How to spend this summer

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Okay so heres the deal. I am at a loss of what to do over this summer. My first semester of nursing school starts at the end of August and I'm wanting to know some things that I can do to not so much "get ahead" but learn. I know that the majority of people are going to say "just take it easy and enjoy your summer, school will come soon enough, enjoy your freedom, something about burnout, etc." but I don't see any of those being an option; that is just not how I am. The problem is I love to learn. I have already been exercising daily, volunteering at a local hospital emergency department, and just reading about anything that strikes my fancy. So does anyone have any recommendations as to what I can do or teach myself to fill in these last 7 weeks? So far I have completely reviewed all anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology. I've also taught myself and did numerous practice questions for ABGs, EKG interpretation and anything to do with the blood & the heart, all forms of drug dosages, and lab values. Any ideas anyone?

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Learn card tricks. That's what I've been doing. I'm not even joking.. when I'm watching A&P vids, I'll just practice. It's quite entertaining.

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Haha, that genuinely made me laugh. I would have never thought of card tricks. I might look into that.

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Specializes in L&D, infusion, urology.

Plan out meals, spend time with friends that you won't be seeing much of for 2-3 years, take a trip if at all possible. Anything you can do to help your time management while in the program will be good.

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Haha, that genuinely made me laugh. I would have never thought of card tricks. I might look into that.

You should. It's a great way to keep yourself entertained and makes for awesome study breaks.

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Specializes in ED, Medicine, Case Management.

Also, engaging additional senses or a motor component to your learning may actually help you retain the material better! It is actually one of the techniques used for some children with learning disabilities.

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Specializes in Hospice.

Well you covered everything I would have suggested (dosage calc and common lab values). There really isn't any other way to prepare. Do you have your study room all organized? That could be a fun distraction. I was the same way last summer, just couldn't wait to get started! I am taking psych nursing now and I get a short break before fall semester, and I can promise you I will be in no hurry to get back!

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Specializes in ICU/ Surgery/ Nursing Education.

You sound a little like me. Everyone told me to relax during the summers but I took classes and got a jump on the next semester of nursing school. Now that I have graduated I do see that I could have added a little relaxation into my off times.

Either way, if you want study from the textbook that you will be using for the first semester of nursing school. if you are taking fundamentals first then read all about physical assessments, bed baths, and med administration. If you take med/surg first then study the major conditions or diseases like diabetes, CHF, and hypertension.

Do try to relax a little. You may look back and wish you didn't make it so hard on yourself.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Float Pool, MICU, CTICU.

If I could go back, I would have use that time to relax and have fun. Spend time with friends/family. Exercise. Maybe even travel. Once school starts, those things listed are a luxury to achieve at times.

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Fortunately I've been to more places than I can count (military brat and served 6 years myself). Also this IS fun to me sadly.

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I started nursing school in January after I was accepted in October so I didn't have a summer to prepare, just a very busy holiday season with other classes and work thrown in. I didn't get much time to prepare but looking back I probably would have taken a vacation, spent time with my friends/family, worked overtime to get extra money and bummed around the house. Now I'm currently in my last summer off (I graduate in December!!!) and I'm being quite the bum. Work is slow and I only get about 2-3 days a week, I took a few online classes to get another associates degree along with my ADN, I've gone on a few quick weekend trips and I sit by the pool often with my dog. This isn't the summer that I imagined that I would have but hey I'll take it. I didn't get a break before school started so I guess I'm doing it now (a little late). If I were you I would not start with studying now. It probably won't stick and you might get overwhelmed with stuff you may or may not need. But a review of A&P may not hurt.

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Oh, and I also started learning how to write with my non-dominant hand. It's actually really difficult but challenge accepted!

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