The following is a guest post by Joyce Fiodembo of InternationalNurseSupport.com
There are managers getting hired daily, and lots of nurses apply to be Nurse Managers. If you ask the staff to describe their own manager, many will simply say, “OK.” How does your staff describe you? In this article, I want to discuss how you can go from being just an “OK” leader to a great one. Having worked with all sorts of managers during my nursing career, I have seen some common traits that make some managers really stand out from the rest.
Motivation
It often begins with your motivation. What motivated you to become a manager? Do you genuinely like the responsibility of leading others?
If you genuinely like to lead and you love responsibilities, then you are on your way to becoming a great leader. Many nurses might choose the wrong reasons when deciding to become managers. Some of these reasons may include being in a position of power, higher salary, working better hours, not being a bedside nurse, or hanging with the company or organization’s senior administration, among others. Some of these reasons are not necessarily bad. For instance, wanting to move away from bedside work or seek more pay is not bad reasoning, but the question should always be the same: Are you a good leader?
Inspire
A great leader inspires his or her staff. When you inspire staff, you encourage and motivate them. You inspire people by showing them that you trust and respect them. Having a lot of positive energy and a great attitude while connecting with them on a personal level will be inspiring as well.
Delegate Appropriately
Delegation and trust is essential to being a great leader. However, this delegation should be without favoring some workers and giving huge workload assignments to those workers you do not necessarily like.
Use a system that is fair to all when you are delegating. This way, everyone can see that the assignments are thought out. Favoritism and openly showing staff that you do not care for them will cause your team to lose respect for you and your position. This will kill the motivation and people will only do the bare minimum.
Communication
Communicate your expectations clearly and listen to what your staff has to say. Communication is a two-way street. If you find that you are the only one speaking, then there is a problem. Always remember to listen. A great leader takes his or her time to listen to the staff.
Avoid being too busy to listen. Listening to your staff’s issues is the main reason you are a leader or manager in the first place.
Listen and make good judgment. If someone reports another staff member to you, investigate before reacting. Take your time and talk to the person that has been brought to your attention. Poor managers make mistakes by quickly reacting to reports from staff members before finding out the facts.
Teach
A great leader is a good teacher.
If you ask your staff to take on a task, make sure it is something you can do yourself. As a leader you are a teacher, and if your staff has any questions, you should be in a position to mentor them.
Leave a Legacy
Make it your mission to leave a legacy behind. Let other nurses emulate your leadership style because you are a great Manager.
Share your tips on being a good leader with us. We would love to hear them!
—

About the Author

Joyce Fiodembo, InternationalNurseSupport.com

Joyce’s blog, InternationalNurseSupport.com is dedicated to  writing and publishing material that will give you practical ideas as well as inspire and support you. The goal of this site is to make it easier for you to settle and thrive as a nurse.

The post Don’t Settle For Being an OK Manager, Be a Great Manager! appeared first on Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd.

Americans are known for the long hours we keep. We work a lot. A lot. That holds especially true for those who work in the health-care industry. Not only do you work long hours, but they’re long hours on your feet putting in hard work.

Even for the most dedicated caregiver, it will weigh on you, bringing you down until you succumb to the pressure. To keep yourself from bottoming up, though, be mindful of the signs of burnout.

If you utter one or many of the following statements on a regular basis, you could be on the road to burnout. If they all sound familiar, you might already be there.

I’m so exhausted

If you wake up from a solid night’s sleep and you’re exhausted before you get to the bathroom, you have a problem. That exhaustion clings to you throughout your day and comes in waves of emotional to mental to physical exhaustion.

I’m so irritated

Do you just wish everyone would leave you alone? And not just coworkers you’ve always found to be annoying, but also your family and friends? When you’re burnt out, you isolate yourself from others to the retreat of your own private world. You have no use for activities and people you used to find interesting.

I’m so negative

Do you feel like everything you do has no purpose and that you’re helping no one – including yourself? Things you used to be optimistic about, such as your career path and employer, are now sources of negativity?

I’m sick all the time

Chronic stress does nasty things to your immune system. It will weaken your defenses and you’ll become more susceptible to infections and colds.

I can’t concentrate

When you’re chronically exhausted, you’ll start to experience cognitive problems. Do you have trouble concentrating? Can’t hold your attention for long? Always forgetting details? People smarter than us have done the research on this. They’ll tell your brain was designed for short bursts of stress and can’t handle the prolonged stress you’re feeding it.

I’m so not into this

When you’re emotional exhaustion overtakes the passion you have for your work, you may feel like you’re tapped out. Like you’ve got nothing left to give. All those aspirations you once had are now just annoying reminders of how things used to be.

I’m so unhealthy

Can you remember the last time you went to the gym or cooked a healthy meal at home? No? That’s not good. Are you self-medicating for ailments like lack of sleep and low energy? That’s not good either.

So, is this you?

If this sounds all too familiar, you need to take a step back and reclaim your life and your passion. Continuing to pour yourself into your job, hoping it will get better, won’t work. It hasn’t worked so far, has it?

You’re giving away most of your energy to something you don’t even enjoy. That doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Thanks for reading,

–Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd

The post How to not Burn out in the Medical Field appeared first on Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd.

There’s no shortage of blogs out there devoted to the field of nursing. Some take a serious look at the troubles and future of the profession and some just look to have a good laugh at the craziness nurses encounter on a daily basis.

We’ve scoured the blogosphere and have found five blogs we think you should be reading.

Madness: Tales of an Emergency Room Nurse

emergency-room-nurse.blogspot.com

Following the adventures of a veteran nurse in an inner-city emergency room, this blog tells it like it is. It is not for the faint of heart. But let’s face it, if you’re a nurse, you’re not faint of heart.

The writer doesn’t shy away from any topic, not even corporate politics of health care. The blogger writes as someone who’s spent time working in less than ideal health-care environments, which is something almost any nurse can sympathize with. Faulty equipment, annoying patients, rude doctors — this blog covers them all. If you feel like no one understands what you go through as a nurse, read this blog.

Digital Doorway

digitaldoorway.blogspot.com

The writer, Nurse Keith, has a passion for coaching nurses and uses this blog to do so. His stated goal is to help nurses live the healthiest and most satisfying lives possible.

To that end, the writer makes frequent posts about nurse burnout and how to prevent it. He deals a lot with nurse self-care, whether it be physical, mental or emotional care. But he also does reviews of books of interest to nurses.

The Nerdy Nurse

thenerdynurse.com

If nothing else, this blog’s name will pull you in. The author, Brittney Wilson, RN, BSN, is a clinical informatics specialist. She’s a technology fiend who has a passion for using technology to improve and simplify lives, especially in health care. Given her love of technology, it was of little surprise to see a recent post devoted to who nurses should be following on Twitter.

But, it’s not all about technology. She delves into nursing issues, health care, parenting and various lifestyle topics. Recent posts have discussed nursing education issues.

While we’ve given you plenty of reading to do, we think each of these blogs will help you become a better nurse and help you feel better about the struggles you face every day. Happy reading!

The post The Best Nursing Blogs appeared first on Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd.

If this you? You barge into a room without knocking. Without so much as glancing at the patient or their gathered family, you pull up to your computer and start spouting off questions without waiting for real answers. You scratch out a prescription while the patient starts telling you about their concern and leave the room before they’ve finished.

We’ve all seen at least one episode of “House.” It’s a weekly installment of Dr. House and how horribly abusive he is to his patients and everyone around him. If you work in a hospital or surgery center, you should regularly ask yourself, “Am I Dr. House?” If the above scenario sounded even remotely familiar, you just might be.

If so, you need to take a long, hard look at your bedside manner and see where you can improve. In essence, your patients are entrusting their lives to you. If you seem cold and distant, you’re not earning the trust needed for such an important relationship.

You must care

There is no way around this important step. You must care. If you don’t care, your bedside manner will never improve. It’s hard to be empathetic and gracious to someone in pain or in need if you don’t care about them. In fact, it’s pretty much impossible.

That doesn’t mean you have to take on everyone’s problems and be an emotional wreck by the end of your shift. It just means you have to be able to understand the patient in front of you. You have to care about the fact that they’re scared or that they’re in pain and you have to want to help them out of the situation.

You must take the time

Doctors see more patients now than ever before. That means doctors and nurses don’t have as much time to spend with each individual. But if you’re going to improve your bedside manner, you will need to find the time. The time to get all the facts before you rattle off a diagnosis. Time to understand exactly what the patient is trying to convey about their symptoms. Time to explain to the patient what and why you have prescribed.

By rushing through your interaction with a patient, you aren’t giving them the time they need to feel secure in what you’ve prescribed. It also gives them the feeling you don’t care. Neither leaves the patient with a good feeling about you as a health care provider.

You must listen

This is a direct descendent of taking time. It doesn’t just mean you have to physically spend more time in the room with a patient. You have to listen to them while you’re there. Even if they don’t know what they’re talking about and are wasting your time, listening to a patient puts them at ease and shows them you really care.

A final thought

This can be you. Knock first and enter with a smile and an outstretched hand. Make eye contact with the patient and their family. Turn and face the patient while they tell about their concerns and respond with kind reassurance. Do this, and no one will ever question your bedside manners again, much less call you Dr. House.

Thanks for reading,

–Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd

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Life in hospitals and surgery centers is chaotic at best. You run from the moment you walk in the door until the moment you walk back out. Sometimes, you get to stop for lunch. And if you didn’t pack a lunch, that means you’re hitting the vending machines or cafeteria. Both options are hard on your waistline and your wallet.

Many people take those less healthy options because they don’t think they have the time to pack a good, healthy lunch. But, with a little planning, you’ll be well on your way to a slimmer waistline and a fatter wallet!

Plan ahead

Planning ahead is the most important aspect of packing lunches. Keep the pantry stocked with healthy lunch options at all times. And keep your lunch supplies in mind when making your shopping list.

If you want to take the planning a step further, make a lunch plan for the week. That takes the guess work out of the whole process. Not planning ahead will leave you susceptible to the temptation of just grabbing fast food instead.

Pack ahead

When you’re in a rush to get off to work, it’s not the time to be thinking about and packing a lunch. Pack the night before and save yourself the hassle and opportunity to forget in the morning.

When you get home of an evening, make the next day’s lunch part of your evening routine. When you get home from work, clean out your lunch bag and containers and leave them setting out on the counter to be filled after dinner. Out of sight, out of mind is your worst enemy.

Pack smart

You should make an investment in good, useful containers. Containers with dividers will be your best friend! Keeping foods separated will help your lunch not turn to a big blob by the time you’re ready to eat it. You’ll also need a supply of good quality ice packs.

The Internet is full of tips on keeping your lunches from becoming soggy messes. For example, to keep peanut butter and jelly sandwiches from getting soggy, put peanut butter on both pieces of bread and keep the jelly in the middle. Do some Googling and see what helpful tips you can find.

Plan for leftovers

Leftovers make a great, easy lunch the next day, if you have them that is. So make sure you will have leftovers. When you’re cooking dinner, cook an extra chicken breast or pork chop for your lunch. Set it aside before dinner to ensure it’s not eaten.

If you’re having casserole, freeze a small portion for an easy, grab-and-go lunch later in the week.

Put your plans on ice

Not only can adding frozen items to your lunch help the ice pack keep everything chilled, but there is no shortage of tasty options that come from the freezer! For example, make a smoothie the night before and throw it in the freezer. By the time your lunch break rolls around, it should be melted to the perfect smoothie consistency and be a nice, healthy addition to your lunch.

Here’s another area where you can look to the Internet for more tips. Here’s one: Throw your bread into the freezer the night before. It’ll help keep your lunch meat cold until lunch time.

Plan to forget

In the morning, when everything is rushed, you’ll have a lot on your mind. Having just eaten breakfast, lunch will probably not be one of them. So, plan to forget. Leave yourself reminders to grab your already-packed lunch out of the fridge. Put a Post-It note on the door, leave your keys by the fridge, whatever it takes.

If your lunch is packed in the fridge minus the smoothie in the freezer, put a note on the bag to remind you to grab the smoothie, too.

A final word

Plan, plan, plan. Planning is the only way you’re going to have success with making a habit of brown-bagging it. It may seem overwhelming at first, but you’ll get the hang of it and wonder why you ever ate at the cafeteria.

Thanks for reading,

–Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd

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Nurses and doctors have high-pressure jobs and spend much of their day in stressful situations. That’s
bound to cause some problems between co-workers. Whether it’s a nurse/doctor relationship, which is
known to be strained anyway, or two nurses working together, there are bound to be flair-ups when the
pressure is on.

If you don’t keep it in check, your working relationships will deteriorate rapidly, making even the easiest of shifts feel stressful. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

You’re all in this together

You don’t wake up one more and magically become part of a team just by showing up. Being on a team is a commitment. You have to put the work in at practice (i.e. having each other’s back in the everyday workplace) as well as at the big game (i.e. when a major medical disaster strikes). Being on a team means you don’t get to pick and choose when you’re willing to play for the good of the team.

It also means even when things aren’t going well and it’s clear you’re going to lose the game, you stick it out to the end and support each other in the loss. Knowing you’re all on the same team no matter what makes the stressful situations not seem so bad because you know you’re not alone.

Go ahead, laugh about it

Laughter is the best medicine. Didn’t they teach you that in medical school? Yes, your profession is important and so is the work you do, but don’t let it cause you to take your job and yourself too seriously. When there’s time to relax and share a laugh with the team, do so.

Want to make some quick friends at the hospital, learn a few jokes – tasteful, of course – and share them freely. When a co-worker has had a bad day, you’ll be prepared to lift their spirits. One day, they’ll return the favor.

Put a smile on your face

I’m sure you’ve walked into a gas station to find a frowning clerk who hates her job and wants nothing more than to not be where she is. Is that you? If a stranger saw you making rounds, would he or she think the same thing of you? It might sound trite, but smile. Even if you’re in a foul mood and don’t want to, do it anyway. Your frown is contagious, just like your smile. Which would you rather share?

There’s a quote that goes, “If you encounter a jerk in the morning, he’s a jerk. If you encounter jerks all day long, you’re the jerk.” You get back what you put out. So if you’re walking around emanating negativity, guess what you’ll receive?

Keep yourself in line

The next sentence is one you don’t hear very often, if at all. It’s all about you. It’s likely taking you a moment to digest the big contradiction attached to such a small sentence. Despite hearing so often that it isn’t about you, this is one area where you need to throw that mentality out the window. Because when it comes to maintaining good relationships with other nurses and doctors when working in a stressful environment, there’s really only one thing you can control. You.

You control how your react to stressful situations. You control how you react to others’ behavior in those same situations. You control how you speak to others when you’re stressed. You, you, you. Get a handle on you, and dealing with everyone else will be a cinch.

Thanks for reading,

–Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd

The post How to be a Great Coworker in a Stressful Environment appeared first on Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd.

When many people think of nursing, they think of “Grey’s Anatomy.” They see nurses as people wearing scrubs who work in emergency rooms. There are certainly many nurses who fit that description, but there are even more who do not.

Nursing can be a very specialized field. With around 80 nursing specialties, you have no shortage of options from which to choose. And once you make the decision to specialize, your work has only begun.

Internal research

All nursing environments include patients, doctors and treatments, but some may be better suited for you than others. To start looking for your niche in nursing, you need to study yourself first.

You need to do some honest self-evaluation. If you’re not a fan of kids, pediatrics nursing is likely not the niche for you. If you’re a bit clumsy, surgical nursing is not for you. But if you love the older generations, geriatrics nursing might be a good fit. If you thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure situations, emergency nursing is for you.

Once you know what your preferences and skill sets are and aren’t, you’re ready to move on to step two.

External research

There are so many nursing specialties that even seasoned nurses likely couldn’t name them all. For instance, did you know there’s a specialty referred to as forensic nursing. This field works with victims and perpetrators of violent crime. There are an estimated 7,500 nurses filling these roles.

With so many possibilities, you have plenty of homework to do. The Internet can be a good place to research which fields best suit your needs, wants and abilities. Then, after you’ve narrowed down your options some, talk to nurses in those fields or to nursing instructors for a better idea of the environment and demands of the job.

Make a plan

Now that you’ve decided which field is right for you, you need a plan. This isn’t a short-term plan. To become specialized, you need to look in the five- to 10-year range. Specialization often requires special certification from a professional board or association. This can sometimes include passing an examination or even completing a certain amount of work in the field. Oftentimes it requires additional education.

A final thought

Many people who enter the field of nursing do so because they feel like it’s where they belong. Finding your niche or specialty can make you feel even more at home in your chosen career.

Thanks for reading,

–Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd

The post Finding Your Niche in Nursing appeared first on Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd.

So, you want to be a nurse? Finding a nursing school can prove a daunting task. There’s no shortage of programs out there, and they’re not all created equal.

Fortunately, U.S. News ranks nursing schools across the country based on surveys sent to deans, faculty and administrators. Respondents were asked to rate each school according to its reputation for scholarship, curriculum, and the quality of faculty and graduate students.

Though the full list goes on for a mile, we’ve opted to share with you the top five rankings of the 2013 edition of U.S. News Best Colleges rankings for nursing schools and programs. According to the report, the first three listed tied for first place.

Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Md.

Total undergrads: 4,744
First-time, degree-seeking freshmen: 1,236
Degree-seeking undergrads: 4,725
Graduate enrollment: 1,693

The Johns Hopkins University East Baltimore campus is home to the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, Bloomberg School of Public Health, and The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The university works in conjunction with the hospital, allowing nursing students a chance at real-world experience.

The university’s nursing program has its own simulation center with responsive mannequins, allowing students to learn in an immersive, realistic patient environment. The center boasts two simulated patient rooms, a central control room and two debriefing rooms.

According to the university, 88 percent of its 2010 Bachelor of Science nursing graduate survey respondents found jobs within 6 months.

University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pa.

Total undergrads: 9,756
First-time, degree-seeking freshmen: 2,400
Degree-seeking undergrads: 9,756
Graduate enrollment: 6,873

The school of nursing’s options include nursing administration, gerontology, psychology, mental health, pediatric and family health. Students have the option to be certified as a nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist.

The university also has a simulation lab aimed at giving students the most realistic experience possible. The university partners with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Its classrooms are equipped with the latest hospital-based electronic medical records technology, and the school is home to one of the first PACE practices operated by a school of nursing.

Its nursing researchers receive top federal grants and engage in interdisciplinary activities.

University of Washington
Seattle, Wash.

Total undergrads: 29,397
First-time, degree-seeking freshmen: 5,579
Degree-seeking undergrads: 27,365
Graduate enrollment: 10,278

Studying in one of the clinical nurse specialist or nursing practitioner programs, nursing students can prepare for careers in community nursing, critical-care nursing, psychiatric mental health nursing, adult, gerontology, and family and pediatric nursing.

The school has clinical partner relationships with institutions across the nation that expose students to more than 1,200 physicians and nurses. Six medical centers local to the university provide expert nurses as loaned faculty to the school of nursing.

The School of Nursing ranked No. 2 in research funding. In 2011-2012, the school received a total of $16,496,158 in grant dollars.

University of California
San Francisco, Calif.

Total undergrads: 5,459
First-time, degree-seeking freshmen: 1,042
Degree-seeking undergrads: 4,934
Graduate enrollment: 2,621

The University of California at San Francisco School of Nursing offers programs in pediatric, community, psychiatric, geriatric, medical and family health nursing.

Graduate students and postdoctoral fellows receive research mentorship from faculty with international reputations and contacts.

The school offers interprofessional training among its health sciences campuses, which include schools of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy. In addition to its state-of-the-art simulation lab, students have access to dozens of clinical settings that include UCSF Medical Center and San Francisco General Hospital.

University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, N.C.

Total undergrads: 17,895
First-time, degree-seeking freshmen: 3,865
Degree-seeking undergrads: 17,422
Graduate enrollment: 8,275

Like the other programs, the university’s nursing school offers programs for nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists, as well as giving students the option to enroll in the nursing service administration program.

The school maintains clinical partnerships in North Carolina and across the nation. It’s one of only a few schools that house a Biobehavorial Laboratory, which houses a number of instruments for the monitoring of physiologic parameters of patients.

The nursing school is expanding its efforts in human patient simulation, psychiatric-mental health nursing and geriatric nursing. Each year, an increasing number of students participate in a clinical experience abroad.

A final thought

Well, there you have it, the top five. And while your perfect fit might not be listed above, you now at least have a jumping-off point for your research.

Thanks for reading,

–Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd

The post Top 5 Nursing Schools in the USA appeared first on Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd.

Struggling your way through nursing school, you told yourself that you could have a life on the other side. And then you got that nursing license and were met with the extreme physical demands and taxing schedules that come with the profession. So much for your social life.

Just like their counterparts in nursing schools, nurses struggle to maintain a healthy balance of work and social life. And a lot of nurses just don’t find that balance and have a lonely existence. But that doesn’t mean you have to be one of them.

How? Well, just like anything else you want to accomplish in life, you have to go about it with purpose. If not, your social life will fall victim to your tired feet and late shifts.

SET GOALS

You likely have goals established for your nursing career. But what about your personal life? Do you know what it is you want to achieve there? If not, you should.

How can you expect to hit a target if you aren’t even looking at it? Whether it to be train for a marathon or travel more, your goals should be a solid plan and not an abstract thought of possibilities. Possibilities is where the words “someday I will” live.

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DAYS OFF

Regardless of your schedule – even if you’re saddled with the dreaded swing shift – you will have some days off. You need to make the most of those precious days. In most cases, that will take planning, especially since your family and friends will likely not be on the same schedule as you. When you get your schedule, sit down with your friends and put dates on the calendar. Leave the pencils at home. You’re writing in ink. You need to plan the rest of your life around these plans with friends.

ENJOY SOME TIME ALONE

Being on a different shift than your family and friends can have its benefits. You can have special me days without the guilt of leaving everyone home alone. Spend a day off doing all the things you love to do. Eat at your favorite restaurant, hit the gym, hit the trail, catch a movie, get your nails done. Whatever you want. It’s your day.

SUCK IT UP

When your shift ends, you just want to go home and relax. But that’s not always the best answer. If your friends are meeting for drinks after work, ignore your aching feet and join them.  In most cases, you’ll be happy you did and will probably even be more relaxed than if you went home.

A FINAL THOUGHT

You can reclaim your social life with four simple words: “Make it a priority.” If you don’t, no one else will.

Thanks for reading,

–Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd

The post How to Live a Normal Life as a Nurse appeared first on Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd.

It wasn’t easy, but you finally got accepted into nursing school. Little did you know, that was the easy part. Now comes the real work: surviving it all.

In nursing school, you’re given mountains of information to process and little time to do it in. To say the least, it can be overwhelming. When you find yourself getting frustrated and thinking it’s impossible, remember that many came before you and survived.  Here’s our survival guide to help you join their ranks.

1. Have a game plan

At the start of the semester, buy a personal organizer and record every meeting, test and lab, and even reserved studying time. Of course the semester has barely started so there’s much to come, but at least get yourself ahead of the game.

2. Learn the art of time management.

You’ll have a lot of classes, study groups, group projects and lab times; plus, you have to eat and sleep somewhere in there. Be diligent about how you spend your time on each area requiring your attention. Developing a study plan from the start will help you not be overwhelmed later on.

3. Be OK with your life being on hold

In nursing school, you will eat, sleep and bleed nursing. It will consume most, if not all, of your free time. You’re not just working toward a piece of paper, you’re working toward a new life. Keep that in mind when you feel like you’ve done nothing but study for weeks on end.

4. Surround yourself with good people

It can be friends, family, co-workers or fellow students, but find good people to fill your life with during nursing school. A core group of people who have your best interest at heart will push you when you need it most and have your back when you need a sounding board.

5. Be your own biggest cheerleader

Affirm and re-affirm yourself as much as possible. Make it a point to tell yourself you’re doing a good job every day and remind yourself why you’re doing this. Place notes of affirmation on your mirror or send yourself cell phone reminders. Whatever it takes to keep your head in the right place, do it.

6. Put yourself to the test

With so much information coming at you so quickly, it’s helpful to continually reinforce what you’re learning. Textbooks and websites are full of practice tests that can help prepare you for the real thing. In today’s technological world, there’s even an app for that. Knowing you’ve already aced a practice test can help make the real test less intimidating.

7. Celebrate big and small victories

Graduation, the big reward, can seem like a long way away. When your goal isn’t in sight, it makes putting the work in now seem even more difficult. So, find ways to reward yourself along the way to graduation. Choose small rewards for tests and projects and bigger rewards for semester’s end. Don’t underestimate the importance of having something to look forward to now.

8. Don’t panic

When you have a big test tomorrow and you’re struggling with the material and there’s no one around to help you, now would seem like the perfect time to panic. But the truth is, there’s never a perfect time to panic. In fact, there’s never been a time when panicking improved a situation’s outcome. Regroup and begin again.

9. Know your breaking point

You can’t study 24/7, and there comes a moment when you’re done for the day. The trick is to recognize that moment. Staying up later and pushing harder won’t bring you back from that point. All you’ll do is waste valuable sleeping time. When you feel you’ve got nothing left to give, go to bed. Wake up and regroup. You’ll thank yourself in the morning.

A final thought

This survival guide won’t be perfect for every student. We all study and learn differently. Take this guide and make it your own. And, again, you will survive.

Thanks for reading,

–Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd

The post How to Survive Nursing School appeared first on Empire Medical Suppliers Pty Ltd.