Starting Nursing Classes this Month...freaking out!!!

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Well...I just found out a couple of weeks ago that after being on the wait list for 2 years, I can finally start my Nursing courses on the 29th of this month. I'm married, have a 2 yr old son and I work 32hrs a week so it's going to be difficult. I'm sure I'll end up crying, laughing, screaming, etc at some point in time. I'm freaking out and scared out of my mind that I won't get through this in one piece.

Those of you who are a term or two into Nursing school...should I brush up on my knowledge from Microbiology, Pharm, A&P and other stuff like that or do you kind of re-learn a lot of that throughout your clinical courses? What are the helpful "extras" for your Fundamentals and Med/Surg courses? Any particular books, guides, pocket references that you would recommend?

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Hi! Congratulations on getting in! I am starting on the 27th, so I know the feelings you have. Very nervous. As for brushing up my knowledge, I am reading my patho books again cause I have heard it is essential to understand patho for med surg and going over some pharm cause I know that is crazy. Good luck, you are going to do great!

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Congratulations. From my experience I would say you will have your hands full but with determination and tenacity you will get through nursing school. The fundamentals and med-surg books I used had an opening section dedicated to A&P and I found that I recalled a lot more from my previous classes that I thought possible. It would be unrealistic to go over all info covered in your previous classes but I do recommend looking up information as you come across it. For example, if you are going over the cardiovascular system but can't remember the flow of blood through the heart - grab your A&P book to jog your memory. I bought multiple pocket guides during nursing school but truth be told I didn't use any of them. I would recommend a decent drug guide that includes a section on nursing implications for each med. You'll have to find what works best for you. Buckle down, study hard, and one day you'll be a nurse...just remember that during your times of stress and self doubt.

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Definitely A&P... and if they give you the syllabus before school starts, get ahead to reading those pages so you have a rough idea of whats going to be covered, even if you dont fully know what youre reading. Also... FUNDAMENTALS SUCCES... buy it, I guarantee you it will help your grade. Its a review book full of practice questions and rationales for each topic.

Also, start making a little cheat-sheet card for lab values/ranges; Na, K, CBC, PLATELETS, etc. youll need this each semester

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Specializes in CMSRN.

Relax and just try to take it all in this first week. If the instructors tell you tests will be done in a certain way BELIEVE THEM and do your best to study for that. You've already made it this far, you will get through. Congrats and good luck!

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