I'm in!! How to prepare w/ < 4 mo. left??

Nursing Students SRNA

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hey all.

i'm hoping to get some help, especially from someone in a frontloaded program. my sciences background is a little weak, not on grades but on how far i went with basic sciences courses. i aced micro, a&p, bio and chem, but these na science courses are very advanced and very intimidating.:chair: i'm looking at biochem, biophysics,

anatomy pharmacology and anatomy w/ cadaver lab. i already have schaums outline of biochemistry and i hope to be able to get a head start on the book list. plus i'm trying to balance my potential academic needs with our financial needs so i'm also planning on working a little extra before school starts to help out with $, but i definitely don't want to struggle too much w/ the academics.:smilecoffeeilovecof so for me that's the main priority!

any suggestions.

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I am in the same boat. Got my acceptance to Midwestern this week. I was thinking about re-reading my A&P, Patho, and Pharm texts from my undergrad program. I figure a review of the things I learned, that got me accepted in the first place, will give me a good base for the intense sciences that I will be facing in june. I would definetely like some advice about what types of material will really help me prepare for the program. Anything that will help ease the stress of the oncoming workload.

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In my opinion, Biochem is the most easily understandable of all the Chemistries. It was pretty easy for me and I was definately not that strong in Chemistry. So, I'd not worry too much about that class. Biophysics is probably where you'll learn alot of your anesthesia gas laws etc... and again may not be too hard. (not saying you don't have to study...;))

I'd concentrate on the extra work to bolster your finances and in your off time (?) read some good books and go on a vacation. Good luck.

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Just chill out and have fun while you can. I know I will.

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Thanks for the replies everone. Very helpful!!

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I talk to several people and they said biochem is not as hard as the other chemistries.

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I'm in a front-loaded program. In hindsight, I would have spent my pre-program prep time studying organic chemistry. You will use it extensively in your pharmacology classes.

That, more than anything would have made my life much easier...

Jason

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I talked to the director last week. She said that the anatomy pharmacology I mentioned is actually anesthesia pharmacology and that it's been dropped from the summer quarter. So that's one less class we have to worry about initially:yelclap: I also asked about booklists so that I could possibly study ahead. I anticipated I would not get one, but I did get a little more than I had expected. She was able to give me last year's books with the disclainer that they could change. Here's what she said . . .

The required text for Anatomy was: Drake, R.L., Vogl,W., Mitchell., Gray's Anatomy for Students, Elsevier, 2005. They also require one of several atlases including Grant's Atlas of Anatomy by Agur, Atlas of Human Anatomy by Netter, Color Atlas of Hyman Anatomy by McMinn, Color Atlas of Numan Anatomy by Rohen, or Anatomy: A Regional Atlas of the Human Body by Clemente. They recommend choosing one that you find most suitable to your individual needs.

The required textbook for Biochemistry is Lippincotts' Illustrated Review: Biochemistry, Third Edition by Champe, Harvey and Ferrier.

There is no textbook for Biophysics.

I've already ordered loads of books about chem, o. chem, biochem, nursing pharm, the icu book and perhaps best of all 'basics of anesthesia'. I started in on the last two and I plan to finish basics of anesthesia since I'm sure it will relate. Biochem reads a little like greek to me right now :uhoh3: so I'm hoping to have time to go through chem and o. chem. Maybe the Illustrated Biochem Midwestern required will be an easier read than Schaums outline of biochem.

I hesitate on pouring over an anatomy textbook. My concern is that the class may not go cover to cover, as many don't. I'm hoping that I've still got a decent understanding of anatomy from my undergrad and I'll only have to fill in the gaps :idea:

Andy

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Malenurse2001, I have already completed the didactic portion of my front-loaded program and I have some advice for you...I would know how to draw the 20 amino acids, know the fuctional groups (i.e, OH, COOH.etc.), and learn about pka, acids,bases, and DNA synthesis. I would also become familiar with the terms (polar, non-polar, Ionized, non-ionized, hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and lipohilic). If you are looking for topics to study prior to beginning your program, these are solid topics and you can be assured that you will definitely SEE THEM AGAIN!! I hope this helps you to narrow your focus on biochem pre-program studying.

Qwiktofeat

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Specializes in MICU & SICU.

As someone said earlier go on vacation and relax. That is a great suggestion because once you start school say goodbye to life as you once knew it.

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