Experienced Student Nurses...advice?

caraj829 · May 12, 2012

We used that book and I HIGHLY recommend it. It breakes down the function of each electrolyte and what s/sx come with each when a patient is hypo/hyper, etc. It also puts everything in terms that were more understandable, at least to me.

grownuprosie · May 13, 2012

i know i already weighed in, but i wanted to agree with a previous poster that memorizing lab values is invaluable. On every test i have taken there is at least one questions that gives a value and you are asked what to do about it. it is actually the bane of my existence.

IndyElmer · May 13, 2012

We used that book and I HIGHLY recommend it. It breaks down the function of each electrolyte and what s/sx come with each when a patient is hypo/hyper, etc. It also puts everything in terms that were more understandable, at least to me.

Which book? (a couple have been mentioned)

PatMac10,RN, RN · May 13, 2012

As some have posted, Looking at your fluid and electrolytes and basic lab values could be very helpful! I am a second year nursing student and I remember feeling the same way about summer when I first got my letter! Also, I personally feel that a review of the cardiovascular and respiratory system are vital. IF you want to look at more do a mild review of the endocrine system and the metabolic actions of the body. Those subjects areas are a very good base for a the first year. OF course you will be expect to have a general knowledge of all anatomy and physiology, microbiology etc...... It is also to note that every school/ program is different. The suggestions I made are from my experience this past year as a first year nursing student. I wish you all the fortune in world. It is most definitely a hard journey, but an exciting and fun one none the less! Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!! SO many people wish they could be in your shoes!!!!!

PatMac10,RN, RN · May 13, 2012

As far as the dosage calculations go, I am a horrible math student, and I mean horrible. I'm talking about I struggled to get C and sometimes B's. However the math require for most, notice I said most, drug calculations are fairly easy if you know your formulas and basic unit measurement equivalents. I had difficulty with titrating some meds and with some weird dosage orders, but It has not been a so significant as to interrupt my testing abilities and clinical performance.

(e.g. 1,000 ml equals 1L etc...)

gsmith91 · May 13, 2012

I too start this coming fall and plan on buying some of the nursing incredibly easy series to review during the summer.

PatMac10,RN, RN · May 14, 2012

Now when it comes to books outside the required. The demystified nursing series was awesome. However I only had the med surg version! I read the fundamentals made incredibly easy the summer before I started nursing school to have a good baseline to go off if first sestet. It was helpful.

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · May 14, 2012

You can't go wrong by starting to memorize common lab values (CBC, sodium, potassium, etc.) and also understanding the differences between metabolic & respiratory alkalosis and acidosis. That's basic stuff that nursing students need to know for most classes and for NCLEX, among other things.

But I would stop there. I agree with the prior post ... enjoy your free time while you can!! You have no idea how much you're going to lack it come the fall.

treehugger · May 14, 2012

Best advice: Enjoy your summer while it lasts :)

SENSUALBLISSINFL, BSN, RN · May 14, 2012

As you can see by the posts here, the agreement is pretty much the same: ENJOY YOUR SUMMER.

However, I understand your eagerness so I will probably advise you on the same things already posted.

Weak in math? Start practicing Dosage Calculations. Someone mentioned this is easy, I personally had a challenge since I was weak on it and it was one of my classes on my first semester, so I wished I reviewed before hand.

Fluids & Electrolytes....review them, see if you can start remembering some of values and learn the differences between their hypos and hypers - you will need to know this throughout nursing school but since you have not even started nursing school I am suggesting that you memorize and learn some now NOT all because you will not understand why now but you will once you start the courses...the Incredbile Easy book on this was a great help to me, is not a big book and I carried that everywhere. Try EBAY, great prices.

Review the A & P of the cardiac system, respiratory and renal. I agree Brunner's is great.

Have extra time? How about studying your basics on diabetes and some of its meds? Diabetes is huge in Nursing School.

BUT....having said that....the biggest advise is to start getting yourself organized as far as your house, your space at home where you will be studying and such. Maintain a harmonious and clean environment.

Most of us agree, that while in nursing school we gave up time with our families and doing the things we enjoyed the most....I got to go to the movies on breaks between semesters because I needed to really focus on school and really did the get-togethers with family and friends as well. Others may not have that issue and that is great for them, but for me, I needed to breathe nursing all the time to focus.

Birthday coming up before your school starts? Get someone to buy you a good recorder, I found taping lectures very helpful and those Starbucks Gift cards are great.

Once in school, find one or two (not more) classmates to do your own study group. I found too many people on the study groups often would be distracting when large. Also make sure they fit your lifestyle, a parent may have different priorities if you are a single student in where their time is more limited than if your are single for study time, etc.

If you happen to know the material and you find a classmate that does not....spend the time and help your fellow classmate, even in school you will find the competition among the class is fierce and some have a "me first" attitute. Helping each other is what will make your journey pleasant, you never know if that person will be the one to help you when you struggle on another subject. Be kind and gracious to each other, and pay forward the kindness you receive .:hug:

And last but not least....come to this site, you will find educators and fellow students helping when one has a question or two.

I apologize for making this a long post...I can go on and on.

BEST OF LUCK :loveya:

cchesney · May 14, 2012

Thanks so much for all of your input! I do not intend on consuming myself with studying over the summer, but to just fill in here and there whenever I have free time. I especially am glad that several of you have brought attention to the fluid and electrolytes because that would have to be one area that I am needing some refreshing on, especially now seeing how much I will need to have down from the get-go. I think that wishing away the summer was due to the initial excitement from receiving that letter that I have worked so hard for. I am still over the moon, but it has settled down a little bit. So, I will be taking all of your suggestions and go from there!!!

PacoUSA, BSN, RN · May 15, 2012

I was like you before my nursing program started, except that I started in the summer and was wishing the spring away. Once I was in the mix, I could not help to wish the program away and I missed my free time, lol. Now I am 4 days from graduation and just dying to finish already .. but have slowly recaptured some of that free time. Don't worry, your time in the degree program will FLY by. Before you know it, you'll be wearing that cap and gown :)