AKsummers

Honestly...I didnt study for the exam..in fact I was completly unaware it was even over "pharmacology" there was drugs on the exam that we had not studied in our pharm class just go slow, take your time, and think critically. I got a level 3. GOOD LUCK!!

I am also about to embark on my second year! However next semester for us is Pediatrics and OB, interesting. I have a lot of the same emotions as you, I study all the time and have managed to maintain a 4.0 but as far as my clinical skills and confidence go, they are diminished. I know how to put in a Foley, but was never present with a chance to put one in a patient. I have taken blood sugars, given insulin, given 2 tb tests, administered IV push meds as well as PO, assessments, hemaculted stools, and put in an NG tube. I feel like I have not had the oppertunity to practive and perfect my skills which also makes me nervous. I have been told by many people they didnt learn hardly anything until their first year working as a nurse, which sounds terrifying. Just know you are not the only one feeling like this.

I am about to start on my third semester this coming January. The first 4 weeks are concentrated on IV's. I am really nervous about learning how to start IV's. I am curious if anyone knows a good book to study up prior to classes, or any helpful hints to put my mind at ease about this new scary skill I have to concour. I did find the IV therapy made incredibly easy online, and am considering purchasing it before the semester starts.

I would have risk for falls and risk for impaired skin integrity swap places with, fatigue and nausea... Just my personal opinon though, nausea can usually be managed fairly easily with antiemetics, risk for falls, and impaired skin integrity are costly problems, and you really dont want any patient to develop ulcers.

Congrats! It's such a wonderful feeling to be accepted into the program you worked so hard to get into. #1. If you haven't alread gotten your texts DO SO. It's good to have your books ahead of time, that way you can start to skim through them. Im not sure about your program but my program expects us to already have a certain # of chapters already read before the FIRST day of class, once you are behind it takes a while to catch back up. This semester I had 23 chapters to read before the first day of class. #2. One tool that has helped me greatly in nursing school is recording my instructors lectures. If you have an iTouch, or an iPhone you can purchase a recorder app (i use AV professional recorder) this app lets me file share to my computer and upload all my lectures on to my itunes or I can use headphones and listen directly off of my phone. You would be suprised how much information you miss during the lectures. Plus the instructor gives lots of "hints" for the exam. #3. Dont skip out on the readings. They are very very important, sometimes they can be dry and grueling but stick with it, do the NCLEX review questions at the end of each chapter. #4. Be prepared to become overwhelmed and frustrated. Nursing school is hard. staying focused and positive will make this all a more enjoyable experience. A good attitude really makes all the difference. Nursing school is supposed to stress you out, they are looking to see who responds well under pressure. #5. Put in the study time. Some people don't have to study as much as others but you will feel less stressed during an exam if you know you have put in the time to study. #6. Stay organized. Its key. Buy a planner and write in everything you need to do, even if it seems small, there will be so many chapters to read, papers to write, drug cards to look up, careplans to write etc. you will get lost if its not written down. #7. buy the biggest binder you can find (4 inches or more) it will be overflowing by the end of the semester. GOOD LUCK!

I am an associates RN student, almost half way through. I will agree that nursing school has taken over. I wake up at 0600 am and start studying I will usually study for 8-12 hours a day. I used to do outline all my chapters, however I found it was too time consuming. I would spend a couple hours oulining each chapter, and when you have 15 chapters to read in each class it just becomes impossible at some point. I have an app on my iPhone that I record all my lectures with, I can then fileshare that document on my computer and upload all my lectures on to itunes and record in on a CD and listen to it as I study or drive in my car. ( I live in one town in AK and drive an hour and a half to get to school) so its increases my study time. I also do all the review questions at the end of each chapter and I use the study companion book that most text books come with. I always study all the tables in each chapter and my text book italiscizes all the important information. I am also an avid flashcard maker, especially for vocab. You just have to try new things and find what works for you. Having a variety of ways to study helps keep it from becoming to repetitive.