Getting Ready for your Nursing Degree

More and more people are considering a career in nursing or healthcare, but the thought of undertaking an academic degree at university can be intimidating. Whether you are moving straight from school or college or have been away from education for some time, Getting Ready for your Nursing Degree is essential preparation for anyone considering becoming or about to become a nursing student. It looks at all aspects of university work in a straightforward way and provides advice, examples and activities designed to help you get the most out of classes, research and assessments, from your first lecture right through to sitting exams and learning on placement. Designed with nursing students in mind, this small but perfectly formed guide is tailored to help you develop the skills you will need not only for your course but for your career and lifelong learning as a registered healthcare practitioner.

Victoria Boyd, Stephanie McKendry

Preface Publisher's acknowledgements Chapter 1 Taking the obs Introduction The role of confidence and your past experiences Activity 1.1 Activity 1.2 Confidence, effort and ability - two points of view Evaluating your current skills Activity 1.3 Activity 1.4 Translating university language A quick phrasebook What to take from this chapter Reflective questions Further support Feedback Chapter 2 Learning to learn: life as a student nurse Introduction The student nurse experience Success at university - becoming an independent learner What skills do you need for university? Activity 2.1 Myths and misunderstandings about university Your life as a student - are you ready? Activity 2.2 Activity 2.3 Activity 2.4 What to take from this chapter Reflective questions Further support Feedback Chapter 3 Getting ready for classes Introduction Classes at university Lectures Activity 3.1 Note-taking Activity 3.2 Tutorials and seminars Placement learning What to take from this chapter Reflective questions Further support Feedback Chapter 4 Getting ready to find resources Introduction Why do I need to find resources? Types of resources How do I know Im reading the right stuff? Activity 4.1 Activity 4.2 Why take notes? Your own strategy for reading and note-taking What to take from this chapter Reflective questions Further support Feedback Chapter 5 Getting ready for academic writing Introduction Academic writing conventions Activity 5.1 Features of academic writing Activity 5.2 Evidence and referencing Activity 5.3 The Goldilocks approach to vocabulary and tone Activity 5.4 Common mistakes in academic writing Why do I have to spend so much time developing my writing? Activity 5.5 What to take from this chapter Reflective questions Further support Feedback Chapter 6 Getting ready for the essay writing process Introduction The essay writing process Activity 6.1 Stage one: analyse the question Stage two: get content and plan Stage three: put it together Activity 6.2 Stage four: edit Activity 6.3 Common mistakes in essay writing What to take from this chapter Reflective questions Further support Feedback Chapter 7 Getting ready for exams Introduction Examining exams Revision techniques Activity 7.1 The revision process Activity 7.2 Exam strategies Coping with nerves Resits Handling feedback What to take from this chapter Reflective questions Further support Feedback Chapter 8 Getting ready for other assessments Introduction Reflective assessments Activity 8.1 Activity 8.2 Presentations Group work Activity 8.3 What to take from this chapter Reflective questions Further support Feedback