Basically Nursing School is...

Achoo!, LPN · Apr 25, 2006

Well I'm sure you understand the pre-req's and co-req's ( A&P, chemistry, psych sociology etc..)

1st semester for me is..

Fundamentals- basic nursing skills, learning about the nursing process, care plans, diagnosing, planning, implementing, evaluating etc..

Skills- IV's, suctioning, vital signs, catheters, administering meds,wounds, stuff like that

pharmacology- drug classes, side effects, metabolization of drugs, efficacy etc..

Clinicals- This consists of nursing home rounds for us. We do the daily cares, pass meds, injections, write up care plans.

Second semester involves OB/peds/ family dynamics/teaching- our class is called nursing health promotions

Also health alterations- this is considered med-surg. Alot of disease processes associated with all of the different body systems one at a time.

Also clinicals- an OB rotation and a med-surg rotation- more of the same except we can start working with the IV's- all but starting them.

3rd semester is community type stuff, psych, and more advanced med-surg.

4th semester we can pick what area we'd like to do our rotation in to focus on that. Also more complex health alteations, not sure what else.

I'm sure others have more to add, as I am only in first semester.

Guitar_Heroine · Apr 25, 2006

A lot of work! All the schools are a little different but I'll base this on my knowledge from the schools I've been to. You'll take classes in pharmacology - the different classes and kinds of drugs, how they work, what they do, etc. And pathophysiology - which is the processes behind the diseases and how they affect the body. You'll learn how to conduct physical assessments on patients. Clinicals are where you actually work as a student in a health care setting. Practicum for us is at the end of the program where we essentially work as a nurse to transition from school to the working world and get extra practice. Usually you can pick what area you want to do your practicum in. We have a lot of professionalism classes too, that deal with research and ethics and stuff. It depends also if you're going to a BSN or ADN program. Pre-reqs are a lot of science. A&P will explain how all the parts work together and the body functions, hopefully your school will have cadavers for you to work on and you'll probably do some dissections of organs. Microbiology was pretty much just learning about different organisms and different tests for them, lots of microscope time. Your course catalog will probably give a better explanation of the courses. I'm sure I'm missing some and someone will have a better response. Let me know if you have any other questions I might be able to answer! Good luck :)

Krither · Apr 26, 2006

I'm going for the BSN if it'll help you answer my questions. Also, while I'm at it, what is the most diffult part of the upper-division?

Also, since you guys have been through this, I'm very concerned that I may have to take A&P over the summer session and I want you all's opinion on whether that's defiinitely a bad idea? Will I have the time to study as much as needed?

Also, thank you so far for the info, please keep it coming!

BrieRN07 · Apr 26, 2006

I'm going for the BSN if it'll help you answer my questions. Also, while I'm at it, what is the most diffult part of the upper-division?
Also, since you guys have been through this, I'm very concerned that I may have to take A&P over the summer session and I want you all's opinion on whether that's defiinitely a bad idea? Will I have the time to study as much as needed?
Also, thank you so far for the info, please keep it coming!

I personally don't recommend taking science classes over the summer!!! One- it's much harder (less time, same material). Two- you want to actually learn the information, not cram it in to pass the tests! It also depends on if you're taking the classes at a community college or university.

It's also good to take classes for BSN and ADN programs, just in case you don't get in to your first choice. Best of luck to you!!

-Brianna