New Gwinnett Tech ADN Student: Study tips???

Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN · Jul 15, 2014

Funny...I was just thinking about you! I tried to PM you but your inbox is full. I'll see how many of your questions I can answer for you. Empty out your Inbox and I'll send you my email address so you can ask any other questions you have about the program!

Okay...I just had an entire post typed up and my computer froze. I'm going to go offline, type it again, then come back and post. You'll have answers specific to GTC. :-) Give me a few minutes.

Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN · Jul 15, 2014

Trying this again...fingers crossed it works!

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1.)Why is nursing school hard? I always hear the same thing, but no scenario to understand what I am being told. I hear, "it's not like AP or Micro. You can't just memorize facts, pass the test, then forget about those facts and move forward....you have to use application for everything." For me, I never tried to just memorize anything in my sciences. I studied to understand the why, not just the what. I took what was normal physiology, and used that as my template for Micro. Micro taught us several diseases. So I used what was normal, and compared it to what was not normal in a particular illness. I connected the dots. I didn't forget them. So again I ask, is that not application? What is an example of application in Nursing?

It is, but it’s not. It’s really hard to explain, and even harder to understand until you’re faced with it. Grab an NCLEX book and start doing questions. Those are the type of question you’ll see on the tests. The majority of questions you’ll see won’t have answers you can just look up. They build on what you learned in the current unit and all the units past. It’s not unusual to open a test, see a question, and think, “When did they cover that?”

2.)the instructors of the program have told me before that all of the students in our program struggle to get adjusted to the routine and how to succeed in the program. What part of the transition is the struggle?

I think what most of us struggled with was the new way of thinking, the new style of test questions, and the amount of information. The pace. You learn a lot of information in a short amount of time. Often, the amount of reading is overwhelming. Don’t freak out; you’re not alone. We ALL groan about the amount of reading.

I also found that the study methods I had established during pre-reqs, the study methods that had brought me my 4.0, no longer worked. I had to figure out (and am still figuring out) the most effective way for me to study.

3.)Does anyone advise purchasing the E-book bundle for half the price of the material bundle?

For us, the ebooks were included if we purchased a brand new bundle from the bookstore. I didn’t use them much, but I’m not a fan of etextbooks. I love ebooks for pleasure reading, but am not a fan of ebooks for school. Others love them. I think it’s all a matter of your personal preference.

4.)What should I have in my pockets to be prepared for my clinicals? Should I use a heavy or light stethoscope? The heavy one seems a bit annoying to have hanging over the neck, or do you just get accustomed to it? Or, should I just make myself one of those belts like some nurses are making from the EMT belts for carry most of their goodies so they aren't in the way? I know LVN2RNMMA on YouTube showed his so that's where I got the idea.

First, the steth. I used the Littmann Classic S.E. II. I don’t know if you consider that light or heavy. Depending on the situation, I either hung it around my neck or kept it in my lab coat pocket. Neither spot bothered me at all.

As for my pockets, much of that will be personal preference or what your clinical instructor allows. I kept this organizer (http://tinyurl.com/k9vkkmo) in my cargo pants pocket loaded with bandage scissors, hemostats, a pen, a Sharpie, a penlight, lunch money, and kept my car key on the clip on the front. I also carried hand lotion, chapstick, alcohol prep pads, my reading glasses, and a memo pad. My last clinical instructor wanted us to keep our phones with us so we could text her when we needed her. My first instructor wanted us to bring our care plan books every week. Another instructor only allows her group to bring a pen.

5.)How many backup scrubs should I purchase? For now, we only will be having clinicals once a week for about 8-9 hours (not sure where yet).

Officially, the program requires 2 full sets. If you’re strapped for cash, you can get away with one set. I do highly recommend compression socks, though. I LOVE my compression socks!

6.)Should I spiral bind my sections of my textbooks to lighten the weight load of carrying the entire book, probably several wherever I go? I saw a girl on YouTube, HeyRona, and she did this and said it was cheap and helped a lot.

I considered doing it, but never did. I used a rolling bag I’ve had since A&P I and that works fine for me. My first semester, I kept the rest of my textbooks in the trunk of my car loaded in a plastic milk crate from Wal-Mart. That way, if I needed one of them, it just required a quick hop out the the parking lot.

7.) Flash cards....I am assuming one would use these for drilling info, but not learning the concepts right? Like maybe some metric conversions or drug info?

Again, your mileage may vary, but I use flash cards for Pharm and for lab values. Those are the straight memorization things that you’ll need throughout the program.

8.) Best way to learn drugs & calculations?

Your Henke book. Read the chapters when they’re assigned and do the practice problems. You won’t need much more than that. Med math isn’t as scary as it seems.

9.) Very helpful supplemental books out there for both the classes and N-CLEX preparation?

I have a few I love. Saunders NCLEX books is great for content. It’s got a CD with lots of practice questions, and the information is broken down nicely in the book. Pharmacology Made Insanely Easy (Pharmacology Made Insanely Easy: 9780984204076: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com) has cute pictures and mnemonics that I found very helpful. I also found the Davis Success Series very helpful (like this one for foundations: Fundamentals Success: A Q&A Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Q&a Success): 9780803627796: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com) and have just bought my OB and Peds ones for this fall.

10.) How much of AP, and Micro are used in nursing school? Did it help you make sense of things you had to learn?

It all helps. You’ll hear stuff in lecture and think (or say to your neighbor) I remember that from A&P/Micro. I’ve even been known to pull out old notes to look things up. A&P and Micro are your foundation. You’ll definitely draw on them.

LEAP is just a month away! Are you ready?

NeoNatMom · Jul 15, 2014

Trying this again...fingers crossed it works!
========
It is, but it’s not. It’s really hard to explain, and even harder to understand until you’re faced with it. Grab an NCLEX book and start doing questions. Those are the type of question you’ll see on the tests. The majority of questions you’ll see won’t have answers you can just look up. They build on what you learned in the current unit and all the units past. It’s not unusual to open a test, see a question, and think, “When did they cover that?”
I think what most of us struggled with was the new way of thinking, the new style of test questions, and the amount of information. The pace. You learn a lot of information in a short amount of time. Often, the amount of reading is overwhelming. Don’t freak out; you’re not alone. We ALL groan about the amount of reading.
I also found that the study methods I had established during pre-reqs, the study methods that had brought me my 4.0, no longer worked. I had to figure out (and am still figuring out) the most effective way for me to study.
For us, the ebooks were included if we purchased a brand new bundle from the bookstore. I didn’t use them much, but I’m not a fan of etextbooks. I love ebooks for pleasure reading, but am not a fan of ebooks for school. Others love them. I think it’s all a matter of your personal preference.
First, the steth. I used the Littmann Classic S.E. II. I don’t know if you consider that light or heavy. Depending on the situation, I either hung it around my neck or kept it in my lab coat pocket. Neither spot bothered me at all.
As for my pockets, much of that will be personal preference or what your clinical instructor allows. I kept this organizer (http://tinyurl.com/k9vkkmo) in my cargo pants pocket loaded with bandage scissors, hemostats, a pen, a Sharpie, a penlight, lunch money, and kept my car key on the clip on the front. I also carried hand lotion, chapstick, alcohol prep pads, my reading glasses, and a memo pad. My last clinical instructor wanted us to keep our phones with us so we could text her when we needed her. My first instructor wanted us to bring our care plan books every week. Another instructor only allows her group to bring a pen.
Officially, the program requires 2 full sets. If you’re strapped for cash, you can get away with one set. I do highly recommend compression socks, though. I LOVE my compression socks!
I considered doing it, but never did. I used a rolling bag I’ve had since A&P I and that works fine for me. My first semester, I kept the rest of my textbooks in the trunk of my car loaded in a plastic milk crate from Wal-Mart. That way, if I needed one of them, it just required a quick hop out the the parking lot.
Again, your mileage may vary, but I use flash cards for Pharm and for lab values. Those are the straight memorization things that you’ll need throughout the program.
Your Henke book. Read the chapters when they’re assigned and do the practice problems. You won’t need much more than that. Med math isn’t as scary as it seems.
I have a few I love. Saunders NCLEX books is great for content. It’s got a CD with lots of practice questions, and the information is broken down nicely in the book. Pharmacology Made Insanely Easy (Pharmacology Made Insanely Easy: 9780984204076: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com) has cute pictures and mnemonics that I found very helpful. I also found the Davis Success Series very helpful (like this one for foundations: Fundamentals Success: A Q&A Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking (Davis's Q&a Success): 9780803627796: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com) and have just bought my OB and Peds ones for this fall.
It all helps. You’ll hear stuff in lecture and think (or say to your neighbor) I remember that from A&P/Micro. I’ve even been known to pull out old notes to look things up. A&P and Micro are your foundation. You’ll definitely draw on them.
LEAP is just a month away! Are you ready?

Thanks so much Blue! I wished I met you at the Meet n Greet! Or did I? I am looking forward to the program, but am scared of the unknown. I have attention deficit problems, so I need to figure out how to stay adjusted. I hope I do well. All the info you provided was incredibly helpful and I thank you for that. Sorry about my inbox. I had no clue it was full....I need to figure out how to check it I guess lol.

Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN · Jul 16, 2014

It's perfectly normal to be scared of the unknown. I remember at our LEAP, we were all terrified! Once you get started with classes, you'll be too busy to be scared. :up: Just know that everybody feels the same way. I was feeling every emotion possible all at the same time. It was bizarre.

Do you have a good planner? A good planner can help with focus. There are many different planners out there -- I happen to like a combination of the Uncalendar and Google calendar. If you establish some kind of schedule/routine, it will help. It'll help you knowing you have certain time blocked out for study, for family, for "me" time, and it'll help your family too.

Oh, I almost forgot! Another good resource is an NCLEX app a few of us use -- NCLEX Mastery. There's a free lite version and the full version for both iPhone and Android. I can't remember how much the full version is -- $30? $20? Something like that. Anyway, it's great for doing NCLEX questions when you have a spare few minutes, and it includes rationales. Very helpful.

Just a warning: LEAP will be overwhelming. It's all day long, and you're going to get a lot of information thrown at you. Don't let it wig you out. Rest up afterward, spend your last few days with your family, and come to your first lecture fresh and ready to go.

NeoNatMom · Jul 17, 2014

Man, will you be attending LEAP for my class? If so I would love to meet you there! You are very informative, kind, and helpful. I am glad I have joined AN :)

Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN · Jul 18, 2014

I'll be there! I probably won't be in the room with you, but I'll be there. I'd love to meet you. I tried to send you a PM, but your inbox is full again. :laugh:

NeoNatMom · Jul 18, 2014

I'll be there! I probably won't be in the room with you, but I'll be there. I'd love to meet you. I tried to send you a PM, but your inbox is full again.

Yes yes! Let's try. I am a bit shy when it comes to those I look up to. So if I come off a bit socially awkward, you'll notice I try to play it off with off the cuff jokes when I can think of one lol.

NeoNatMom · Jul 18, 2014

Have you ever used Drugguide.com vs buying the book? Since they update it each year, and its already expensive for books, I went on this site and it seems to have all the info on drugs, but Idk what you know. You took pharm already, I'll wait for your opinion on this Blue, before I spend $40 on it lol.

Exhaustipated, ADN, BSN · Jul 18, 2014

I've never used drugguide.com, so I really don't know anything about it. I did use epocrates.com in addition to my drug guide. I say that with the caveat that in general, I prefer physical books over etext or websites. But since you guys are using Davis Drug Guide (we used Mosby's), I don't know why it wouldn't work for you.

NeoNatMom · Jul 18, 2014

Thanks. Maybe you could check out the site and use a drug example you've done to see if it covers all we need. I haven't taken the class yet, so idk if it is missing info from the drug guide. But I found this site from the David drug guide website. everything else you had to purchase. I just don't wanna throw away $.