Nursing student resources give you the tools to excel in nursing school and beyond. From general resources like sample schedules to specific organizations for discussion forums and mentorship programs, there is not shortage of resources for all your nursing school needs.
Though nursing school is the gateway into a noble and fulfilling career, succeeding in nursing school is not an easy feat. Throughout your time in school you’ll take on dozens of lectures and labs, as well as hundreds of clinical hours to learn how to provide the best care for your patients.
The rigors of nursing school come with pressure, especially if you are an Accelerated BSN student, but resources for nursing students can help support you on your nursing journey. From study aids and practice exams to online communities and mentor networks, there’s a resource for almost any challenge you may face in nursing school. By understanding the variety of available resources, you can start to create your own success plan for nursing school.
The Best Nursing Student Resources for Academic Success
Keeping everything you’ve learned in your nursing courses straight is a significant challenge. From anatomy and physiology to administering medications and bedside manner, learning how to be a nurse comes with taking on plenty of information across many subject areas. Being aware of the resources available to you as a nursing student can be the difference between struggling and excelling in a given course.
If you’re just starting your journey in nursing school, it can be helpful to hear how students have made it through. This knowledge can help prepare you and equip you with helpful tools for success. Read on and find several helpful resources on what to expect as a nursing student.
- Success tips for nursing school
- A sample day-in-the-life schedule of a nursing student
- First day of clinical resources
Top Nursing Websites for Students
Once you’ve begun as a nursing student and established a routine schedule for classes and studying, there are plenty of resources to help you remember the content you learn in class and prepare for upcoming exams. These resources can be studying tools for you as you progress in the program and can help you figure out how to most effectively study.
Websites for Study Aids and Practice Exams
Plenty of websites exist to help you create flashcards or create mnemonic devices for studying. These can be quite helpful, but academic success as a nursing student requires more than memorization. Knowing the unique way that nursing tests evaluate your learning, and adjusting your study patterns to match, is essential.
Test-taking skills can then translate to the NCLEX exam (required to attain nursing licensure) after the end of the program. Some the best nursing study resources and practice exams to kickstart your studying include:
- Sample nursing quiz questions
- Test taking strategies for nursing students
- NCLEX Tips
- Understanding the NCLEX exam
Online Communities for Nursing Students
Finding communities to support you throughout your time in nursing school is important. Family and friends are great options, but sometimes, having people who understand exactly what challenges and struggles you’re going through can get you past those initial roadblocks.
Nursing cohorts, advisors and professors are great resources for you to rely on, but there are also online opportunities for nurses to be even more connected to those in the profession.
These online communities are great for nursing students while they’re in school, and some of these resources can also benefit you after graduation.
- Allnurses – This online community hosts with discussion forums on a variety of nursing topics such as specialty areas, career questions, education, current healthcare topics and more.
- Nurse.com – This online platform is one of the largest online communities for nurses with a wide range of resources including forums, networking and blog articles on current healthcare topics.
- Nurse.org – Nurses looking for connection and advice within the healthcare field can find plenty of resources and forums on this platform. They also post professional development resources for continuing education or pursuing different specialty areas.
- American Nurses Association (ANA) – Unlike the other resources, this community does require a membership to access all the resources and organized events. The ANA focuses more on professional development and career advancement and is a good resource for nurses to engage in discussion on current healthcare topics.
Why should you join a professional nursing organization? There are many benefits to these networks toward your career as a nurse.
Peer and Mentor Support Networks
As both a nursing student and a practicing nurse, it’s important to keep furthering your knowledge of best practices in the healthcare field by investing in mentorship and fellowship with other nurses. In addition to this, these networks can be great outlets for support among nurses, which can be beneficial both for your nursing craft and your mental health during some of nursing’s more stressful scenarios.
Below is a list of places to look for mentorship support networks both online and in-person. Understanding what programs will benefit you and your needs is essential to receiving the most benefits from these resources.
- The American Nurses Association is a great resource for online forums and articles. If you are a member, they offer an exclusive benefit designed to match new RNs with more experienced nurses. Unless you happen to live in the same area as your mentor, this program is entirely online through video and phone calls.
- Work-based mentorships through the facility you work for are worth inquiring about. Some human resources departments will have an internal mentorship program that you can take advantage of, which can in turn give you more connections within your career.
- Your cohort throughout nursing school will be a great resource for peer support networks. Your fellow students will share your academic experience, so you’ll always be in contact with people who understand the rigors of earning a nursing degree. Try finding common ground and connecting with them. You may find study partners or even close friends.
Shadowing experienced nurses working in your specialty area is another way to gain valuable advice. Find out what shadowing looks like in the field of nursing.
Additional Resources for Nursing Students: Tools for Clinicals and Beyond
As a nursing student, you can never have too many skills, and you may find some resources work better for you than others. Each resource you try may not be useful for you, but by trying new techniques, you learn what works for you and what doesn’t. Look into nursing school study resources for clinicals and beyond that can hopefully jumpstart your nursing career.
- Tips for maintaining a school-life balance will be helpful when creating your schedule and finding where everything fits. Skills like time management and organization are important to consider when attending nursing school.
- Apps - Consider looking into apps available to you that can help with creating care plans or drug cards for classes. There are a variety of options with different benefits and drawbacks, so doing your own research and trying a couple of them out will help you figure out the best techniques for your study.
- Books - There is no shortage of nursing resource books that can assist you with mnemonic devices and other study resources. It’s important to remember, though, that your school’s textbooks and resources are your first resource to find what will be on your exams. These can be a great supplement but not a substitution.
Finding the Nursing School for You with Find Nursing Schools
Perhaps the most important resource in getting your nursing career started is the school you go to. Picking a nursing school can be an overwhelming process, but with Find Nursing Schools, we bring the best options to you. With partners across the country, you’re bound to find the school that best fits your needs.
If you’re ready to take that first step toward pursuing your nursing career, we’re here to help. Simply fill out our online form to be connected with the right nursing program for you.
