Health Assessment Help

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Hi Everyone! I have just started my health assessment class two weeks ago. I am feeling overwhelmed and frustrated to the point of thinking I shouldn't even be a nurse. I have never struggled with school, hace always gotten great grades and even more importantly retained the information. This class has 9 chapters on the first exam, no actual instruction, and no real direction on what information to know. We're told to just know everything. Is this normal? How can I retain 9 chapters of brand new material in just 3 weeks? We're told to read the book. I'm really debating on if I'll be able to do it when it gets to the harder classes.

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What is it over...the 9 chapters? Specifically

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I am in the same position as you. My health assessment instructor is great and at least kind of covers what to read and know.

For sure know the nursing process, patient safety and etc. I'm sure that are some of the basics you guys went over.

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.

You might consider using an abbreviated guide like the "Incredibly Easy" series.

Likewise, use the chapter summaries as guides as well as the major topic headings for outlines.

What book are you using?

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I forgot to also mention that I use picnomic and simple nursing to help retain and understand the information. It really breaks it down to simple terms.

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I felt completely overwhelmed when I first started my "real" nursing courses - health assessment in particular. My best advice would be to go to your professor and talk to them about your concerns - they may even narrow down some material for you so can you figure out where to focus your studies. Try to find students in the semesters ahead of you & ask them what they did and what to expect. If you are using a textbook, google "X textbook, Ch. X, Practice Questions/NCLEX questions" and I bet some quizlets will pop up that should really help. Lastly, for doing actual assessments, practice makes perfect! Practice on your friends/classmates/etc. & if you don't have anyone just sit and close your eyes and try to walk yourself step by step through what you will do. This is how I ended up being successful! Good luck, you got this!

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