Getting into nursing school is an accomplishment in and of itself. But walking across the stage at graduation will be an even bigger one. All of the work you put in between those two milestones speaks to your perseverance and dedication.
You’ve probably heard by now that nursing school isn’t easy—but it is doable. That’s particularly true when you take advantage of the resources and help available to you. While it may just say your name on the diploma at graduation, there’s a host of helpful people who can be involved in making that moment a reality.
“Some students aren’t aware of the resources we have for them to use to succeed,” says Kristie Keuntjes, Learning Services coordinator at Rasmussen University. Keuntjes says that while orientation at Rasmussen University covers many of the nursing student resources available, that information isn’t always retained as students tend to be more focused on the immediate-term details, like where to find classes and course expectations.
“Many of the students who become tutors are often surprised at the wide variety of support available to them, and they always say they wish they would have found out about them sooner.”
Why not learn from those students’ experience? The sooner you can familiarize yourself with the support options available to you, the better. Read on to learn more about the nursing student resources you’ll have available to you.
9 Nursing student resources you shouldn’t overlook
Looking for a helping hand? Here are some excellent options you can find at Rasmussen University (and beyond).
1. Student mentors and tutors
Sometimes you just need to talk through things with a peer. At Rasmussen University, you’ll have the ability to connect with peer educators through the Library and Learning Services team. The peer educator program gives you the opportunity to pick the brain of someone who’s experienced many of the same challenges you’re facing as a student and learn what you can do to make things easier on yourself. Peer tutors are also an excellent resource as they can help with subject-specific questions and help clear up any confusion you might have about a concept or topic.
2. Nursing blogs and websites
While these might not always be able to address immediate concerns or questions related to your coursework, nursing blogs and websites can provide some excellent perspective and motivation. These websites give anybody an opportunity to learn from seasoned experts and industry thought leaders with just a few clicks of the mouse—including nursing students! Looking for a starting point? Our article “30 Nursing Blogs You Need to Read” can help.
3. Your instructors
One of the most important resources in your Nursing program is the faculty. That might seem obvious, but often students can be a little more closed off to the people teaching them than they should be. Make it a goal to connect with your instructors and advisors, and don’t shy away from asking questions. They can potentially serve as important mentors while you are in school and are valuable networking allies after graduation.
4. Mobile apps for nursing
It’s true that staring at your mobile device might not be a winning strategy for most challenges in life, but don’t overlook the value of mobile apps designed for nursing students. Need help with terminology memorization? Anatomy charts? Nursing task checklists? What about an organizational app tailored for a nursing schedule? You can find helpful options for all of the above. Start with our article “25 Best Nursing Apps for Any Stage in Your Career.”
5. University resource guides
Does your program organize useful resources for nursing students into one spot? If so, find that guide and keep tabs on it! Rasmussen University students can use their login credentials to access the School of Nursing Guide. It offers easy access to a host of helpful study guides, practice exams, flash cards, writing resources and more.
6. Library staff
If you haven’t taken the time to acquaint yourself with the library staff, you’re doing yourself a disservice. They’re not just the people who can help you find a book—they know the resources at their disposal incredibly well and can make your study time much more efficient. At Rasmussen University, students can schedule appointments with Library and Learning Services staff to assist with navigating research databases and the online library.
7. The Learning Nurse Resource Network
The Learning Nurse Resource Network is an online platform that describes itself as an “independent, free and safe resource for nurses to assess, maintain and enhance their professional competence.” The website boasts a tab for nursing apps, games and quizzes as well as easy-to-navigate learning material. It also offers information on professional development, nursing statistics and job links across the globe. This website can provide another helpful supplemental source of information and practice opportunities.
8. Working nurses
Depending on your personal network, this one might take a little gumption. That said, making a connection with a nurse who is already working in the field can be an excellent way to learn more about the role and what to expect as you get started as a nurse. If you don’t have a direct personal connection with a nurse right now, you could try calling a local healthcare provider to find out if there are any nurses willing to do an informational interview. While there’s no guarantee you’ll find someone willing to take the time, you may be surprised how open many people are to providing advice for others looking to get started in their careers. This resource can be a dual benefit: one for connecting with a professional in your field, and another for learning more about a potential employer in your area.
9. Writing help centers
Writing papers in college is a fact of life, even for students studying for hands-on roles like nursing. If academic writing isn’t a strength, or it’s been a while since you’ve had to properly cite and format your research, a writing help center provided by your school can work wonders. At Rasmussen University, students have access to an online writing lab service that can review and provide feedback on your work and the paper’s formatting within 24 hours. This is an excellent way to give your work a preliminary review so you can clean up mistakes and ideally turn your rough draft into an “A” paper.
Rely on your resources
Now that you know you have an arsenal of nursing student resources to draw from, you won’t have to try to navigate nursing school on your own. In the same way that nurses need the support of their medical teams, healthcare systems and community, nursing students need support from their university.
A good nursing program should offer you plenty of ways to connect and rely on the resources they offer. If you are interested in hearing more about what the Rasmussen University School of Nursing has to offer, register for a Nursing Information Session. These sessions allow you to tour the school, talk to nursing admissions counselors, ask questions and learn a lot more about the nursing program.
