How can we prepare for nursing school?

[Sammygrll]

Hi everyone....

I think I might have to post this in the regular nursing discussion too???

I'm a brand new student...starting my pre-reqs in the fall...but I know that nursing will be my major.

How can we be the most prepared?? I was thinking of volunteering in the hospital next year...or maybe adding on some classes in the summer....but which ones? Medical terminology?

When I read all the threads here, I get a little dumb-struck since I'm unfamiliar with all the termonology!!

Tips....opinions??

Thanks!

[stpauligirl]

Hi everyone....

I think I might have to post this in the regular nursing discussion too???

I'm a brand new student...starting my pre-reqs in the fall...but I know that nursing will be my major.

How can we be the most prepared?? I was thinking of volunteering in the hospital next year...or maybe adding on some classes in the summer....but which ones? Medical terminology?

When I read all the threads here, I get a little dumb-struck since I'm unfamiliar with all the termonology!!

Tips....opinions??

Thanks!

It's very competitive to get into most nursing programs so your main focus should be to get the highest possible grades in your prerequisites. Worry about those classes for now since you will be very busy studying particularly in the science classes

[fleur-de-lis, BSN, RN]

I agree with Stpauligirl, and I also think that volunteering at a hospital or finding out if you can shadow a nurse might be a good idea. Just try to see if the volunteering can involve patient contact, not just directing traffic around the hospital. You will get what you need out of your required pre-reqs, but volunteer stuff will look good on a resume and give some insight into what nurses do.

[donsterRN, ASN, BSN]

I agree. Concentrate fully on your base sciences: chemistry, A&P, microbiology. Study hard, get the grades; your GPA will be an important determinant of your admission to the nursing program. You can knock out Algebra and English during the summer, but you'll really need those foundation science courses.

I wish you tons of luck!

[kasia2]

Hi everyone....

I think I might have to post this in the regular nursing discussion too???

I'm a brand new student...starting my pre-reqs in the fall...but I know that nursing will be my major.

How can we be the most prepared?? I was thinking of volunteering in the hospital next year...or maybe adding on some classes in the summer....but which ones? Medical terminology?

When I read all the threads here, I get a little dumb-struck since I'm unfamiliar with all the termonology!!

Tips....opinions??

Thanks!

1.Try to volunteer at local hospital to learn some basic skills

2. Take cna course...your first semester will be so much easier!Its all basics at the beggining, you will look smart, competent in the eyes of your istructor, its very important.

3. Take, take, take medical terminology if you havent work in medical envinronment

4. Take cpr class, you will get the opportunity to become certified in first aid, you will need to show them your cpr card

5. Subscribe to nursing magazine, get familiar with the nursing issues

6. If your school offers like basic pharmacology...take it, you will be thanking heaven once you'l have that class in nursing, everyone complain its hard class/you will be ahead because you will know the basics...

Dont waste your time, yeah vacation should be fun but you can combine fun with productive work, either work many hours at summer time to save money for nursing school or take helpful classes.

7. Like I mentioned before save money starting now...you dont want to work once they' hit you with heavy reading. Good luck

[MB37]

If you take a CPR class, most nursing schools require the American Heart Association's BLS for healthcare providers course. Go to the AHA's website and you can look up places in your zip code that offer them. Don't waste time/money on a Red Cross course unless you know that it's acceptable at your school, b/c you'll just have to take it over again.

[2bNurseNik]

Gosh I wish I would've posted this 2 years ago. My advice is keep your grades up because you are in the whole, it is soooo hard to dig yourself out of it.