Starting nursing school in January, how to prepare?

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I was accepted to a nursing program that was supposed to start this month. At the last minute I found out that I was accepted to my preferred school, but not until January. I'm not working and want to make the best use of this time without going "stir crazy." Does anyone have suggestions on how to best prepare for my first semester in a community college nursing program? I've already take pharmacology online and am good on the basic dosage calcs.

Great, where are you going to school? I'd rather be on top of it, and then I won't be stressed out and need the rest when I start school. I got some great advice from those that replied to this post. I also took an online pharm class and am working on the daily problems from dosagehelp.com. This is good at building confidence with the math problems. Memorizing the conversions is a big time saver. (conversions between houshold, metric and apothecary units). It's all in the pharm math book. I use Dosage Calculations which is a great step by step book. My school uses Calculate with Confidence. I'll probably buy the older version of it just to thumb through it, because I won't have to take Pharm the first semester. Also, my school posts 5 pages of abbreviations that we have to memorize during the first semester. I went ahead and then looked up anything that I wasn't familiar with. It is amazing how much knowing those abbreviations has helped in my reading. Definitely not going to try to work. I'll be busy enough when school starts and I want to do an extern after the first semester so I'll get a little experience where I do my clinicals. I think it'll be easier to get a job there if I do the extern. Anyway check out what your school posts online and that will give you tips on what you may be able to review before the semester starts. I'm also going to review phys systems, because it's so easy to forget those details. Good luck to you.!!

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Good point, tkm & birth revolution. I've been off work for two years while preparing for nursing school. Getting soooo comfortable with being at home. I know it's coming to an end so I'm trying to be proactive.

I worked hard in my prereqs for two years, while working full-time and consulting on the side. I purposefully didn't take any additional classes the semester before I started because I wanted to have a mental break. If you don't feel you need it, that's great to prepare ahead a bit. I am glad I rested though, because I worked really hard the first semester, even with the excellent prep I got in my prereq classes.

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Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

Thanks so much and you too! I wish my school posted things but its almost secretive lol. The only thing online is stuff to get into the pre-nursing and the forms for the nursing students. I know the classes which I will take next semester and tahst about it! I don't really know too many people at my school because the otehr pre-nursing students taht I knew started last spring and now they're over at the nursing school and I never see them. Oh well I think I'm going to look through the books I have and buy my books for next semester as early as I can to look through them. Good luck and hopefully if I remember we should post on here how our first week goes! :D

Oh I forgot you asked about my school I am in a BSN program in MI

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Yeah, I know what you mean about the schools being secretive. Mine won't even send me information about what I need (vaccines, etc.) until November. It's like waiting for that letter all over again. Well, no promises about the post first week. I could be overwhelmed, but I'm not really thinking so. Bye

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Specializes in ICU.

There are many many threads about this exact topic:

allnurses.com/massachusetts-nurses/how-prepare-first-303550.html

6 months before starting school - How to prepare? - Nursing for Nurses

allnurses.com/general-nursing-discussion/what-books-helped-217815.html

allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/how-do-you-499448.html

allnurses.com/fl-nursing-programs/how-prepare-dade-488519.html

allnurses.com/pre-nursing-student/books-help-prepare-204003.html

allnurses.com/medical-surgical-nursing/help-how-can-395781.html

allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/sharing-your-survival-493893.html

allnurses.com/medical-surgical-nursing/how-best-prepare-308461.html

allnurses.com/certified-registered-nurse/what-should-i-261337.html

allnurses.com/general-nursing.../what-you-doing-480535-page2.html

allnurses.com/student-registered-nurse/do-list-before-384164.html

allnurses.com/general-nursing.../preparation-advice-nursing-406848.html

allnurses.com/general-nursing.../nursing-school-preparation-151454.html

allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/early-preparation-478057.html

allnurses.com/general-nursing.../preparation-advice-nursing-406848.html

Good luck!

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
Thanks anonymous, This is the kind of thing I was looking for. I was looking for NCLEX books online and saw that there are several available. Are you suggesting that I get several from different authors such as Sanders, Davis? Or is there one in particular that is the most helpful. I am also getting the NCLEX question of the day online and that is helpful. As far as stethoscopes go, I have looked at several and am leaning toward the Littman SE. It's not real expensive, but not a starter. I've heard that you need a good stethoscope, but not sure exactly how that translates into which model to buy. I'm onto the good shoes!! I bought two pair with orthotic insoles (which cost more than the shoes) and am breaking them in. Should be in good shape there. Thanks for any additional details you can provide.

Yes, I think you should get several all from different authors. The first NCLEX book I bought was Saunders and it is a really good book. It also has a CD in the back and that is loaded with tons of questions. And for stethoscopes Littman is def the brand you want to be looking at!

Don't stress too much before school starts! You'll do pleanty of that while you're there :p

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Polka- dot

you have been great at providing needed tools to prepare for nursing school. I am interested in getting the additional notes from your series, "from my brain to yours". Is it possible for you to PM to get my email address if you still have the additional notes? I have utilized the notes you attached and they have help me with my A & P class. Thank you in advance for all that you have done for the nursing students on this website. :tku:

Spinal Cord & PNS

Hearing & Equilibrium

Endocrine System Overview

Lymphatic System (beyond what is provided below)

The Heart

Cardiac Physiology

Reproductive System

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Now that I've finished the first semester of nursing school, I wanted to report that the preparation I did was excellent at getting me on the right foot and making the semester go well. All my classmates seemed to marvel about how relaxed I was during the semester, and I was. Amazing how a little preparation goes a long way toward success. BTW, I just wanted to pass along one tip that had helped me study and kept my skills up this summer. I bought the Saunders comprehensive review book which is very helpful. What I found to be the most helpful is the interactive CD that comes with the book. There are many more questions than the book contains and with a click, one can look at the rationalle and strategy if unsure of the question. There is a study mode in which one can review questions in a particular study area. In addition, if I am unsure about a term or medical procedure, I can quickly google it, since I am studying on my laptop. I hope that others take advantage of this fabulous way to prepare for the NCLEX. Can't wait for 2nd semester.

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Specializes in SDU, Tele.
Now that I've finished the first semester of nursing school, I wanted to report that the preparation I did was excellent at getting me on the right foot and making the semester go well. All my classmates seemed to marvel about how relaxed I was during the semester, and I was. Amazing how a little preparation goes a long way toward success. BTW, I just wanted to pass along one tip that had helped me study and kept my skills up this summer. I bought the Saunders comprehensive review book which is very helpful. What I found to be the most helpful is the interactive CD that comes with the book. There are many more questions than the book contains and with a click, one can look at the rationalle and strategy if unsure of the question. There is a study mode in which one can review questions in a particular study area. In addition, if I am unsure about a term or medical procedure, I can quickly google it, since I am studying on my laptop. I hope that others take advantage of this fabulous way to prepare for the NCLEX. Can't wait for 2nd semester.

thanks for the advice. i am glad you weren't stressed. i am trying to do the same as you and getting stuff done ahead of time.

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Thank you for the heads up on your first semester. It helps to know that is does not have to be as bad as some my say or fear. The input on the study guide will surely be a plus.

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