I've been accepted...now what?

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Good morning! I was accepted into the class of 2013 at the school that is my first choice! I've paid the fees, waiting to find out what I need to do before class starts!

In the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions on books I should read, what I should review this summer? My last class ends in May and classes start again after Labor Day...a big chunk of time!

Welcome any suggestions.

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Congrats!! I suggest you enjoy your time off...it's about to get incredibly busy. But here are my suggestions.

Lifewise:

Clean and organize your house...trust me on that one!

Create a study space

Gather lots of easy, quick nutritious meal plans

Schoolwise:

Practice dosage calculations (google it, there are tons of sites)

Get your anatomy/physiology down really well (you'll need it)

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Develop a routine as if you are the busiest person in the world and have the least amount of time to eat, breathe, clean, and spend time with your family.

In the meantime, learn pharmacology and get a nursing diagnoses handbook, that way you can learn diagnoses along with relevant interventions and rationales.

Most importantly, have fun before you start school.

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Thanks for the suggestions!! I did already book a cruise for June as I figure I'll be broke, tired and short on time until September of 2013!

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

my advice: have some fun and enjoy it before you start school, because once you start you'll be veryyyyy busy. Nursing school isn't for those who want a social life! :lol2:

I'm not trying to scare you, just telling you the honest truth! Nursing school definitely is interesting, though, and very rewarding! If you really want to review stuff, I would do what 1southernstudent suggested and practice dosage calculation questions. I have a book that was required for my nursing program called Calculate With Confidence by Deborah Gray Morris. If you don't feel like buying a book, there are websites too. I like http://www.dosagehelp.com.

Also review your A&P! It will help, especially when you get to patho.

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No advice but wanted to say Congrats on your acceptance!

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Specializes in Hospice.

First of all: CONGRATS!!!

I agree with the verrry good advice of learning how to manage time (both academically and personally). Figure out what helps you minimize stress (cooking, meditation, working out, etc) and block off some weekly time for it now. That way, you won't feel like you have to squeeze it in when the going gets tough.

There are lots of great books out there about what to expect in nursing school, etc, which might be helpful. Check out the nursing section of a Barnes and Noble. Otherwise:

  • Review clinical basics and vitals. Learn how to take blood pressure, temperature, etc now if possible. A lot of people have home blood pressure cuffs; if you can get your hands on one, you can get more comfortable with equipment. Practice on your friends!
  • Review dosage basics, conversions, all types of ratios, etc
  • Review A&P
  • See if you can apply for a student membership for a good, peer-reviewed nursing journal
  • Start looking into nursing organizations, including any dedicated to fields you might be interested in
  • Become familiar with nursing diagnoses, there are some great stickies on this forum with diagnosis guides
  • Maybe find short-term or commitment-free volunteer work at a healthcare facility

Now obviously, I'm not suggesting you do all this. You should definitely be relaxing now in preparation of classes coming up! But these are a lot of things that will be/provide important foundations to school, and certainly if you feel less-than-strong in any of them, it might not hurt to review. Again, congrats!

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Specializes in Operating Room.
my advice: have some fun and enjoy it before you start school, because once you start you'll be veryyyyy busy. Nursing school isn't for those who want a social life! :lol2:

I'm not trying to scare you, just telling you the honest truth! Nursing school definitely is interesting, though, and very rewarding! If you really want to review stuff, I would do what 1southernstudent suggested and practice dosage calculation questions. I have a book that was required for my nursing program called Calculate With Confidence by Deborah Gray Morris. If you don't feel like buying a book, there are websites too. I like www.dosagehelp.com.

Also review your A&P! It will help, especially when you get to patho.

I totally second this! I didn't even crack a book during the summer before nursing school started. (Now that I think about it, I don't crack open a textbook at all over summer even in nursing school. :lol2: ) My rationale is that you study SO much during nursing school that you get it all in anyway. When I'm off, I'm off. That's how I've kept myself sane for the past four years!

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Congrats.. but why did they accept you in two years?? I have never heard of that before..

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Congrats to you...and me :) Not at all wanting to hijack your thread but I have been seeking all the tips I can get for how to best prepare as well... you got some good ones here! I am starting to do some reviewing. I also purchased a couple of the books that were recommended to you, including calculate with confidence and the nursing dx handbook.

I just rec'd several of the Incredibly Easy! books I ordered used. I got Patho, Nursing Pharm, and Fundamentals... I got them cheap and so far they seem to be such an easy read that it might not be too painful. I am hoping they help refresh old knowledge and input some new, so that when it hits the fan for me in June, I am more prepared than not. :D

Congrats and good luck!

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Start reading EVERYTHING you can get your hands on.

Do you have a library with nursing books that you can access? Start reading pathophysiology! That's a huge one. Review A&P. Get a dosage calculation book and start practicing! Definitely get into volunteer work.

Question: Since you have till 2013 you could try and get a CNA certificate. Usually the class is only 8 weeks and then you're done and apply! It will really help with fundamentals! And you can get your foot in the door at a hospital or a long term care.

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Thanks everyone for the suggestions...just to clarify 2011 is when I start the 2 yr program and will be done in 2013.

I'll definately look into a book on drug calculation and patho, taking a vacation and such! And definately will review A&P!!!

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