Another New Guy Joining the Ranks

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Just bought my books this morning and picked up my uniforms. I am 37 years old, married with 3 children and am looking forward to the career change and being here on the forum!

After USMC OCS,other endeavors and 13 years in State government, I am coming back to where I was 18 years ago when I was pre-Med in College. This time I have chosen Nursing instead. My mother, who was an SICU nurse at Cook County Hospital in Chicago, always tried to tell me it would be more gratifying for me. I am following my calling and making this happen for myself and my family.

First question: How did you get used to all the reading?

Lots and lots of reading and haven't even started class yet!

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I would advise asking some of the more senior students on which classes actually used the reading. I read 200 pages of communication stuff that turned out to be pretty pointless.

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You don't read the books cover to cover line by line. There isn't enough hours for that especially if you have kids / wife / work. You tailor what you read depending on the day's lecture or whatever your professor focuses on. However if your program uses ATI and places any emphasis (level 2 or above) you should read those books (ATI Books) line by line, cover to cover.

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You don't read the books cover to cover line by line. There isn't enough hours for that especially if you have kids / wife / work. You tailor what you read depending on the day's lecture or whatever your professor focuses on. However if your program uses ATI and places any emphasis (level 2 or above) you should read those books (ATI Books) line by line, cover to cover.

Orlly? Hmm... I better crack mine open. They gave us a stack.

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leonidasrex,

welcome to the ranks! i just graduated in december (got my adn). i'm 38, married with two kids. it can be done! the only advice i can offer as far as the ridiculously large amount of reading is to at least skim over the reading before you cover it in class so you at least hit the highlights and take good notes in class! rely on your fellow classmates cuz they're going to be your "family" for the next couple of years. and make the most of any quality time you get with wife and kids cuz you won't get much of it.

don't let any of this deter you from taking this on.......it's a great career and i really enjoy it!

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Specializes in Rehabilitation.

I have over 10,000 pages of nursing books at home in just two semesters!

Just realize most of your stack is reference (drug, medical dictionary, nursing diagnoses, pathophysiology). Then you have your study tool books (med calc, handbooks, study guides). Then your actual textbooks; these are the big boys with 1500 or more pages most of the time, probably FUNDAMENTALS or MED-SURG. and a DRUG THERAPY book.

Good luck! Hopefully your school is like mine and will give you what page numbers (an in which books) relate to what section you are covering in class. Digest it in small sections....

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My program was very powerpoint heavy, the books were used as more of a reference to expand on more complex material. Ask the older students, they will tell you some courses do not even require books.

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