what was your favorite....

I believe the formula is 3 hours of at home study time per hour of theory lecture. Depending on your schedule and if you are doing clinicals as well- this may not actually be possible. Use all the study aids you can and use the time you have wisely.

Some people I know love pediatrics, others hate it. Some love oncology, others break into tears at the thought. Some people are into community nursing or Hospice, OR or family practice. The best thing is to go into every rotation with an open mind. When I entered nursing school I thought pediatric nursing was all I wanted to do. Thank goodness I've had a chance to do a lot of different types clinical rotations because I learned that my heart is elsewhere! Hopefully you will have a chance to pick a favorite based on your own experiences.

Good luck!

I got my ADN back in 1985. I never set a specific amount of time for studying- but I carried a full course load (nursing lecture and clinical- whatever section for that semester), a science class, and a sociology/psych class. I did the nutrition, speech, A&P, and something else the semester before the actual nursing classes started. Micro, I took in the summer between first and second years.

I was done in 5 semesters with honors. I also worked as a CNA 16 (3-11 & 11-7) hours on Friday and Saturday, and 3-11 on Sunday once I got through fundamentals (which was the grandfathering class to get the CNA), so 1 1/2 years of that...which was a HUGE help in clinicals and dealing with the physical contact with patients. I was living at home (started nursing school at 19), so no bills except nursing books (after I got ALL of the "suggested" and not only the 'required' books, dad said -nope- he'd pay tuition- I paid books )

I loved pediatrics (but hated it- some of it- when I got my "dream job" 17 years later- ended up a nightmare, and not about the kids- though they were really sad- not the fix 'em up and send 'em home sorts- but chronically ill babies on up to teenagers). I thought I'd like OB-GYN.....Oh. My....God. It was horrible; mostly because of the terrorist instructor. I hated geriatrics- and loved working LTC. My big message is don't turn down a job after school because you didn't like the clinicals . It is SO different :)

Just soak it all in- and remember that after about 3 years out of school, the horrors all become distant memories :)

I loved critical care. it brought everything togehter, plus its where I wanted to be. I hated OB, took it twice it was so awesome. But yeah. I like a good challenge so ICU and stepdown ere my favorite.

I loved critical care; also found psych very interesting. I hated OB with a passion (couldn't join in with all the other girls in my group remarking how "CUUUUUUTE" the babies were). Peds was a good experience but not for me...I think I would grow impatient with dolt-ish parents and with chasing kids around a room to take their meds.

Oh, and as for the amount of time studying, that's all very individual. I only worked part-time while in school, and I did put a great deal of time and effort into my studies. However, I didn't feel like I had NO life (even though I joked about it!) You just have to find what works for you, and that does include spending some time to relax and rest your brain. :) I typically was of the "do a little bit every day" persuasion to keep from getting overwhelmed.

The amount of hours spent studying is not as important as what you get out of that studying. I rarely spent more than 2 hours a day studying, had a life, skied 3 days a week during the season and never felt that I was missing out on anything.

Hated l&d/ob, enjoyed ICU, wasn't too crazy about the ER I did a rotation in but that was d/t that particular department. Knew I was going to wind up in the ER either out of school or eventually. And wound up in the ER as a new grad.

Always Learning nailed it on the head with "I typically was of the "do a little bit every day" persuasion to keep from getting overwhelmed." Read/skim the chapters to be covered in lecture beforehand and never fall behind.