Hints/Help with Microbiology.......PLEASE

Sleepyeyes · Nov 11, 2002

Micro is important in the clinical setting because of infection control. Infections are a lot of the reason we're in business.

If you know, for instance, that there are resistant strains of TB out there and how they got resisitant, you will automatically look at certain populations for s/s of TB.

And you won't wonder why the doc orders chest x-rays, mantoux tests, and sputum tests for Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes it. And you'll know why certain populations can have TB, and test negative anyway....and why you need to be wearing a hepa mask and the pt needs to be in a reverse-isolation room, and other interesting stuff that can protect your patient from infecting everyone at your hospital.

Mkue · Nov 11, 2002

good post sleepyeyes !:)

jdomep · Nov 11, 2002

I LOVED Micro - it was a great course!

I did a few things to help study

http://class.universalclass.com/chash/m/i/c/microbiology.htm

awesome free course with online notes and study guides

http://www.cellsalive.com/

http://www.mansfield.ohio-state.edu/~sabedon/microbiology.htm

http://www.microbiology-direct.com/

http://www.bact.wisc.edu/microtextbook/index.html

http://www.cat.cc.md.us/courses/bio141/lecguide/index.html

All of these really helped me :)

okihusker · Nov 11, 2002

Microbiology, Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition, Physics, and Pathophysiology are fundamentals to being a good nurse. If you can not hack it, then you need to question your role as a a potential nurse. We as nurses need critical thinkers not ass wipers and ass shiners as RNs.

BioRN · Nov 11, 2002

I found the key to micro is to take the hard to understand concepts and work on them one at a time. Spend ond study session just on a two page portion of the text. Draw life cycles and such on an index card. See if you can explain the cycle to someone else. For the memorization, of which antimicrobial works on what organism, side effects, and dosages use the index cards once again with the drug on one side and the information on the other side. Never study in front of the TV or with other distractions in the room. Study for 20 minutes before you go to bed and 20 minutes right when you wake up. Also if you professor is approachable, ask for help during office hours.

Good Luck

Bio RN (to be I hope)

opalmRN · Nov 11, 2002

Sleepyeyes,

That was an oh so perfect explanation about the logic behind micro and maybe it is my "sleepyeyes" but did you actually provide an answer to the original question?

I didn't see anything providing a site or book to actually provide help in learning the subject.

If you did post it, I appologize for missing it the first time.

C

Sleepyeyes · Nov 11, 2002

Did I answer the first question? No. That's because Kjhn nurse to be has already demonstrated ability with the sciences; it's the motivation that is the real problem. So I gave her my answer--Micro was interesting for me when I realized how human misery could easily be comprised of a few chains of enterococcus, or a couple of spirochetes too small to see. Look at the disease, its effect on world populations and cultures, and quality of life, and then you'll be absolutely rabid (sorry, no pun intended ) to get the world rid of these diseases.

I posted things i drug up from the 'Net, as I did intense searches while I studied micro, and learned the most by checking out Micro-and bacteria-related websites.

For example, when you're studying the organism, check out the CDPC and do Google searches to find other sites. You can pick up some really interesting information as well as reinforcing your class notes. Always remember to check out the human side of the disease==take a look at a real cholera bed, for instance, or find out how cryptosporidia and giardia outbreaks can happen here in the US and kill our elders, babies, and immune-suppressed.

I also made a chart of organisms in the form of a "family tree." Way easier to memorize that way, because the relationships are clearer.

MidwifeWannaB · Nov 11, 2002

I'm taking Micro right now (I start nursing school in the spring) and I think a HUGE determinant of success in this class is your instructor. Mine is awesome, and as a result, I have a 95 average (test tomorrow, also, by the way. Pray for me). She gives us handouts on certain involved processes with lots of steps, which helps. I also take really organized notes, hightlight vocab words and key phrases, then go back in the text and highlight relevant info, then go back and read it all over and over.

Its worked for me so far.

:nurse:

javamom · Nov 12, 2002

Okihusker, I have to say that your response is less than supportive to someone struggling in a class. I myself, KNOW that I'll be a great nurse and I'm struggling in chemistry, miserably. But have a 4.0 in Med Term, A&P, etc.. I'm not aware of many nurses (great nurses at that) who just whizzed through that class. If I were new, coming to this board to ask for help or support in a class, and rec'd your response, I'd run FAST the other way!

Kjhb Nurse to b- please stick around! This really is a great place to come and share agony and joy!

And NurseChic81, your response is EXACTLY what I was coming to say!! If you have a horrid teacher, you will not excel in ANY class! Regardless! I'm glad you posted this b/c it is so very true! :)

Anyway, I apologize in advance b/c I'm normally not a rude poster, but for Okihusker to come here and put a new member done b/c of her difficulty in a class and make a judgement that she won't be a good nurse, just puts fire under my butt!

rachdd · Nov 12, 2002

Kjhb Nurse t b, I am so sorry you are having problems in that class. I have not had the privilege of taking Micro yet so I am not able to help you there. But I just wanted to say WELCOME and I hope you will stay around. We are not all as judgemental and uncompassionate, and rude as okihusker! I for one would hate to have someone that uncompassionate as my nurse! JMO!!

emily_mom · Nov 12, 2002

I was wondering where my lung was! I barfed it up last week and couldn't find it. Thanks sleepyeyes for finding it!