I have a close friend, who just started nursing school. She was talking about how it is so fast paced for her, and the feeling of metal diarrhea. She posed the question of how blood flows through the heart to me, so I answered
"From the upper body through the superior vena cava, from the lower body through the inferior vena cava, into the right atrium, through the tricuspid, in to the right ventricle, through the pulmonary valve, into the pulm. artery, then to the right and left lungs for oxygenation, to the pulmonary vein to the left atrium, through the mitral, into the left ventricle, through the aortic valve into the aorta, then then on into circulation".
That was a mouthful. Anyway, she laughed and asked how could I remember something like that when there is so much more to know. And I really didn't have an answer.
So now, I'm asking you. How do you all remember those things that are at the foundation, when there is so much more for us to know? Is it just natural, have you forgotten a lot, or what? And, do you know how blood flows through the heart?
Specializes in ED (Level 1, Pediatric), ICU/CCU/STICU.
Haha, my hubby came up with a really dirty mnemonic for the CNs, wish I could remember it it was hysterical! Most of my class used it :)
I'll start it with this... Oh, Oh, Oh, To Touch And Feel...... First year ED residents are good for something.. :)
On a different note... thats what keeps me involved in medicine and nursing (focal to Critical Care / ED for me). There is always something to learn, and it's constantly evolving, and you have a chance to make a difference "almost" every day you work. Nobody knows everything, despite certain individuals most sincere desire to appear so. Smart nurses (and others) know this, and use it as a strength.
Also, mnemonics really do not help me. They just make things worse unless they're VERY obvious. I have an easier time just trying to memorize what I need to know than some gibberish statement. Acronyms are helpful though. Does anyone else find that mnemonics just cause more confusion?
Also, mnemonics really do not help me. They just make things worse unless they're VERY obvious. I have an easier time just trying to memorize what I need to know than some gibberish statement. Acronyms are helpful though. Does anyone else find that mnemonics just cause more confusion?
They don't help me much either. I do better with trying to connect the information to something I know already. I'm lousy at memorization, but if I understand something I can remember it forever.
Toilet Paper My A** - triscupid, pulmonic, mitral , aortic valves
LOL!!! That's hilarious!! I'm taking a midterm in Med-Surge II on Tuesday that covers cardiac. I suspect I'll have a goofy grin on my face on any valve questions thanks to remembering that!
Toilet Paper My A** - triscupid, pulmonic, mitral , aortic valves
I always remember cardiac cause I work in that area, but I still remember learning what heart sounds I'm listening to on the chest from left to right: All Patients Trust Me
A lady in my class made up facial movements, etc. to go along with the CN mnemonic On Old Olympus...... I was hilarious to watch her go through it because it would make you think of a comedy about an umpire signaling a pitcher in a baseball game. I must say that it was very effective in helping you remember the functions for testing purposes.
Specializes in Geriatrics, Pain, End of Life Care.
It is the truly intelligent person that knows where to go for the information needed. Nursing school was shotgun info. Yes I read all 5 bazillion pages assigned to me and no i dont remember it all, but i am familiar with it and have collected the resources around me to investigate when i need mental backup. It is funny the things we can recall from 15 years ago in nursing school...."On Old Olympus Towering Top A Fat orificed...." You get the picture. Cranial nerves 101...LOLOLOLOL
Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.
Here's where anatomy class pays off. I can't remember long detailed information about how things work, if they're just words. They have to make sense to me. So, for how the blood flows, I imagine the inside of the heart with all its parts, and picture how the blood flows.
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SaraO'Hara
551 Posts
Somebody (maybe a nurse at clinicals) taught "Ooh ooh ooh, to touch and feel a girl's (naughty bits) - ah, heaven."
I remember really fundamental things (eg normal VS, order of blood flow through heart / lungs) - for uncommon situations, we have reference books!