Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system; they provide care and compassion to patients in various healthcare settings. However, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, America’s currently facing a nursing shortage, and data predicts that more than 203,200 registered nurses (RNs) will be required by 2030.
As the demand for qualified nursing professionals continues to grow, the need for student nurses becomes crucial to fill the gap and meet the needs of the healthcare industry.
Today’s student nurses are the profession’s future; they will bring new ideas and technologies to the field to help improve nursing practice and patient outcomes. However, there is a lot to learn and adapt as an individual studying to become one. If you’re in nursing school, read the following tips to help you through your education and prepare for a career.
Participate in class
Active class participation allows student nurses to get involved in the learning process. It facilitates learning core concepts, gaining hands-on experience, and interacting with peers and instructors.
By asking questions and sharing their experiences, student nurses can develop a better understanding of their coursework. Group activities are also an effective way to augment the learning experience. Participating in extracurricular activities and student organizations can help them develop essential skills and build a strong network.
Learn to become a patient advocate
Nursing is a patient-centered profession. Therefore, student nurses must understand the importance of advocacy in nursing and learn to become patient navigators as part of their professional development. Patient advocacy involves speaking on behalf of a patient to ensure the safety of their rights and well-being. It helps them provide the best possible care, promote patient autonomy, and improve healthcare outcomes for their patients and workplaces.
Student nurses can also develop a thorough understanding of patients’ legal and ethical rights by learning patient advocacy. These include their right to privacy, informed consent, and access to medical information and treatment.
Set goals
Setting specific and achievable goals helps student nurses stay focused and motivated and achieve their academic and career aspirations.
Goals can include academic achievements, such as mastering clinical skills and knowledge in a specific area of nursing, or advancing education by terminal advanced nursing degrees. These goals can also be personal, such as improving communication skills or developing strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
When setting a practical goal, it is crucial to identify a long and short-term vision and create a plan accordingly. Including deadlines and milestones makes it easy to stay on track. Reviewing these goals allows you to make adjustments if necessary.
Stay organized
It is crucial for student nurses to manage their time effectively and stay on top of their responsibilities. By staying organized, student nurses can increase their efficiency in school and complete tasks more quickly and accurately, freeing up time for other activities. This allows them to achieve a better work-life balance and prevents burnout, which is common among students and professional nurses.
A combination of good habits and tools can help student nurses stay organized. This can include using a planner to keep track of assignments, creating a filing system to keep documents and notes, and setting reminders for important deadlines. Smartphones come with a plethora of apps to help students stay organized and improve their learning experience.
Practice self-care
Nursing school can be stressful. Therefore, student nurses must maintain and improve their physical, mental, and emotional health to stay focused and perform well in academics. Self-care is valuable for students enrolled in rigorous programs; it allows them to take time out for their well-being, reflect on their physical and mental health, and identify areas where they need to improve. Thus, practicing self-care can help student nurses better understand their needs and limitations.
Student nurses can practice self-care by exercising regularly. Walking, jogging, or hitting the gym are excellent ways to deal with stress. Additionally, 7-8 hours of sleep each night can help recharge the body and prepare it for a hard day’s work at school or a clinic.
Seek support
A student nurse should reach out for help and resources whenever needed, whether related to their emotional needs or academics.
If student nurses struggle with stress, anxiety, or depression, they should consider seeking help from a student counselor. Talking to a counselor can help students manage their emotions and improve their mental well-being. It also helps them develop better coping mechanisms to deal with stressful situations during college life.
For academic support, student nurses should reach out to academic advisors and tutors for guidance and support on coursework, clinical experiences, and other academic challenges.
Joining a professional nursing organization, such as the National Student Nurses Association, can also provide access to resources and support from experienced nurses. It’s also a good way to meet other students and make friends.
Never stop learning
The nursing profession is dynamic; it keeps evolving. Student nurses must carry on their learning journey to keep up with the latest developments. Student nurses can continuously learn by attending conferences, reading professional journals, and participating in continuing education courses.
Continuous learning can lead to different career opportunities. Staying informed and knowledgeable boosts nurses’ confidence in their abilities and decision-making. It also refines their clinical skills and improves the quality of care they provide. In many states, professional nurses must keep renewing their credentials to be able to practice. So students must be ready for this before entering the profession.
Conclusion
There is an increased demand for student nurses to meet the need for more healthcare delivery services. By following the tips above, nursing students can enhance their learning experience and make the most of their time in college. It will help them be ready for their work in professional healthcare settings.
