Lonestar College Cyfair ADN Fall 2010

cschoppe · Nov 10, 2010

Wow, that's so lucky that you guys got a reading list before class started! I'm in med-surg II and we had no reading list for the first day, we got to class and already had assignments, 90% of us had no clue, being behind 12+ chapters on the first day was no fun at all, so I'm glad you all got a different start.

I'm curious too, was the first test nclex style b/c our first semester was not the same type of test questions as medo-surg I and now med-surg II. The tests were so much easier the first semester and we were all in shock the 2nd semester. Good luck!

lilag02 · Nov 17, 2010

Apparently they heard enough from your class that they decided to give us the assignments at orientation. So we owe you guys a HUGE thank you for speaking up!

As far as the tests go, they're NCLEX style. However, according to the blueprints, they're 50% knowledge & comprehension and 50% application & analysis. We were told to expect that to change...eventually they'll be nearly all application & analysis.

So second semester is kind of shocking, huh? I've got the list of study guides that someone gave out at the SNA meeting and I've already got 3 of the 4 on my Amazon wishlist. Are there any that you'd recommend? Or any tips for studying it? Any tips for getting ready for clinicals or any supplies you've found helpful?

I thought my questions might taper off once we actually started, but that's just not the case. I may have more now than I did then. :rolleyes:

cschoppe · Nov 17, 2010

Yes, second semester will be a shock, but I think that's inevitable. The first semester was a lot of work b/c you had several 8wk classes and lots of busy work to go in with that (culture project, etc) but it wasn't necessarily 'mentally' tough...2nd semester when you start med-surg I is more academically challenging. Also, there aren't many 'fluff' grades that can boost your average up, basically if you bomb a test it really really affects your grade.

As far as clinicals goes, I can't really think of anything that can prepare you for that. It's all about getting to know your clinical instructor and finding out what they want from you as far as paperwork goes and their expectations of you for clinicals. If you are unfamiliar with priority nursing diagnoses you better start figuring that out now b/c they are all about the top 5 prioritized nursing diagnoses for about every disease/condition and each patient you take care of in the hospital. Having more than one care plan book is helpful b/c when it comes time to do your comprehensive care plan you won't have to scrounge around to find different references. There are some people that have a small pocket guide nursing diagnosis book and that seems to be handy. A good drug book is also essential (the very most updated one).

Keep up the good work, first semester is almost over and before you know it you'll be going into the 4th semester and on to specialities (eeek...)

lilag02 · Dec 11, 2010

Thanks for the info! With practicums and the lab not being open much, I completely forgot that I had posted again, so I'm glad I checked back. I was kind of thinking it would be along those lines, but it always helps to hear it from those who've 'been there, done that'.

Thanks again, and good luck in specialties!