A Season of Care: 12 Days of Nursing Tips for Success
Give yourself than the tools for success in your nursing journey. 🎄 🛷🧑🎄
The holiday season is a time for giving, and what better gift to give yourself than the tools for success in your nursing journey? So, in the spirit of the 12 Days of Christmas, let’s unwrap 12 nursing tips to help new nurses and NCLEX students finish the year strong and head into 2025 with confidence! From Holiday self-care tips for new nurses and NCLEX students to study hacks, each day is full of advice to keep you focused, motivated, and ready to succeed.
Create a consistant study routine with calendar block scheduling.
Day 1: Set a clear study schedule and a balanced work schedule
Tip: Create a consistent NCLEX study routine, even during the holiday season.
How to: Block out specific times for study and include breaks for family, friends, and holiday activities. Always prioritize the activities you must attend and ensure you are there and in holiday cheer. Nothing hurts more than studying and not getting to be with the ones you love and do the holiday activities with them.
Why it helps: A set schedule keeps you on track and prevents holiday distractions from taking over.
What you eat matters!
Day 2: Stay hydrated and nourished
Tip: Don’t let holiday treats derail your health—stay hydrated and snack on brain-boosting foods.
How to: Carry a water bottle and pack healthy snacks like nuts, fruits, and yogurt.
Why it helps: Proper hydration and nutrition stabilize your energy levels during long study or work shifts.
NCLEX practice test must be done every day to get you used to NLCEX NextGen format and question types.
Day 3: Practice NCLEX questions daily and review new procedures
Tip: Answer at most minuscule 10 NCLEX practice questions daily, no matter how busy you are.
How to: Use apps or websites that offer NCLEX practice questions on the go. Review the most detailed new procedures you need to know as soon as possible, no matter what.
Why it helps: Consistent practice reinforces vital concepts and boosts confidence. Read more about NCLEX questions here: Understand How to Break down NCLEX Questions
Day 4: Create a relaxing study space and practice new procedures
Tip: Set up a festive yet functional study space to help keep you motivated.
How to: Decorate your desk with a holiday theme (like a cute garland or sring of lights), but keep it clutter free and well lit. In between distraction free study block sessions, take a break by attending family or holiday event. If you do not have time to attend a certain event, you can stick a few holiday treats on your plate during a snack break. It takes some of the pain out of missing the activity.
Why it helps: A comfortable environment encourages productivity and focus.
Ask your work mentor for help.
Day 5: Review your weakest subject and area at work
Tip: Dedicate extra time to reviewing subjects you struggle with.
How to: Identify your weakest areas and commit to reviewing them in small chunks daily. Ask your mentor or nurse manager at work for ideas on improving that area.
Why it helps: Focusing on weak areas improves overall readiness for the NCLEX.
Do not skip your much needed rest!
Day 6: Don’t Skip Sleep
Tip: Prioritize sleep, especially during busy holiday shifts or while studying.
How to: Set a consistant bedtime routine and avoid studying or working late.
Why it helps: Sleep improves memory retention, critical thinking, and overall health. A consistent sleep schedule also helps with these areas.
Practice NCLEX test-taking strategies.
Day 7: Master Test-Taking Strategies
Tip: Practice NCLEX test-taking strategies like eliminating wrong answers and time management.
How to: Set a timer for practice questions to get used to the exam format and pacing.
Why it helps: Familiarity with strategies reduces test anxiety and improves performance.
Day 8: Use Mnemonics for Quick Recall
Tip: Create and use holiday-themed mnemonics for tricky topics or procedural orders you need to remember when performing the procedure while being watched.
How to: Example: “Santa's Red Hat” to remember “Sodium, Respiratory, Heart” for electrolyte imbalances.
Why it helps: Mnemonics make it easier to recall complex information during the exam.
Take time for self care
Day 9: Take time for self care
Tip: Dedicate at least 30 minutes daily to self-care activities.
How to: Engage in holiday themed relaxation activities like listening to Christmas music, yoga, or baking healthy treats. Or a warm bath with smelling salts of the season. Put a holiday-scented lotion on your skin for the day as a pick-me-up. Whenever you begin to get low, inhale the scent.
Why it helps: Regular self care prevents burnout and boosts emotional well-being. To read more on this subject, here is the link to my blog on self care: Balancing Act: Thriving as a New Nurse
Have you followed One On One Tips yet?
Day 10: Stay connected with your nursing student and new nurse community on Instagram
Tip: Lean on your online community for motivation and support.
How to: Host a virtual holiday themed gab session to keep things festive.
Why it helps: Peer support helps you stay accountable and provides new perspectives on study and work problems.
What does your work/life/study balance look like?
Day 11: Balance work and study
Tip: If you’re working over the holidays, learn to balance your work shifts with your study and family time.
How to: Plan by scheduling study sessions and work shifts around the holiday events your family wants to participate in.
Why it helps: Effective time management prevents overwhelm and keeps you productive. Here are more tips on this subject in my blog: New Nurse and Time Management
Don’t forget to celebrate the small wins!
Day 12: Celebrate Your Progress
Tip: Reflect on your accomplishments this year and celebrate your progress.
How to: Write down three things you’ve achieved at work, or with your NCLEX prep and share them with family, friends, or your online community. Have confetti to throw, or use birdseed outside the house to celebrate. You can even include cranberries in the bird seed to make it festive, and the birds can celebrate with you!
Why it helps: Acknowledging your progress boosts morale and keeps you motivated for the final stretch.
These 12 tips will help you stay focused and balanced during the busy holiday season, setting you up for NCLEX success and your nursing career.
*** Share your progress, study tips, and holiday spirit in the comments! Don’t forget to join our community for even more support and resources as you head into 2025.
Let’s Keep the Conversation Going!
We’d love to hear from you! Feel free to leave your comments or questions below—let’s make this a conversation!
If you are not on our email list, click the contact link here.
Comment below!
I invite my readers to join a discussion in the blog comment section to share tips and support each other in developing this essential skill.
Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments:
How are you doing in your NCLEX prep progress?
What study tips would your recommend?
How are you celebrating the holidays or keeping the spirit alive during this time?
Any tips or stories you'd like to share with your fellow new nurses?
Ready to embark on this learning journey? Let's make this learning experience interactive and fun!
Share your answers in the blog comments to learn from each other.
Don’t forget to follow me on my Instagram account @nclex_one_on_one_tutoring and share it with your colleagues!
