Have you recently enrolled in the highly-regarded online DNP-Executive Nurse Leadership program? This program provides nurses with a chance to stand out, advance to the next level, and take on a leadership position. It gives you a chance to feel like you’re making a real impact not just in the location you work, but in healthcare in general. Once you graduate, you can look forward to such advanced careers as a chief nursing officer, vice president of nursing, chief nursing executive, and more. Of course, all of that hinges on you being successful in the program.
With that said, we’ve gone ahead and put together some simple tips and bits of advice that you can follow to ensure you keep your focus on your goals and that you breeze through the program and pass with flying colors.
Invest In a Reliable and Powerful Laptop or Desktop
If you think about the most important piece of equipment that you’ll need to pursue your online program, a laptop or desktop computer needs to be top of the list. You need to have a device that is powerful, intuitive, and user-friendly so that your focus is on your studies, not trying to figure out your computer.
As for which one to pick – a laptop or a desktop – that may come down to the program itself. The DNP nursing leadership courses through Baylor University are completely online – meaning there are no required visits to campus. That gives you the freedom to choose a desktop if you prefer since you don’t need to be mobile with your computer. All your studies and work will be done from home. But that may not be the case for every program, so it’s important to take this into consideration.
Even if your courses don’t require you to visit a campus, you still may prefer the idea of a laptop as it will allow you to work in any area of your home, take it with you on the go, and even study when traveling. While there are plenty of factors to think about when purchasing a laptop, storage space, screen size, budget, weight, and battery life should be some of the most important features.
Set Up a Productive and Comfortable Study Space
Of course, investing in the best computer or laptop is only half the set-up process – now you need study space. Online programs are great in that they give you the ability to work from home, but there should be some thought and care put into creating the perfect office.
A few things to think about when it comes to creating your office or study space are as follows:
- It needs to be free of distractions such as the television.
- Can the space be closed off or separated from other areas in the house, whether that’s a separate room with a door or you can create a sense of walls and boundaries?
- There needs to be ample lighting – a combination of natural, overhead, and task lighting is best.
- A comfortable and ergonomic desk and chair are required.
- You’ll need plenty of storage/organizational space.
- A strong and reliable internet connection is essential.
All of these factors will ensure that you can spend long hours at a time working and studying.
Expect to Put in a Lot of Work and Time
There is also a mental factor involved with furthering your education. You have to accept from the start that it will be a lot of work and time. It won’t be an easy road, but that’s okay. Because you have chosen an online program, you will at least be able to continue working at the same time and there tends to be a bit more flexibility in terms of the schedule. Even the fact that you’re not commuting to and from campus means you’re saving yourself time.
It may be wise to set up good time-management Nurse skills for yourself from the get-go. Using a scheduler or even an app meant for prioritizing and tracking tasks can be very helpful. It helps to ensure you don’t forget important due dates and assignments as well as keeping you on track. If you’re using a scheduling or task-oriented app, you can usually customize it and set reminders/timers – again, helping you to stay on track and focused.
Stop Procrastinating – Easier Said Than Done
Here’s a tip that is always easier said than done. You must commit not to Nurse procrastinate when it comes to your studies and assignments. When you leave things to the last minute, chances are that it won’t be your best work, you’re not going to absorb the content as well, and you’ll create a lot of stress for yourself. Ideally, you want to get into the habit of giving yourself more than enough time to work on your studies, which will create a more enjoyable rewarding school experience.
Ask Lots of Questions and Get as Much as You Can from the Program
When in the program, you never want to feel too shy or embarrassed to ask questions. This is your opportunity to learn as much as possible, setting you up for success in your leadership-based future career. You don’t want to graduate only to wish you’d gained more from the program, dug in deeper, and taken the chance to broaden your skillset even more.
Make Sure You Consider Your Overall Well-Being
The final tip is to make sure you stay on top of your well-being, which includes your mental and physical health. Your overall well-being will have either a positive or negative effect on your studies, so you want to be sure you’re taking care of yourself.
A few ways you can prioritize your well-being include:
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating a healthy well-balanced diet
- Exercising regularly
- Giving yourself downtime to relax
- Learning to recognize when you are feeling stressed and embrace coping techniques
By making sure you give your online DNP-Executive Nurse Leadership program your all, you will be ensuring that a successful career awaits upon graduation. It will take a lot of focus, drive, commitment, time, and energy which is why you want to keep your eye on the end goal and make use of these handy tips.
