New Nursing Student - Need advice on what to study over summer to prepare

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I have just been accepted into the Fall nursing program and want to be as prepared as I can get! I will have an entire summer to take extra courses and/ or study, so my question is: As a 1st time nursing student, what should I focus on with my extra time?

Should I concentrate on Pharmacology flash cards, take a medical terminology course over the summer, or are there particular books I can purchase that focuses on 1st semester basics?

So many ways I can spend this valuable time and want it to count before the 1st big semester. Thanks in advance to all who answer :up:

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

Nope. Relax. Take a deep breath. And enjoy your summer. No, seriously.

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Specializes in NICU, Trauma, Oncology.

If you must do something and aren't familiar with the medical field then a medical terminology course can't hurt.

But really, enjoy your summer.

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I agree! Relax! You need the calm before the storm. Nursing school is hectic and overwhelming with little time to enjoy off. So do it now! You'll be glad you did! Good luck!!

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Specializes in Orthopedics, Med-Tele, Dermatology.

Yes enjoy your summer!!!

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Thanks guys! My husband days the same lol. Probably will do just that

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Congratulations on gettin accepted to a nursing program. I've had the same question. I start a BSN program in the fall, and I wanted to "get ahead" during the summer. The problem is I have no idea what to read I'm already familiar with medical terminology because I have been a medical assistant for 6 years. I'm really nervous because there are so many horror stories of people failing out of their nursing programs.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

Memorize normal lab values for calcium, potassium, glucose, sodium, magnesium

Start now on understanding electrolytes. YouTube videos.

Learn as much as you can about how the heart works.

I would skip the medical terminology class.

Good luck!

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Hi there!

I just completed my first year. The only class I really had any difficult with was Anatomy and Physiology. Depending on how long it has been since you have been out of school, I feel like that was something I would have benefitted from by pre-reading/learning on my own before class began.

Good luck!

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Specializes in Allergy/ENT, Occ Health, LTC/Skilled.

I start in July after 3 years of pre-reqs and was going to inquire the same! But, my husband told me as well, I need to relax. I've been going non stop since I started and I am finally only working PRN so I am going to be going to the pool everyday with my three kids and soaking up the sun till the year of hell starts lol. Good luck!

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I would read a medical dictionary. Cover to cover...

Work on time management.

Read an NCLEX book.

Enjoy your time off.

Mentally prepare for an avalanche of information. Good luck and never give up!

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Enjoy your summer!!

Learning medical terminology is always good. Another thing is dosage calculations. You may have a test first thing depending on your school. I honestly would not stress. You'll have plenty to stress about when school starts!

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