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Kristen O'Brien, BSN, RN

freelance health writer | nurse educator

/ Apps, Recommendations, Resources, Supplies, Tips & Tricks

The Ultimate Guide to Nursing School Preparation

As a former nursing student educator, I took note of what was necessary and heIpful for my students as they moved into their first semester of their program. It also helps that I am currently in my third round of nursing programs as I pursue my master’s degree and by this point I definitely have an idea of what I do and don’t need for my education. I compiled this list to help set you up for your most successful first semester of nursing school, no matter what program you’re beginning.

Academic Planner

  • To stay organized and adhere to the required deadlines having a planner was a MUST HAVE for me. I use it daily to make note of assignments, upcoming tests or projects, and summaries of what chapters to read that week. This is especially helpful with multiple classes going on at one time. Check out each planner to find the best one for you!
    • I’ve used the Erin Condren Academic Planner the most out of these three and love the to-do list within the weekly layouts so I could plan out tasks. There also are project pages with goals to set and actions to take to meet the deadlines. It has a coil-bound system with interchangeable covers.
      • If you’re interested in trying out the Erin Condren Academic Planner I have an affiliate link where you can get $10 off your first purchase with a new account. Don’t forget to enroll in their free rewards program because you can earn points with every purchase to get coupons for future purchases!
    • The Happy Planner Student Planner has additional pages for goal setting and intentions to take for your projects. This planner is usually an hourly spread with space below each day to make it whatever you want: a to-do list, writing out homework, goals, etc. This system is a disc-bound planner with interchangeable covers.
    • Lastly, the Passion Planner Weekly Academic is an excellent planner in its own right. It is more neutral with black and white tones and also is in an hourly layout. There’s more room on the pages for personal and work to-do lists as well as setting a focus for the week. This planner is a leather-bound, sewn book, much like a journal.

Technology

  • What would we do for our education without technology? The science and development of technology has been so influential in the educational field and, in my opinion, has only made it better and more accessible.
    • A computer of your own is SUPER helpful to getting work done and saving everything in one place. It’s also portable because if you’re like me, you like to study in other places like the library or coffee shop. Check with your financial aid office to see if one is covered for you! Mine was 🙂
    • Headphones are perfect to listen to background music or replay your recorded lectures as you take notes. I use AirPods because they sync with my apple gear way easier but whatever headphone works best for you.
    • If you’re professor is okay with it (always ask permission first), record your lectures to listen to them again as you take notes. This helped immensely for my Associate’s degree.
    • Starting in your Associate’s program, particularly in the first semester, you will be participating in a medication calculation course in some aspect. A basic calculator (one that is not a scientific or graphing kind) is helpful for this part of your education.
    • Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, Amazon Music or whatever you list to, are your friend. Create or find and save some study playlists. I tend to like soft piano tunes for my background music. For some reason it helps me focus more but you find what works for you.
    • Whenever I couldn’t understand a concept or I wanted to hear how something sounded, like abnormal heart or lung sounds, I would find a YouTube video on it. YouTube is like its own educational platform altogether!
    • Phone apps can be very handy, especially on the go or for clinical where you need to look things up all the time. Unfortunately, the ones that are needed require you to pay for them. The free versions just don’t allow for extended or very in-depth use.
    • Podcasts are my jam! I love to listen to podcasts cause they’re like specialized TV shows but audio style or are highly educational. I have a few favorite medical or nursing-related podcasts.

Classes

  • Note taking is A MUST for nursing school. There is soooooo much information and things to not only memorize, but recall later for application and tests. I used a lot of notebooks and pens but other items that helped are included.
    • Any notebook will do if you need to jot down anything. Back to school sales have them for as cheap as $1. Lately I’ve been prefering the Erin Condren notebooks for my Master’s degree because I love the thickness and texture of the paper and I also plan to keep my notes for a while after I graduate.
    • My absolute favorite pen to use is a Pilot G2 0.38 gel pen. It’s so smooth to write with and I can’t get enough of the thin script it produces. Makes me feel like I’m writing very neat and pretty and clean.
    • Basic neon Sharpie highlighters are awesome, cheap, and get the job done. But if you want to go extra, the highlighters I use the most to add color and organization to my notes is the Erin Condren dual tip pastel highlighters. They’re pigmented without being over the top bright and the neutral colors appeal to me. There are a lot of other color options to pick from if you want brighter or bolder.
    • The top choice that you can find anywhere is the Post-It sticky notes. For these I do like to vibrant colors because it draws my attention to it quicker and I use them for featuring key areas I need to focus my studying. I’ve been experimenting with transparent sticky notes Cloth & Paper. They’re easy to write on and you can still see the text underneath.
    • I was definitely that 90s kid that loved having a shoulder sling messenger bag. But to be honest, it killed my neck and shoulder. Nursing books are insanely heavy, not to mention all the other stuff you need to bring to class. So do your neck and back a favor. Get yourself a real backpack or, better yet, one on wheels. You’ll thank yourself later and your back will too!

Clinicals

  • There are hands-on practicums in any of the degrees you work towards for nursing so it’s best to be prepared for any level. Depending on your program and how new you are to the field, you may have some of these supplies already. But if not, here are some items you will want! Especially if you are jumping in to your first semester ever of nursing school.
    • A great quality stethoscope is a MUST HAVE! Any review, including mine, will tell you that Littmann is the gold standard of stethoscope brands. They range in price anywhere from $55 to $450 depending on the model. For new students, I recommend the Lightweight II S.E. stethoscope as it’s a great starter version that will last you all through school. Once you graduate from your Associate’s and are out in the field and know what to listen for, then upgrade if you’d like. Currently I have a Classic III but I plan to upgrade at some point to either a Master Cardiology version or a CORE Digital one.
    • To personalize your accessories further beyond your stethoscope tube color, a fancy badge reel is a cute idea. You can get one custom made on Etsy or find creative ones on Amazon. Check with your school or work place though because they may require you wear one of theirs during clinical.
    • Over the last few years I’ve seen students carrying around foldable clipboards where they can keep their notes and patient information secure in one place and easily portable. Some even have quick reference charts or cheat sheets on them so keep your eye out for those!
    • A penlight isn’t necessarily a requirement but they can help you complete your neuro checks faster by having one on hand. They’re also pretty cheap.
    • As a trauma trained nurse, a pair of high-quality scissors is immensely helpful to cut off clothes, dressings, or open medication packages. I started out with a cheap, basic pair you find in a scrub uniform store. That would work for your every day needs but if you will be cutting thicker stuff often, like clothes or dressings, get a set of Leatherman Raptor Trauma Shears. Well worth the investment and will last a long time.
    • After being on your feet for so long, compression socks are super helpful to keep swelling down in your lower legs. They promote circulatory return and even feel great as you’re walking.
    • If you’re going to invest in anything from this list, this is it. A good pair of shoes can save you a lot of pain. You’re on your feet A LOT and as a nurse you’ll learn to treat your feet well. I’ve been using Sketchers Memory Foam shoes for years and my feet never hurt by the end of the day.

Study Time

  • You’ll be spending the bulk of your education with your nose in a book, and likely not the fun reads but a textbook. There is so much information to learn as a nurse that you will need all the help you can get. If you’re like me, it took lots of different study methods to retain the information in order to apply it.
    • Getting an NCLEX prep book is very helpful as you move through your studies. They have sample questions so you can learn the style of questions and how best to analyze them to answer them correctly. I’d recommend waiting until you’re nearing graduation because the edition may update after you buy it. I used Saunders and found it easy to study from and narrow down what to focus on. I’ll link to the most up to date version at the publishing of this post but make sure you are getting the current edition if you’re buying this in 2023 or later!
    • Cheat sheets from NurseInTheMaking on Etsy. Condensed, colorful notes on essential topics that include tips, graphics, and key points to remember.
    • Flashcards can be very useful as a visual representation of the information you need to learn. They’re not for everyone if it’s not your learning style but it can be helpful to write them out yourself or buy or make a condensed version of the content.

Extras

  • There are some things that will be helpful in your educational journey that don’t quite fit into any category, so here they are.
    • A coffee maker is a MUST for nursing school! You can brew fresh coffee in the mornings or hot water for your tea if that’s what you like. They’re fairly cheap and you can brew different sizes depending on your cup.
    • Staying hydrated is necessary for anyone, but especially a busy nursing student. I prefer the Yeti Rambler because they keep water and ice super cold which helps me drink it more frequently. Plus they don’t break the budget.
    • For classes, but especially for clinical, you’ll likely need to pack a lunch so having a decent sized lunchbox will come in handy. Fit + Fresh makes some that come with storage containers and matching water bottles too which is cool! They also have a lot of sizes and patterns to pick from.
    • Not a necessity, but a helpful tool is a smartwatch. It can sync with your phone so you can see your messages or notifications without having your phone on you, which is required by most schools for clinical. They also have features such as a clock with a second hand for counting vitals, a timer and/or alarm clock to set to help remember tasks, a pedometer if you’re interested in monitoring your health, and the date or a calendar to help you stay organized and for reference during charting. I love my Apple Watch! I’ve also used a FitBit before and that is another great option.

There is the comprehensive list that makes up my Ultimate Guide to Nursing School Preparation. Did you find it useful? Tell me your must haves for your nursing school journey!

About Kristen O'Brien, BSN, RN

Bachelor-prepared registered nurse with 12+ years of experience in specialty areas to include emergency medicine, nursing education, cardiology, neurology, home health, and hospice.