Drug names and dosages

Nursing Students Male Students

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Guys,

I am in the first semester of nursing and am taking pharmacology. I am overwhelmed with the number of drugs that are available. As I am able to study and grasp all the drugs and do well in the quizes (which really means nothing according to me grades dont matter if you cannot retain what you studied), I am unable to retain all of it for a long time. Like if anyone questions me about something I studied in 2005 (for example Kreb's cycle in A&P), I will not be able to explain well what it is. How do you guys retain your stuff. I guess this question is directed to mostly for final semester students in nursing as you will be preparing for NCLEX. Retaining knowledge and applying is the key element to any field. Any tips will be greatly appreciated.

Hope to get some responses...

Ladies, this question is not just for men, anyone can answer. Since this is the first forum I visited, I didnt really care to go to general forum...

NCLEX might test you on drug classifications but it will not test you on dosages, unless it is a math question (in which case you will be given the parameters).

guys i graduated and passed the boards my school did not require any pharm classes. it does help to know them but if you get a good background youll learn what you need to know and look up the others when you need to. i learned a PDA is my best friend its faster and lighter than a book ever could be.

I have a PDA with Davis's Drug Guide and it's amazingly helpful. Just like having a thick drug book that fits in your pocket, and it's much faster to look up meds. I can look up any med and know the doseage reccomendations within 10 seconds easy.

If anyone gets a PDA I reccomend getting Nursing Constellation from Skyscape, and Davis's Drug Guide. Worth every penny.

I took Pharmocology as a pre-requisite in a 4 week summer semester and it was A LOT of info to retain. I did so for the final, but now I am going over it all in my leisure time because I just did not feel I remembered what I had learned. I know in nursing school everything is comprehensive :chair: so I am trying to find ways to really do that. Studying over it without the pressure of a grade is helping me. I am in my last semester of pre-requisites, and have just been accepted into the nursing program, so I am reviewing hard. We even made a drug notebook, but the class was just too intense. Maybe if I make another one, it will really stick.

Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

Someone may have already posted this, but you should study CLASSES of drugs instead of studying each individual drug.

Swtooth

I am doing that too. I still have time to do about 5 per day. Not having pressure for tests really helps.

Someone may have already posted this, but you should study CLASSES of drugs instead of studying each individual drug.

Swtooth

Specializes in ER/ICU.

Thank you everyone for the wonderful feedback. Truly appreciate it.

Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Flight.

listen to what these people are saying... a PDA can be a very handy tool to have.. there is no way on earth you can remember all of the meds out there..just try to understand what the purpose of the drug is, the most common side effects and the basics... as you give meds, you will become familiar with them, just don't give a med w/out knowing about it. you always want to be able to tell your pt what the drug is, what it is used for, and why they are getting it..

don't stress it too much.. it will come in time~~

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