I have a big problem. Well good in some ways but not in others. I'm a HUGE packrat. I graduated with my bsn 2 years ago and I still have every nursing book, general ed, phys ed class books and notes. So I have a big collection of stuff even from high school.
My question is how many kept their notes or what have others done after school?
I plan to keep my books. If I ever look anything up it's usually right in the book not hunting in my old notes. I'm taking out handy diagrams and handouts given by my professors but still feel like I have to keep my written notes. I really have to get rid of stuff but feel like if I throw it out may need it again. But as I said if I ever go back I look up the books. Anyone feel like this? Do most of you just throw out the notes or if you keep them use them or do they collect dust?
Well, I have to comment to a statement like this. It speaks volumes about the kind of disrespect people have for education and learning. All those hours of note taking used to learn, study and give someone a profession reduced to ashes. . .childish attitude, fascist thinking. Could nursing school have been that horrible an experience?
I know people are going to want to respond to that, so bring it on!
Oh my! Fascist??? Please do me a personal favor and in the future refrain from strong words and offending accusations like this one. I would also suggest to look up the true deffiniton of this word. this is not OK!
Im real bad about keeping that stuff that i dont need. But for some reason i convince myself that i WILL or MIGHT need it. I just threw my LPN notes away and that was 12 years ago!!! So i made myself throw most of my notes from RN away, knowing that i was doing nothing but kidding myself that i would EVER look at them again. I kept the books, those were to expensive to throw out, and at least they may get some use if the kids someday get bored LOL. And if not, i have lethal wepons if someone breaks into my house in the night. LOL
I'm sorry if burning those nasty white uniforms offended some people, but they had to go. But that does not make me a FACIST. I didn't burn books or the flag, I burned those nasty white uniforms that made me look like the Michelin Man for two years. It was a rite of passage, from that day forward we could wear whatever color we wanted. And yes, I would consider Nursing Hell...I mean Nursing School to be one of the most stressful tasks I have ever performed, but well worth it, I love being a nurse. I haven't been called a Facist since I majored in Russian in the 90's, so if I'm going to be labeled as a Facist I may as well paraphrase Karl Marx...NURSING STUDENTS OF THE WORLD UNITE, ALL YOU HAVE TO LOSE ARE THOSE NASTY WHITE UNIFORMS.
I'm sorry if burning those nasty white uniforms offended some people, but they had to go. But that does not make me a FACIST. I didn't burn books or the flag, I burned those nasty white uniforms that made me look like the Michelin Man for two years. It was a rite of passage, from that day forward we could wear whatever color we wanted. And yes, I would consider Nursing Hell...I mean Nursing School to be one of the most stressful tasks I have ever performed, but well worth it, I love being a nurse. I haven't been called a Facist since I majored in Russian in the 90's, so if I'm going to be labeled as a Facist I may as well paraphrase Karl Marx...NURSING STUDENTS OF THE WORLD UNITE, ALL YOU HAVE TO LOSE ARE THOSE NASTY WHITE UNIFORMS.
:rotfl: Now you're a fascist AND a communist. :rotfl:
Thanks for the advice. I think my problem is all the clutter. I can't stand it! Whenever I look something up it's just my books anyway not my notes. I'm going to keep handouts but I can't even read some of my notes at times! Plus there is no way to search them as I can in an organized index book. So back to throwing out some again. I'll probably change my mind again!
I say keep the books you want to use again until the newer editions come out. Then, get rid of your old books. Much of the notes can go, too. Keep any major papers or projects that you completed and make a little portfolio of sorts. It will come in handy if you need a writing sample or some other sample of your work. Special handouts and "cheat sheets" can be filed away in a file cabinet. I have one drawer in my filing cabinet for my old school things, continuing ed, work-related things, etc., that have to do with nursing. Most of the time, I can find what I need to look up in an online resource or at a local college/university library.
I just typed in "burning notes" into the search field, and found this thread. Interesting to see all the different perspectives.
Why did I type that in, you ask? Well, I have just gone through 6 quarters worth of notes that were in 6 different 3" inch binders. I put 80% of them into bags that I will be tossing in a bon fire on New Year's Eve. I haven't felt this great in I-don't-know-how-long!!!! I am done with school!!!!
What did I keep? NONE of the worthless PowerPoint notes my instructors loved. I kept fabulous tables that I made comparing arterio/venous ulcers, endocrine diseases, F&E imbalances, etc. The notes that I created are the best--hands down! I became the Queen of Making Tables in nursing school. Great learning tool! I also kept lecture notes from my fantastic mother/baby teacher. Other than that, and a few diagrams, I am free of nursing school!
I always thought I'd turn to my notes for information, but like many people here, I use my book or the internet because it's much faster, and usually more reliable than my school notes.
It's funny because when my friend told me about the bon fire, I said, "well, I wish I was done studying because then I'd throw in my notes." Then I hung up the phone, and thought --wait, do I really need these? I haven't used 'em yet, and probably won't use 'em. So, I found the ones that are useful and ditched the rest.
I don't want to end up on Clean Sweep one day--"why do you have dated nursing notes?!" they'll ask.
Specializes in Acute Care Cardiac, Education, Prof Practice.
I threw out all my old notes (making sure to shred anything I accidentally dragged home with any patient notes on it) and donated all my books (except my dictionary and drug books) to a new nurse in need.
--wait, do I really need these? I haven't used 'em yet, and probably won't use 'em. So, I found the ones that are useful and ditched the rest.
estrogen
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Oh my! Fascist??? Please do me a personal favor and in the future refrain from strong words and offending accusations like this one. I would also suggest to look up the true deffiniton of this word. this is not OK!