Malorymug

I can see why foundations isn't required for LPNs because you certainly don't need to learn the skills they teach but I can also see how it would be a huge disadvantage because of the whole "think like a nurse" thing. Med Surge puts what is learned in patho and what is learned in foundations to use. When you are writing those notes out, ask yourself "If I could only do one thing for this patient with this disorder, what would it be and why?"

Which questions? Class exam questions, HESI, or NCLEX? My foundations questions focused a lot on ADPIE so when there was a priority question, it was important to know whether the question was asking about assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementing, or evaluating before answering. Usually there is more than one right answer but looking at what the question is asking helps know which answer was more right. Foundations seemed to me to be mostly about learning to think like a nurse and learning to take nursing school exams. Not so much about content.

Hi! You are right, studying for nursing classes is different than other classes. It isn't enough to learn the information, it must be applied once it is learned. Here are a few things that help me: 1. Learn the information early and learn it for your future knowledge not for the test 2. With this knowledge, ask yourself: "What will this patient look like?" "What will the patient need from me right now?" "What can I teach the patient?" (about this bit of knowledge). 3. Work with a partner or 2 and quiz each other, have discussions, ask each other why 4. If you are putting in a lot of work to learn the information and apply it and the tests still aren't giving you good results, talk with the instructor. They want to help. Hope this helps.

Know your psych drugs from pharm! Know the generics and trade names and know the most serious side effect of each. This was the most intensive part of mental health for me.

I was in your shoes a year ago. Some on this board suggested to get organized like many other posts, but also to get a haircut, dental cleaning, and any other of these types of chores out of the way prior to school started. I also picked up a few novels about nurses and watched medical type tv shows to add to my enthusiasm before school starts. If you want to do school stuff. Make sure you know your a&p and patho (if you have taken it). I had a nursing instructor that was soooo upset that the nursing student didn't know where the mitral valve was in the heart.

Our school doesn't let us take classes outside of nursing. If we want a minor, or extra classes we can take them during the summer, since we have summers off from nursing school.

Stay hydrated and make sure to get enough vitamins.

Hi Bella, I can't tell you how many times I've written out my rationale for why my answer was the correct answer after a test only to figure it out mid-sentence. I guess that means we are thinking, right?

Hi, I like what you have going so far. I would add pre-reading before lecture and maybe a study partner. I make it a point to see/hear all the material at least times. But not just read it, get the information in lots of different ways. And understand the material. What kind of learner are you? If auditory, perhaps recording the lectures and listening again. If visual draw up some concept maps/flow charts.

I'm following this thread closely because I need more practice with priorities too. I think I would like to see Decreased cardiac output first and Excess fluid volume 4th for the sake of ABCs.

I'm sure you are right, it was just for that care plan. My other diagnoses were: impaired tissue integrity Ineffective tissue perfusion Risk for infection Anxiety Readiness for enhanced knowledge Risk for falls. But when assessing, pain seemed most prevalent. I guess Ineffective tissue perfusion or impaired tissue integrity should have been first since that was the source of the pain?

Why shouldn't "Acute Pain" be first priority nursing diagnosis on a care plan? This isn't a test question or an assignment. Feedback from my last care plan said it shouldn't be first. I almost know, but I'd love to hear other responses. I think it is because we are looking for a cause of the pain to be a higher priority

The nursing market is pretty saturated here in Dallas. I think a guaranteed job with the VA sounds amazing. And...you can move after a year and not have to change your state license. The VA system lets you move around the country without getting a new state RN each time. The VA system is huge in Dallas.

Hi Ian, I, too, am transitioning from IT to nursing. I'm a J1 and I find my analytic and critical thinking skills a huge asset on the exams. I'm doing very well. Much better than I expected after they scared us all at orientation. My suggestion to you is to keep taking test questions. Practice, practice and practice everywhere you go and every waking moment. NCLEX questions, HESI questions, EOC questions, and made up questions. Soon you will morph into a nursing school test taking machine.

I think it is a great idea to apply to UTA's online BSN program. It is competitive but your stats look good. I applied to both online and inseat. I suggest you apply to both too. I was wait listed for online and got in to the on campus program. It is a great school. They really want you to succeed.

Memorize lab values normals Get comfy with your top 10 DRGs (Diagnosis Related groups) in your area Know common drugs inside and out. Get geeky and follow the "Nursing Assistance" forum and follow the thought processes for care plans

Oh dear, I hope you don't think I was yelling. I was trying to be cute and funny. I'm not sure I came across correctly, I thought this case looked incredibly fascinating and I was looking forward to how the care plan came out. Sorry.

Oh come on, don't make us wait until next Thurs., like Grey's Anatomy. I'm dying to hear what's going on with this guy And super thankful this isn't my care plan I'm procrastinating on.

I've seen some folks disappointed in just doing vitals, patient care, and assessments for their clinicals. My first clinical was last week and Whoa Boy! was I exhausted and overwhelmed. Not only did I get lost on my floor, but I didn't know where anything was and, Hello!, respirations are super hard to count on sick people!! And, I need a ton more practice with people, like talking and touching them. This sounds silly and I totally thought I was prepared, but it was hard work following my PCT around for a day. Don't get me wrong, I'm excited to go back and learn/do more but that first clinical was just about all I could handle to do vitals and patient care. Have fun! don't get lost

I loved my online patho. My teacher was very engaging and the recordings of her lectures were great. Patho was the first prereq course where the instructor asks us to start thinking like a nurse. She had us using ADPIE (assess, diagnose, plan, implement, evaluate) for each body system and that has translated beautifully to nursing classes. I guess my point is, it is more teacher driven than location. Good luck! I loved patho!

This thread has been super helpful for me! Thanks everyone!

I don't have a magic formula but here is my .02. Study everyday and study the old material too because they all build on each other. Review all lecture/req. reading 7 times before the exam, the first time before the lecture. Know how you learn (visual, audio) and use it. Talk with your instructor to learn from your mistakes and get hints from them.

I think your pros waaay out weigh your cons. I'd be thrilled to have a level of comfort when I started my clinicals. I couldn't even find my way around the floor the first day.

Yes. Other than the obvious reasons, Chem really helped me with fluids and electrolytes and drug calculations.

So good to read a few days before my very first clinical. Thank you.