Dear Zombie Nursing Students – Wake Up With These 10 Tips!
Here’s the thing about nursing: You’ll get out of it what you put into it. This holds true for the entire lifespan of your career. As a nursing student, you have to want to contribute to your learning process. You can’t expect the information to be shovel-fed to you and—poof!—you’re a nurse. It takes a bit of effort, skill, curiosity and good ol’ passion.
Didactic learning is one thing. Everyone has to attend the formal classroom and learn the basics. This is where you learn the “why,” the “when” and the “where.” How are you supposed to care for and treat a patient with a certain illness if you don’t know how the human body is supposed to work when it’s healthy? Yeah, take it from me. Pay attention in your classrooms. You’ll be thankful for it later.
But here’s the message I want to convey to all my nursing students out there:
WAKE UP!!!
I know the show The Walking Dead is quite popular these days (sorry, I’ve never watched it)—I would just like the nursing students to not take that show so literally. Lately, more often than I’d like to admit, the nursing students out there have become zombies.
They are just standing on the clinical floors, just existing. Putting in their time. Everyone has a certain amount of “clinical hours” they have to fulfill before they can graduate and eventually go on to sit for their NCLEX national certification exam, but maybe you need to do more than just “fulfill” your required hours.
And as a side note, I also remember quite well what senioritis is like. I get it, I really do.
But stop being a fly on the wall. Stop being lifeless. Stop staring off in the distance. Get off your cell phone. Stop being a “mindless corpse” and join the living.
It’s your education; you paid for it. Now get the most out of it. For all my students out there:
Ask questions. Introduce yourself to the first doctor who walks into your patient’s room. Make it known you’re there to learn. Volunteer for every piece of action happening on the unit. You will be astonished and amazed at how much you can learn just by changing bed linen. Just because you got to place one Foley doesn’t mean you shouldn’t volunteer for the next 10.Just because you’ve seen one arrhythmia doesn’t mean you shouldn’t glue yourself to the monitor when you see it again. Just because you’ve seen it on TV doesn’t mean your bedside nurse can’t teach you something. Hollywood medicine is just that—a story. Did I mention ask questions? In fact, question everything. Talk to the charge nurse and find out what’s going on during your shift. Is there a procedure you can help with or watch? Is there an operation you could observe? Is there an illness you haven’t seen before? Pick your bedside nurse’s brain about all things nursing. Become a sponge. Find the youngest nurse on the unit and burn their ear off about their experiences. Then find the most seasoned nurse and do the same thing.
Get out there and learn, ladies and gentlemen! The clinical floor is where you learn the “how.” It’s the bridge between what you learn in the classroom and how it is applied in everyday practice.
Don’t slide through your nursing school years just to “get through it.” Grab that bull by the horns and make your own path. Find a passion to learn. That passion to learn will spill over into the compassion your patients so greatly deserve when you care for them.
Photo Credit – Thinkstock | Fuse
Article shared from Scrubs Magazine
Learn More:
National Nurse Week
National Nurses Week is celebrated annually from May 6-12 ending on Florence Nightingale's birthday. The American Nurses Association (ANA) first recognized the week in 1990, and in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Psychiatric Nursing
While physical health is undoubtedly important, so is Mental Health. Millions of Americans are affected by mental illness each year. Psychiatric Nurses have the specialized…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New BSN Info Sessions – Register
The on-campus Information Session aims to offer valuable insights to individuals considering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. Reserve a Spot…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
RNs ready to pursue more?
Are you a Registered Nurse wondering what the next step is in your career? Considered your BSN? Sumner College's RN to BSN program can get…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nurses Influence the Health and Wellbeing of Patients Every Day
As individuals, nurses directly influence the health and wellbeing of patients every day. Through frequent contact, nurses are best placed to encourage lifestyle changes in…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Changes in Nursing
Changes in nursing involve a major shift in higher education standards, requiring more nurses to hold a 4-year bachelor of science in nursing (BSN). The…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Trades make a comeback with Gen Z Workers
America’s skilled trades — from nursing and plumbing to welding to construction — need more workers as boomers retire. Gen Z-ers are stepping up to fill…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Congratulations, Sumner College Graduates: Embracing New Beginnings
Congratulations to the new Sumner College nursing graduates. As the tassels are flipped and mortarboards soar into the sky, a chapter closes, and another begins.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
April BSN Info Sessions
Have you considered being a nurse and working in the healthcare industry? Attend an information meeting with Sumner College to learn more about the BSN…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
The State of Wellness: Everything You Need to Know About the Oregon State Board of Nursing
You have likely heard about the Oregon State Board of Nursing (OSBN), but how does the organization interact with and support Oregon nurses? Join us…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
OCN Explores Nursing Wages in New Research
Article & Photo Shared from Oregon Center for Nursing How much do Oregon nurses really make? The well-being of Oregon’s nursing workforce is a guiding initiative for…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
New Classes Start Today!
March classes start today! Welcome to our new BSN, PN and RN-BSN students.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Alex – Sumner College Graduate
Alex, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Alexandra – Sumner College RN to BSN Graduate
Alexandra, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Renee – Sumner College Graduate
Renee, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Serena – Sumner College Graduate
Serena congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Amanda – Sumner College Graduate
Amanda, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Natalie – Sumner College Graduate
Natalie, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Now Hiring
Are you a healthcare educator? Sumner College is looking for our next Nursing Educator to join our team. This is a part time position. Read…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Erin – Sumner College Graduate
Erin, congratulations on your graduation! As you’ve embarked on your nursing journey, remember: ‘Nursing is not just a profession, it’s a calling to serve, heal,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Exploring the Vital Role of Nurses in Heart Health
Article Shared from DiversityNursing.com February is American Heart Month. It's important to promote cardiovascular health and explore the many ways Nurses are engaged in these…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Meet Anne Marie – Sumner College Graduate
Anne Marie, congratulations on your graduation! As you've embarked on your nursing journey, remember: 'Nursing is not just a profession, it's a calling to serve,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Nursing Ranked Most Trusted Profession for 22nd Year
Article Shared from DiversityNursing.com In Gallup's 2023 Honesty and Ethics poll, Americans' evaluations of almost all 23 professions have experienced a decline compared to previous years.…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Helpful Apps Every Nurse Should Have
Article shared from DiversityNursing.com Mobile apps have transformed how Nurses provide care to their patients. Smartphones allow Nurses easy access to applications designed to assist…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
DiversityNursing.com – Helpful Resources
Helpful Resources DiversityNursing.com is a Career Job Board, Community and Information Resource for all Nurses regardless of age, race, gender identity, religion, education, national origin,…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
How to Prepare for College – Oregon Goes to School
Article shared from Oregon Goes to College It’s a plan! No matter what grade you’re in, you can get ready for your future. Getting ready…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Sumner College Clinical Partners
Sumner College clinical partnerships play a crucial role in advancing medical education and training. By offering opportunities for hands-on experience and mentorship, these collaborations help…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Commencement Ceremony
Save the date - April 6, 2024 for Sumner College's Commencement Ceremony. Celebrating cohorts: PN54, PN55, ADN23, RN-BSN10 and RN-BSN11 Congratulations to you all!! Tickets…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Healthcare Hero
Are you aspiring to be a healthcare hero? A common question from our nursing students at Sumner College is about the role of ER nurses…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn
Dynamic – Interactive – Rich with Real-world Relevance
RNs are you ready to take your nursing career to the next level with a BSN? Guess what - at Sumner College, you can achieve…
Share at FacebookShare at TwitterShare at PinterestShare at LinkedIn