[shining_star28463]

I am a new ADN nursing student. I am so excited but also a nervous and a little overwhelmed. Our new semester began August 18th. It seems as if there is so much information to remember. Everyone in my class seems to have some background in healthcare (a lot of CNAs) and I don't have much at all. I have never taken a blood pressure reading or even used a stethoscope. I would appreciate any study tips that anyone could offer and also I would like to know what the best type of stethoscope is for a beginning nursing student (I brought a Sprague but I can't get the hang of it). Also, I'd like to know what I can expect over the next couple of years in the ADN program. Thanks.

[Tweety]

Good luck to you. Welcome to Allnurses!

[suebird3]

Welcome to allnurses.com. I moved your post to the General Nursing Student Discussion Forum for more responses. Good luck!

Suebird

[Daytonite]

Hi, shining_star28463!

Don't be intimidated just because you have had no background at all in healthcare. There are plenty of us that went to nursing school without any background at all. It shouldn't make a difference. Being a CNA is only a very teensy part of being an RN. By the time your first semester is over you will all be caught up and in the same boat, I guarantee you.

I don't know what to advise you about your stetoscope except to practice using it. If you have willing friends or pets I'm sure they will let you listen to their hearts and bowel sounds for practice.

http://go.dbcc.edu/hhps/nursing/Study_skills.html - Study Skills for the Nursing Student from Daytona Beach Community College Nursing Department with some good advice.
http://go.dbcc.edu/hhps/nursing/Test_Taking_Skills.html - Test Taking Skills also from Daytona Beach Community College Nursing Department. A couple of sample questions and how to chose the correct answer for these application type questions.

Here is another thread on allnurses about studying and nursing school
http://allnurses.com/forums/f198/stu...ded-98560.html - Study skills and study tips needed

Here is a link to a page of nursing procedures learned by the nursing students at Lane Community College nursing program to give you an idea of what might be in store for you.
http://teach.lanecc.edu/nursingskills/

These are links to older threads on allnurses about what is taught in med/surg classes to give you more ideas of what you will be learning:
http://allnurses.com/forums/f205/med...lp-119956.html - Med/surg help
http://allnurses.com/forums/f205/adv...-a-133555.html - Advice on Med-Surg I

Welcome to allnurses!