If you could do one thing to get ready for Nursing School

missmollie, ADN, BSN, RN · Mar 18, 2014

Well, you'll regret this, but hey, I was like you as well.

For nursing calculation: DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations Sign up for the email, they will send you a daily math problem as well.

As soon as you know what your fundamentals book is, start reading. Just don't be surprise when they skip all over it. Also check out quizlet. Look up specific diseases or certain body systems. (Lower GI, Upper GI, Endocrine) and start doing the flashcards.

Find out what vaccinations are needed and start getting those done. Also, get your CPR for healthcare workers finished. That will cost you at least a few hours.

Check out a discount bookstore, and purchase a nursing book. Half price books (if you have any in your city/town) will have a few nursing textbooks for cheap. Pick up whichever interests you, but I would definitely check out a pharmacology book. Just try to get the most current book.

Start looking at apps and find some with NCLEX questions. You'll use it the whole time.

Hope that gives you some ideas! Best of luck to you

mrsboots87 · Mar 18, 2014

Honestly, the chill out advice is good. I was told the same things, and like you, still wanted to be doing something to prep. The med math calculations are pretty easy unless you're not good in math. A&P are key, but if you're comfortable with your knowledge then nothing to do there. No point in reading ahead because likely (like in my program) you will be skipping around in the book. Learning med names wont be very helpful because you need to understand more than just the name, you ill also need to know the pharmacokinetics and the pharmacodynamics for the drug classes and without direction on what you will be required to know, 10000+ drug names is just too big of a monster to try and tackle before class starts. There are some common meds that are good to know, but its hard to learn them without the pharm lectures and reading as guidance and easier understanding. Nursing school is about to take a huge chunk of your time, since you have your vacation coming up and have money saved, just enjoy the free time while it lasts. Once you start your classes you will go from 0-60 and will be glad you took these last few months for you time.

mrsboots87 · Mar 18, 2014

And from reading the above posters comment, just a suggestion on a good app for NCLEX. "NCLEX mastery" is good. I believe it is under $30. Sounds expensive but its like having an NCLEX book in your pocket. It gives rationales for right and wrong answers and has thousands of questions. Its a great app for all nursing students, no matter what block because you can select what types of questions (ie. funds, med/surg, psych) for only getting questions from areas you have learned about already.

Malorymug · Mar 18, 2014

Memorize lab values normals

Get comfy with your top 10 DRGs (Diagnosis Related groups) in your area

Know common drugs inside and out.

Get geeky and follow the "Nursing Assistance" forum and follow the thought processes for care plans

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 18, 2014

My advice is a bit different. If you have time to read, I would encourage you to explore some books about the 'heart and soul' of nursing. One of the best is "And If I Perish - Frontline US Army Nurses in WWII" I found it awe-inspiring. Another great one is "American Nursing: A History of Knowledge, Authority and the Meaning of Work" . If you're a guy (hard to tell from user names - LOL) you may enjoy reading about the Alexian Brothers - based in Chicago. I think everything is available on Amazon.

Enjoy your time off. Get ready for an adventure.

DanyaHaifa · Mar 21, 2014

Hello Malory I am really stressing out about applying to nursing school. I have been taking all my ore reqs at a community college I am

not partnered because right now I can't have a job since I have a baby but all my grades are good I'm at a 3.8 now and all

my classes

have been taken at a community college do you think it's a bad idea to apply at uta for the online bsn program

Julesmama28 · Mar 21, 2014

I would say refreshing A&p is helpful, as well as learning APA for writing papers like never before! Good luck!

BeachsideRN, ASN · Mar 21, 2014

I would say refreshing A&p is helpful, as well as learning APA for writing papers like never before! Good luck!

I know I need to refresh my A&P. The program I applied to is accepting my coursework from 12 years ago! Granted I've worked in the medical field but I haven't really used much of my AP. Any ideas on good review lectures or something online?

sparky605 · Mar 21, 2014

Two things that I have found difficult to adjust to in nursing school.

1. The NCLEX style tests are very different that what I was used to. I am starting to get the hang of them now. A book called "TEST SUCCESS" has helped a lot. It shows you how to breakdown the questions to their stem and then eliminate answers and choose the best answer. You could spend some time with that book getting familiar with this testing style.

2. The hectic pace- The work isn't terribly difficult but the amount of work is pretty overwhelming. You should get as much relaxation and quality family time as you can now. When nursing school starts there will be times when you will wish you had a whole weekend to spend with the family or just a night of TV watching to yourself. Family time and "me" time will be reduced so stock up now :)

edited to add: Also, plan something special for your wife. She is about to take on a lot of extra work to help you. Thank her in advance by doing something nice for her.

3peas · Mar 21, 2014

Study test taking strategies like the Kaplan Strategies and Review. I wish I had read that before my first semester. I agree with sparky605 do something nice for your wife in advance, life will not be the same until this season of your life is over.

sealford · Mar 23, 2014

Oh, this takes me back to last year! I was accepted into my school's program last January for the following fall semester. I really had no idea what to do to prepare, so I mostly went to amusement parks over the summer as well as worked. What I also ended up doing was researching some good study guides for my classes, such as the Straight A's and Made Incredibly Easy series, which have been extremely useful in my current classes, like Patho/Pharm and Med-Surg. If possible, see if there is a Facebook group for your class, and maybe you can go ahead and establish friendships with your classmates. Also, if you are able to do so, try to talk to people in classes ahead of you, so they can fill you in on some of the nitty gritty. That is what I did my first semester, and it helped me a lot as far as what the teachers and courses were like and how hectic the schedule can get. If you are feeling really anxious about it, try to review some of the dosage calculations, but only do the basics. Honestly, the math part is really not all that hard as long as you are able to simplify it. That was the thing that I was scared the most about it but I've scored 100 on my med tests. We are here for you if you need any of us!