5 Books To Help You Succeed in Nursing School

must read books for nursing students

If you’re considering enrolling in nursing school or have already started your journey, having the right resources to help you succeed is essential.

Luckily, there are several books available that can aid in your preparation, acceptance into the program, studying and test-taking, and post-graduation plans.

Nursing school can be challenging, but with the aid of these books, you can not only excel but also enjoy the process. These top-rated books provide essential knowledge and guidance to make your nursing school experience successful and fulfilling.

So consider these helpful books to help you prepare for nursing school.

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1. How To Succeed In Nursing School

How To Succeed In Nursing School

“How To Succeed In Nursing School” is an exceptional book by Caroline Porter Thomas that not only answers some of the most pressing questions students have about nursing school but also provides invaluable insights from experts in the field.

One of the book’s strengths is its ability to guide students through the process of becoming a nurse. This book covers everything from where to start to what to know before beginning your journey. It also provides insights into the differences between an LPN, ASN & BSN nursing program. It covers how to succeed as a nursing student and stay focused throughout the nursing program.

For those with limited knowledge of nursing, this book offers a wealth of information on the benefits of becoming a registered nurse. By helping you better understand the field, you can make an informed decision about whether nursing is the right career path for you.

One of the highlights of this book is the advice and wisdom from 25 different expert nursing professors. These professionals, including those from prestigious institutions such as Yale and John Hopkins, offer a holistic overview of the field. They provide invaluable guidance on how to become a successful nursing student and offer insights from their years of experience in the field.

Overall, “How To Succeed In Nursing School” is an excellent starting point for anyone looking to succeed in nursing school or gain a deeper understanding of the field. With its comprehensive coverage and insights from experienced professionals, this book is a must-read for aspiring nurses.


2. Clinical Judgement and Test-Taking Strategies

Clinical Judgement and Test-Taking Strategies

The Clinical Judgement and Test-Taking Strategies book by Saunders is a comprehensive study guide to help reduce test-taking anxiety and better prepare for nursing school tests and the NCLEX exam. This constantly evolving strategy book contains a wealth of information, advice, and strategies to help nursing students succeed.

With its many study tips, strategies, hints, and practical information, this guide is an essential resource for students looking to improve their test-taking skills.

One of the key features of Saunders Strategies for Test Success is its broad assortment of practice questions. With 1,200 review questions, students can practice, learn, and prepare to improve their knowledge.

And with questions coded to accommodate various challenge levels, from beginner to experienced, students can develop their knowledge over time as they learn, understand, and retain more information.

But that’s not all. Saunders Strategies for Test Success also includes chapters dedicated to delegation, pharmacology, prioritization, and study skills development. These chapters feature helpful tips for beginning students that highlight important concepts to learn to perform well during exams.

And with cartoons and bold 4-color designs, visual learners can easily understand terms, examples, concepts, and data.

Overall, Saunders Strategies for Test Success is an excellent resource for nursing students who need help with planning, studying, and exam preparation. If you want to improve your problem-solving, rationales, critical thinking, and time management skills, be sure to pick up this title.


3. The Ultimate Guide to Getting Into Nursing School

The Ultimate Guide To Getting Into Nursing School is a comprehensive resource that provides applicants with insider advice and real-life anecdotes to help them navigate the nursing application process. This invaluable guide is filled with practical tools, strategies, and information from various healthcare professionals, including college professors, nurses, and nursing students.

If you’re planning on starting college, this book offers a thorough overview of how to choose the right nursing school and succeed in your studies. The guide covers everything from developing your nursing application and preparing for exams/presentations to the steps you need to take after finishing nursing school.

In addition to providing guidance on obtaining your BSN, The Ultimate Guide To Getting Into Nursing School offers advice for individuals who already have their nursing degrees. This includes information on attaining certifications, earning advanced degrees, and working as a manager.

With over 200 pages of informative content, this book is designed to help you determine whether nursing is the right career path for you.

Overall, The Ultimate Guide To Getting Into Nursing School is a must-read for anyone considering a career in nursing. With its insider advice and practical tips, this guide offers invaluable insights that can help you achieve your goals and succeed in the field of nursing.


4. How to Survive Nursing School

How to Survive Nursing School

How to Survive & Maybe Even Love Nursing School” is beneficial if you are a nursing student struggling with nursing school’s emotional, technical, and often stressful aspects. This survival guide offers practical advice and coping mechanisms necessary to manage the stress of studying, getting good grades, and daily college life.

Many students find it manageable to focus solely on the technical aspects of nursing school, but success in this field is equally about managing emotions and stress. This book offers insights on how to balance your workload and manage stress levels effectively.

It prepares students for the rigorous demands of nursing school, providing tips on what to expect and how to get the most out of your time.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive guide to ease you into nursing school and answer some of your basic questions, “How to Survive & Maybe Even Love Nursing School” is the perfect choice. Don’t let the stress of nursing school take a toll on your mental and emotional well-being. Equip yourself with the proper tools and strategies to succeed in this challenging field.


5. Nursing School Thrive Guide

Nursing School Thrive Guide

The Nursing School Thrive Guide by Maureen Osuna is a valuable resource for developing the necessary skills, techniques, and mindset to succeed and thrive in nursing school. If you’re a prospective nursing student, you may feel overwhelmed by the prospect of starting your journey.

The myriad of unknowns and first-time experiences can be daunting. Deciding which colleges to apply to and navigating their requirements can also be frustrating.

This educational book provides proven tips and advice to help students throughout their college process. The Nursing School Thrive Guide answers frequently asked questions about nursing school and helps students understand what classes to take and how to structure their schedules for success.

It offers effective study techniques to maximize students’ time, attention, and retention skills to achieve the best possible performance.

The guide also explores valuable test-taking strategies, approaches to patient care, and handling clinical rotations for those working with patients. Ultimately, the Nursing School Thrive Guide is an instrumental resource for educating students on nursing school. It’s a valuable resource for acquiring a degree and becoming an accredited registered nurse.

If you’re new to nursing and need additional advice beyond what your counselor, fellow students, and teachers can provide, the Nursing School Thrive Guide is an excellent option. With its comprehensive information and expert guidance, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your goals and succeeding in nursing school.

Why You Should Read Nursing School Books

Reasons to Read Books About Nursing

A wealth of knowledge and experience can be found in the books written by nurses who seek to shed light on healthcare, the struggles that nurses encounter, and how to attain significant academic and professional objectives. Nursing is a profession that instills a profound sense of fulfillment, significance, and purpose.

Yet, it is also a demanding line of work, particularly for those just beginning their journey. This is especially true for students embarking on becoming registered nurses for the first time. To aid in their preparation, the most valuable books about nursing school offer personal anecdotes, tips for readiness, and study materials.

Ultimately, these resources help prospective and newly licensed nurses gain a comprehensive understanding of their chosen field, providing them with an advantage as they navigate the challenging yet rewarding experiences they will face over the years.

Equipping oneself with a better understanding of the nursing school process is crucial to achieving success. Therefore, the following section delves into what to look for in nursing school prep books and the critical reasons for reading them before beginning your journey in nursing school.

Books Pre-Nursing Students Should Include:

  • How to prepare for nursing school
  • Steps to take before entering the nursing program
  • What to expect during entrance exams
  • How to study for better classroom grades
  • How to prepare for the NCLEX-RN exam
  • What to do once you graduate

1. You Better Understand Daily College Life

When contemplating a career as a registered nurse, individuals often have certain expectations regarding the path to achieving this goal. However, it is not uncommon for nursing students to underestimate the day-to-day demands of nursing school and feel uncertain about what to anticipate.

For example, students frequently inquire about the following during the initial stages of their nursing education.

Common Questions Students Ask About the Nursing Program:

  • What are the first courses I should take?
  • What prerequisites must nursing students complete?
  • How many classes should I accept each semester?
  • What is the mindset of students going through the nursing program?
  • How many hours should I study daily?

As you embark on your nursing school journey, many considerations arise, and the early stages may seem daunting, with many unknowns to confront. From the very start of the program to its culmination, a continual stream of challenges and exciting experiences serve to expand your knowledge and understanding to unprecedented heights.

By better grasping the nursing school process through educational books, you can establish clear expectations, set achievable goals, and wisely manage your time to prepare for the necessary workload. Doing so can significantly increase your chances of being accepted into the nursing program.

2. You’ll Be Prepared For The Nursing Entrance Exams

Aspiring nursing students must satisfy specific requirements before gaining admission into the nursing program. These prerequisites are mandatory and must be passed to be considered for the program. Additionally, students must meet or exceed the school’s minimum required grade point average for admission.

Nevertheless, more than passing the prerequisite courses and meeting the minimum GPA is required for competitive nursing schools. These schools have additional measures that must be satisfied before a candidate is accepted into the program.

It is essential to mention that some colleges cannot guarantee admission to every student who applies for their nursing program, even if they meet the basic requirements for admission.

Reviewing relevant nursing and admission books is highly recommended to prepare for the nursing program and avoid potential setbacks. Such books provide valuable information and insight into the best strategies for passing the entrance exam and gaining admission into the nursing program.

By examining these resources, students can gain an in-depth understanding of what is required for successful entry into the nursing program, thus increasing their chances of success.

What Nursing School Entrance Books Teach:

  • What topics to study
  • How to improve your studying methods
  • How to set study goals
  • Strategies to better understand important subject material
  • Entrance exam requirements
  • How to prepare for the entrance exam
  • Common nursing school requirements
  • Steps to take after gaining acceptance into the program

In addition to their academic and financial advantages, these books provide valuable assistance to students in selecting the most suitable nursing school for their needs. Once a school has been identified, students can rely on these books to guide them in crafting polished and compelling applications for admission.

Furthermore, these resources offer invaluable insight into the various career paths available to aspiring nurses, enabling them to make informed decisions about their future. While not all books cover all aspects of nursing education, these introductory nursing texts are particularly useful in filling in the gaps where traditional sources of guidance might falter.

Ultimately, these books serve as comprehensive preparation guides for aspiring registered nurses, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to navigate the application process, complete prerequisite coursework, pass entrance exams, and ultimately succeed in their chosen profession.

3. You Develop Better Study Habits

Valuable books can be a game-changer for nursing students seeking a better understanding of their field. By developing excellent study habits, you can stay ahead of the curve and maximize your potential throughout your college years. These habits are crucial for absorbing information quickly and efficiently, thus improving your retention and expanding your healthcare knowledge.

As a result, you’ll become a standout student in your classroom and excel in your studies. Mastering effective studying is especially important for healthcare professionals, who must have a deep understanding of complex subjects like human anatomy, physiology, biology, and mathematics.

Nevertheless, there are countless other essential topics to explore in this field. The benefits of developing better study habits extend beyond academics and can save you valuable time. By retaining information more efficiently, you’ll free up hours in your schedule and reduce stress.

Mastering the art of learning gives you more freedom and time to focus on other essential aspects of your life.

4. You’ll Be Prepared For The NCLEX-RN Exam

As nursing students near the end of their academic journey, they encounter the NCLEX-RN exam – the final hurdle before they can obtain their nursing license and become accredited professionals. In order to ensure success on this critical exam, students turn to well-crafted books focused on the NCLEX-RN exam.

These texts offer invaluable insights and educational resources to help students prepare for the test, providing guidance on everything from practice exams to study tips and beyond. Undoubtedly, these books are essential for any nursing student who wants to perform well and pass their exam.

Within the pages of these texts, students explore various topics, practice exams, other forms of assessment, and key concepts and strategies necessary for success.

NCLEX-RN Books Include Information On:

  • Test prep/exam questions
  • Study tips/advice
  • Common exam formats
  • Areas/topics of important focus
  • Rationale and test-taking strategies
  • Online assistance material
  • Comprehensive practice exams

This comprehensive resource covers all the essential material required for students to excel in the NCLEX-Rn exam. In essence, it provides students with valuable insights into what areas to concentrate on for optimal results. These exam and test preparation books offer students an opportunity to acquaint themselves with the exam requirements.

They also augment students’ knowledge and bolster their test-taking confidence, equipping them to tackle any challenges that may arise during the exam.

5. You’ll Feel More Confident About Being A Registered Nurse

After completing nursing school, the reality of working as a registered nurse sets in, which can be overwhelming for students leaving the familiar environment of college life. The transition can leave new nurses confused, unsure of their abilities, and even afraid to perform their duties.

Feelings of inadequacy, fear of making mistakes, and impostor syndrome are common. To help ease this transition, books that offer valuable information and guidance are recommended, particularly for those who still need to develop the psychological resilience, experience, and comfort of daily nursing.

Good books on succeeding in nursing often share stories of countless healthcare professionals who have faced similar challenges, difficulties, and self-doubt when they started their careers. True Stories of Becoming A Nurse, Critical Care, and Chicken Soup for the Nurses Soul are examples of books that share the experiences of nurses who have overcome these challenges.

By reading these books, new nurses can better understand what they are going through, realize that their feelings are common, and be inspired to pursue their passion.

The personal stories in these books provide comfort, connection, and courage for those who need it during their first years as registered nurses, allowing them to push through perceived limitations and become a powerful force in their profession.

Other Nursing Books You Should Read

Books that are meant to prepare you for nursing school are undoubtedly helpful in getting you into college and passing your exams. However, the nursing profession is vast and complex, and there are other books that can provide valuable insights into various aspects of nursing.

To cater to this need, I have compiled book collections that delve into different nursing areas, offering in-depth coverage of each topic. If you found the previous books helpful, I recommend exploring these books to expand your knowledge and become a better nurse.

The following articles provide valuable information for those seeking to enhance their nursing expertise. Lastly, if you found these books helpful, please share this article with others.