Dear new students,
Beginning nursing school is the start of an incredible journey, but it can be a time of uncertainty and anxiety. These feelings are common among new students, but that doesn't mean there aren’t real and legitimate concerns.
To help you best prepare for a successful nursing education, several experienced faculty and students have provided insights from their own time in the program. We hope that reading and reflecting on their experiences and advice will inspire you to create your own strategies, develop a healthy mindset, and above all, recognize that you have an incredible network of support made up of each student and faculty member in the college.
The following nursing students and faculty offered their input:
- Professor Kristen Erekson
- Celia Taylor (sixth semester)
- Bryce Lewis (fifth semester)
- Emma Vasquez (fourth semester)
- Mike Nelson (sixth semester)
What tips do you have for learning skills and preparing for exams?
Mike: All BYU students have access to Microsoft products, including OneNote. Taking good notes is critical for success, and Mike has loved being able to organize his notes by subject/class and find them easily in OneNote. He recommends new students use the software or find another note taking system that works for them.
Celia: Going to professors for help and guidance before exams can be a game-changer. “We all go there first because they're the ones who write the exams,” she explained. Aside from seeking guidance from teachers, Celia advises students to figure out how they learn best and develop habits that fit them. Lastly, she spoke to the reality that mistakes lead to growth, explaining that “the skills she knows best are the ones she messed up on and had to review.”
Professor Erekson: “I’ve noticed that if students do a bit along the way to study each day, then they are more prepared than [if they] try to cram before the test." She also commented that "it seems like the students that are most successful have a study group or study partner.”
How can I overcome the stress of falling behind or failing?
Mike: It’s important to remember that “at the beginning, everyone's nervous.” It’s easy to feel like you’re the only one anxious about nursing school, but he says that in reality, “some are just better at hiding it.” You’re all in it together.
Professor Erekson: She emphasized the importance of striving to have to have the companionship of the Spirit. She encourages students to take time to do spiritually enriching activities. “In the three years I’ve been at BYU, I’ve been tremendously enriched by the messages in the devotionals," she said. She also referenced a quote by Parley P. Pratt about the power of the Holy Ghost.
“The gift of the Holy Ghost … quickens all the intellectual faculties, increases, enlarges, expands and purifies all the natural passions and affections; and adapts them, by the gift of wisdom, to their lawful use...In short, it is, as it were, marrow to the bone, joy to the heart, light to the eyes, music to the ears, and life to the whole being”
Should I get involved in events and organizations?
Bryce: “Just like anything, you get out what you put into the program." He has tried to involve himself as much as possible during his time as a nursing student by getting to know professors, setting up study groups, joining clubs like Spanish for Nurses, and more. Bryce remarked that he has “found that the program is exceptional because [he’s] made an effort to have those kinds of experiences,” and he encourages students to go "all in" and get the most out of nursing school.
Emma: Some organizations within BYU College of Nursing, such as the Dean's Council, aren't advertised all the time. She recommends students reach out to Cara Brown, supervisor in the Nursing Advisement Center, for a comprehensive list of how and where they can get involved.
How can I get to know my professors?
Bryce: Walking into a new class, Bryce chose a seat at the front near his professor's desk. On class breaks, they would talk and got to know each other well. That simple connection has led Bryce to be a research assistant for that professor (Dr. Petr Ruda) and even present alongside him at conferences! “We have such a good teacher to student ratio [in the College of Nursing]," Bryce remarked. The ability to develop real relationships with professors should not be taken for granted.
Emma: “The closer you sit to the front, the more likely your professors are to see you." Emma says that may seem obvious, but it makes a profound difference. She encourages students to participate in class, introduce themselves directly to professors, and even explain their goals to them. Lastly, she is a stalwart proponent of professor office hours. “TA office hours are cool," she says, "but professor office hours are on another level.”
How can I have a balanced life despite the stress of the nursing program?
Celia: “Know when to give in and when to dig in.” It’s important to devote time and energy to school. After all, Celia says nursing is a “high and holy calling” that requires dedication. However, school can’t become your entire life. Celia has learned that there are times to “dig in” and prioritize studying, but that there are also times to “give in” and enjoy time with friends, relax, and more.
Professor Erekson: “President Nelson says ‘Think Celestial.’ Sometimes, we zoom in so much.” She recalled that when she was in school, making time for exercise helped her zoom out and have a more wholistic view on life. She also cited clubs and nursing organizations as a great way to give time and energy to others.
How have you gotten through hard times during school?
Celia: Talking through a situation with someone else can relieve a lot of mental stress. She says that her mindset in a bad situation is “let’s go get a Swig and yap about it for two hours.” Taking time to listen and help people think things through has both blessed her and helped her bless others.
Mike: Mike was previously pursuing nursing and the ROTC program at the same time. He recalls a very stressful time in his life when it was always "go, go, go" with no breaks. What got him through was spending time near the temple. Not only inside, but also just on the grounds of such a sacred, peaceful place. Connecting with God let him regroup and find the power to overcome. "Circumstances didn’t change," he said, but he gained the confidence he needed.