Is it ever too early to prepare for Nursing classes?

[madamewalker]

Hello all,

I am very excited about beginning an ADN program in the Fall at BMCC in New York. I have taken a somewhat challenging curricula in the past when my major was Computer Science, and prior to each semester I would get the curriculum notices from professors, obtain the books and try to read as much as I could (regardless of the volume that I didn't quite yet understand, which was a lot!). However, I will only be taken pre-nursing requisites in the Fall and I am curious about the possibility of overwhelming myself with the sheer volume of information. With computer science, problem solving, understanding a concept and syntax was key, and then applying that concept (algorithm, etc.) as a solution for a wide range of applications made up a large part of the work. The nursing material on the other hand strikes me as being a lot of concept and even more sheer memorization.

Of course, the analysis of a newbie. But tell me I'm wrong! And please let me know if I'm putting the cart before the horse in attempting to "preview" the material before each course.

Thanks!

[Havin' A Party!, ASN, RN]

Been previewing for the last couple of months.

Good luck!

[mitchsmom]

a lot of concept and even more sheer memorization

I agree that it is a lot of that until you get into clinicals - especially in prereqs like anatomy and stuff.

And the consensus on previewing seems to be "go for it if you want to, just don't forget to enjoy your free time before you hit nursing school hard and heavy". Personally, I like to preview a little if I can... it's sort of my chance to do it just out of interest before the pressure of assignments and deadlines is added to it. Even better if I actually learn something ahead of time, to be reinforced later. :)

[Kabin]

This last semester was my first and I did a tad bit of pre-reading/pre-memorization and it wasn't too helpful for me. My mistake was grabbing the Human Skeletal Atlas and memorizing back and skull bones, which I didn't need to know until the end of the semester.

So if you do give it a try, first learn how the class flows and then study material for the beginning of the semester. Otherwise you will forget almost everything you have pre-memorized. :)

[Energizer Bunny]

I am doing a review of my A&P I since I took it three years ago. Luckily, I kept most of my materials and am lost in flashcards, trying to re-fresh my memory. I also got a "key nursing skills" book which is mostly just general info. that most people probably know but there are some really good points in it.

[fnimat1]

I start nursing school in the Fall and have completed all of my pre-req's except for Micro (which I plan to take in the Fall). I do plan on going over my A & P 1 and 2 notes and textbook, labs, etc. I think this may help a bit.

Fatima

[studentnurse74, LPN, LVN]

Hello all,

I have taken a somewhat challenging curricula in the past when my major was Computer Science, and prior to each semester I would get the curriculum notices from professors, obtain the books and try to read as much as I could (regardless of the volume that I didn't quite yet understand, which was a lot!). However, I will only be taken pre-nursing requisites in the Fall and I am curious about the possibility of overwhelming myself with the sheer volume of information. With computer science, problem solving, understanding a concept and syntax was key, and then applying that concept (algorithm, etc.) as a solution for a wide range of applications made up a large part of the work. The nursing material on the other hand strikes me as being a lot of concept and even more sheer memorization.

If you succeeded at all that, I think you will be just fine. And it NEVER hurts to read ahead. Good luck! :)

[shyne]

It would be a good idea to practice some nursing math.

[madamewalker]

Thank you all for your suggestions!

[wonderbee, BSN, RN]

I'll be starting second semester of my ADN program and I am nowhere near ready to start previewing. It won't stick. For me it's just too early and my head's just not in it. First semester was such an exhausting experience that I don't want to look at a textbook until a few weeks before the start of fall follies.

I would say that if your heart and your head are in it, do the reading but at the first sign of weariness, put it on hold.

[RNNoMore]

I think you are on the right track! I bought some of the Nursing books in the 'Incredibly Easy' series (published by Springhouse), because they are easy to read and understandable, and am previewing them. I'm also working through a dosage calculations book because my course requires a 95% in your exams in this, or you are out of the Nursing course period. I'm also reviewing my A & P and have already started to buy the actual text books I need for the courses. I've also already got my stethoscope and sphygmomanometer so I can practice on my family (so far it took me 2 hours to realise I was using the stethoscope the wrong way round, and I still can't find a brachial pulse on anyone LOL! )

You will be just fine - just keep it up!

Paint.

[Nurse-o-Matic]

The best previewing you can do for nursing classes is to get familiar with the type of multiple choice questions you will encounter. Nursing multiple choice are difficult because you get to choose from four correct answers--one of them is just more right than the others.

As for prereq courses--Definitely preview the material but I suggest looking at the main concepts versus trying to memorize details.

Good Luck! :)