New Student: Please Help( I would really appreciate it)

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Hello everyone,

I will be starting NS on Aug.18, I'm very very excited. My question is are there any books or anything that I could be reading right now, so I will be on my game even on the first week. I want to go in with a new attitude (always be proactive and not reactive). Please help. :saint: Also are there any supplies that I will need in my first semester?

Thanks in advance,

Hello,

wow..congrats on being a part of nursing school! just a little advice..i know its summer right now and you want to enjoy it, but i would say prepare yourself for the upcoming semester! there will be so much reading to do..usually instructors would make a syllabus for your classes which would tell you everything...from course description to your reading assignments! usually what i would do is talk to the instructor for the class and ask her what are the required books...and what are the reading assignments because sometimes they skip or jump through chapters. then, i starting reading ahead because it takes a while to read and understand (well at least for me)...and also about the drug calculations..maybe you can start practicing some math problems...to keep you ahead of the game! good luck:up:

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Specializes in critical care transport.

I would recommend having a sit down with the family and friends after orientation. They don't know what is about to happen. You will be busy with school and need patience and support.

Nursing school is totally doable. You have to have your ducks in a row, and don't do things to sabatoge your success. You are about to meet people that may end up being your best friends for the rest of your life.

Don't be scared, it's great you are excited. Just do the work, and don't regularly put things off or you'll fail. Read with a highlighter. Take good notes. I happened to record lectures, which was nice when there was difficult content to cover. You will never know everything. Learn to prioritize as a person. if you prioritize your time, you will learn to be a nurse.This is the time where your skin gets thicker. You are going to learn that you are stronger than you ever knew.

I am excited for you.

Krista, RN

2008 Graduate

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Specializes in geriatrics.

New Student: Please Help( I would really appreciate it)

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Hello everyone,

I will be starting NS on Aug.18, I'm very very excited. My question is are there any books or anything that I could be reading right now, so I will be on my game even on the first week. I want to go in with a new attitude (always be proactive and not reactive). Please help. :saint: Also are there any supplies that I will need in my first semester?

Thanks in advance,

I am also starting Nursing School but on August 19th where are you going if you do not mind my asking maybe we can sort of chat with eachother throughout school and compare notes or just vent

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Specializes in being a Credible Source.
New Student: Please Help( I would really appreciate it)

permalink

Hello everyone,

I will be starting NS on Aug.18, I'm very very excited. My question is are there any books or anything that I could be reading right now, so I will be on my game even on the first week. I want to go in with a new attitude (always be proactive and not reactive). Please help. :saint: Also are there any supplies that I will need in my first semester?

Thanks in advance,

I am also starting Nursing School but on August 19th where are you going if you do not mind my asking maybe we can sort of chat with eachother throughout school and compare notes or just vent

Your school should give you a list of supplies you need.

I would recommend buying the best stethoscope you can afford because it really makes a difference in hearing subtle distinctions.

I'd certainly consider a Palm or other PDA.

Books: As Daytonite put so well just recently, what supplemental texts to buy should wait until you find areas in which you need more help.

That said, you should have a good medical dictionary. You might also get a jump on medical terminology. You also can't go wrong by getting a jump on pharmacology. My favorite pharm supplement is Lippincott's Illustrated Review but I've heard good things about the "Incredibly Easy" book. Take a gander on Amazon, BN, or Borders website and you should find plenty of food for thought.

Good luck to you. Just finishing my second semester and it's a wild ride to be sure. Have fun. :D

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I just posted it on another thread but I will post it here too:

For 1st semester I needed 2 scrub uniforms, we could get them anywhere, a labcoat, 3 patches w/ school logo to sew on the coat and scrub tops, a steth, hemostats, bandage scissors, white shoes (any kind), black pens and a clipboard, and that is all I used on the floor. I did carry a bag with my drug book and pencils and a small stapler for finishing my CP in Post. I also carried a small snack, a bottle of water, mints and chapstick. 2nd semester we gave more meds and did more of everything so I carried a PDQ for RNs in my pocket, too. Make sure you get a roll of tape from supply when you get on the floor...you will invariably end up needing tape in a pts room when you can't conveniently leave to get it!:rolleyes: In class I used a recorder if it was allowed and paper and pencil...we got powerpoints also! Good Luck, you'll do great!

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Check in your book store to see if there is a syllabus available. It should give you a list of required and reccommended materials. GET EVERYTHING!! advice I got from a nursing student last year. It should tell you what will be covered and I would definately read for the 1st weeks lessons. This way you'll be able to ask questions when the material is gone over in class.

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hi~

i agree with all the above posters. i would also suggest getting a planner, so that way you can write down all the important due dates for assignments, clinicals, etc.

also for the math, i would try and learn the dimensional analysis method for learning math problems and dosage calculations. it will help you throughout nursing school and after graduation as well.

since you have some time before classes begin, i am posting some links that you may find helpful. you can print them for use if you like.

also, critical thinking for situations and on exams is very crucial for nursing school and nursing in general. focus on critical thinking skills during the 1st semester and it will get you through nursing school.

i wish you all the best in nursing school. it may seem difficult during your 1st semester, but remember you can get through it.

http://www.alysion.org/dimensional/analysis.htm

http://members.tripod.com/susanp3/snurse/id28_analysis.htm

http://www.dalesplace.net/introduc.php

i am attaching a conversions document i posted in another thread that may be of use to you as well.

jadu1106 :)

conversions.pdf

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i also forgot to mention if you purchase books online, i know of a couple good websites that compare prices to give you an idea about least expensive to expensive, depending on whether its used or new.

you can type author's name, isbn number, keyword, or title.

www.bookfinder4u.com

www.campusi.com

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Here is a link to a tutorial you can print, but it's like 60 pages, but it is very hepful!!

http://www.stark.kent.edu/Academics/Nursing/upload/Dosage%20%Calc%20Tutorial.pdf

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hello everyone,

i will be starting ns on aug.18, i'm very very excited. my question is are there any books or anything that i could be reading right now, so i will be on my game even on the first week. i want to go in with a new attitude (always be proactive and not reactive). please help. :saint: also are there any supplies that i will need in my first semester?

thanks in advance,

:) hey readytohelppeople:

so how is nursing school going so far? did all of the suggestions here help you as you began your classes? i remember my 1st semester was exciting and overwhelming and everything in between. it seemed like i would never see "the light at the end of the tunnel" but the 2 years flew by so fast....you will learn so much. are you getting the grasp of dimensional analysis?

keep us posted!

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