Fundamentals completed

[carlarenee02]

Hello

I just completed the first half of Fundamentals at our school. The second half begins next week. It includes pharmacology. I ended up with an 80 (which is C). I got an B in Math, which is ok). Some people were saying Nursing 100 and 105 is where people can do the worst in and then it gets a little better. I wondered to get other students opinion on this.

I would like to get some hints on preparing for this next semester. My clinicals will begin this semester. They meet for 8 hrs day/twice a week (not including classes). I plan on being at clinical at least 45 min early to make sure i am organized, etc.)

Thank you.

[STL2008, RN]

When did u start school? At my school, fundamentals is just one big class. Not split. We have pharmacology in it too. As a matter of fact, i just had a test on friday with some pharm. questions. I got an 86 :) What I do is study, study, study. Thats all you can do. Take awesome notes and record the lectures! Play them back and and add in anything you missed!

[classicdame, MSN, EdD]

Getting there too early might not be a good idea. Ask the instructor. Our floor nurses would be upset to have you hanging around w/out your instructor. What to expect? The unexpected. There is no way you can be prepared for everything. That is why you HAVE clinicals - so you can get different experience. You will be asked to provide the instructor with specific information, but they will give you a blueprint or some idea of what is needed. Read the objectives and that will give you a hint. Good luck!!! P. S. Ask plenty of questions. Don't try to look smart because that ususally backfires.

[9livesRN, BSN, RN]

You can get at the hospital early, so you could be there, maybe get some cofee, relax, study a bit! just as long you are not on the floor you're ok

I am taking pharm with funds, with drug calc, with skills, with clinicals all together!

we are officially 3/4 through it!

pharm is fun, although i have to go back and study a bit more on the antibiotics! it can be confusing!

i get to my clinical site early, get some coffee, sit down, unwind, relax, read with no pressure, try to read over, and kinda know what to expect r/t dx given prior night.... so i can be in tune on what to look for,

and i carry my kaplan nclex with me so i can answer some questions while i am waiting too!

[Natingale, EdD, RN]

It gets easier! I was scared to death of medsurg but its not so bad

In fundamentals they made a huge deal, 12 steps in transporting a patient from a bed to wheel chair

At least now I feel like Im learning how to think like a nurse

[ParkerBC,MSN,RN, PhD, RN]

I felt like Fundamental s was a course that “skimmed” the surface of what was to come. We covered a lot about five chapters a week (about 20 chapters for an exam). The problem I have is that I am very detailed. I need to know why. So, merely skimming the surface was difficult for me to do. Now that I am in Med/Surg, we go a lot more in depth with the material. So, it comes easier for me. It wasn’t only until recently that everything is starting to make sense and come together.

Good luck to you and go for it! Remember, you have to not only be serious about your program, but you also must have fun while doing it!