does it help to study before school starts?

Are you just starting out in nursing school altogether? Your post sounds kind of like you're getting ready for CRNA or something.

If you are just completely new without any medical training yet, here's what I am doing...I am just starting my program, and will be taking Anatomy&Physiology next semester. So for the summer, I got these really cool A&P coloring books. That way I'll at least be somewhat familar with the material. Plus, it's fun! Do a search on Amazon or Barnes&Noble..there are several different ones...oh, and get a really good set of colored pencils!

Good luck to you!

Duh...please disregard my previous reply....I thought I was in the general nursing forum..

The coloring book ARE really cool, though (she said, sheepishly)

Best of luck in your CRNA program.

I don't know how much you all ready know about the hospital environment, but if you have never worked in a hospital then I would recommend finding some volunteer thing you can do so you can see what it's like. Being comfortable with patients is the real hurdle to get over when you start nursing school, especially if you have never worked as a CNA. I went to a university and almost everyone I went to school with had no prior experience and we were all terrified to even say hello to our patient on our first clinical day. It really helps to have some familiarity with the sights and sounds of the hospital if you can find some opportunity to do that.

Clinical Anesthesiology
by Morgan and Mikhail

you'll have to buy it when school starts, but it's good to read before you start too.

yes it helps...TREMENDOUSLY. I used it all the way through undergrad. It helped me though countless chemistry, math, anatomy, and physiology classes.

save your energy, but if you are enthusiastic...grab a copy of Morgan et al clinical anesthesia. If your program offers an optional intro class and you have money to burn take it.

good luck

hi,
I start school 9/2/08.I've started making index cards on critical thinking,and the nursing process.The coloring books sound cool. I will check them out also.

good luck to all!

They will teach you all you need to know might want to brush up on some chemistry and physics but other than that most of the anesthesia material won't make much sense. I say enjoy your free time while you still have it.

2007 is right. Morgan/Mikhail and more advanced books won't make any sense at this point. If you want to get a head start, review your physiology and chemistry. Get a pharm review book, like LWW Pharmacology.

If you have your heart set on learning anesthesia before your program, the only book you might understand is Basics of Anesthesia (Stoetling/Miller).

I bought MassGen and "Secrets" before school, and spent a lot of wasted time trying to decipher them.

Another thought: Review your Nervous System, particularly the ANS.

Hope this helps, and good luck!