I start the program next Wednesday and I've read many comments about how we should relax and enjoy our break before beginning the program. But....I just bought my textbooks today and we received our syllabus for the entire semester (at orientation). According to the syllabus, we will be going over SIX chapters (not including the chapters required for the lab portion) next week. Oh, and we only have lecture one day a week.
Should I go ahead and get started with going over the chapters. Maybe I'm just super excited/nervous/anxious. I feel like I'd probably be overwhelmed next week, if I don't get a head start...especially after scanning through a couple of pages (GOSH, there's sooooo much information in one *******' chapter). Plus,there's so many textbooks and they are HUGE .
I'm soooo scared now...What did I get myself into lol?
Me being me, if I had the syllabus and the books, I'd be reading it. Can't hurt to get a leg up by reading the chapters you'll be going over. I have my books, but no syllabus, but I've been reading the firt few chapters to get a basic understanding of the chapters.
If there is required pre-reading then go for it. It wouldn't hurt to read over the syllabus but you never know where they will start. My LPN and RN classes so far haven't started in Ch 1.
I can tell you I have a few weeks of break before Fall semester, we have one small book we are encouraged to read and we have a drug calculation test and skills checkoffs the first week back. I will read at a leizurely pace when I feel like it and I will look over checklists and make cards for them (just my own way of remembering the steps). Other than that, I'm relaxing because I know that nursing school is intense and doesn't slack off until the end so I need be fully recharged when I start back.
I would use this time to brush up on dosage calculations. On my syllabus it says there will be about 5 questions per test just on those. So i've been getting re-teaching myself that stuff.
If there is required pre-reading then go for it. It wouldn't hurt to read over the syllabus but you never know where they will start. My LPN and RN classes so far haven't started in Ch 1.
I can tell you I have a few weeks of break before Fall semester, we have one small book we are encouraged to read and we have a drug calculation test and skills checkoffs the first week back. I will read at a leizurely pace when I feel like it and I will look over checklists and make cards for them (just my own way of remembering the steps). Other than that, I'm relaxing because I know that nursing school is intense and doesn't slack off until the end so I need be fully recharged when I start back.
Our syllabus contains the required readings for each week.
Yes! Only do the first assignment ahead that would've been due for the first class, you will thank yourself later for being ahead because it is so easy to get behind. And enjoy your last week of vacation.
If you have a list of meds, I would start making drugs cards now (go by classification!). And start looking up normal lab values of common things (K, Ca, Na, HCT, HGB, etc).
Specializes in Electrophysiology, Medical-Surgical ICU.
I would start reading know, a little extra knowledge never hurts. I try to do that for all my nursing classes it also helps me to understand a topic better when it is brought up in class as well.
definitely get started! That first day will be jam packed with information. Pace yourself this week with studying though, bc you won't have a life come next week!
I would start reading, you don't have to complete it all but atleast get started. Or you could get yourself organzied and start to make your study schedule this way you know what you are doing and when.
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LauraLiz
52 Posts
Yep I start Monday afternoon!