The 'wished-I-knew' before entering into my program...

[jitterbugg]

i am currently on a waitlist for the adn program at a jr. college here in ca. i have a 3-5 semester wait. i would like to ask the students who are in the program (or out) for 'what they wished they studied more' and/or 'what they wished they learned' before entering into their program? i figured since i have the wait i might as well put it to good use. thanks for your suggestions.

[Ivanna_Nurse, BSN, RN]

~Heart meds

~diuretics

~antibiotics

~anticoagulants

~insulins

~antiasthmatics

~analgesics-opioid vs. non-opioid

~psych meds

just to name a few....

I concentrated on the classification at first... rather than individual drugs... if you know how something generally works, chances are that the rest in that class are alot alike.

I did take blank cards to clinical, so I could make them for new things as they came along. This worked well and saved me SO much time. They were good for review too. :) ~Ivanna

[nursingisworkRN]

Well, I was told to buy all of the books and have them on the first day of class. I would have waited and probably saved $1,000 on books I didn't really need. Yes, many are great references, but they are often available in the library or nursing lab. You will need a drug guide and the med-surg text for sure.

Also, I would recommend talking to someone who is currently in the program you will be starting. Maybe you can post a notice in the nursing department or the nursing lab or ask one of the nursing department staff if they might recommend someone (ie nursing student body, class president, etc.) This way you can ask questions and get input relevant to the particular program you will be starting. Good luck!

Oh yeah...half way through school I started a computer spreadsheet for my meds as well as nursing diagnoses and interventions. That way I could copy and paste onto a blank spreadsheet for my careplans and meds for each pt assigned. I saved so many hours that I wished I had done this to begin with. Work smarter, not harder, and you will sleep more! Also, the programmable coffee pot became my new must have on a desert island item!

[4x4country]

Well, I was told to buy all of the books and have them on the first day of class. I would have waited and probably saved $1,000 on books I didn't really need. Yes, many are great references, but they are often available in the library or nursing lab. You will need a drug guide and the med-surg text for sure.

Also, I would recommend talking to someone who is currently in the program you will be starting. Maybe you can post a notice in the nursing department or the nursing lab or ask one of the nursing department staff if they might recommend someone (ie nursing student body, class president, etc.) This way you can ask questions and get input relevant to the particular program you will be starting. Good luck!

Oh yeah...half way through school I started a computer spreadsheet for my meds as well as nursing diagnoses and interventions. That way I could copy and paste onto a blank spreadsheet for my careplans and meds for each pt assigned. I saved so many hours that I wished I had done this to begin with. Work smarter, not harder, and you will sleep more! Also, the programmable coffee pot became my new must have on a desert island item!

wow, this sounds great. Would you be willing to share this or email a copy to me?

[jitterbugg]

nursingisworkrn,

thank you for all of your great advice. i will be sure to start a spreadsheet of all the meds, and work smarter not harder. (if you plan on sharing your spreadsheet with 4x4country...may i get a copy to look at?) i plan on contacting my jr. college and talking with an available student. thanks again!

[Brandi8]

I am starting pre reqs in August. This is good advice. I would like to get a head start on nursing school as well. I wouldnt even know where to begin to make drug cards and such though. Where would you find this info at if your not currently in nursing school? Are there flash cards in the bookstore you can buy already made up?

Thanks

[laura11]

Wow, I am also starting school in August with a lot of down time before school. I don't even know where to start , what to read and how to go about making drug cards or the spraedsheet. Any help will do, Thanks:(

[creativemom, BSN, RN]

May I have a copy emailed to me as well? I'd love to continue adding onto your list. Would be a most helpful studying tool I'd imagine as well.