How can I prepare for RN school?

Zookeeper44, RN · Dec 31, 2009

I just started nursing classes this past semester and IMO the best thing you could do is to find out from your nursing instructors what you'll be reading for your first semester of nursing and read ahead. I always read ahead (we're on winter break but I have already read everything for the first week when we start back in Jan.) and I make very good grades. A lot of people are always behind and don't have a clue what's going on. It is a TON of reading and second year is supposed to be much worse :crying2: but I plan to read all summer!

Also making drug cards is supposed to help for later when you have to start doing meds. I have already done a few more than I have been required to do and continue to work on those when I have a minute or two.

The material is not that hard, just the volume, IMO (so far...)

Also, if at all possible, I would not take any other classes while taking nursing courses, but I have a family and other obligations...your situation may be such that you could handle other classes, if you're disciplined.

Good luck in your studies!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Dec 31, 2009

Where abouts are you doing your nurse training as I see a UK flag in your profile? Honestly i would take some time to rest, catch up on any relaxing reading and movies as once you start school you may find you don't always have the time to do stuff

Julian87 · Dec 31, 2009

I am currently working as a medical assistant in the UK but will be moving back to VA next month before starting college. The deal is that Ive been out of academic training for about 7 years now so will find it abit difficult getting back into it again aside from the whole nursing aspect of things. :idea:

JessicaLynn412 · Jan 2, 2010

One of the biggest things that I think is important is to get in the mindset. I had alot of family issues going on before I started and it really effected my grades. Reading ahead is also a great idea. Maybe buying a drug guide and at least learning drug groups. Good luck!

tucker-jones · Jan 2, 2010

funny that you ask how should you prepare for ns. i will start ns on jan 12th of this year. yes, in 2wks. i am looking at nursing school as another class so i do not panic as much. i have also made positive sayings on my note binders and cut out a picture of a house that one day i will own. i have read my hand book but, you probably won't get that until orienation. now, that i am an offical ns i can access the ns kdrive. this is where all of our information is located if you forget what room to report to, study guides, what our exams will be about etc... more or less our guide for whatever section you are in. i have printed out some med term words that will be on our 1st test and i study that for 20 min. i am also looking at different ways of studying having an open mind will definately help. and, most of prayer.good luck! :nuke:

Eclectic1 · Jan 2, 2010

Organize. Organize.

Make folders for notes and bills in and out. Simplify everything you possibly can. Make sure you have pens and pencils, replacement printer ink and paper. Have a back-up plan for anything that can go wrong. Dry run to classes and clinical sites and know alternate routes. Find a quiet place to study, outside your room/home. work on healthy eating and figure out a work-out routine. then do it. Get comfortable shoes and "things".Prep your friends and family for what an ordeal you're undertaking and get commitment for help of all sorts. Don't ride a Harley until you graduate (I lost a semester, but gained a cool new piece of Harley related chrome in my L leg :bugeyes: ). Review pharmacology math and start thinking/reviewing in terms of pathophysiology. Get a Saunders NCLEX review now and begin understanding critical thinking, and relate it to each section as you go through classes. Buy your class syllabus as soon as possible and understand how it works, and how it will relate to class instruction. Find out where all the school resources are located and how they work, IE. financial aide, vet center, computer learning, (also be familiar with power-point, word, notes, and outlook. Get student version if necessary online-or @ costco, or download OPENOFFICE and THUNDERBIRD a free utility and similar suite.) Also I use DRAGONSPEAKING for speech to type as I type a poorly (Learn how!) and have a LIVESCRIBE pen that is too handy for capturing notes and recordings. (see their sites)

I know that's a lot more than you asked for but I was bored. Best, and I'm prepping for next semester myself!!!!

bamapeach82 · Jan 2, 2010

knowing some medical terminology is a BIG help... some schools do not require this coorifice like ours and we really needed it.

MsHazel · Jan 2, 2010

Relax? Yes, but you can relax and still read ahead. Based on my school this is my advice. I would begin to read the highlights of the text for you entire first semester, maybe learn how to do a care plan early, or a head-to-toe assessment. There is math in the first semester, but truly, it's not hard if you use the method they teach you, this is coming from a not so good math student. Maybe start memorizing some pharmacology, I don't think learning terminology would benefit you to much because it tends not to be to important your first semester, you can just learn it as you go. But yes, reading ahead will be very very useful to you and you won't regret it, people who don't, well, maybe they operate that way, but I would rather take some load off myself in the program then rest and have to cram all that information, I never regretted studying ahead and I am still doing it now. I have the rest of my life to rest ... once the degree is in my hand.

tucker-jones · Jan 2, 2010

thanks for the advice about the saunders nclex. has anyone heard of the dorothea orem's self care theory of nursing?

that is what the ns uses to teach us and has anyone found that using a voice recorder helped and if so, which one is good? i have checked out some on line but have gotten mixed reveiws. i am not that computer savvy at all lol. i figured it would be better to ask a nursing student because who could tell me better than someone who has been or is where i am trying to go. what is the average grading system for ns if anyone cares to share. we cannot get below an 80% and that is considered a 'b'. they do not round up at all so if you receive 79.999 that is what you will get. please pray for the new nursing student as i start on the 12th and my program is straight through no breaks except for holidays.

Nepenthe Sea · Jan 2, 2010

If you're not already organized, then you will need to learn to be organized. You will be given so much work to do, and you have to keep up with it all. Use a planner to write down the due dates for all assignments, tests, return demos, etc. I also use mine to keep track of when to start studying for tests or writing papers. Also, just figure out how to maximize your study time, because especially if you have kids or work (or both), in addition to school, you will not always have lots of study time and will have to use it wisely.

I second the post about taking medical terminology. I bought a small used med term. book at a bookstore and used to look at that before I started A&P and NS. I just find that it helps me to learn better if I have already heard of something and it is familiar to me.

If you will be taking pharmacology or a dosage calc. class in the beginning, then definitely brush up on your basic math. Knowing fractions and decimals, percentages, etc. will give you an advantage. If you will be taking pharm. this summer, it wouldn't hurt to just be familiar with the drug GROUPS, but I wouldn't go and try to memorize individual drugs yet. If you will be in a med-surg class soon, then it might not hurt to start trying to learn normal values for electrolytes, RBCs, WBCs, ABGs, etc. Most of our tests had questions in which choosing the correct answer depended on whether you knew your numbers or not.

Oh, and if you are not familar with NCLEX-style testing, then go get an NCLEX-RN review book and just start looking at it. Read some questions, and then look at the answers. Pay attention to the rationales for right and wrong answers. I have found that using an NCLEX review book to study the sections we cover in class is very helpful to me and helps me "get" that style of testing. When I have time off from school I even look at stuff that we haven't covered yet, just to try to get ahead and keep my brain in "NCLEX mode" a little!

tucker-jones · Jan 2, 2010

how is the grading system for your school? and do you use a voice recorder?