[Gift.Fr.Virgo12]

Hi! I'm new to this forum. I'm really excited about starting my clinicals and core in the fall. I've been browsing around this forum to get ideas on how to prepare for the best and worst sems ahead.I hope you guys can give me some advice on test taking, clinical skills, and calcs (I hate math).lol. I am also tempted to but a Palm or Pocket PC, but i really can't afford it right now. Will I be able to get through my 1st sem of clincals w/o one? I know how beneficial it is to have one. I would love to hear from those who've been down this path. Thank you for your time. Aria

[nursentj2005]

I would suggest a certain series of books for you. No, you don't NEED an PDA and yes you can get through your first semester without one. I would also sugest to get as much hands on as you can and to do as many NCLEX simulated questions as you can.
Good luck!

[RNsRWe]

Originally Posted by Gift.Fr.Virgo12

Will I be able to get through my 1st sem of clincals w/o one? I know how beneficial it is to have one. Aria

Easily. While many people rave about how great they are, and I'm sure they ARE, many more of us don't use them, didn't use them, or weren't even permitted to use them (for clinicals, when most people WANTED to use them).

I didn't have one at any time in school and got very good grades. Same for clinical. In our last year, I know of exactly one student (out of about 75 that were left at that point) who got one and she used it alot. The rest of us didn't.

Before I spent the $$, I'd check and see first if your program will allow you to have one for clinical (unless you want to use it for other purposes) and secondly, if many of their students use them. Depending on the program, you may find that lots do, or most don't.

You did a smart move by coming and registering here

Welcome

[KIDNEYSareLIFE]

I absolutely hate math as well but I'm finding dosage calculations to be a breeze. I found a formula that works for me and I use it every time. There are a few different ways to solve these calculations, so find one that works for you and stick to it. Do lots of practice questions so that when test time rolls around, you are more comfortable with the format. I am about to start semester 3/4 and have gone this long without a palm. Some schools don't even allow them so make sure about your school if you are going to invest in one. Make sure you have a drug book with you at clinicals and know the drugs your patient is on...don't be afraid to write everything down. This not only helps you remember, but it shows your clinical instructor that you came prepared. Good luck and have fun.

[Daytonite]

Hi, Aria!

Here are some links for you to explore. The links I have for nursing clinical skills are mostly for very specific skills and usually only one. Most nursing schools do not put all of their basic nursing skills online. However, one link I have that may or may not be of any kind of help to you is from Lane Community College. They are pictorials of basic nursing procedures. Check out the pages closely. Some of them contain links to videos of the procedures as well.

http://teach.lanecc.edu/nursingskills/ - Lane Community College skills page

http://www.accd.edu/sac/history/keller/accditg/SSindex.htm - Strategies for Success, an online primer and tutorial on how to study for students from the Alamo Community College. This is a pretty extensive resource with links on the right side of the page to click into the following subjects: learning styles, note taking, memory techniques, time management, overcoming procrastination, SQ3R (a method for getting the most out of reading your textbooks), study tips, critical thinking, preparing for tests, and oral presentations. Also, take a look at the FAQ's (Frequently Asked Questions).

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.

http://www.maagnursing.com/MedCal/index.php - This is a medication calculation tutorial. You do not have to login or register to do this tutorial! Just click here where it tells you to click here and you are in the program! The left side of the screen has the outline of the course so you always know where you are in the program, or you can skip to a part you particularly want to focus on. There are quizzes at the end of the various sections. This is from the University of San Francisco School of Nursing.

http://www.accd.edu/sac/nursing/math/mathindex2.html - basic tutorial on getting started with pharmacology math. At the bottom of this home page is a drop down box where you link into any of the following subjects: common conversion factors/equivalencies, common abbreviations, ratio and proportion, IV problems, titration problems, and pediatric pharmacology math.
http://www.accd.edu/sac/nursing/math/default.html -- the start page of this pharmacology math tutorial presented by the nursing department at the San Antonio College. By clicking on the "Go Figure" button you can access quizzes on Basic med calculations, IV, Pediatric and OB med calculations. The quizzes all have answers. Follow the directions.

Welcome to allnurses!

[Gift.Fr.Virgo12]

Thank you all sooooo much. I really appreciate the time all of you took to respond. Thanks for the great advice! nursentj2005 I wanted to know which books do you recomend?