You’ll have access to many nursing school resources to help you succeed. Some examples include admissions advisors, Academic Success Coaches, and clinical instructors. Tutoring, academic advising, technology resources, peer-mentoring programs, NCLEX testing preparation, and nursing boot camps are also helpful.
In nursing school, you’ll learn how to perform patient assessments, apply the nursing process, and take courses in pharmacology and more, so you are prepared to handle any type of patient care scenario you may encounter in your career. It can be a lot to tackle at once, which is why it’s important to make good use of any nursing school resources available to you.
At the University of St. Thomas-Houston (UST), we’re committed to offering comprehensive nursing resources to help our students succeed. The University of St. Thomas’ Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program provides a path for students with a non-nursing college education to change careers to nursing.
Our accelerated nursing program offers a quality education that leverages your previous degree and can be completed in as few as 12 months. Combining online, onsite, and in-healthcare facility experience, this hybrid learning format allows you to quickly enter the workforce as a nurse.
First, take a closer look at why support in nursing school is important and explore the various types of resources that can best meet your needs.
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Why Nursing School Resources Matter
Nursing school can be challenging for a few reasons, particularly in an accelerated format. First, the rapid pace requires you to shoulder a heavy workload and stay focused so you don’t fall behind. Second, you might find that some of the curriculum is difficult to understand at first, as the material can be technical. Lastly, some nursing students are nervous about providing direct patient care and interacting with patients during clinical rotations.
The challenges of nursing school are why nursing resources are so important. Tapping into them can help you overcome the challenges.
Top Nursing Student Resources
Consider the following resources you’ll have as an ABSN student at UST:
1. Admissions Advisors
Our admissions advisors are proud to be the first resource that you’ll encounter as a prospective ABSN student. The process of applying and getting into nursing school can be intimidating. Your acceptance depends on your academic record, prerequisites, and other factors, such as your admissions test score. Our admissions advisors are here to make the process as easy and accessible as possible.
Your advisor will guide you through the admissions process and answer any questions you may have. An admissions advisor can help you:
- Determine your eligibility for enrollment in our ABSN program.
- Discuss your academic and professional goals.
- Devise an academic plan targeting your start date goal.
- Complete your accelerated nursing school application.
2. Personalized Faculty Support
Nursing is a people-focused profession, which is why the ABSN program provides you with people-focused student resources. The faculty members who instruct and advise you during your time as an ABSN student will be some of your most important advocates during the program, always ready to help when needed. Please lean on them for support and guidance through your collegiate experience.
3. Academic Success Coaches
During your time as an ABSN student, we pair you with an Academic Success Coach who will act as a resource for academics and various life circumstances. Because of the ABSN program’s fast pace, your 12 months at UST will be busy. If you are facing an issue that could interfere with your studies, your coach will be ready to intervene and help you stay the course.
They can help you develop a plan to succeed in the ABSN program, including:
- Working with your learning preferences
- Forming study plans
- Managing your time wisely
- Setting incremental, achievable goals.
With help from your success coach, you can overcome the challenges you may face as a nursing student.
4. Clinical Instructors
Our clinical instructors are as experienced as they are driven to help you succeed. They’ll guide your learning experiences during clinical rotations and help develop your skills and instincts as a nurse. Our instructors regard it as their mission to guide you to your degree and your career beyond, so never hesitate to reach out and engage with them as a nursing student resource.
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5. Lab Resources
In addition to the online coursework you’ll complete as a part of the ABSN program, you’ll devote a significant amount of time to skills and simulation labs at our ABSN learning site.
The labs are stocked with everything you’ll need to hone nursing techniques. The state-of-the-art equipment you’ll use is equivalent to that used in hospital settings, helping you become comfortable enough with techniques to treat real patients. High-tech medical manikins act as patient simulators, exhibiting an array of symptoms to identify and treat.
At the end of every session, you’ll debrief with your instructors and your cohort to identify areas for improvement. You’ll have everything necessary to hone your skills through our onsite resources, and by working hard, you’ll be able to make rapid progress.
6. Clinical Placements
Houston is among the fastest-growing cities in the nation and is filled with top-quality care providers alongside the well-known Texas Medical Center. As part of your ABSN program experience, you’ll be placed with one of the greater Houston area’s top healthcare facilities to gain experience working with patients.
During clinical rotations, you’ll experience firsthand what it’s like to deliver holistic care to diverse patient populations under the watchful eye of experienced clinical instructors. Along with the experience you’ll gain from clinical placements, you’ll also get the chance to explore different nursing specialties to gain insights for your career.
You’ll gain a new perspective on healthcare areas, including:
- Adult health
- Community health
- Mental health
- Obstetrics
- Pediatrics
These clinicals can help to shape your future career, as the networking opportunities may lead to job possibilities after graduation.
7. Digital Learning Tools
Along with the nursing school resources available to you, you could also turn to digital learning tools for nurses. Look for supplemental tutorials and other materials that can help you master nursing concepts and skills. Some examples include:
- Databases with drug information
- NCLEX-RN prep apps
- Open courseware
- Scientific journals
- Tutorial videos and podcasts for nursing students
- Webinars from professional nursing organizations
How to Make the Most of Nursing Resources
Nursing student resources can only help if you use them. It’s ideal to get into the habit of tapping into your resources as soon as you enroll. For example, try the following:
- Connect with faculty, asking questions whenever clarification is needed.
- Try out a few study apps for nursing students to find one or two that work best for you.
- Make an appointment with an Academic Success Counselor early on to learn about effective study habits and time management tips.
- Visit the Nursing Success Center for tutoring.
- Take notes during clinical shifts and actively solicit feedback on your work.
Begin Your Nursing Journey Today
The ABSN program at the University of St. Thomas-Houston has been shaped by student and instructor feedback, always with an eye toward adding more nursing student resources. We thrive when you are successful, both in school and your career, which means we’re committed to providing the resources you’ll need as a student and a practicing nurse.
Our admissions advisors are here to answer any questions you may have about the ABSN program. Contact us today to get on the path toward earning a nursing degree in as few as 12 months.