEEP A LIST OF QUESTIONS
As you learn new concepts, you’ll likely have a lot of
questions. And guess what? Having questions doesn’t
always mean you don’t understand the material. Many
times it means you are making connections to OTHER
concepts and thinking deeply about the information
you are learning. As you learn new material, think of
questions you have about these concepts. Jot them
down in your notes and see if you can answer them
yourself as your understanding of the concept grows.
And, if they’re really stumping you, these are the
questions to ask in class or in office hours with your
instructor.
To reduce eye strain follow the
20-20-20 rule...take a 20 second
break every 20 minutes to look at
something 20 feet away. Try it now
and see how it feels!
TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF OFFICE HOURS OR
REDUCE EYE STRAIN
SYNCHRONOUS CLASSES
Staring at a computer screen can be extremely
fatiguing for the eyes, which leads to overall fatigue
and even headaches. Make sure your screen is about
2 feet away and adjust screen settings until you find
your “sweet spot.” You can also try blue light glasses or
even eye drops periodically if your eyes are especially
dry. You can also reduce dryness by blinking more
frequently or using a humidifier in your workspace.
It is so much more helpful to ask your questions in real
time than to send an email and wait not-so-patiently
for a response. If your instructor is providing live
on-line class, connect with him or her on a regular
basis by asking questions or seeking clarification.
And, if office hours are on the schedule, work those
into your calendar as well.
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
ACTION PLAN
What types of
things distract
me?
My ideal office space is located:
How can I reduce distractions?
My ideal office space includes:
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1 4
Pay attention to the details
Catching a mistake at the bedside or noticing subtle
changes in patient condition can literally be what
make the difference between life and death. For this
reason, nursing students must have an excruciating
attention to detail. Many times your exam questions
will rely on ONE single word that changes everything,
or an assignment will have a KEY piece of information
that drastically changes your approach.
I can’t tell you how many times a student has emailed
me with a question on a dosage calculations problem
where the issue was simply they used kg when the
patient’s weight was listed in pounds….details matter!
TIPS FOR IMPROVING OR ENHANCING YOUR ATTENTION TO DETAIL INCLUDE:
1
Slow down. Being in a rush to read instructions or perform a task usually results in
mistakes, wasted time, and even patient harm.
2
Read each exam question fully, being careful that your brain isn’t “filling in” words it
expects to be there.
3
Highlight key words as you read, paying careful attention to units of measurement and
qualifying words such as “none” or “all.”
4
Stay present in the moment, even when doing repetitive tasks. When your mind wanders,
this is a perfect time for details to get missed.
5
When you notice you’re starting to lose focus, take a break.
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1 5
Create their own study guides
While some instructors will provide a study guide for exams, most do not. Again, they expect you to be resourceful
and take responsibility for how you prepare for exams. This is the Big Leagues, remember? This doesn’t mean,
however, that you’re not going to have a method for studying. Successful students create their own study guides,
rather than waste time complaining to their peers about it.
SOME IDEAS FOR MAKING YOUR OWN STUDY GUIDES INCLUDE:
Use the lesson and course objectives as a guideline.
Write question prompts for each core concept...and then answer them. For example, a question
prompt might be, “What are the physical manifestations of right-sided heart failure?” or “Why do we
use diuretics to treat hypertension?”.
Utilize NCLEX review books to hone in on key concepts and practice answering questions.
Make a vocabulary list of new terms.
Paraphrase key concepts by writing them in your own words.
Consider relationships between concepts such as the differences between similar conditions
(hypo- and hyperthyroidism for example).
Distill the information for a particular concept or disease condition into a single sheet. This forces
you to hone in on the things you STILL need to review and connect key concepts together.
Create concept maps, tables, and drawings to visually show how concepts connect together.
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1 6
Know what to review before nursing
school starts (and between semesters)
While I am a huge fan of relaxing and getting uber-organized before nursing school starts, there are some key topics
from Anatomy & Physiology that can help you immensely in nursing school.
SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS TAKE THE TIME TO REVIEW THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:
Fluid compartments, fluid shifts, pressure gradients, and tonicity
Renal system physiology, especially when it comes to the balancing of fluids and electrolytes
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
Electrolytes and their key roles in the body
Dimensional analysis (you’ll use this for dosage calculations)
The autonomic nervous system and neurotransmitters
Cardiovascular physiology and the pathway of blood flow through the heart
Respiratory physiology and gas exchange
Mechanisms for maintaining acid-base balance
You can review these topics in my nursing school prep course
Crucial Concepts Bootcamp, or simply dust off your notes from A&P.
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20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
ACTION PLAN
Topic
Date to review
Fluid compartments, fluid shifts, pressure gradients, and tonicity
Renal system physiology, especially when it comes to the balancing of fluids and electrolytes
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system
Electrolytes and their key roles in the body
Dimensional analysis (you’ll use this for dosage calculations)
The autonomic nervous system and neurotransmitters
Cardiovascular physiology and the pathway of blood flow through the heart
Respiratory physiology and gas exchange
Mechanisms for maintaining acid-base balance
Now, add these dates to your planner to help you commit to your goals
and get in the habit of using you planner before school even starts.
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1 7
Accept feedback with grace
Students in nursing school are often taken aback by the level of scrutiny they’re under, especially in lab, simulation
and clinical. With this scrutiny also comes a lot of feedback from your instructors. I know it can sometimes feel like
criticism, but it’s not. It’s simply feedback. And your mission, as a successful nursing student, is to accept it with
grace.
It’s also helpful to look at it for what it is...it’s an opportunity! Someone just told you exactly what to focus on to be an
even better student and nurse. This is solid gold, people!
So, how do you respond with grace when someone offers you feedback?
Don’t take it personally and don’t get defensive.
If you find yourself saying, “Well, but…” you are
heading down the wrong path.
Some phrases to use that exhibit grace
when accepting feedback are:
• “I forgot that step. I remember it now.
Thank you for reminding me.”
• “I’ll work on that. Thank you.”
• “Thank you for the reminder.”
• “Thank you for the feedback.”
If there is an opportunity to explain your thinking
process as a way to seek understanding, that’s
great! But be mindful that you’re not trying to
“get out of it.”
If you want to take it to the next level, you can
seek even MORE feedback!
• “Thank you for the feedback. Is there
anything else you’d recommend I do to
improve my performance?”
• “I value your feedback. What could I have
done differently? What could I improve
for next time?”
See what all these things have in common?
Saying, “thank you!” Gratitude is the most
important component of accepting feedback
with grace.
Remember, feedback doesn’t mean you’re not a
good nurse. It simply means someone else cares
about you.
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1 8
Keep test anxiety under control
Test anxiety is a very real problem for nursing
students, and for very good reasons. These include a
brutal grading scale, exit exams, information overload,
fear of disappointing others, timed exams, and fear of
the unknown.
Aside from feeling confident you know the
material, adopt the practices of successful
students when you’re taking exams:
AVOID NEGATIVE SELF TALK
Successful students identify and replace negative
self talk. A successful student would never say, ‘I don’t
know this material” or “I am going to fail.” Instead they
use more positive and affirming phrases such as “I
studied hard and I’m doing my best on this exam.”
AVOID CLOCK-WATCHING
TAKE A DEEP BREATH
Successful students don’t let timed exams create
Successful students use calming techniques during
more anxiety. Yes, the timers on exams can be
the exam. These include deep breathing and tensing/
intimidating. If the timer distracts you, see if there
releasing muscle groups to relieve the body of excess
is an option to hide the timer from your view. Use a
tension.
regular clock to see how much time you have left in
the exam.
TRUST YOURSELF
Successful students have trust in themselves. They
NO STUDYING ON TEST DAY
trust that they’ve prepared well, and they trust that
Successful students do not study on test day or cram
they’ll recall the necessary information. You’ve got
before the exam. Again, they place trust in themselves
to believe in yourself!
that they have prepared well and know the material.
DE-STRESS BEFORE THE EXAM
ONCE IT’S OVER, LET IT GO
Successful students avoid stressing out before the
Successful students don’t let the stress of the exam
exam. Instead they focus on calming activities such
carry over into the rest of their day. They decompress
as listening to music, playing with their kids or going
afterwards and move on to the next assignment (or
for a walk.
simply take the day off!).
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
ACTION PLAN
What are some calming activities I can do prior to the exam?
What are some rewarding activities I can do after the exam to calm my nerves?
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 1 9
Have a positive attitude and mindset
The cumulative stress and ongoing demands of
nursing school can wear away at your positive
attitude, but only if you let it. Successful nursing
students tend to have positive attitudes, even when
things are tough or don’t go according to plan.
completely different attitude. Her exact words to me
were, “How could I be upset when I know repeating
the class will make me a better nurse in the long run?”
That, my friends, is the epitome of having a positive
attitude and mindset.
This doesn’t mean successful students stick their
heads in the sand when they have a bad day, do poorly
on an exam, or are faced with a challenge. Instead,
successful students view these moments as learning
opportunities...and what’s not to love about that?
Successful students also avoid complaining, as it
perpetuates negativity and sends a message to
yourself that you are powerless. Instead, successful
students claim ownership of their problems and look
for solutions. Remember Secret #7? Resourcefulness
definitely comes into play when you’re adopting a
positive attitude and mindset.
I knew a student who, despite her best efforts, failed a
class and had to repeat it. While most students would
look at this as an absolute failure, this student had a
Take some time to think about how you can adjust your attitude and
mindset now, before stressful situations happen.
What are some scenarios that might challenge my positive attitude or mindset in nursing school?
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
How can I reframe my mindset now, so if those scenarios happen, I have a plan to stop the negativity quickly?
What are some things I can say when classmates are complaining to help myself exit the conversation or
encourage them to stop?
Do I have a tendency to immediately jump to the negative when something frustrating happens? What are some
ways I can change that?
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
SE C RE T # 2 0
Have constructive coping mechanisms
And finally, we get to one of THE most important
things that successful nursing students do...they
cope, and they do so constructively.
Facebook group and you’ll see the burnout posts pick
up momentum about midway through the semester.
Every single semester.
Burnout during nursing school is a very real problem
and a very real risk for any nursing student. From the
relentless schedule and lack of free time to the
challenging material and pressure to constantly
perform at a very high level...it’s a LOT to deal with.
Spend enough time in any nursing student forum or
The good news is, not all students experience burnout.
Those who use constructive coping mechanisms tend
to get through the semester without experiencing the
lack of motivation, irritability and loss of satisfaction
that come with academic burnout.
SOME WAYS SUCCESSFUL NURSING STUDENTS COPE INCLUDE:
•
Recognizing when they need to take a break….and taking it!
•
Exercising regularly
•
Socializing with others, especially those outside of nursing school
•
Using meditation, deep breathing, journaling, prayer and laughter to de-stress and
process complex emotions
•
Remembering their WHY - you started this journey for a reason and sometimes it’s
helpful to remember what motivated you in the first place
•
Unplugging on a regular basis and getting away from the computer and the desk
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
ACTION PLAN
Signs I need to take a break
People to reach out to when I’m stressed
I can commit to exercising _______ days a week.
My preferred coping mechanisms are:
Meditation
Activities I enjoy are:
Deep breathing
Journaling
Prayer
Laughter
Other:
My WHY is:
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com
20 SECRETS OF Successful NURSING STUDENTS
Before you go…
I want you to go to the website futureme.org and write a
letter to your future self to be delivered at some point when
you think you’re really going to need it. Maybe it’s during
finals week or right before you start next semester. Remind
yourself of your why, give yourself a pep talk, tell yourself
what strengths will get you over the next hurdle, and show
yourself some love!
CRUCIAL CONCEPTS BOOTCAMP
If these secrets spoke to you and you
find yourself wanting more…
My Crucial Concepts Bootcamp was designed to teach you HOW to thrive in nursing school. In this
self-paced online program, I walk you through the implementation of many of these secrets.
Together we’ll review key anatomy and physiology, go step-by-step through dosage
calculations, and implement proven systems to help you get and stay organized throughout
your nursing school journey...and so much more. I hope to see you there!
LEARN MORE
https://learn.straightanursingstudent.com/crucial-concepts
© 2021 Straight A Nursing | www.straightanursingstudent.com