Moving from pre-nursing into nursing, how are you getting prepared!!

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I just wanted to create a post to see what all the newly accepted nursing students are doing to get prepared for nursing school? How will you spend your last four months before school, what sites have you looked at to get prepared? I will be going on a much needed cruise to the bahamas,then after the cruise we will stay on SOBE for the weekend, spend a bunch of qt with my kids and husband. My last four months will be spent with family, and friends. I looked at a site RNpedia.com that I am sure I will find helpful while in school, really cool site I think every nurse student should check it out, and allnurses.com will also be my best friend. Love to hear everyone's response and see if I can find more helpful sites from everyone:heartbeat:heartbeat

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Specializes in ICU.

My program starts in June (I can't believe it - finally!!), so I'm working on getting my financial aid in order and finishing up paperwork for orientation. I'm also planning to quit my job a little early and visit my parents (we see my in-laws all the time but haven't seen my parents in 2 years!) in Wyoming, so that will be nice. Some fun mountain time.

Otherwise I've just been brushing up on physiology - I bought cheap used copies of Fluids and Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy and Pathophysiology Made Incredibly Easy from half.com since it's been a while since I took physio and I remember fluid balance not totally clicking. They're very accesible for a pre-nursing student...easy to read and lots of good info. I also picked up a cheap dosage calc textbook with practice problems on CD since math is a weak point of mine. Hopefully some of this independent studying I'm doing will end up being useful - if nothing else it keeps me thinking critically and makes the time go by faster!

I'm also working tons - and spending every free minute in ICU watching procedures and bugging the nurses for advice. In exchange, I help them change/turn their patients and I run their lab and blood bank errands, since they don't have a tech. ;)

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juliaann,

Seems as if you have it all together. You have your foot already in the door for after school. Can you not just go prn? That way once you become a nurse you can go back to full time.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm considering it...but I'm taking a super fast-paced accelerated BSN program and they strongly strongly strongly encourage students not to work. To stay PRN we have to work at least 1 shift every other week. According to a student currently in the program the 2 students who failed out their first semester in his class (they started last summer) were the only 2 that were trying to work....so I'm not sure if I want to try to do that.

The hospital is schoalrshipping me through my program, so I already have a gauranteed job when I'm done with school, so I'm not that worried about needing to be an internal applicant for RN positions next year. :)

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Oooo, well yes I will just focus on my studies since you already know you will be going back there!Good luck

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I start in August... and to prepare I'm just reviewing my detailed notes from A&P. Then in order to prepare for the dosage calculations (even if they are easy, that's one part that scares me the most) - a friend signed me up with RN.com where they have online courses. There are two math/drug calculation courses that I plan on taking.

I feel like I just need to be refreshing my memory on certain things here and there so that I don't start the nursing program with a completely empty brain :)

Other than that, I'm trying to get my financial stuff in order and most importantly, RELAX!

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What exactly is RN.com?

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RN.com is an online resource where nurses can attain CEUs (Continued Education). Here in California, you must get a certain number of CEUs each year in order to keep your license active/valid.

So although I don't need THOSE each year since I'm not a nurse yet, my friend signed me up because she thought it would be helpful to go through the drug calculation courses in order to help me prepare for school.

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Oh ok thanks for that info, I may can use it in two years:up:

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I am still trying to figure out if I can afford to attend the BSN program I was admitted to which starts in September. In the meantime, I have a couple prereqs to finish up (micro now, pre-calc and ONLINE organic chem over the summer, God help me!) I am also trying to get a second job on weekends as a CNA to save up more money before I move for school. Any free time I have is being used to apply for scholarships and trying to get into shape. I am incredibly jealous of you guys who get to take vacations before starting...drink a margarita for me!

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Fortunately, I got accepted to a few of nursing programs and now, I have to decide which one I really want to go to. After a lot of heartache and number crunching, my decision is really between 2 schools. One starts in May. It's the more affordable school (but only by 4K) and is 16 months. The other starts in August (15 mos program) and if I decide to go, I'd be going with a friend! As for my downtime, I'm taking pathophysiology and working so there is no free time!

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I'm eating cheerios and doing p90x. I've spent the last two years worrying myself to death about doing prereqs and getting accepted. I've got until august till nursing courses start. I'm going to enjoy my time off. *wine

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