Starting in August...Questions!!!

hllybenn · Jun 28, 2004

I think the biggest piece of advice that I can offer you is that you are becoming a NURSE so learn NURSING CARE. Yes the other stuff is important too- it took me too many weeks during a miserable quarter to figure out the nursing care thing and then I had to play catch up. The patho-psy will come with time but make sure you pay attention to postion in bed, whether the Pt should drink more or restrict fluids, etc. Those nursing care plans in the textbook can help with that because interventions are very important (especially on tests)!

That is what I wish I knew when I started!!

I hope that helps.

CindyJRN · Jun 28, 2004

Hi Jessica, and welcome aboard! The journey you about to take is life changing and rewarding, and at times disheartening and frustrating. Every program has similarities and differences, but I will try to share some basic info. 1) a good medical dictionary Taber's is very popular. 2)an inexpensive stethoscope--save your money for after graduation and invest in a good one. Besides, they tend to walk! 3) a good drug reference. You will be doing drug cards for clinicals and classroom assignments. There are times you will need access to a good PDR, but for yourself get a current NURSES drug handbook. Springhouse, Lippincott, and Nursing Spectrum all have excellent books. 4) diseases and disorders. I remember wondering the same thing you asked about learning them all; I am glad to tell you the secret is in medical terminology. We learned prefixes and suffixes to go along with root words. We did word or picture association. for example, the root word for breast is "mast". the suffix "ectomy" means to cut off or remove. So mastectomy is breast removal. You did not indicate what type of program you are entering--LPN, AD, or BS.

RNIAM, BSN, RN · Jun 28, 2004

I just really wanted to wish you good luck. Remeber to enjoy the journey as much as you can. I loved alot of my school time. There were some times when I could have traded it in for a used rubber dingy and set sail for a deserted island too. ( good thing the used rubber dingy store was closed those days! :chuckle ) Remeber to take time out for yourself and learn the nursing process cold and you will be great.

HyperRNRachel · Jun 28, 2004

Hmmm. Pay particular attention to the nursing process and independent nursing interventions. This information may not be worth anything to you now but it will all make sense to you in Aug.

PrincessNursing · Jun 30, 2004

Hi Jessica, and welcome aboard! The journey you about to take is life changing and rewarding, and at times disheartening and frustrating. Every program has similarities and differences, but I will try to share some basic info. 1) a good medical dictionary Taber's is very popular. 2)an inexpensive stethoscope--save your money for after graduation and invest in a good one. Besides, they tend to walk! 3) a good drug reference. You will be doing drug cards for clinicals and classroom assignments. There are times you will need access to a good PDR, but for yourself get a current NURSES drug handbook. Springhouse, Lippincott, and Nursing Spectrum all have excellent books. 4) diseases and disorders. I remember wondering the same thing you asked about learning them all; I am glad to tell you the secret is in medical terminology. We learned prefixes and suffixes to go along with root words. We did word or picture association. for example, the root word for breast is "mast". the suffix "ectomy" means to cut off or remove. So mastectomy is breast removal. You did not indicate what type of program you are entering--LPN, AD, or BS.

I am entering a RN/BSN Program this august and its the time I am starting to freak out about it, and wonder if I'm setting myself up for disaster!! I really hope I am cut out for all of this!

KikiRN06 · Jun 30, 2004

I just finished my first semester in the spring and it definately helps to be very familiar with Maslow's pyramid. Also to me the first week or two was very overwhelming and I thought that I would never make it but when I started talking to other students they all felt the same way, so you just have to hang in there and keep that med.dictionary close. Also never be afraid to ask questions.