Summer before classes Q??

Finally2008 · May 24, 2006

Is this just a nursing student phenomenon, that we "pre-study" for our classes when we have a break? I don't think I've heard of any other students that do the same... :uhoh3: Yes, I am also starting my BSN program in the fall at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. I have begun studying Pathophysiology notes because one of my friends in the program said that Patho helps in writing care plans. I am also studying a Dosage Calculations book because we have to take a test on dosage calculations and pass with a 90% to stay in the program. Good luck to you!

Daytonite, BSN, RN · May 25, 2006

there isn't a lot on just pathophysiology. you have to pretty much use anatomy links for that. and, i don't have any links on psych nursing. i just today posted a form i have been working on which you can copy and use for some help in gathering information for care plans.

[attach]5184[/attach] (medical diagnosis and treatment form)

www.drugs.com

http://www.globalrph.com/ - has drug listings, instructions for iv dilutions in mixing piggyback meds, you can search for specific drugs (uses rxlist.com), or chose the drug table button to get lists of medications arranged by categories. clicking on the infectious disease button takes you to an infectious disease database arranged by disease which give you listings of antibiotic choices that can be used for treatment. there are a number of medical calculators here including one to calculate drip rates on some of the commonly used icu medications. there are also links to a video library.

http://www.edruginfo.com/qthome.htm - e-druginfo.com's gateway page into medi-quik construct-a-card. you need to register, but it's free. you have to input all the information yourself. this constructor merely prints it onto a pre-formatted form. in playing around with the constructor i found that you could not go back otherwise you lost your input data. i was able to shrink the finished card down to about 7" x 5" but my printer didn't print any border, or perhaps i just didn't know how to apply a border or shrink the card down smaller.

https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/pathophysiology-study-guides-download-here-145201.html - a link to pathophysiology study guides

https://allnurses.com/forums/f205/health-assessment-resources-techniques-forms-145091.html - a thread that has links to good information on doing physical assessment

http://omeweb2.ucdavis.edu/doctoring/doctoring/ - these are videos of physical examination procedures from ucla

http://connection.lww.com/products/bickley/src.asp - this is the online student resource center for bates" guide to physical examination. if you click on the link "head-to-toe assessment (adult)" you will be taken to another group of links which will open up videos of the examination process of those areas of the body. you may also view streaming video of physical examination by clicking on "visit a visual guide to physical assessment".

maliat · May 25, 2006

I'm plan to do a bit of pre-studying. Last semester, we got lectured in pharmacology on how we should have already started reading the first chapters before classes started. This was in spite of the fact we had no idea of what we should have read first. I took the advice with a grain of salt, becuase the instructor was a pharmacologist, so what he said does not necessarily apply to us. But I'm doing it anyway.

Malia

StarGirl · May 25, 2006

Wow! Thanks so much for all the links and advice! I really appreciate it. I plan on relaxing before the program starts but it never hurts to be a bit prepared I suppose. Thanks again!

Mommy TeleRN, RN · May 28, 2006

I wouldn't necessarily try to study AHEAD because I think it's good to wait and see what parts they want you to study and to let them teach you the stuff. But I do think it would be great to REVIEW A&P stuff. Go through and review each body system and what it does and how it links to other systems. Patho and Pharm both go by body system and Patho is like A&P crammed into one semester - you move through it very quickly. I know for me Fluid and Electrolytes weren't taught very well in A&P and it's a hard concept to grasp in nursing school. That is why we keep learning it in layers, every time a little more clicks. But if you can review all the NORMAL fxns then the abnormal will be easier to grasp.

I remember in A&P everyone was like "they teach you this in nursing school anyways" no they DON'T! You are EXPECTED to know your A&P and to self study what you need to be brushed up on it. So that would be my advice.

BeccaznRN, RN · May 30, 2006

I began nursing courses in Spring '05 with pharm, patho, assessment, and fundamentals of nursing. Honestly, I don't think any amount of preparation would have prepared me for any of it. The first semester is tough because it all seems like a foreign language (but eventually it DOES become second nature). Reviewing A&P is a fantastic idea, but other than that take time to relax and spend time doing things you enjoy. You won't get too many chances to do that during nursing school!

babynurse11 · May 31, 2006

It is good to know that i am joining people just as crazy as i am about pre-studying. Although for me it isn't much pre because i start my LPN to RN transition course Monday. I just got my books and have started reading through some of them. Today in orientation we got a list of some of the skills we are expected to demonstrate competence in by the end of July. We will be given a demo prior to performing these skills however I would like to brush up on the "correct" way to perform them before I have to do them again. LPN school was a loooooooong time ago (26 years) and some things you just don't use much. Any place to just find fun and helpful information would be great.

Cheryl