Studying to become a nurse can be challenging at times. You’ve probably got a packed timetable of classes, plenty of assignments and independent learning to complete, plus crucial clinical placements to undertake. Not to mention, nursing can be a stressful job with a high-pressure environment and upsetting situations to cope with.
That’s not to say it isn’t worth it! The high levels of career satisfaction alone make being a nurse rewarding. All it means is that you need to take some precautions to ensure that you stay happy and healthy throughout your time at college and beyond as you enter the world of work. This will both protect your well-being and give you the best chance of graduating with flying colors.
Here are some top tips to help you stay happy and healthy while you’re studying to be a nurse.
Perfect your study habits
To avoid getting overwhelmed by your college work, it’s important to develop good study habits. This will help you to be more productive and improve your grades. In turn, that will ensure you’re both happier and healthier due to the reduced stress. For instance:
- Study every day in bitesize chunks rather than having one mammoth study session once a week
- Team up with a study buddy to keep each other motivated
- Actively test yourself on what you’re learning rather than just reading over your notes and textbooks multiple times
- Summarize topics in your own words to deepen your understanding instead of just parroting what your professors or textbooks say
- Participate proactively in classes to get the most out of them
- Have a go at teaching someone else about what you’re learning to pinpoint the parts you’re unclear on
- For those who get distracted when studying, an app that blocks social media and other websites for a specified amount of time can be super helpful
- Take notes by hand instead of on your laptop, as this might help you to remember the information better
Ace your clinical placements
As a nursing student, you’ll have to complete a certain number of clinical hours in a real healthcare setting to graduate. This is true even if you’re studying at home in an online University of Indianapolis nursing program, as the placements will be arranged near where you live. Try the following advice for staying happy and healthy during yours:
- Ask questions whenever you’re unsure of something.
- Eat a balanced breakfast and lunch rich in fresh fruit and vegetables to keep you fueled on long shifts.
- Request feedback wherever possible to help you improve.
- Do regular exercise to prepare for lengthy shifts on your feet.
- Put in the effort to make friends in your workplace, both to ensure you enjoy your time there and to build your professional network.
- Volunteer for extra tasks and responsibilities to learn as much as possible, but take care not to burn out.
- Try a quick breathing exercise in moments when you’re feeling stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.
Take care of your physical health
No one needs to tell nursing students that staying physically healthy is important… or do they? Too often, nurses are so focused on treating others that they forget to take care of themselves! Throughout your time at college, make sure that you eat healthily and maintain good levels of physical fitness. This is not only good for your body but also for your mind.
For example, you should be drinking six to eight glasses of water every day to stay hydrated – this ensures that your memory can function at its best and you’re able to concentrate for longer. Sleep is another crucial factor. Being well-rested is necessary for your cognitive abilities to be at their optimum and for you to achieve good grades. In addition, sleep deprivation is a surefire way to feel irritable and moody, so getting some shuteye is important for your happiness too.
Prioritize your mental health
Your mental well-being should be one of your most important priorities during your studies, so set aside regular time for self-care. This could be anything that leaves you feeling calm and positive. For example:
- Go for a walk in nature
- Do a five-minute meditation
- Keep a daily gratitude journal
- Read a novel
- Watch your favorite movie
- Have a spa day at home
- Go for a meal with your partner or family
- Engage in a creative hobby such as arts and crafts
- Sing and dance to your favorite songs
It’s also important to build a supportive community of fellow nursing students to ensure that you don’t feel isolated while you’re studying. If you’re attending classes on campus, you could arrange a meetup after class, or if you’re a distance learner, try organizing a group Zoom chat or similar online event. Hopefully, you’ll make some lifelong connections!