Not in school, what should I study while waiting?

dallet6 · May 18, 2008

Not sure what prereqs you're going to be starting with, but a little refresher in algerbra would probably be helpful for all your labs. There's lots of great user friendly sites for it. just do a google search.

donsterRN, ASN, BSN · May 18, 2008

I really wouldn't worry about specifics just yet (like meds and diseases); you'll be taught those in due time with the appropriate texts and lectures.

Beforehand, if you really wanted to get a handle on things and keep busy while you're waiting, you cannot go wrong with getting a nice basic foundation in Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology, Algebra and maybe even Chemistry. The book series "...For Dummies" has all of those (except Medical Terminology). And an excellent beginner's Medical Terminology book is Medical Terminology Made Incredibly Easy. All are available at www.amazon.com, and will probably be something you'll hang onto through school and into your career as an RN.

Good luck to you!

engima2174 · May 18, 2008

are you starting fresh with your pre-reqs in the fall? if that is the case, you can always visit your school library and get a head start on anatomy and physiology marieb and hoehn put out some good books. the bio sciences in my opinions were more interesting after prepping at home then attending lecture. i wish i had the time to take medical terminology:- wood roots, prefix, suffix and all would have put me ahead of class. so much in a/p revolves around breaking down those words and understanding the simple meaning, and i believe this will help out as we get into nursing school. you want to study specifically, the "bones, muscles, nerves" many people get overwhelmed with memorizing all that.

again, this is useless if you already have your preqs done.

you should also consider weather you are going for bsn degree or an as degree, i think you will find that some of the preqs are slightly more for bs. important to take time to research the different schools you would like to apply to and determine which classes would transfer to most if not all of your schools. some schools in the bay area will take a combined a/p other schools want them separate.

goodluck!

i'm not in college and it's been a long time (5 years) since i was in school, but i'm going to community college this fall with the aim of getting into nursing school. until then i'm working and saving up money - but also wondering, is there anything i could be learning right now? any books i can take out of the library or websites i should hit up? what are some things you really wish you'd known before you got into nursing school? not philosophical advice (although that's great too) but technical advice...names of medicine, etc. anything i can do to get a head start, soothe my impatience and calm my already-increasing nerves would be great, especially since it's been so long since i was being taught & tested!

ssnva1 · May 18, 2008

If you havent taken your placement test then work on Math and English so you can get placement scores. Good luck.

coolpeach · May 19, 2008

You will more than likely have to take a college entrance exam so that might be a good place to start. Find out what test they use and get a study guide. Math and algebra are usually the toughest for most people so brush up on those skills. Otherwise I would start reading books on how to improve your memory, study skills, and improve time managment cause your going to need it.

smiles04 · May 19, 2008

Hey there try not to stess. Most of us have gone through this. First of all your not going to nursing school just yet you gotta get the reqs out of the way so focus on just a book on how to study in college. Be prepared, if you have been out a while it will be harder than you remember in some areas but more freedom with some other stuff. Study how to study also go to a used book store they rock they are less expensive and some even have some helpful notes. Also, don't overload yourself micro and A&p are hard and lots of things to remember so don't lump these together with chem, get psych or some of the other more flowy classes mixed to give yourself some room to breath. Also I loved a&p I and II in summer I and II because they HAD to cut it short. cool. Micro and chem is pretty intense you need the extra time. Don't worry youll do great. Stay on this site there are people like me who love to teach or to help the newbies. Ive done lots of different nursing and have lots of different experiences. Stay tuned. Believe in yourself find your drive and determination, If your thinking I don't know if I can do this YOU CAN AND WILL SUCCEED. Just don't overload it will be done sooner than you think. Good luch and stay tuned. Smiles04

angelz_kissus · May 19, 2008

The one thing I wish I was told before I got everything started was that my ACT scores were to old and I needed to take it again(found that out after my other placement test was already scheduled so I used it for practice) and then the research for all the many scholarships that do not apply until AFTER you are accepted to the nursing school itself. Do what I did use the pell grants for the basics and the prereqs and then when you get to nursing school use all the other scholarships you will be eligible for(hopefully)

And check the local unemployment office they may even have programs to help offset the cost after you are accepeted to nursing school as well

js408 · May 25, 2008

Watch some episodes of ER and CSI

I'm not in college and it's been a long time (5 years) since I was in school, but I'm going to community college this fall with the aim of getting into nursing school. Until then I'm working and saving up money - but also wondering, is there anything I could be learning right now? [...]

Bicster · May 26, 2008

Watch some episodes of ER and CSI

Not Scrubs?

js408 · May 26, 2008

Yah why not :typing

Not Scrubs?