Fresh new nursing student looking for advice/direction

hdawnRN · May 17, 2011

Your first several months of nursing school will be Foundations... which is really just the boring stuff... but the most important to starting your journey. Just relax until you get there! Work on organizing yourself and getting a plan together for your hectic years!

I don't know how your program will be set up, but as soon as you get your calendar for the semester you'll know more about what you should do. When you can get your books, stay ahead in the reading and note taking. One of the most helpful things you can do right now, however, is relax and enjoy your time, because once the program starts you won't have much!

Read around the threads a little.... you'll find some information you might like.

brillohead, ADN, RN · May 18, 2011

If you can get your textbooks now, just read the whole darned thing, cover to cover. Then when you're assigned to read different chapters, you'll already be somewhat familiar with the whole thing, and it won't seem so overwhelming.

Once your class starts, it won't be at all unusual to be assigned 200+ pages of reading per week, and that can be the downfall of most folks.

Streamline2010 · May 18, 2011

Here's a big long list of stuff you could start to memorize, even if you don't yet know what it all means. https://allnurses.com/nursing-student-assistance/nclex-hesi-study-507271.html

Certifiable, BSN, RN · May 18, 2011

Sit on a beach with a cold drink in your hand... you won't get many chances to do this, guilt free, for the next few years.

mom22many · Jun 22, 2011

Just want to say thanks for reply, im still working on figuring AN out so it has taking me awhile to respond, that and 4 children to tend too @ the end of a school year. Im going to focus on Nursing Math & Medication stuff i can commit to memory now and fill in the other stuff during the program. Have a great summer everyone!

Sharon7RN · Jun 22, 2011

This is the best thing to do! I got my books for first semester in the mail yesterday and have already started reading and taking notes! I can't believe how excited I am about the studying; I wish I was like this in high-school!

Tyler77 · Jun 22, 2011

Just say to yourself:

"I will not be a drama queen in class."

"I will come to class on time."

"I will not text during clinicals."

"I will not gossip/backstab/make up stories abou other people."

"I will not reveal 'cute' stories about myself in nursing class about how everyone in my family is a doctor and they have a job lined up for me because no one wants to hear them."

cparks · Jun 22, 2011

Here are a few things you could do..

apply for nurse aid positions at local hospitals, let them know you will be a nursing student...

Be careful trying to learn nursing on your own, it can confuse you. Nursing is a process that is learned by building one concept on top of another, Jumping into pharmacology before you learn the basic assessment concepts might end up confusing you later when your instructors begin teaching you. (thats just my own opinion)

If you want to get a head start, start with the basics... Patient saftey is HUGE, HIPPA is HUGE, How to take vitals, bed baths, ADL's. Also take a look at medical abbreviations like MAEW, and PERRLA, LOC x 3. Read up on how to do a head to toe assessment- know the normals for a Head to Toe assessment, and practice it on your family members. Get a stethascope and listen to heart sounds, bowel sounds, lung sounds on a wide variety of people and see if you can start to distinguish differences in the sounds (its not important to know what it is at this stage just that you heard something different on different people.

Most of all, have fun! :) Nursing school is SO hard, but SO much fun! I love it!

CharlieT · Jun 23, 2011

Look into drug calculations, lb to kilogram conversions, mg to g to mcg, drops per minute. That should keep you busy for a while.

live&laugh&love · Jun 23, 2011

Nursing math is an excellent thing to go over, I wish I had been more prepared for it!!! I would also flip through the nursing fundamentals book to see what topics will be covered. Other than that enjoy your free time while you can...good-luck!!!

butterfly134 · Jun 23, 2011

Okay so I can't guarantee that you will do them in first year because every program is slightly different. But here are a few tips:

Have some knowledge regarding the anatomy and function of the different systems in the body.....respiratory, circulatory,urinary,nervous,digestive and so on. Theres plenty of info on the internet. Learn the basics.
Have some knowledge regarding chemistry. What matter? an atom? a molecule? rates of reaction?
understand the theory regarding vital signs...the importance of taking blood pressure, temperature, respirations and pulse and the significance of change e.g. at 41 degree C, patient can start to go into convulsions. Get familiar with teminology regarding them such as hypotensive, hypertensive. Again...there is info online. Just make sure you are using a reputable website where they are providing correct info. otherwise get a book :)
Research COPD, Asthma, Coronary Heart Disease, Diabetes (and any other illness you are interested in) as these are common.
Instead of researching drugs, research medication guidelines and see if you can get a copy of the hospital you will be working in policy. How to administer drugs safely.
Learn how to wash your hands correctly (very important)
Try to familiarise yourself with clinical waste disposal rules, sharps disposal, what bins for what etc.
Research subcut and IM injections......how to give them....the theory cos obviously you have to wait for skills class
Maybe do a first aid course? That could be fun too!
Maybe do some research on the history of nursing and definitions on nursing :)

Best of luck in NS :) You really should take some time to relax before it all starts. Just make sure you are organised with enough paper,pens, folders etc. Im studyin for my BSN atm and loving it! Im sure u will enjoy NS too :) :)