the one thing you would change . . .

[Lori RN_09_2b]

This question is mostly for those who have survived nursing school and are in the "real" world. I'm a sophomore BSN student and am just wondering, if you had it to do over again (nursing school), what would you do differently? Study more? Study differently? Study less? Eat more chocolate? (I'm hoping for a few of these!) Just curious what you wish you knew then that you know now, or an area you wish you'd worked harder on. (Daytonite, I hope you read this post--your ideas are always awesome!)

Thanks for any and all ideas!

[praeclarus]

For me...that would be, study differently. I'm not much of the studious type.. anyway, focusing on fluids and electrolytes is a good idea, and the basic concepts too, because, no matter how difficult one topic may be, you always end up going back to the basic. If you know the basics of nursing, it will be easier for you connect the different manifestations of the disease and the nursing interventions that goes along with it..:)

oh! and how i wish i had the "mnemonics book" during college..it would have been easier..:)

[Lori RN_09_2b]

Thanks for the advice. I can see already that I should be spending more time reviewing A&P--amazing how quickly that stuff leaks out of my brain!

Is there a particular mnemonics book you're talking about?

[CityKat, BSN, RN]

I would work more on my critical thinking skills and the concept of basic anatomy and physiology. Although my anatomy knowledge is good, it could definitely be better. Physiology is a very very important factor in nursing.

Good luck.

[LaceyRN]

I would work more on my critical thinking skills and the concept of basic anatomy and physiology. Although my anatomy knowledge is good, it could definitely be better. Physiology is a very very important factor in nursing.

Good luck.

This is so good to know! I am an academic tutor at the local community college for A&P I + II and micro. This has helped tremendously to keep the material fresh, plus I have 7 students for A&P I who have the most difficult professor on campus. Working with them has really challenged my understanding of the material and helped fill in any gaps I had in my knowledge.

Very intersted in this mnemonics book the other posters are referring to...

[mysterious_one, ASN, RN]

For me...that would be, study differently. I'm not much of the studious type.. anyway, focusing on fluids and electrolytes is a good idea, and the basic concepts too, because, no matter how difficult one topic may be, you always end up going back to the basic. If you know the basics of nursing, it will be easier for you connect the different manifestations of the disease and the nursing interventions that goes along with it..:)

oh! and how i wish i had the "mnemonics book" during college..it would have been easier..:)

The "mnemonics book", Is there such a book , if so what is the actual name of it and where can you get it, :)

[mtdnk]

I would have kept going on with my education. Now, 24 years later, I am finally finishing up my masters.

[colleennurse, ASN, RN]

The only thing I wished I did different was deciding to become a nurse at a younger age, live and learn I guess. And maybe not stressing myself out so much...although that is easy to say now that it is over with :) Oh and definately eat more chocolate:wink2:

[blueyesue]

The "mnemonics book", Is there such a book , if so what is the actual name of it and where can you get it, :)

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http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9781892155061&pwb=1&z=y&btob=

http://btobsearch.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp?ean=9781892155030&pwb=1&z=y&btob=

Or

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1570661863/funwithwordscom

As the author says Medico Mnemonica "is remarkably useful for anybody studying medicine, nursing, dentistry, and many other health professions. It is the definitive source for medical memory aides." No one will know better than medical students themselves just how much material there is to remember for their examinations, and all those who have anything less than a perfect photographic memory will hail Marlowe's collection of mnemonics as a Godsend. The author describes himself as the "Roget or Webster of [Medical] Mnemonics" and also points out that the impregnable plastic wrap in which his copy was packaged makes it the perfect ice scraper for his car!

Hope this helps :)

[Freedom42]

It'll get me through A&P and scrape my windshield? I'm writing a letter to Santa right now.

In the meantime, I entered "anatomy" and "mnemonics" into Google and found a lot of useful sites and information. Some of these sites get pretty bawdy -- I know I've learned plenty already!

[blueyesue]

[mouse]lol[/mouse]

[Lori RN_09_2b]

Thanks, EJM! Not sure if I want to wait for Santa or if maybe I should help Santa out by doing a little shopping myself.