RDH2RN

The coloring books are DEFINITELY the way to go!! I'll be taking A&P 1 this fall also and plan on getting them. I just finished Micro. and used the coloring book for that, and let me tell you....it helped SOOOOOOOOO much!! I really hated taking the time to color everything, because I kept thinking, "I could be studying my notes or the textbook. I'm sure I'm wasting my time." But, amazingly, it really helped me understand concepts better. The time I spent coloring helped the info. "soak" into my brain, and I was surprised at just how much it helped me remember things for tests. I ended up with "A's" in Micro., so it worked!! :) Angel

Hi Missjen! I just started back to school 2 semesters ago (last degree was 11 yrs. ago). Here is what has worked for me: I take lecture notes in spiral notebooks and keep the class syllabus, handouts and quizzes/tests in a three-ring binder. When it comes to textbooks, I am the highlighting queen! My classmates and co-workers are always teasing me, saying, "Why don't you just highlight the entire book?" :chuckle I highlight any terms/definitions in each chapter and anything else that sounds like something that may be on a test (key points). I'm only taking two classes at a time, but I have separate spiral notebooks and three-ring binders for each class. I try to color-code them to keep them together. For example: purple notebook and purple binder for one class, blue notebook and blue binder for another. That way, when I'm packing my school bag the night before, I just have to grab all the same colored stuff for whatever class I have the next day. When I'm taking notes in class, I usually put them in an outline form. It's spaced out nicely on the page and is easier to study. If you think about it, most lectures consist of terms and definitions or lists of things. So, outline form works well. I've seen my other classmates' notes, and they're just a bunch of non-stop words on a page, written like a story. I don't know how they manage to study that way! If you make the effort to take notes in outline form, you usually don't need to go back and re-write them. If the teacher draws anything on the board, COPY IT into your notes too! I guarantee you...if he/she thinks it's important enough to draw on the board, it WILL be on a test. Another tip for note-taking: if the teacher repeats something more than once or says something and then pauses for a moment, WRITE IT DOWN!! They're pausing for a reason (they're waiting for you to put it in your notes). Once again, it will definitely be on the test! When I'm doing my reading in the textbook, if I read something important that is not already in my notes, I go back and add it to my notebook. I also read through any "Study Outlines" at the back of each chapter and test myself. Another thing: FLASHCARDS!! Buy yourself a bunch of index cards and make flashcards for anything and everything. They're a terrific, portable way to study, when you're not at school. You can carry them in your purse and pull them out whenever you've got a spare moment...waiting in a line somewhere, waiting at a stoplight, you name it! Using every spare moment you have to study is the key to success. Finally, I've been using a messenger bag to carry all my books to school. Of course, a backpack is just as good. I just like the messenger bags, because they're bigger and can hold more. Hope all this helps! I've done all this, along with having a full-time job and a family and have managed straight "A's" so far. The key is organization and putting in the study time. GOOD LUCK TO YOU!!! School can actually be fun, if you let it! :) Angel

LOL! Thanks for the advice! :chuckle Angel

Marcie, It's NEVER too late to go for your dreams! My motto in life is: "NEVER have any regrets!", and I always strive to live up to it. I'm 34, and I've always tried to achieve every dream I've had so far, because I don't ever want to be on my deathbed saying, "Oh, I wish I had done this or that." I intend to LIVE life, not let life live ME. :) Angel

Thanks, Kelly! I will keep you posted. You do the same. :) I put a new welcome note on my cell phone screen that says: "Future RN...Never give up the dream!" to keep me motivated throughout the upcoming semester. Angel

Thank you very much! :) Angel

I've registered for my first pre-req's, got my student I.D. and parking permit...just have to get my books and a bookbag/backpack now. I start school on Jan. 10th. I only have to take 5 pre-req's over the next year (the others from my dental hygiene education still count). Yet, as I'm doing all these things to prepare for school, it seems almost surreal. Did any of you taking on nursing as a second career say the following to yourself (upon going back to school again)?: "WHAT THE HE** AM I DOING??! AM I CRAZY??!" :imbar LOL Half of me is SO excited to go back to school and the other half is freaking out! Not to mention, I will have to learn how to juggle family, work and school. I've always wanted to become an RN, but even a year ago, I would've never pictured myself actually changing careers and going for it! Guess change is what makes life so exciting! Angel

Thank you so much, guys! I really appreciate your responses! :) Angel

Hey guys! I've been reading and posting on this board for the past year. I will be a pre-nursing student beginning in January, so please forgive my ignorance here. I've seen a few words used on the board here that I don't know anything about. If you all could clarify/define them for me, I'd be grateful! If I think of more than those listed below, I'll let you know. I'm just trying to soak up as much nursing knowledge as I can before I even start nursing school. Here's the list: *C-diff. -- I know it's an illness or infection of some sort, from what I've seen posted here. Can someone please explain it in further detail? *telemetry nursing -- What type of nursing is this? *Differentials -- In regards to salary, what does this mean? *r/t -- What is this an abbreviation for? Does it mean "in regards to..."?? *d/t -- Does this stand for "due to"? Thanks, in advance, for your help! Someday soon, I'll be a full-fledged nursing student and won't have such silly questions! :uhoh21: LOL Angel

Sorry for barging in on this thread, but I just had to tell RN4NICU that I LOVE your signature! :) Hope you don't mind that I wrote it down. It will be great encouragement for me, when I start school next semester! Angel

For the RN's: If it's any consolation, we have the exact same "war" waging in the dental field. I'm a dental hygienist (soon to be pre-nursing student). Hygienists have the RDH (registered dental hygienist) title and license. We go to school for 4-5 yrs. (2-3 yrs. of actual hygiene school, depending on whether you pursue the assoc. or bachelors) and have written and clinical board exams to pass before getting our license. Well, there's a secret rivalry/jealousy thing that goes on between dental assistants and dental hygienists. Assistants go to school for 6 mos. to a year and receive a certificate (no license). Many patients do not understand the difference between assistants and hygienists and are quite surprised when they find out I went to school for five yrs., have a bachelor's degree, have completely different responsibilities than an assistant and can give injections. I was searching for a new job recently. My MIL, who has known me for 11 YRS., e-mailed me and says, "I saw these two job postings and thought you might want to look into them!" Well, the two jobs were for DENTAL ASSISTANTS! :angryfire Helloooo, MIL!!! Two jobs under the same roof, two completely different worlds! The public is just as uneducated about the RDH as they are the RN. So, don't feel too badly. Angel

That's what I was thinking too, talaxandra! I still think he's HOT! How my "nursing wallpaper" thread turned into a Johnny Depp thread is beyond me (but I ain't complainin')! :rotfl: Angel

LOL!! That's VERY cool!! :) Gotta say I'm very jealous! BTW...I love all your posts, TriageRN_34. You're hilarious! :rotfl: Angel

LOL! That's what's on my computer right now, of course! :) (I'll share a secret on JD wallpaper... coolbuddy.com has LOTS)! Angel