Questions abourt nursing school

[ctran]

Hi there, I just got accepted to my local community college nursing program and since I have been away from science for several years now, I like to ask the nursing students what should I read to get myself ahead or refresh my memory? I am so excited yet scared that after all this waiting, they may have sent it to the wrong person even though the letter has my name on it. I guess I'm just afraid that this is all a dream and I will wake up and realize that I am still waiting to get into the program. I am very scare that I will be behind the rest of the class. Please help and thank you so much.

[RKpianoman, APRN]

You will want to brush up on Anatomy and Physiology, your basic chemistry (very basic), and basic Algebra. Generally, you will be provided enough information to figure things out as you go, but it would definitely help to already have reviewed things ahead of time. For instance, in my fundamentals of nursing book and health assessment book, when they describe assessing the abdomen or inserting an NG tube, they also give a quick overview of the anatomy of the GI system. If you don't review, you will not be left out in the dark; however, it would be to your advantage to look over things like that. But, don't stress over it! You'll be doing enough stressing once you actually start nursing school! :)

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

If I could rewind and change anything before starting nursing school, I would go back and really know and understand A&P. That has come back the most in every semester. Especially med/surg and pathophysiology.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

I'd go over A&P again and focusing on the chapters that concern biochemistry and cellular biology as rudimentary as they will be. Also, pay serious focus to cellular transport mechanisms. Nurses will tell you, "we don't use that," but nursing students do. As another mentioned many of the chapters in the nursing books cover some very abbreviated A&P, but it'd be worth your time to skim a physiology book. I honestly think the anatomy is less important to focus on since nothing in nursing school I've discovered goes into any form of anatomical depth. It's kind of disappointing actually.

Fundamental chemistry knowledge might be helpful for you. Chemistry for Dummies is a pleasant and entertaining book to read, and much of that would provide more than you would ever need.

[Music in My Heart]

Review physiology, especially renal, pulmonary, and cardiovascular.

Make sure your rudimentary math skills are functional. If not, get 'em there ASAP.

Start to learn about the basic drug classes, what they are, what they do, and how they work.

[manu705]

Definitely focus on anatomy and physiology. I wish I would have paid more attention in that class! I would also start reviewing over the main body systems. I have most trouble with the heart so learn the chambers and what part does what.

[ctran]

Thank you guys so much for the advice! I still have all my notes from A&P classes so I'm going to go through that again. I also have the most problem with the heart so I better start brushing up on that again. Once again thank you guys so much, you guys are awesome!

[ctran]

Can anybody recommend any books for drug classes? Something easy to read and bored me to sleep.

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

Can anybody recommend any books for drug classes? Something easy to read and bored me to sleep.

You could try drugs.com OR find out what pharm book your program will use and buy it now.

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

You've gotten some good suggestions. My suggestion....go on a nice relaxing vacation beforehand! :)

[OB-nurse2013, BSN, RN]

I know a lot of post write to review A and P and if you have the self-discipline then thats great. I was in a little bit of a similar situation I took a & p and micro first because I love science classes but then I took about 1 and half years off because I had two kids. I went back to a new school and got accepted to the nursing school pretty past, about six months in. I was a bit worried about forgetting stuff and I was lucky that my new school had an upper level pathpyhsiology as a pre-req. So I took that the semester before I started nursing school and that was a good review. It also affirmed my choice of nursing but thats besides the point. Sorry to be so long, but my point is I intended on reviewing stuff before starting but didn't. It really hasn't affected me adversely, we don't get tested on a & p and we always do a quick review for eqach system we're about to go over and even if we don't the information is in our book so I can read it if I feel I want to review something. So don't worry, you'll also be surprised by how much you will remember, I always am.