gaajr1

It's the same in California too! Good luck and don't loose hope. Meanwhile if you can update your certifications etc. so you have an edge over others.

Hi! Like some of them mentioned, I would recommend taking Kaplan's online Qbank. It has 1200 and odd q's which you could practice from. The best part is the NCLEX screen and question format is almost the same. In my opinion this takes away 25% of the stress. You have been preparing for NCLEX from the day you started nursing program. What's imp is the strategy involved in answering the q's. Do follow the "decision tree" in Kaplan Qbank...helps a lot! It may take time to get a hang of it but then becomes second nature. Good luck!

Our instructors want to know how a particular drug works in the body (action), why is the patient getting it and what are the imp s/s seen. Also, if there is a drug interaction what is it that you have to be aware/do before giving the meds. Example, if your giving Digoxin you check the HR, K level etc.You may be very good at memorizing but also make sure you understand the action of the drug, that way, you also reason out the expected s/s. Also learn the endings of the drug class. I don't understand when you say, "most of the drugs on the MAR are the very first time I've ever seen them". From what I gathered you go the night before and get your patient info. I'm confused, however by the time you go next morning there could be some changes in the patients MAR. If you don't recognize the drug there is nothing wrong in looking over the drug book. Don't take it to heart if your nurse wants to do her assessment first. Remember ultimately she is responsible for that patient. Instead take it as a learning opportunity and observe the nurse. Any problem you have at the clinical site talk to your instructor. She is the best person to guide you. Lastly, remember we are students and learning things at every step. Good luck!

http://www.northshore.org/healthresources/encyclopedia/bioterrorism/hf045600.aspx above is a link which gives all the info

I'm in second semester(med-surg, ob and peds) but towards the end of my first semester we studied everything about IVs; this semester we will be practicing in lab and actually starting an IV during clinical.

ghillbert, thanks a lot for the explanation. I think it makes more sense to me now.

Daytonite, it is basically going back to Starling's law, right? As you said the cardiac unit does take timeto sink in, that's why I started to read and trying to understand as much as possible. Thanks for your help.

I was reading about types of heart failure and when I came to systolic ventricular dysfunction, there is a part I did not understand. I did not have a lecture yet but would really be grateful if anyone could please explain it to me? I thought of waiting till lecture but it's just bugging me, for I know for sure I'm a bit confused!! Here it is directly from the book: "Systolic heart failure results when the heart is unable to contract forcefully enough during systole to eject adequate amounts of blood into the circulation. Preload increases with decreased contractility, and afterload increases as a result of increased peripheral resistance. The ejection fraction drops from a normal of 50% to 70% to below 40%. As the ejection fraction decreases, tissue perfusion diminishes and blood accumulates in the pulmonary vessels. Manifestations of systolic dysfunction may include symptoms of inadequate tissue perfusion or pulmonary and systemic congestion." The part in bold is what I'm confused with. From what I understand preload is the stretching of the myocardium at the end of diastole, just before contraction and the stretching is related to the volume within the ventricle. So, how does preload increase in this case? I know there is something I didn't get straight, please explain. Thanks!

Thanks Daytonite and S.T.A.C.E.Y for your suggestions. You are right S.T.A.C.E.Y, I think I was biting more than I could chew. Though I was following the same sequence I was moving on too fast. Thanks a lot for the advice.

One of the assigned chapters for reading before starting the semester is "Dysrhythmia", ECG etc. While studying various types of dysrhythmia, I was making sure I understood the normal physio before studying the pathophysio of it. But I have come to a point where I'm really confused and feel there is something I'm not doing right. I would really appreciate if anyone has pointers/tips on how to study these concepts.

carlarenee02, it's great that you want to help others! On our sticky thread there are many great sites which you could access. After my first semester I emailed all my classmates to send me imp info/tips that can be passed on to the incoming students. Then I compiled it together and gave it to our freshmen at the luncheon. Anything to ease the anxiety and apprehension!

I passed my math test! Well, one thing out of the way. We have to give before the start of every semester, is it the same for all of you? In connection with IVs, we get to do it this semester. Let's see how it goes. This semester we have medsurg, ob and peds. I'm really looking forward but also know there will be LOTS to study. For all of you who will be starting this week, good luck!

After more than 4 months I'm back at allnurses. It really feels good to be back and I certainly missed the comfort of being amongst you. Between home, kids and 5 days of school I couldn't find time but hope it gets better in the 2nd semester. I start my 2nd semester in Feb and yes, have mixed feelings too. In one way, once we start it takes us closer to the end and that helps us moving. I have started studying the assigned chapters and preparing for the drug calculation test, which is next week. Other than taking care of home and kids, I work out daily and getting things in order. Most imp I spend as much time as possible with my family. Though my husband and kids were very understanding, towards the end of the semester they were counting days! On the whole, I think knowing what to expect helps us prepare for the next 16 weeks. Though the last semester was absolutely intense, I enjoyed every moment, especially the clinicals.

I'm in first semester and need to make a concept map. I know how to put a concept map together but the problem is this; we are asked to have a theme along which we could put the map. We are graded on our content, creativity and effort. Previous students had themes ranging from garden to kites/sky to carnival. They want us to work our map around the theme and put it on a display board, the one used in science fair (with 3 panels). I'm really stuck on finding a theme. I thought I was quite creative but finding it really hard to find one which I can use it on a board and incorporate the rules of concept mapping. Please, I really appreciate if anyone can give me some ideas regarding this. My case is on MI with HTN and NIDDM. I look forward hearing from you, thanks a lot!

Daytonite, I deserve the wake up call. God knows what I was thinking! I will work on it and thanks a lot as always for being so patient.