Just accepted to nursing school, don't know what to do.

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Hello, I found out yesterday that I was accepted into my nursing program. Class doesn't start until

September, so in the meantime I would like to get a head start on studying, but I don't know what I should focus on. Should I review A&P and microbiology, look up medical math practice websites or pharmacology websites, or what? I really want to make these months before school productive, can anyone give me some advice on what they did, or even what they wish they had done before starting nursing school?

I just got accepted myself. We had to have all our immunizations and things done before we could be accepted so I have all that covered. Well, except for one more hep B shot.

Over the summer I will be gathering my supplies and books, painting my kitchen, and enjoying my freedom because all that will end come August 19th!

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Specializes in Pediatric Intensive Care, Long Term care.

I was just like you last summer before I started nursing school. I wanted to be prepared but to be honest NOTHING can really prepare you but experience. As someone above mentioned try to get a job as a nurse aide. Please try to enjoy your summer because once you start it will be a rollercoaster until its over. Maybe start buying some of the supplies you will need...such as a great backpack, recorder (if your an auditory learner), and a good stheoscope. get in the habit of a healthy lifestyle now (as far as your diet, exercise, stress-reducing activities) so it will be easier during school.

Hope this helps :-)

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I was just accepted also but we don't have our orientation meeting until May 19th so I have many unanswered questions right now.

Could you please post which immunizations are needed?

Also, does anyone have the details of what is in a nurse pack?

Thank you!

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I start nursing school in August and I'm not sure if we are even going to have an orientation. If we are, I haven't heard about it. . .

At my school, you need the same kinds of vaccines that you get when you start kindergarten (MMR, polio, etc) and we also need the hepatitis B vaccines, a TB skin test, and varicella vaccine OR titer.

I know all schools have different ideas of a nursing pack. At our school, its a giant plastic bag containing things like: enema kit, IV bags, irrigation kits, bandages, sterile gauze, things like that. At other schools, the nursing pack is something like: stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, bandage scissors, things like that. So, there is really no telling.

Good luck in nursing school!

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

Complete any requirements that are needed before starting the program. Usually this includes giving them a copy of all of your immunizations + proof of a TB test (usually a two-step the first time around), get your BLS (CPR) certification, make sure you attend the orientation, etc.

The only thing they wanted us to review and work on prior to starting the program is basic math and some beginning drug math. The book Calculating with Confidence by Deborah C. Gray Morris was a requirement and they assigned chapters for us to work on. Other than that, I wouldn't get too far ahead of yourself. Reviewing some A&P will help, but in my opinion don't bother with pathophysiology and pharmacology and things. You will have plenty of time to learn that in school and you don't want to overwhelm yourself before you even start the program!

My other biggest advice...ENJOY YOUR TIME OFF!!! Once school starts you will begin to forget what it's like to have free time...what's that? :lol2:

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Immunization question -

I am 43 and I have no clue as to which immunizations I received as a child. Do I start all over?

Also, for the CPR certification - Can you recommend where I can do this at?

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Specializes in Nursing Education.

Before starting all over, I would check with your doctor to see if they have it in your medical record. If not, do you happen to remember who your pediatrician was once upon a time? :eek:

Otherwise, I think many schools will accept a blood titer, where they draw some blood and check to see if you have the antibodies for the required illnesses. For example, I never got the Varicella vaccine, but I had Chickenpox as a kid. When I entered nursing school, I had some blood drawn to check for my immunity to chickenpox. My blood titer came back at a high enough level to indicate immunity, so I was able to use that instead of getting the Varicella vaccine.

Otherwise, it doesn't really hurt to get re-vaccinated either. Other than the shot of course! :bugeyes:

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Immunization question -

I am 43 and I have no clue as to which immunizations I received as a child. Do I start all over?

Also, for the CPR certification - Can you recommend where I can do this at?

If you can't produce a shot record, then yes, you will have to start all over. I think the ones you'll need are MMR, DTP, polio, chicken pox (or titer), TB test, and hepatitis B, (hep A is optional for us)

Any community college should offer CPR certification. Wherever your going to nursing school should. My school doesn't require us to get it beforehand. Some health departments offer CPR cert.

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Before starting all over, I would check with your doctor to see if they have it in your medical record. If not, do you happen to remember who your pediatrician was once upon a time? :eek:

Otherwise, I think many schools will accept a blood titer, where they draw some blood and check to see if you have the antibodies for the required illnesses. For example, I never got the Varicella vaccine, but I had Chickenpox as a kid. When I entered nursing school, I had some blood drawn to check for my immunity to chickenpox. My blood titer came back at a high enough level to indicate immunity, so I was able to use that instead of getting the Varicella vaccine.

Otherwise, it doesn't really hurt to get re-vaccinated either. Other than the shot of course! :bugeyes:

I can't speak for every area, but in my area, the titers cost hundreds of dollars vs. 10 or 20 for the shots. I would just have the shots again if that is the case. The chicken pox titer here is $20, which is less than the shot. That is the only exception.

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I am 40 and was in the same boat. They told me to contact my old school district to see if they still had my files...sure enough, they did. They sent them and I gave them to my Nursing Dept. who said they were perfectly acceptable. Also, my school accepts titers as well.

Regarding CPR, my school offers a course right before classes start, but there's also classes offered through the local health department and local chapters of the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Hope this helps!

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Great advice -

I never thought about contacting my old school district!

Thank you!

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Specializes in Nursing Education.
I am 40 and was in the same boat. They told me to contact my old school district to see if they still had my files...sure enough, they did. They sent them and I gave them to my Nursing Dept. who said they were perfectly acceptable. Also, my school accepts titers as well.

Actually, that's kind of surprising to me that your old school district actually sent them! I used to work for a community college, and we used to get students calling to ask for copies of transcripts they'd had other schools send TO us, and I also for immunization records. Being a community college, we didn't require any immunization records so obviously couldn't provide them even if we were allowed to, but we were not allowed to give the student copies of transcripts they had submitted from other colleges. Something to do with not being the original granting institution of those transcripts.

But in any case, it sounds like it's worth a shot to call your old school district, and immunization records are different from transcripts so hopefully it'll work! One phone call might save you a few bucks!

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