Am I trying to do too much?

Nurses General Nursing

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I passed all my exams(!) and am moving on to my final placement in palliative care. I write the National exam in May and wanted some study tips. I plan on taking a course on how to interpret lab results online, its 18h and 10 weeks. I don't have a clue about how to incorporate lab values into my practice, so I think this should help. I also plan on taking a Palliative Care Communications course to help me in my practice and I hope it will assist me in getting hired. Its 20h and 10 weeks, also online.

So I guess I have two questions. One how to prepare for the national exam and two, am I going to be overwhelmed with these online course, doing my preceptorship, still having some papers and projects for school and trying to study for the exam, oh did I mention trying to have a life. (I don't have kids, and have some money saved up so I won't be destitute if I can't work as much. I suppose I'll have to forgo the caviar and weekends at the cape that I have become so accustomed to - HA!)

Thanks

Specializes in Med/Surg, DSU, Ortho, Onc, Psych.

Whoa, there hold those horses!

You will probably become overwhelmed & get flustered I would say.

When I was studying this is what I did. I sat down & went through the whole curriculum for the course and made up a study timetable to fit in with work, clinicals, whatever. I found that studying a little everyday (or at night) was better for me, rather than leaving all weekend to catch up.

I also got past tests and did these as well (u can usually get them online thru your place of study). If if helps u, have a day off where u don't do ANY study, just leisure activities.

I don't see much point in doing too many online courses, though it is a good idea. Revising for exams will take much of ur time, but if u think u can fit it in, put it onto ur timetable.

But you really need to keep in mind your curriculum for palliative care, and have a good look at it. What goals do the instructors want u to achieve? What do they actually want u to learn? U may find ur learning advanced stuff when u only have to learn basics, for example.

I tried to do a bit of extra study during my clinicals, plus revising material, and it was just exhausting. U need to be sensible and get good sleep, eat good food, exercise, etc otherwise u will get really sick like I did.

Maybe hold off on the pall course till u start clinicals & see how it goes?

And try to find ways during this time to really reduce ur stress levels, ie: with yoga or pilates even.

Hello. Congratulations on passing your school exams! I agree with the writer who suggested that you consider delaying any other course work until after you have passed the national nursing licensure exam in May. Passing the test for your nurse licensure is serious business and probably should be your priority at this point. On your question of "how to prepare for the national exam", most nursing students purchase high quality, professional review books with sample test questions available at big book stores. Then they work like crazy for many weeks going over and over these sample test questions which tend to zoom in on key info prep for the national exam. Best wishes!

I'd add that although you are interested in Palcare, I'd slow down a bit. If you have lots of extra cash burning your pants up, then go ahead. But you really should be sure you have lots of cash to live on as the job market is tight.

I would reschedule the exam and take it much sooner. Then you can get your career on track. Plus statistics show that people who wait longer do worse. You should aim for late January/Early Feb.

With a prediction of 16 inches of snow for the Cape this weekend,

take all your review study materials there for peace and

quiet and a few snow plows at times....;)

Just stopping by to wish you luck on the National exam!!!!!:)

first merry christmas to everyone!

second thank you for your responses, it is greatly appreciated.:redbeathe

i was hoping the online course would give me a leg up in when it comes to apply for jobs. i have gone ahead and signed up for them. it states that i can have a full re-fund if i withdraw no later than three weeks after the start date. i figure i will have a better idea of what is expected and if it is manageable.

i took out the mosbey's study guide to read over the beak and don't find it too bad. i'll get the book put out by the people who make the exam from the school book store when i go back. i guess going back to first semester notes is what i have to do (it's overwhelming to think of how much i have been taught!).

thanks again - can't wait to graduate!

jahra - thanks for the wishes

snowstar4 - i would love to take the exam and become a nurse in feb, only i don't graduate till april ;). thank you all the same.

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