What you wish you would have payed more attention to.

student Missy · Jun 29, 2006

Hmmm, its too bad there are no posts yet, this one was so important to me. Perhaps if I clarified a little bit...I'm NOT looking for things that I can slack on, I'm looking for the things that I need to really focus on the most. I could even possibly get a jump start on some of these things before they are covered. I hear the pharmacology is pretty tough and needs alot of extra concentration. This is the areas of study: Areas of Study

Anatomy and Physiology
Nutrition and Diet Therapy
Growth and Development
Medical Nursing
Surgical Nursing
Pharmacology
Obstetric Nursing
Pediatric Nursing
Geriatric Nursing

llg, PhD, RN · Jun 29, 2006

I'm not an LPN, Missy ... so, I can't really answer your question. But I think it is a GREAT question and hope someone does. Perhaps my bumping it up again will yield a response.

Good luck with school,

llg

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Jun 29, 2006

As a former LPN, Anatomy and Physiology and Pharmacology are two biggest areas needed to concentrate on along with disease process taught in Medical and Surgical Nursing.

If you understand how the body works, understand anatomy and physiology, understand major drug classes and side effects associated with each, proper drug administration, then picking up deviations in physical appearance, subtle changes in patient behavior, abnormal lab results.

Administering meds properly and knowing when to hold/question meds will prevent you from drug error. Both together will help improve patient care by getting the right attention at the right time.

TheCommuter, BSN, RN · Jun 30, 2006

I would have paid more attention to the mathematical portion of my schooling. It is really difficult to attempt to learn intermediate algebra when you didn't learn it properly in high school.

Some of you are probably wondering why I am even mentioning the math. Most RN programs require that you have completed college-level algebra with a satisfactory grade as a prerequisite.

kizzysmom · Jun 30, 2006

As a new PN grad these are my suggestions for advanced studying.

I too wished I had a better grasp of math at the beginning. My suggestion to you is to go to the bookstore and look at the following: Math for Meds by Anna Curren. She also publishes the same text using dimensional analysis which I was more familiar with. Also, look at pharmacology for Nursing texts. Not only do you have to know meds. s/e, etc., same as your EMT program, but you also need to know the Nursing Process as related to meds. One last thing: get a NURSING CARE PLAN book and familiarize yourself with the NANDA language. Hope it helps and good luck!!

student Missy · Jul 1, 2006

Thank you all for the posts! This was exactly the type of information I was looking for!

Princess74 · Jul 1, 2006

Good thread Missy. I am also starting a LPN program in August.

Fiona59 · Jul 4, 2006

Looking back, I spent way to much time stressing out over nursing diagnosis. None of my employers have ever required me to write one.

I wish I had spent more time on spelling. I know it sounds strange but there are days spelling diarehhea is beyond me (see what I mean) and there is no spell check when charting at 2255...

baylay · Jul 4, 2006

Hmmmm Yes! Care Plans. They will become your friend eventually! Mosby's "Guide to Nursing Diagnosis" is a good book on NANDA's.

I'm into the LVN program 7 mos. now (yeaahhh) and I agree you must know how the body works, anatomy & physiology. And learn your Med's. Really it's all one big picture, how it all ties together. I'm amazed what I learn each day. So glad I've chosen to do this, this late in my life (47).

Good Luck! And study study study!!

volsfan · Jul 7, 2006

I think what you need to concentrate on depends on your strengths and weaknesses. For example, I am horrible at memorizing, so I had to concentrate on pharmacology, b/c really learning the drug names and what class they are in is all memorizing. However, I am was excellent at the nursing process and choosing the correct answer and understanding why.

Med Surg is huge and if you can understand "how the body works" then you will understand all the disesase processes! I already had Anatomy & Physiology I & II prior to LPN schooling and I think this gave me a huge leg up b/c in our school you didn't need those classes just an Anatomy for LPN's. If you know the A & P you will be way ahead of the game. I graduated with people who still couldn't tell you how the blood flows through the heart. :uhoh3: And they ALL passed NCLEX! (My school has a 100% pass rate, but drop out rate is around 50-70%! And it wasn't always the less than capably not passing. Many times it was the really smart ones, they just couldn't grasp the critical thinking questions. Which is your entire nursing school career.)

Anyway, once you get in there let us know if you need any help.

Good Luck!

norinradd · Jul 12, 2006

I hate to tell you but terminology will be important now. You will be reading orders written by doctors that love the stuff. You will be the one trying to translate what the doctor just said to patients and families. Acting professional... just as important. Most patients won't know if they are getting good care. They will know how they were treated. Everyone else's adivse was good but I didn't want you to keep thoughs opinions through nursing school.