What books helped you prepare for Nursing School?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in New PACU RN.

I just borrowed 'Mosby's Tour Guide to Nursing School: A Student Survival Kit' and placed 'How to Survive and Maybe Even Love Nursing School!: A Guide for Students by Students' on hold.

Are there any books that you read prior to starting Nursing School that you thought beneficial (titles if you remember)? How much did they help & prepare you?

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Specializes in LTC and MED-SURG.

I didn't, but wish I had studied the NCLEX review books with their rationales because that would have prepared me better for the critical thinking process. Also try to really, really understand A&P. Medical terminology is also a tremendous help.

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Specializes in New PACU RN.

^For Med terminology you mean take a course or I could do just as well with appropriate books & website & study alone?

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Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

My school offered an online medical terminology class. It wasn't required but I took it because I LOVE online classes and needed the credits. It was very helpful. If your school doesn't have a class I'm sure studying a book on your own would be beneficial.

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Similar to med-term courses, but with a different focus, I read a book on Greek and Latin bases, suffixes and prefixes. I think it was called Biomedical Terminology. The language of nursing is a HUGE hindrance to many students. If you can "translate" you will keep up SO much better. Good luck!

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Books to prepare for nursing school?? OMG, I guess I am a dinosaur......never heard of such a thing!!! The only prep I had was being a CNA for several years previously.

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Specializes in ICU,Oncology,School,.

It is so exciting to enter your first semester of nursing school. Congratulations on your acceptance!

In all honesty, I would suggest that if you are a person who enjoys reading (mysteries, romance, Harry Potter, etc...) that you read as many books as you can possibly fit into your schedule prior to the start of the semester. There is NO time for fun reading while in school! It's all text books & care plans.

Relax & enjoy your time with your family before the semester begins.

Best wishes,

Heather

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Specializes in Brain injury,vent,peds ,geriatrics,home.

I was self taught medical terminology.I breezed through nursing school,and i know its because I learned medical terminology.It made it really easy.

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so you guys recommend to start reading NCLEX review books with rationals before nursing school?

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Specializes in CVICU.

I've completed all my prereqs, have applied, and just became a CNA. Would it be worthwhile to take a pharmacology or pathophysiology class prior to being accepted in to nursing school? Has anyone done that? A nurse at the hospital I volunteer at warned me "if you don't use it, you lose it."

I'm just looking for strategies to make my life a little bit less stressful once I actually start nursing school. Thanks!

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I graduate next month, and NCLEX review books are a good thing, but I don't recommend trying to answer NCLEX questions -before- nursing school. How would you have the knowledge base to know the answers?

If you want a headstart on something that would be useful to learn before nursing school, I recommend a medical terminology book, a drug dosage calculations self study book/cd-rom, or the first few chapters of your Fundamentals book.

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*subscribing*

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