missk88

Hello! So, I need your help! I have my previous degree in psychology and we had to write plenty of papers using peer reviewed articles. Back then, although it wasn't my favorite thing to do, I could usually find articles that I needed with out too much struggle, just as long as I put aside enough time. This is not the case in nursing school. I am having so much difficulty finding the articles I need. I've spent LITERALLY all day yesterday trying to find four articles on the best method of discharge teaching for pediatric parents (ex: using dvd instruction, verbal, written instructions such as pamphlets, classes, etc) and I've only found two good articles. I'm using the CINAHL database. I have tried so many different search terms and I am running out of ideas. If you happen to know of any articles that are based on discharge teaching of pediatric patient's parents, with a focus on the method (ex: using dvd instruction, verbal, written, classes, etc) that are from a nursing journal, and published after 2008, PLEASE let me know. Also, if you know of any FREE databases or suggestions of terms I should search for that would be great too! I am at my wits end! I would normally suck it up and keep searching, but I have other assignments and exams I have to worry about on top of this. Thank you!!!!!!

You CAN pass and you WILL pass if you are proactive! Talk to your professor, see where you need help when it comes to studying. Also, when I was in fundamentals I had a tough time adjusting to the NCLEX style questions on exams. Get a book of practice NCLEX questions and talk to your professor about tips when answering these types of questions. I was in the same boat as you, I legitimately thought I was going to fail but ended up getting an 88. You can do it!!!

Thanks guys!!! I ended up leaving a nice simple thank you card in her mailbox. I'm pretty sure she received it well, a few days she saw me on campus and was really friendly and nice at least! I decided to just give it to her now, because knowing me, by the end of the semester I will be so caught up in studying for finals that I'd probably forget to drop the thank you card off in her mailbox, hehe.

Anyone? Anything? Any little bit helps!!!

So, I've been doing surprisingly well in pharm up until the cardiac exam. For some reason it seems that the info seems to mesh together and I have a hard time differentiating defining factors between the different types of meds, etc. our final exam is cumulative so it is crucial that I get a good grasp on cardiac. I am meeting with my professor, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how they were able to learn and apply the cardiac section of pharmacology? Thank you!!!!

Hey, it's been a while since I've checked this! Thank you all for the advice!!! I ended up having a talk with her, I tried to be assertive and not too rude. She seemed to be getting offended at first and therefore getting defensive and shutting down, but the more I explained and the more examples I gave of her behavior and how it bothered me, it seemed to start to click for her. I'm not going to lie, things are a bit awkward in our apartment, but no more awkward than they were before, it's just a different type of awkward feeling. She has backed off a considerable amount, though, which is great. Overall, I'm really glad I finally talked to her. Thanks again for everyone's advice!!

Meatballgirl, This late in the game, I would not advise you to switch, not over one class. It is a shame that your teacher has failed to teach properly. If she's on the way out and is teaching this way, in my opinion, she should just leave early! It's not fair to you or the other students. I completely understand your frustration, but again, this one class is not worth the pain of switching programs. What I suggest you do is try to teach yourself and get pharmacology study books that have NCLEX style questions. They tend to focus on what is most relevant in nursing and helps you to "think like a nurse" as they say. Also, read your textbook when you get a chance. If you do not like your textbook, I suggest buying Pharmacology for Nursing Care 8th edition by Richard A Lehne. It is the book I am currently using in my pharm class and it is awesome!!! He helps to break things down and explains concepts without being overly wordy and scientific. Also, make flashcards about the important drugs you learn and categorize them by groups (beta blockers, diuretics, SSRI's, etc). Make sure you not only know what these drugs do and what type, but also side effects, drug interactions, and specific patient care and teaching that may go along with them. Good luck in your program, I wish you all the best.

No, not wrong at all! In fact, that was very thoughtful of you. I think you handled the situation well and gave a very appropriate response.

Hello! I know exactly how you feel!! I'm not sure if your school offers it, but I know that the nursing department at my school has nursing program guidance counselors. My academic advisor is also really great to talk to, very understanding, and down to earth, but often times she is very busy and can't really chat for too long. I'd just go to someone involved in the administration of your nursing program and just ask them if there is someone you can talk to about nursing school and concerns about nursing school in general. I'm sure they will point you in the right direction! I get that people that work for the school aren't necessarily nurses or exactly friends, but it will be a good resource until you make friends that are nurses. I didn't make any friends with working nurses until I started my clinical, so don't give up yet! :-)

Hi everybody! I just want your opinion on something. I'm on the east coast and as I'm sure you all know, we were hit by hurricane sandy. I went home to help out my parents during the storm (my dad has some personal problems and he gets really anxious when anything out of the "ordinary" happens.. long story, won't get into it now). I had my exam today and when I checked the commuter rail website it said that it should be running close to schedule. I left well before my exam, but was still late because another tree ended up falling on the tracks! I emailed my teacher asking her if I could take my pharm exam even if I was late. I honestly thought she'd say no, because she's pretty strict, but luckily she actually told me I could!! For some reason she couldn't have me take it later today (I think she was teaching other classes) but she is letting me take it tomorrow. I think it is really kind she is letting me take the exam a day late because she could have very easily said no. I want to write her a thank you card, but I am wondering, is that too much? I do genuinely appreciate her letting me take the exam late. I did thank her in an email but I feel like it deserves a thank you card. I just don't want her to think I'm some obnoxious brown noser. What do you guys think? Thank you card or no thank you card?

Just as others are saying; she is being a jerk. Try not to let her get to you, because if you let her, she will continue to do so. Kill her with kindness and don't let it show that she bothers you. As long as you know the truth that is all that matters. I'm sure other nurses will notice her attitude and will not appreciate it as well. Even though they aren't actively sticking up for you, if they have a clue as to what is going on, they probably realized you were right and she was just being rude. She can only embarrass you if you let her, so don't. Kindly and calmly explain your side of the story and if she still wants to respond with attitude just smile and walk away from it. People like that aren't worth your time.

Amen to that!

It went well, I got an 89!!! I think that's amazing considering how tough I thought it was! I am taking Patho at the same time. It's odd, I didn't think the first patho exam would be too bad but I didn't do as well. I'm staying positive about it though. I used to be a straight A student and would be so upset if I didn't get an A on everything. Nursing school totally changes that!!!! These days, as long as I pass I'm pretty happy, to be honest.

Okay, I just need to get this off my chest so that HOPEFULLY I can sleep tonight before I have to take my first med/surg exam. I mean, lordy lordy. So much information. It makes my brain ache. I've attended class, gone through the slides (did extra research on concepts in slides that they didn't elaborate on as much as they should've) and the assigned reading. It's all too much, everything I read seems like it's important and I have to master. I feel like I'm going mad. Another thing that is really bothering me is that the assigned reading and the powerpoints don't exactly match up. I've had classes before where the reading had a lot more in depth explanation of concepts on the slides.. but there are completely new concepts in the assigned reading and not in the slides, and vice versa. It just makes me feel very lost. Should I focus on these? Are there other things I should be covering that I am not? Do they expect me to memorize all 15 of those tables that were included in the assigned reading? Information overload to the billionth degree. I feel like what I'm studying is starting to get all jumbled in my head because it's too much for my brain to organize. I wish I had one of those "mersurg success!" books. If anyone has a suggestion for a review book it would be much appreciated. Apparently I need all the help I can get. Okay, I do feel a lot better now. Goodnight.

These people that are on their high horses trying to shame you make me LAUGH. If they ever even CRACKED open a history book they'd realize marijuana was made illegal not because it was harmful, but because hemp was putting the big cotton industry out of business and the big wigs in big cotton had clout with the gov't and got the hemp plant banned. There is no scientific evidence behind it, it's all about $$$$. Think about it, cigarettes cause various diseases and health problems as does alcohol. Yet those are legal. Yes, marijuana may alter your mind, but so does alcohol. The alcohol and tobacco industries have better lobbyists and provide the government tax money. Marijuana does not. Open your eyes people!!! I don't even smoke pot for crying out loud, but you should never just blindly accept something. I'm no conspiracy nut, but it doesn't take a half wit to realize our government is corrupt and greedy. With that said. I'm sorry to hear about your ordeal, OP. I hope it all gets ironed out. I feel that if a person isn't coming to work under the influence they shouldn't be punished for it. I'm not a smoker, but I know I'd be pretty upset if I were told I couldn't have my couple glasses of wine on my days off. We work so hard as nurses, we should be able to relax. Also, I want to add that as a nurse you are supposed to keep an open mind so that you can best relate to your patients and make them feel comfortable. Why can't we do this with fellow nurses?