Suggestions please!

ADNsoon · Jun 22, 2005

I am in the same situation. I have about 2 months before my ADN program begins and I have limited time to read/study but I want to get a 'head start'. Should I focus on theory, skills, assessment, NANDA diagnosis, care plans? I have already been reading and working out problems in my Dosage Calculations book. Did any of you nursing students find something difficult in your first semester that you wished you had studied a bit on ahead of time?

I can't study everything and I want to make the best use of my 2 months.

Thanks,

twinkle · Jun 22, 2005

Thanks for the suggestions. Really, I can't sit and do nothing. I am truly getting antsy. I haven't bought my sphigmo or stethoscope because my school hasn't given me any idea yet about what I need. I assumed I would need a stethoscope but I don't know if there is a particular one that I will need. I have some idea about the book that we will be using but don't know for sure. I've been checking prices on fundamental nursing books on ebay and I just may buy a cheap one so I can start reading. I'm told I should receive a packet from my school by the end of the week.

What is a sphigmo? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I have A LOT to learn - I still need to take my pre-reqs.

ADNsoon · Jun 22, 2005

What is a sphigmo? Sorry if this is a dumb question but I have A LOT to learn - I still need to take my pre-reqs.

I believe a sphigmomonometer is the cuff and valve instument you put around a persons arm to take there blood pressure. You also have to use a stethiscope to do this.

sheri_u2 · Jun 22, 2005

Good Morning Everyone,
I finally start my nursing classes on 8/31/05. I was wondering if any of you nursing
school veterans have any suggestions about things I can do to prepare. Are there any books that you can suggest for people like me who are just entering nursing school? I am going to purchase a medical terminology book so I can brush up on some of the language. I'm so excited right now and I want to soak up as much info possible while I have some free time.
Thanks,
Deb

I got a lot of good advice at this thread. :)

https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1195177#post1195177&conly=

twinkle · Jun 22, 2005

I believe a sphigmomonometer is the cuff and valve instument you put around a persons arm to take there blood pressure. You also have to use a stethiscope to do this.

Thanks ADNsoon!

alexillytom · Jun 22, 2005

I got a lot of good advice at this thread. :)
https://allnurses.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1195177#post1195177&conly=

Thanks Sheri-u2! This is very helpful info.

My girlfriend just gave me her medical terminology book from her Medical Assistant class. I'm so stoked. I have something to do to keep me occupied now.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 22, 2005

Hi! You know what other book is a great book to get for someone about to start a nursing program? I just graduated from a BSN program last month, and one day when I was in the bookstore recently I was flipping through this book called "Nursing Student Success" It is in the "Made Incredibly Easy" series of books they have in the nursing section of bookstores like Borders. It has all sorts of great tips on how to study for lectures, prepare for clinicals, what to expect. I think that is a great book to read so you can know what you're in for and how to prepare...and it's not heavy reading or anything so it won't be boring. Perfect for summertime! Hope this helps! :)

-Christine

leopold · Jun 22, 2005

bowel and breath sounds, heart sounds, pulse points, esp. apical, yes b/p, strip your friends and family down and get them working for you! :rolleyes:

Califlower · Jun 26, 2005

I just finished my first semester of nursing school. In retrospect, I think I would've done a few things besides twiddling my thumb!

1). I would definitely brush up on math skills, especially if it is a weak point. Dosage calculation is not hard, but I found a lot of students had trouble with it, and it really is something you can do without any prior teaching.

2). I would get comfortable with the human body. Volunteer at a place where you can get patient contact, be it nursing homes or hospital wards. You might be a natural "people person" but dealing with patients is a bit different. Also, you will be confronted with a whole lotta poop and pee, so start getting used to it!

3). Get in the habit of reading. There is a lot of reading involved, and you have to build up to reading that much at a time! It really doesn't matter what you read, but I would say get in the habit of sitting down and reading (carefully) for extended periods of time.

4). Learn abbreviations and measuring units and their conversions (grains to mg and so on). It's not very difficult, but if you get them out of the way earlier, then it's one less thing you have to take care of in nursing school!

5). Review your anatomy, physiology, and microbiology. They are the foundations of your basic nursing education; if your foundation is weak, it will be harder to grasp the nursing concepts introduced later on. Endocrine and neurotransmitter/hormone stuff are especially important for pharmacology... I tell ya, that norepinephrine guy keeps popping up!

6). I think this one is the most important. Work out. Get fit. If you're overweight, lose weight. Be healthy. For clinical, I was on my feet for hours and hours, and my ankles frequently became "cankles" because they were swollen and my feet were in pain. Build some muscle strength too, because I felt like a total wimp every time I was helping someone move a patient and could barely move anything at all!

Hope that helps. Yeah, I had a rough first semester (as I think everyone's first semesters are) but I made it.

wms · Jun 26, 2005

OK, seriously, I know that you are very excited and that you want to jump right in which is awesome BUT- Enjoy your summer, most nursing schools have classes in the summer too, so this might be your last one for a while.

I am enjoying my first break in two years (just till aug when I go back)

If you insist on studying, nothing will help you get through more than your anatomy phys, books. And another would be a clinical procedure book, that gives you illustrations for different procedures. This will help you know what to expect. Hope this helps, but really really relax and enjoy this time OK?

Good luck!!!

Wendy

RN-TO-BE · Jun 26, 2005

I just graduated nursing school in May and just found out that I passed boards yesterday. My advice to all that are about to start their first semester is just to relax and enjoy the summer. Spend time with your family and friends. Read books that are enjoyable to you. Sleep in. Stay out late. Once school starts, it will very difficult to do any of the above things. You will be studying all the time or practicing for clinical check-offs or doing care plans or at clinicals or writing papers. Take advantage of this time you have left before school starts. I know that it is hard to not want to get started but believe me you will be wishing that you had used this time to relax in a couple of months!