GPC Students - how was your semester?

BEANURSE · Dec 24, 2005

Studentque,

My main advise is to stay on top of the reading.....You WILL read just about the whole book in Fundamentals and Med/Surg (and Maternal/Child 3rd semester)...Like I said.....LOTS OF READING......Be sure to keep these books throughout the whole program because you will need all of them in future semesters....in this last semester I used my Med/Surg and Fund book A LOT....especially to write care plans!!!!! I wish I could give you the secret to the dreaded test questions but I don't know it! Just read and re-read each question and answer and make sure EVERY part of the answer is right before you choose that answer....if one part of the answer is wrong the whole answer is wrong.....

Also, take the time to get to know the instructors and let them get to know you!!! This will pay off for you BIG TIME in the future!!!!! let them know you care and WANT to learn......when they know that you are taking responsibility for your own education and not expecting them to spoon feed you they will respect you and help you (that has been my experience!)

With you starting in January you will not have the option to take Psych in the summer since you will be taking Med/Surg in the summer. So just go ahead and prepare yourself for taking both in the fall!

If you have any more specific questions, feel free to PM me!

BEANURSE

LaurieLu78 · Dec 26, 2005

Hi! I'm starting my 4th semester in a few weeks. Just wanted to offer a tip that has helped me get through this program. The company who supplies the Fundamentals and Med-Surg books (Prentice Hall) also does a review book called "Reviews and Rationales". Not only are these chapters WAY easier to read than some in the book, but many of the questions from these chapters showed up on the test. If you can afford it, buy as many supplemental books as you can... Incredibly Easy is a good line, as is the Reviews and Rationales. You will see these questions (and some variations of these questions) on almost every test. Well worth the money!!! Also, in Fundamentals and MedSurg, the Objectives supplied by the instuctors is a study guide for what they expect you to know. I did each objective question, studied from those and did A-OK... well, B-OK on almost every test.

Saunders has a good NCLEX review that helped out too. Great test study questions.

You should have a math book written by one of the instructors+ on the required book list. It is a wonderful resource, and if you comprehend that, you will do fine on the math questions!

I hope this helps. There isn't a secret formula, and what works for me may not work for everyone, but just hang in there. Always be reading!!!

Oh, and I know I sound like a commercial for these review books, but they truly are wonderful! To see each of them go to www.prenhall.com/hogan I bought one for each semester and relied heavily on them each time.

studentque · Dec 27, 2005

LaurieLu78,

Thanks for the wonderful info. I have 2 of those Review & Rationale books (Fundamentals & Child health Nursing) they seem to be an easier read than Kozier. Oh, & you're right...the Med-Math book is great! I get the basic concept, well formulas, and it really breaks it down for the lay mathematician (myself :confused: ). But thanks for all the great advice & feel free to share anymore:thankya: .

malarwen · Dec 30, 2005

Hi studentque, I'm glad to find other future students here. I'm also starting in January 2006 and I'm sooooo excited and scared! I'm already reading the fundamentals book and practicing taking BP on my husband...

Good luck and I'll see you on Monday 9th!

BEANURSE · Feb 19, 2006

So.....how is it going for everyone? I am hanging in there.....

81 MORE DAYS UNTIL PINNING!!!!!!!!!

rollie · Feb 19, 2006

beanurse - you must be in my class! I wonder who you are! I'm doing very well. I have the preceptor led rotation first and I'm LOVING it. So much freedom and I've learned so much! I'm dreading going back to instructor led for my 2nd rotation! I got a B on the test even though I felt like I failed. Very wierd!

Today I'm working on the take home quiz.

BEANURSE · Feb 19, 2006

beanurse - you must be in my class! I wonder who you are! I'm doing very well. I have the preceptor led rotation first and I'm LOVING it. So much freedom and I've learned so much! I'm dreading going back to instructor led for my 2nd rotation! I got a B on the test even though I felt like I failed. Very wierd!
Today I'm working on the take home quiz.

I finished my take home quiz and am trying to get prepared for the lecture on Tuesday today.....

I also got a B on the first test and did not think that I did that well on it....but am very happy that I got that B....gives me more wiggle room if I need it on future tests.....

I am also in preceptor lead clinicals this rotation.....loving it! I only have one more day left! I did the 4 12s and 4 8s so I only have one more 8 hour shift left which is this coming Thursday.

What do you think this test tomorrow is going to be like? (the RN Diag. test)

Have you heard anything about it?

rollie · Feb 19, 2006

I haven't heard anything about it either. Is it just diagnostic or is it one of those we have to pass with a certain score? Isn't this the pre one?

BEANURSE · Feb 19, 2006

yea....I believe it is just diagnostic......in the syllabus it just says that we have to "complete" this exam....not pass at a specific score. Have you started to atempt the other one yet? (the one we have to have an 80 on by the end of the semester)

rollie · Feb 19, 2006

No, not yet. Have you? I think I'll try that on Thurs or Friday since I have them off this week.

BEANURSE · Feb 20, 2006

no I haven't either......might try it this week......I had totally forgotten about it until someone mentioned it in class the other day.....maybe it was you!!!! :roll

BEANURSE · Apr 7, 2006

So GPC students.....how is everyone doing? How are all of you 1st semester"ies" doing?

Its almost over for us 4th semester"ies".

Just wanted to hear from you guys and see how everyone is haning in there.