Nac I @ Csn

AB~RN · Apr 12, 2008

I am also finishing up my basics semester at CSN. I spoke to a few 4th semester students, and was told that NAC 1 is hard because it focuses heavily on A&P. If you were strong in that (so I am told) you will do fine in NAC 1. Hope this helps.

hs2005 · Apr 12, 2008

I am finishing NAC I. It is totally different than Basics, I wish I had realized how easy we had it then. I don't know about the anatomy part, we are not really tested on that, but I think the tests cover a lot more information. You are also in clinical every week instead of every other week and more is expected of you in clinical and in your care maps. I think there is just a lot more going on so it is important to keep up and not end up cramming the weekend before the tests.

NOLANURSERN · Apr 13, 2008

I think that it is a combo of having to do clinicals, much more paperwork and caremaps. The big part for me was the A&P. By the end of the course you realize that you have gone through all of the body systems. NAC 2 builds on this- and you go further into detail. Nac 1 is all about the ASSESSMENT of the ADULT client. So focus on that. Retain what you learn because you will be building on it later. Another issue is that is is somewhat difficult to learn all of this- and then to go into peds (ASSESSMENT of the CHILD-BABY CLIENT- yes your learning everything all over again for he child-baby in 1/2 of the time)/mental and not utlize much of what you just learned- it's like being out for 6 months. There has been talk of them changing this to nac 1 - nac 2 back to back- but that remains to be seen. Everyone I know seems to share the same feelings.

The Saunders NCLEX book helps greatly. Read every single night- if just for an hour. Read something.-anything -to keep up with the pace. Repeat reading will help you retain the material.

To get ahead during the summer- find someone who has the lectures on their ipod and ask them if they would download them to your ipod - listen to them over and over. If you cant get them- go the computer guy on the 3rd floor and ask him to down load them to a CD for you- or bring your ipod so he can down load them. But you must do it before the end of school-before they erase the lectures.

I always printed out my material ahead of time- but I also took the risk that I would have to re-print it later becasue of updates. But thats just me- I like to be a few steps ahead.

Another suggestion would be to get a Fluid and Electrolytes Made Incredibly Easy book and start reading that. There is no getting around this topic - and its a great book.

In addition, the other MAde incredibly easy books are great too- especially maternal and peds, as well as critical care nursing for nac 2.

I alwasy ordered these books off Ebay during the end of the semester and got them really cheap- like 3- 5 dollars each. Everyone is always buying before the semester and rarely at the end.

Anyhow... hope some ot this helps you... good luck... get some rest...because your in for the long haul now..... lol -...

cajunmom06 · Apr 13, 2008

NOLANURSE,

You gave wonderful advice! I took some notes as I read your post. I am starting Basics in Fall and I like to be prepared as well.Thanks for the great advice.

jemommyRN · Apr 21, 2008

This is why NACI is very different.

This is what's going on with each disorder.

For example, you will generally go through each system (Respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, etc) and you will discuss different disorders associated with these systems. For each disorder you will need to know:

What it is (the definition, meaning patho)?

What causes it?

What are the risk factors?

What are the signs/symptoms?

How is this disease diagnosed (meaning what labs are drawn, etc)?

What is done surgically to correct the problem?

What complications can occur from the disease or the surgery?

WHAT IS THE NURSES (CARE) RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PATIENT?

What nursing diagnosis will this patient have?

This is what the big fuss is all about. Please remember ABCs and think about what you will do for this patient. Yes, you will call the MD but that is NOT the first thing you should do. What will YOU DO? Keep in mind, when you call the Dr., you already need to know the current vitals, labs, etc of the patient. An example (and this is just an EXAMPLE of the type of situation), you have a patient who begins to have difficulty breathing, (but they might not say it that way, keep that in mind) what do you do.

1. Call for help

2. Call the MD to get an order for blah, blah, blah

3. Raise the head of the bed, if not contraindicated

4. Increase the O2 via Nasal cannula to 4L/min

well, you would raise the head of the bed to see if that helps. A nurse can only independently give 2L O2 so you wouldn't pick that. Maybe you would call the MD but you would do what you need to do independently to cover your ****license*****. As far as calling for help, there are things you can do before you would react in this manner.

It wasn't a real question and it will be worded with a bunch more blah, blah, blah, but I hope you get the point.