Hello everyone. This is my first time on here so I hope I do this right. I am taking a CNA course in NC, it starts next week. We were told to read two chapters plus a CPR book prior to class. We weren't told to learn anything specific, just to read the chapters. One of the chapters, Common Diseases & Conditions of Body Systems is approx. 130 pages. I think I am just overwhelmed and I am a perfectionist, which isn't helping. I feel like I'm going in circles, I'm trying to remember all of the terms, how to spell them, the defentions, ect. If anyone could please give me some advice on what to expect, if I am over thinking this (I tend to do that sometimes), ect. My goal is to go on to nursing school and become an RN and this is the first step that I have to take to get into the program. Thanks.

Wow 130 pgs?? My chapters in Micro or A&P weren't even that long!! But maybe its that long because it contains pictures or chapter reviews? Anyways I would suggest highlighting the bold words, doing the reviews that are at the end of each section & any other activities in the book, because I think they can be really beneficial. Dont stress over spelling, and trying to recall every single thing you've read!! I understand that you want to do well in this course, but its important not to get overwhelmed :) The class isn't really hard IMO if you read the main parts and take really good notes. Good luck

I only had about 20 pages of medical terminology and then about 20 more for common diseases, and I rarely have to ask an RN what a term means. Just remember your prefixes (gastri, nephri, choli) and your suffixes (itis, osis, thiasis). Take things slow, talking about the chapters in class will clarify a whole lot.

Thank you all so much! There actually is 129 pages in that chapter, I was suprised too! There are diagrams and charts in the chapter, I think I got overwhelmed. My head was spinning yesterday! :) I am going to spend this afternoon and tomorrow reading and hopefully I will be fine. Again, thanks so much!

Wow! That is a lot of reading! I totally understand your freak-out. I am the same way. The biggest thing I can remember from the first few weeks was learning vital signs. Try to memorize the normal ranges for blood pressure, pulse, respirations, and temp and work on some of the basic medical terminology. It is really overwhelming at first but it gets so much easier, especially once you hear people using the terms all the time. It's a fun class and you will learn a lot. But the teacher is going to help you as will your other classmates so don't freak out on trying to learn all that BEFORE you are officially taught it! :)