Pharmacology pointers

Jules A, MSN · Jan 29, 2007

Hi,

We were required to have drug cards for our clinical rotations. We could either make them ourselves or purchase a set. You can find the sets at the larger book stores and maybe even your college book store. I found them very helpful and I would jot down a few notes about each drug that my client was taking to help jog memory because our instructors would quiz us on the meds we were about to give. Don't get too overwhelmed because you will find that many of the floors tend to give a lot of the same medications and it starts falling into place quickly. Best to you, Jules

sddlnscp · Jan 29, 2007

I actually didn't use drug cards in Pharmacology and did just fine in that class. I think it depends on what type of learner you are. I don't learn by rote memorization very well (and I deeply and truly envy each and every one of you that can do that - it would make my life so much easier!), I have to understand how something works and why to get it to stay in my brain. In that class, I took TONS of notes (writing almost word-for-word what the instructor was saying through the entire lecture) and did a lot of out of class research with our drug book. I really did awesome in Pharmacology, but not much has stayed in my long-term memory. Now that we are in Med/Surg (1st year), I am still having to look up most of the drugs because they are not in my long-term memory.

I guess the point I am trying to make is to do what is best for you based on how you learn. If you learn well by creating flashcards and using them, then by all means do that because it will work for you. If that doesn't do anything for you though, then don't do it and find something that will.

Best of luck - pharmacology is do-able, just take a deep breath and enjoy the ride.

happynewLPN · Jan 29, 2007

At the recommendation of many other nurses I work with, I bought the Mosby's Nursing Drug Cards. They are great! I will use them to prepare care plans, etc. I figure it can't hurt to have the portable information provided on these cards.

I found them at my local bookstore, but here's a link to show you which ones they are:

http://www.amazon.com/Mosbys-2007-Nursing-Drug-Cards/dp/0323036554/sr=8-1/qid=1170088662/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/002-8393248-3880867?ie=UTF8&s=books

They also come with a CD-ROM for more info, too. :)

Hope this helps,

Lisa