joneskd

I think of a medical dx as something a physician has to order labs and/or tx. The labs are ordered for a culture sample of the wound; they are analyzed by the physician who then declares the diagnosis of infection. Nursing Diagnosis is what we do to assist the physician to help the patient. The NANDA dx of Risk for Infection isn't a confirmation of infection, it is prevention of infection. We wash our hands, foam in/foam out, use sterile (or as ordered) technique to change dressings, encourage fluids, encourage nutritious meals and encourage ambulation for circulation to reduce the chances of infection.

I am the VP in our Nursing Student Assoc. We have meetings approximately twice per month before class so both the first and second year students can attend. We have community projects to support or earn money for charities we are specifically interested in, and we earn money for our organization. So far this year, we have supported St Baldricks, Susan Komen, mental illness and have plans to support a charity walk before the end of the year. We get together to support our causes and each other. Benefits include a great support system from your fellow association members, supporting charities that you are interested in and a better resume for higher education goals or career. Due to our school schedule and unexpected issues, none of our members were able to attend the October meeting. We are attempting to plan to go to the NSNA meeting in Florida in April and possibly the other state meeting in Asheville. It is a great opportunity to get involved in your community to join your local association. In our group, all core members (the second year students that have been elected to an office position) have agreed that we would participate in meetings and be involved with the community fundraisers as long as our grades are not affected. Nursing school comes before the association. Good luck!

I've had several friends not take the NA class, challenge, and pass with no problems. I do remember that the test is easy, but the skills are more difficult because you have a proctor watching your every move. The way I studied for the NA skills test (I did take the class) is every night for 2 weeks before the test, I started by reading the directions of each skill, then I would repeat the steps to my self while envisioning me preforming the skill. By the end of the two weeks I memorized the steps without looking at any of the notes. While you are waiting to begin the nursing classes look at the other classes you'll need for a BSN and MSN. Probably stuff, if you haven't already taken them, like Chemistry 151,152; Ethics; Foreign Language, Statistics... This is a great time to get those out of the way. I wish I had - I'm in my second year, looking at graduation knowing I will need to come back to get chemisty, statistics and ethics before I can start my BSN classes. There are several people in my nursing class that are older than you, with small children. It isn't just fresh out of highschool kids. I think that slightly older people have an advantage over the younger people in nursing. You really know what you want and are more determined to make it happen. I too am in the slightly older category as many of my classmates are in thier early 20's - I know that I would have never been willing to do the work to get as far as I've gotten if I attempted this earlier in my life. Good Luck!!!

I am a second year adn student at SCC now. My advice... Class: Read the material in the books. Listen during lecture and make notes on your powerpoints. Ask questions - there's usually several others that have the same question that are too intimidated to ask. Clinical: Tell the teacher if you don't understand or need help. They will usually help walk you thru as long as you don't pretend. Start early on any projects, especially ones that involve getting information from another person. I stayed up til 2 in the morning working on a project that is due that morning. Our teachers are there for you. They want you to succeed. Good luck!!! If you have any questions, post em!