BSN Resources

The Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing degree is a highly flexible degree, able to be used in a wide range of professions from hands-on patient care to more specialized and administrative roles. But the coursework can be demanding and challenging, and the NCLEX-RN certification examination isn’t very easy, either. With a few key resources, however, it’s easy to succeed in the coursework and testing that ultimately lends itself to BSN degree and a career in nursing.

This might seem basic, but it’s a resource worth noting: The Princeton Review has been ranking, comparing, and contrasting universities for decades. They break schools down not only by which one parties the most or has the most school spirit, but also by which schools have the best science and nursing programs. And each school represented on the Princeton Review’s website is explained in detail; student testimonials stand alongside statistical reports on the number of students admitted, the number who return for a second year, the number who graduate, and their average SAT scores and grade averages.

In order to succeed in a BSN program, you must first get into one. And the Princeton Review is the best way to research schools and make sure that happens.

Lippincott’s Review for NCLEX-RN

It’s never too early to start studying for the NCLEX-RN exam. In fact, many universities have extracurricular study groups that meet regularly and often advertise for freshman nursing students to join as quickly as possible. Even if you plan to attend these meetings, it’s good to have at least one study guide that you can read through in your free time — although any nursing student will attest to the fact that they usually have several different versions of these guides sitting on their dorm or apartment’s desk at any given time.

The Lippincott’s version of this NCLEX-RN review guide comes with more than 5,000 test questions between its front and back covers, and includes an interactive CD-ROM with even more questions and interactive study guides that will prepare nursing students of all types and abilities for their big day with the NCLEX-RN. It should be one of the first purchases that any new BSN student makes at their university bookstore.

Student Nurse Magazine

Student Nurse is a publication made possible by the larger Scrubs magazine for professional nurses who are already in their careers. But this important section of Scrub’s website focuses on nursing student and freshly-minted professionals who have just passed their NCLEX-RN examinations. The magazine features a number of blogs written by student nurses, which range from the serious (career tips, professional pursuits, and how to succeed in class), to more lighthearted articles (such as how to survive being a male nurse).

Its articles also cover topics of good personal health, quizzes on general nursing knowledge, and lifestyle articles that will help the young nursing student cope with the unique aspects of their educational situation. After all, the life of a BSN candidate is quite different from the life of an English major — and sometimes the nursing students need tips on how to pull through.

The Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice

This book should generally be considered the “Bible” of the nursing profession, containing information on all four major areas of nursing as well as including an index on forms of treatment. Its latest iteration contains updates that include vitamin supplements and herbal treatments (and increasingly popular trend among certain populations in the United States); it also discussed standards of care and patient treatment, procedure guidelines, illustrations, and information on certain types of therapies that nurses are expected to know and be able to perform.

This book will be a handy study aide for any BSN student, and will likely serve them well even as they enter the profession as a certified nurse. Every nursing student should pick up this book as an investment in their future as well as their future success in the field.

Mosby’s Drug Guide for Nurses

Every nurse should have this compact, portable drug guide that contains information on more than 60 prescription drugs and a staggering 4,000 drug interactions, side effects, and cocktails. It, too, has recently been updated to include information on interactions between prescribed drugs and certain supplements and herbal treatments. It has exclusive appendixes for combined drugs as well as recently-approved drugs by the FDA that may becoming increasingly common as of its latest print edition.

Diagnostics: An A-To-Z Nursing Guide to Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures

Another handy manual for BSN students is this book on proper diagnostic and laboratory procedures. Because these things are constantly evaluated in the many classes and labs required of BSN students, it’s important to know the proper way to handle equipment, monitor and observe interactions, and diagnose problems. Included are illustrative photos, tables, and other diagrams that help students easy categorize and internalize diagnostic information.