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Madison
Student
Spartanburg, South Carolina
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Are there any nursing majors at USC Upstate that can offer advice on how to tackle nursing school?
I'm a current high school senior and just accepted my college offer from USC Upstate. I plan to become a NICU Nurse or Trauma Nurse. Are there any nursing majors at USC Upstate that can offer advice on how to tackle nursing school? Best study habits and groups I could join?
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Michelle M.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Madison !
I am not a nurse, rather a generalist college and career advisor who has had many friends and colleagues that are nurses so I would like to share some advice for you about this. Congratulations on being accepted to the Nursing Program at Upstate University of South Carolina ! That's awesome !
To begin with, one does not "tackle" nursing school and it should be entered with already established study modes that help one retain information as well as the ability to demonstrate the work hands on. You will be working with ill and injured patients.
It is helpful that in high school, a prospective nursing student had taken consecutive years of classes in Biology, Anatomy, Chemistry and Health Science. This would be a basic foundation for what courses will be taught in Nursing School. The high school life science classes would give good insight for the courses studied in the nursing path.
I assume that you will be taking the The Nursing RN to BSN Program. My advice is to do this program entirely in person and no part of it online. It will help you retain the information better doing it in person with the ability to be around shared information in class, support when you need it and since Nursing is a very heavy people oriented field, the academics should all be done around other people in person. You would have a better opportunity to hone your communication skills by doing it entirely on site, in person. Also, do not do the one year Bachelors Degree, do a full program so that you are not short-changed.
You should visit the Admissions Counselor at the college to go over details for your first semester and for help arranging your course schedule. The courses, both the General Education and the required Nursing courses are provided at the webpage link below. If you anticipate that any of the courses will be challenging for you, the University of South Carolina Upstate provides tutors for its students on campus. The Student Success Center offers free tutoring services, so next time you visit the campus, visit the Student Success Center and get detailed information from them about how to register for a tutor. And yes, sometimes these tutors are peers.
Most of all try not to worry too much. Many of us stepped into a Major that they had no experience in or previous classes for. Since you have a strong drive and a passion to help people heal, you will catch on fast. Try not to over think it or rush it. Take it one step at a time and remember to apply for Federal Student Financial Aid as well as Scholarships to help out with college expenses.
You may not want to pack on your schedule with extra things like groups because nursing school traditionally is demanding and you'll want to have enough time to study, do practicums as well as clinicals. Take it slow for the first semester and get a feel for what's to follow and then decide if you have time for on campus groups. Studying should be number one priority and then when there is time, you will have time with family and friends. I say this because you indicate that you may think you'll have a difficult time in nursing school. If you are focused and committed to the program, it will go smoothly and you'll have time to take some certifications, go to conferences and off campus trainings. You will have a lot of support on campus.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
WHAT COURSES YOU'LL NEED TO TAKE AT UPSTATE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA https://academic-catalog.uscupstate.edu/nursing/rn-bsn/
I am not a nurse, rather a generalist college and career advisor who has had many friends and colleagues that are nurses so I would like to share some advice for you about this. Congratulations on being accepted to the Nursing Program at Upstate University of South Carolina ! That's awesome !
To begin with, one does not "tackle" nursing school and it should be entered with already established study modes that help one retain information as well as the ability to demonstrate the work hands on. You will be working with ill and injured patients.
It is helpful that in high school, a prospective nursing student had taken consecutive years of classes in Biology, Anatomy, Chemistry and Health Science. This would be a basic foundation for what courses will be taught in Nursing School. The high school life science classes would give good insight for the courses studied in the nursing path.
I assume that you will be taking the The Nursing RN to BSN Program. My advice is to do this program entirely in person and no part of it online. It will help you retain the information better doing it in person with the ability to be around shared information in class, support when you need it and since Nursing is a very heavy people oriented field, the academics should all be done around other people in person. You would have a better opportunity to hone your communication skills by doing it entirely on site, in person. Also, do not do the one year Bachelors Degree, do a full program so that you are not short-changed.
You should visit the Admissions Counselor at the college to go over details for your first semester and for help arranging your course schedule. The courses, both the General Education and the required Nursing courses are provided at the webpage link below. If you anticipate that any of the courses will be challenging for you, the University of South Carolina Upstate provides tutors for its students on campus. The Student Success Center offers free tutoring services, so next time you visit the campus, visit the Student Success Center and get detailed information from them about how to register for a tutor. And yes, sometimes these tutors are peers.
Most of all try not to worry too much. Many of us stepped into a Major that they had no experience in or previous classes for. Since you have a strong drive and a passion to help people heal, you will catch on fast. Try not to over think it or rush it. Take it one step at a time and remember to apply for Federal Student Financial Aid as well as Scholarships to help out with college expenses.
You may not want to pack on your schedule with extra things like groups because nursing school traditionally is demanding and you'll want to have enough time to study, do practicums as well as clinicals. Take it slow for the first semester and get a feel for what's to follow and then decide if you have time for on campus groups. Studying should be number one priority and then when there is time, you will have time with family and friends. I say this because you indicate that you may think you'll have a difficult time in nursing school. If you are focused and committed to the program, it will go smoothly and you'll have time to take some certifications, go to conferences and off campus trainings. You will have a lot of support on campus.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
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