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!
