[TYPE
THE
DOCUMENT
TITLE]
1
TIPS
FOR
SUCCEEDING
IN
NURSING
SCHOOL
Advice
submitted
from
nursing
students
across
the
province.
2012
Table of Contents
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
2
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
Ryerson University
Diandra Leane
Ryerson University
John Gajasan
Ryerson University
Kathleen Kerr
George Brown College/
Ryerson University
Marisa Kucha
McMaster University
3
Special thanks to our contributors (cont.)
Brittany
Medeiros-Peixoto
McMaster University
Stefanie Lys
Queen’s University
Margaret-Hope
McDermott
Ryerson University
Jayme Paterson
McMaster University
Sean Noronha
UNB/Humber College
Jessica Preston
York University/Seneca
Poonam Sharma,
UNB/Humber Alumni
Valerie St-Denis
York University
Natalia Stanichevsky
Ryerson University
Niall Tamayo
UNB/Humber College
Amanda Tomlinson
Trent University/
Fleming College
Nina Wan
Queen’s University
4
Time Management and Schedule
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.
5
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.
6
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.
7
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 notetaking 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!
8
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.
9
Finances
Valerie St-Denis, York University
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.
2.
3.
4.
It helps build your resume and your connections (e.g. future
references!)
It teaches you responsibility to others and how to interact in “the real
world.”
It forces you to appreciate and manage both your time and money
wisely.
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.
10
Stefanie Lys, Queen’s University
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!!
Diandra Leane, Ryerson University
•
•
•
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.
11
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.
12
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
Natalia Stanichevsky, Ryerson University
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!)
13
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.
Stefanie Lys, Queen’s University
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.
14
Career
Development
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.
15
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.
Diandra Leane, Ryerson University
• 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.
16
Essay/Paper
Writing
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.
17
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.
18
Valerie St-Denis, York University
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.
19
Coping
with
Unexpected
Challenges
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.
20
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.”
21
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: notetaking, 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.
22
Miscellaneous
Natalia Stanichevsky, Ryerson University
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
23
Final
Words
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
24
2012
25