Studying pharm before nursing school?

[bewitched]

I've heard from some folks that taking pharmacology with Nursing I is pretty challenging at the ADN program I'll be starting in Spring '11, and that it's a lot of memorization. So I was trying to think of ways to get a head start on studying medication names and common usages on my own, and I was wondering if this will be beneficial? Also, what other things could I learn about each medicine? Is there a list of "commonly prescribed medications" that would be easy to study from?

[Bigpeachy]

In my opinion dont bother. The instructor will tell you what meds and what information you will need to retain for testing. i just finished pharm in my last term and its not too bad. There is just so much info to take in, I say wait until you go through them in class.

[cheezwhiz]

at this point, nothing too hardcore. maybe familiarize yourself with the common drugs for common diseases. if your especially motivated, maybe drug classes and some of the drugs in them.

here's 15 drugs to get you started

_7ECUZY3qgo

[CrunchyMama, ASN, RN]

I suck at math so pharm really scared me! But after taking both pharm 1&2, I worried for almost nothing. However last summer before I started the nursing program I bought the book "Dosage Calculations Made Incredibly Easy" and it did help brush up simple math that I haven't done in years. Good luck!

[ImThatGuy, BSN, RN]

How about the top 200 drug list and ACLS drugs?

[peas&carrots]

I think it would be a great idea to just look at a pharmacy $4 dollar list like the one where I work. The online version gives you a broad description of what class each drug is in. It kind of gives you an idea of a lot of the more poplular drugs.

http://www.kroger.com/generic/Pages/alpha_listing.aspx

[LuckyinKY]

I actually took Pharmacology as an online class this summer before even taking my first nursing class. I got an "A" in the class and learned alot. I think it helps that I have worked as a pharmacy tech and have a natural fascination fro pharmacology.

[kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN]

I would just wait til school started. We took Patho, Pharm, Foundations, Health Assessment, Skills, and Clinical our first semester at the same time. It's really not bad depending on who you are and how you handle it.

[KayL]

If you are very interested in familiarizing yourself with common drugs I would recommend getting at PDR Pocket guide to prescription drugs. They are inexpensive (check Amazon or half.com) and could prove more helpful later on. Also, sometimes drug names can give a hint to what the medication is used for treating.

This website may be helpful too!

http://www.pharmacy-tech-study.com/index.html

Especially the "drug suffix" tab on the left. This will better explain how the name of a medication can also tell you what its indication is.

I hope this helps!

[doublehelix]

If you are very interested in familiarizing yourself with common drugs I would recommend getting at PDR Pocket guide to prescription drugs. They are inexpensive (check Amazon or half.com) and could prove more helpful later on. Also, sometimes drug names can give a hint to what the medication is used for treating.

This website may be helpful too!

http://www.pharmacy-tech-study.com/index.html

Especially the "drug suffix" tab on the left. This will better explain how the name of a medication can also tell you what its indication is.

I hope this helps!

Thanks so much for the link!!

[bewitched]

Thank you so much for that link! I've converted the list into a Powerpoint Study Guide! If anyone else is interested in viewing it you can download my Powerpoint document here. Just click the "download now" link.

(I don't think that sharing this is against AllNurses Terms and Agreements... I'm sorry if it is!)

[happy2learn]

I'm allowed to, and fully plan on, taking pharm before I start clinical.

I'm taking all of the non-clinical classes before I start clinical (this is what I do while waiting.)

I plan on taking pharm the quarter before I start clinical.