Remember S for Nursing Success!!

As a nursing student in a rigorous program, we have no doubt that your goal is to be academically successful and land the job that you want after graduation!  Students are continuously seeking mentorship and often secret tips for success from top nursing leaders who they trust. These 5 Tips for Success from our very own NYU College of Nursing Dean Eileen Sullivan-Marx will definitely assist you!

Sleep

Getting the right amount of sleep is essential to good health and doing well in class, so make sleep a priority! Adults require an average of 7-8 hours of sleep a night – every night – but everyone is different. Some people need more sleep, while others need less. When you don’t get enough, your body keeps a tab of how much you owe! This cumulative lack of sleep impacts your alertness, mood, attention, and cognitive functions. The more you owe, the worse your performance will become. Establish a sleep schedule that works for you and stick to it!

Shine

What do you feel passionately about? What are you really good at? When you focus on those questions and pursue the answers, the rewards are limitless. Nurses are very fortunate in their ability to focus their careers where they find inspiration, which is why you find nurses engaged in such an incredible number of exciting areas. Dr. Emerson Ea was recently featured on this blog about his book, 201 Careers in Nursing. If you haven’t done so already, I encourage you to read that entry and think about where you want to go with your nursing degree. Find where your passion and profession intersect and you will find yourself ideally positioned to become a shining example of nurse leadership!

Study

There is no way around it – successful students study. Study, study, study! I cannot stress that enough. You are working to enter a field where a solid understanding of science, ethics, and sound judgment are critical. Balancing these elements to care for others is what Martha Rogers (who lead NYU Nursing for many years) called the art of nursing. Mastering this art demands continual study. Nursing science is ever-evolving, which means nurses are always learning new and better ways to deliver care. Establish good study habits now, don’t waste a moment of your time at NYUCN.

Search

Remember – your education doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Much of what you learn happens throughout the course of your time in this remarkable city. Make the most of where you are! Seek out opportunities that compliment what you learn in the classroom and that inform your understanding of nursing science and practice. From global opportunities to one-of-a-kind clinical sites, inspiration and opportunities to learn are all around you in NYC! So get out there!

Stay Connected

College is a busy time. Just tackling the other Ss can fill up your day! With so much to get done, it is important to remember that you are not alone! You have a support network of family, friends, fellow students, advisors, and professors who want you to succeed and who are there for you. Keep in touch with your network. Tell them how you are doing and reach out to them when you need encouragement or want to celebrate a success. Having good people rooting for you can make all the difference!