Poll: How much did you "know" before nursing school?

[ER1010]

Some of us must have gone in to school with medical backgrounds (Emts and such), some of us had only the knowledge supplied by prerequisites, some of us have picked up a lot of knowledge on our own, through books or t.v., and others probably walking into school pretty much cold.

How familar (or unfamiliar) were you with nursing-relevant or medical material, and did it help you feel more prepared?

What experiences or knowledge helped you in nursing school?

[loriann, BSN, RN]

I have my MSW and work in a hospital, so I'd say I know some medical terminology and the different processes in the hospital.

I start an accelerated BSN progam this June, so I spend my spare time at work hanging around different nurses and try to get a sense of their schedules and how they do different things. So far, I've learned a lot about how to do things like dressing care, medications, etc. Of course, we'll see how I do when I actually get the chance to do it :)

[wjf00]

I had zero experience in medical before starting for RN. In my first A&P class I was in a group of CNA's with an LVN and an EMT. The EMT kept telling us how easy this was and how much she knew. I was very impressed... until the first test when she blown out the door. Doesn't matter where you start, it matters most how hard you are willing to work to reach the goal.

[TifRN2B]

My mom became an LPN when I was about 8... I've grown up listening to her "nurse language" and her Taber's and Davis always were on her nightstand. I worked with mentally and physically challenged kids and adults for 4 1/2 years doing care in supportive living homes as well as a 36 bed facility, and did the CNA thing at a nursing home for about 2 months (decided then I didn't ever want to work in a LTC facility lol) and now I'm working as a clinical tech in the hospital....which I LOVE. So I guess I had some knowledge going into nursing. I've only been a clinical tech for about 4 months, but it's helped me SO much. You really get into the swing of things as far as understanding the Kardex, getting a routine down for doing assessments, practicing procedures, understanding the significance of lab values, charting, giving and taking report.... Actually now in clinical I'm always ahead of schedule... I'm used to having 5 of my own patients vs the 2 I have on clinical days. So if anyone has the chance of being a clinical tech in a hospital.....take the job!

[JenNJFLCA]

I knew nothing!! I actually had a fear of hospitals!! :chuckle

[NeoNurseTX, RN]

NOTHING except for my pre-reqs.. none of which were nursing specific. I start nursing school next week so hopefully I do okay!!