Nursing Students General Students
Published Dec 26, 2006
dpmn10
2 Posts
hello
i will be fulfilling pre-req courses this spring '07 to submit a portfolio for nursing program.
i have questions about being prepared and/or even above avg.
is there anything that i can review, study, get certified in, such as cpr prior and during the program, other normal curriculum?
should i practice learning names and places of bones?
should i get cpr certified before acceptance?
should i read a nclex book?
should i review medicines and/or measuring?
etc
i don't want find out the majority of my classmates have gotten head start on information knowledge that i could as well done myself.
shoegalRN, RN
1,338 Posts
I am a soon to be nursing student (start 01/17/07 BSN program) and I did my pre-req's one at a time because I worked fulltime and have a 10 year old son. A CNA class was not required. I didnt have to take a CPR class until AFTER I completed all my pre-req's prior to getting into nursing school. I didnt do any studying prior to the courses started, but here is what I recommend:
For Anatomy:
Study the parts of the bones i.e clavicle has a spine, shoulder, etc.
Also, the orgins and insertions
Learn the muscle groupings, atagonist, anogist, etc.
For Chemistry:
Organic is what I can remember (stuggled a bit in chem)
For Physiology:
Muscle contraction is a BIG issue
Nerve impulse is a BIG issue
Diffusion is a BIG issue
Osmosis is a BIG issue
Na and K pump is a BIG issue
Microbiology:
Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria
Classification of bacteria
Lab really helped me in this class
Know how antibotics work or dont work
Nutrition:
Kinda a review from chemistry, knowing the chemical reactions of certain vitamins.
This is all I can think of from the top of my head. I hope this helps!
Tweety, BSN, RN
34,347 Posts
Welcome. I'm going to move your post out of introductions and to the student forum, where you might get more advice.
Most of us start nursing school from scratch and make it through nursing school and pass NCLEX. I prepared ahead of time nada for school myself and took the courses as they came along. It certainly doesn't hurt to learn a thing or two ahead of time.
Yes, get your CPR.
It might help you to get a head-start if you started learning basic A&P like bones and muscles, etc. Stick to basic A&P and don't go into Pathophysiology just yet. Learn the normal body functions first.
It would not hurt to take a course in dosages and calculations, or do some self study.
Do not worry about learning any medications. Dosing, side effects, contraindications and interactions are just too much to worry about now.
Do not read an NCLEX book. Save that for when you graduate.
jb2u, ASN, RN
863 Posts
My suggestion to you if you are a pre-nursing student is...concentrate on your pre-req's!!! Not only will they prepare you for nursing school, but doing well in these courses will increase your odds of getting into nursing school. If you know all the names of every bone in the body, but you have all C's in your pre-req's, well the odds of getting in are slim and, in some schools, you would not even be considered. Put all your effort into receiving good grades in your pre-req's. If something happens after you have completed your pre-req's and you do not get into nursing school and you have to wait until the next year to reapply, then over that year would be a good time to study bones and the like. Maybe work as a CNA.
I wish you well.
Sincerely,
Jay
Daytonite, BSN, RN
1 Article; 14,604 Posts
Hi, dpmn10!
You should be checking to see what courses you are going to be required to take and checking out the textbooks required for those courses. See if you can get the course syllabus from previous students as well as the textbooks so you can start studying for the classes as you get ready to take them from those materials. Surf the internet for websites to help you study these subjects.
You can start studying bones and muscles if you want, but there are lots of other subjects in anatomy and physiology that you will have to study and get tested over as well such as the functions of the liver and the kidneys, the ATP cycle and cell division. As for CPR certification, it's only good for 2 years and has to be renewed. Take it to be a good citizen, but whatever nursing school you eventually attend will require that any CPR certification you have will need to be current.
Welcome to allnurses! :welcome:
squee-gee
97 Posts
Hi - My advice is to get the best grades you possibly can in your pre-reqs, and then get a really good study guide for the entrance exam (I assume you need to take one to get into a nursing program). Concentrate on getting ready for that exam! In my program, with so many people trying to get in, their score on the entrance exam was often the deciding factor for them. Good Luck!