First-Year Nursing Students Attend 'Road Maps to Student Success' Event

Shannon Magsam

Nursing students learn a dynamic breathing technique for energy and focus.

Hand write your notes. Limit studying to 30-minute blocks, then take a 3-5 minute break. "Leapfrog" academic topics because the brain learns better when you mix it up. Listen to music without lyrics.

These words of wisdom, among others, were offered to first-year nursing students at a recent healthy lifestyles orientation. BJ Garrett, a nursing instructor in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, shared the advice at a "Road Maps to Student Success" event which covered mindfulness training, healthy food choices, and helpful study skills.

"Our goal is a stress reduction lifestyle for our brand new nursing students," Garrett said.

In her talk about cultivating effective study habits, she also shared several powerful approaches to capturing notes in class and while doing required reading, including the Cornell method, mind mapping and sketch notes.

The most important thing, she said, is to "study for understanding."

Garrett also shared some overall wisdom. "Don't gossip, be kind, be supportive, be loving," she advised. "You'll be together for two years."

Jane Hentzen, a nursing instructor at the U of A nursing school, took students through several mindfulness exercises, suggesting that they call on these practices when the going gets tough in the nursing program. And it will at times, she said.

Students learned about belly breathing and some quick mindfulness exercises to help boost energy.

Hentzen shared a little from her early career as a delivery room nurse, telling students there will be many times they'll need to stand outside a clinic door and take "three little centering breaths." She also advised that they visualize doing a task successfully before taking it on and to smile as often as possible since it will not only brighten someone else's day, but is scientifically proven to make the person who's smiling feel happier, too.

She said college students and emerging adults who are more mindful will feel less stressed, have better sleep, will endure less self judgement and enjoy the present moment more.

Hentzen noted after the meeting that U of A nursing instructors are interested in developing the whole person. "We are not only trying to teach stress reduction — but trying to give our students tools to help make them more resilient during their time in the nursing school program and in life beyond school."

Hope Ballentine, a clinical assistant professor in the nursing school, tackled good nutrition with students, reminding them that what they put into their body will either help fuel them or harm them.

"We want to prevent some of the diseases we're going to talk about this year," she said.

Ballentine brainstormed ideas for prepping healthy snacks and meals to make it less likely a student will grab fast food. She emphasized that sugar is addictive and doesn't help a body function well.

Ballentine also chatted about the importance of sleep, advocating for 20-minute power naps, no caffeine after noon, exercising and limiting alcohol.

Annie Smith, from Prairie Village, Kansas, took notes at the presentation and was soaking it all up. She said she's always been interested in the medical field.

"I'm considering becoming a nurse anesthetist beyond my R.N. training," she said during a break. "There are so many things to do in nursing that you can pursue whatever you're passionate about."

Smith is already a certified nursing assistant, a certification she sought on her own while taking classes at the U of A in preparation for starting in the nursing program.

"So I've already worked with nurses and doctors," she said.

Before the meeting, students received supplies for their upcoming clinical experience.