Just got in! ! ! Jitters! !

nursestudentAZ · Dec 10, 2010

Congratulations, Murse Nick. I am finishing Block 1 at Boswell next week. Your teacher will be emailing you a list of things to buy before class starts. To answer your questions:

1. We use the I-pod touch 4g--I bought mine on Amazon. I'm sure you can find a good Christmas deal if you shop around

2. Study groups--you can form these when you meet all your classmates. If your instructor sends you chapters to read before class starts, I would take advantage and read every page--it will spare you some stress in the first few weeks

3. I didn't buy any extra books--the book list that you are required to buy is extensive. You will also have to buy software for your PDA

4. You will not have time to volunteer or work PRN if you are already working full time for Banner. You will need your days off from work to study, write care plans, work on group projects... Don't overdue it!

5. My advice is once school starts, get organized--get a planner, a flash drive to save all the powerpoints, plan ahead, anything you can do to manage your time. You will have so much stuff thrown at you in the first few months to sift through and make sense of. Don't let yourself get behind when school starts--there is no time to catch up!

Good luck and see you on campus!

checker1981 · Dec 10, 2010

1. What type of PDA is the best or most useful? Where can I buy it? Cost?

I don't need a PDA for nursing school.

2. Study groups?

Keep it to a few people and make sure they are all carrying their weight, I only study with one other person and we both do the reading.

3. any books I can purchase to prepare me or help me through school?

Don't buy any additional books and don't buy the whole book package they recommend. I am doing well and I check out of the library the Incredibly easy books, for instance there is an incredibly easy book for fundamentals, med-surg, maternal-neonatal, pediatrics, psych, dosage calculations.

The book you won't need:

Psych (will need for 3 weeks in block 4, you can check out of library)

IV drugs (you don't start IV therapy until block 2)

Maternal/Peds (available in the library too)

4. Should I try getting a volunteer position or prn job at another hosp besides banner?

You are going to be so busy I wouldn't work if you don't have to, certainly not volunteer.

5. Anything that you wish you did or couldve done if you could go back?

I wish I had studied more from the Saunders NCLEX book in block 1, I study for exams from the book they have you buy and get almost 100% on every exam since it highlights the important things you need to know with little pyramids. Also get your careplans in word files so you can copy and paste interventions/rationales. Check out the nursing resource center via the library.

RNicholask, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2010

Nursestudent and checker: thanks for all that info. Great advice.

I work weekends at cvs pharmacy and banner tbird pharmacy every other.

Freeing my week to study I hope will be enough. I've taken all

The co-reqs already!

I'm wondering if my droid x will be sufficient for "pda"

Maybe I'll buy itouch.

But thanks again for all that input. Very helpful

nursestudentAZ · Dec 13, 2010

Some of my classmates have the Droid. The device just has to be able to hold "Nursing Central" software on it. Your instructor will probably clarify in the welcome email she'll send before school starts.

RNicholask, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2010

Yah, the welcome letter said "pda,smartphone,"

So it should be acceptable.

how was block 1? did you take the math refresher?

rickelli · Dec 16, 2010

I am a banner fellow at EMCC in the middle of block 4 now.

1. What type of PDA is the best or most useful? Where can I buy it? Cost?

Never used a PDA. I did invest in a lap top.

2. Study groups?

Very important to get with a study group. Everyone needs to be equally responsible. I dont know where I would be without my study group.

3. any books I can purchase to prepare me or help me through school?

I have a ton of extra books that have helped me through school. If you get the same nursing diagnosis book we did (ackley)I would suggest getting a couple different ones to help with your careplans. I have three additional care plan books and I used them all. I also used the study guides for the med-surg and maternity book which I had to buy myself as well.

4. Should I try getting a volunteer position or prn job at another hosp besides banner?

I would save all your extra time for studying and careplans. If you don't pass the tests, you dont pass the class. And when you start clinicals for 12 hours sometimes 2x per week your will get burnt out.

5. Anything that you wish you did or couldve done if you could go back?

I dont think I would change a thing if I could go back. Good Luck!