Two year wait list & I've forgotten nearly everything...

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I took my prereq's in a fairly spaced out manor and got accepted to my nursing program last year... but don't start until Summer 2013. In the meantime I have been working two jobs, trying to save money and in doing so, I have lost so much information from my prereqs. To be honest, I never really felt like I had a strong foundation in the following: A&P, nutrition, micro or developmental psych. I passed with A's & B's (with the exception of A&P II in which I got a C). I'm getting very nervous that when my program starts, I won't be able to keep up. I still have a few textbooks lying around and I've been thinking about going back over the material as a refresher, but I don't know where to start or what to cover. Does anyone recommend any specific areas I should study? Are there certain concepts you wish you fully understood prior to the start of your semester?

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I am in my first semester of a BSN program. My best suggestion would be to go over ALL of A&P 1&2 and Microbiology. Some of the students that I see struggling are the ones that do not have a firm grasp of A&P and Micro. They are the foundation of what you will be learning in nursing school. I would also get a good Medical Terminology book and learn as much as you can in it. Often the professors get carried away using medical terms that are common to nurses, knowing them ahead of time gives you a leg up.

Considering you are already wondering what you can do to refresh, you are obviously a good student. Keep that enthusiasm and you will do fine.

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Specializes in LTC & home care.

I agree with everything PalmHarborMom said. For me, physiology was the most useful course I ever took. When I got into nursing school, I found myself referring back to my physiology notes quite a bit - it would definitely be a good idea to become more comfortable with that. For example, it helped me learn the different effects of B/P meds (how are ACE inhibitors act differently than beta blockers, etc.). It also helped me understand the impacts of low (or high) sodium levels by thinking about osmotic pressure, why we give diuretics for peripheral edema, etc. Knowing the structure and function of various systems was a great help in applying the information, not just memorizing it.

Developing a strong background in nutrition would be helpful too. I may get raked over the coals for saying this, but I honestly didn't do much with anatomy in nursing school (in regards to names of bones, muscles, etc.). Reviewing arteries, veins, and nerves may serve you well, and of course knowing locations and functions of the major organs. I don't remember the rest of it coming up too often.

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Specializes in Med Surg.

I'm just in my first year, but what I think is really important, at least for our program, is cardio/pulmonary/renal systems and the different electrolytes and what they do - and S&S of being high or low in different electrolytes. Also, acid/base balance. RAAS.

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Thanks so much for the feedback. I'll start reviewing it all soon. Hopefully it'll come back to me. It sounds like with A&P I should focus more on understanding the physiology concepts, nerve functions, & systems.

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