I am waiting to get into the Nursing program at my school. I should know something by March/April, but won't actually start until August.
I feel like I need something to do, because I have a long time off. Is there something that is beneficial to get ahead on? For example, learning about drugs/making drug cards, recommended books on Nursing that will help me, or reviewing specific subjects?
I'm waiting too. I got the NCLEX-RN mastery app and I'll go through questions on that. When I encounter something I don't know (which is very very often) I look it up. So I'm picking up bits and pieces of information. I'm hoping this will help me, at least a little, in the long run. It will probably be more helpful once I start school. You can choose sections to study. So when I finish fundamentals, I'll go through that section specifically. Maybe this will also help us with NCLEX style questions? Who knows. At least I feel like I'm doing something. ������
i got this app too! It's really interesting reading through the rationales.
I suggest this book: Critical Thinking and Nursing Judgement by Rosalind Alfaro-LeFevre as an introduction to critical thinking and "thinking like a nurse"...once you understand thinking like a nurse, it will help you approach nursing school much better.
I agree with brushing up on A&P; as far as NCLEX review books, perhaps, but it would have to be one that has a comprehensive review, not one with questions only because those particular books are designed with the basis that you have already been taught the material, including the nursing process, and you haven't, so keep that in mind.
Would it be a good idea to buy a q and a book for when solely studying for the NCLEX exam? Or could w buy a q and a book specifically for the course we are taking ?
Would it be a good idea to buy a q and a book for when solely studying for the NCLEX exam? Or could w buy a q and a book specifically for the course we are taking ?
What I did was get Q&A books specifically for the classes while I was in school. I used "The Success Series" books as review; there are other Q&A books out there as well that are course/subject driven while I was in school; for example-Fundamentals, Med-Surg, Peds, Pharmacology, Leadership/Management, etc. I also used a case study book for my Critical/Acute care course and PDA by LaCharity once I got into the more complex classes.
Once I was closer to graduation, in my senior semester, I bought the Kaplan book, and a few NCLEX review books like ExamCRAM, and the Saunders Flash Cards; I knew Pharmacology would be challenging on the NCLEX, so I brought Pharm Phlash Cards to study (wish I brought them when I was in the course though!), and did the NCSBN.
I was more than ready for the NCLEX when I took the exam; although I will say I had enough preparation through my coursework and how I studied throughout my program; I also reached out to my instructors and I paid attention to "Recommended Reading" texts-which I use for my nursing practice that were helpful resources as well, when I needed them.
The best thing to do is make sure that you :
1.reach out to instructors early and often for helpful hints, texts (including the NANDA book for care plans-which help guide the nursing process and help you think like a nurse clinically) and resources;
and
2. Pay attention to "recommended reading" materials; if possible rent your text books and pay money for those recommended reading resources, which are very helpful past nursing school-from clinicals to once you begin working as a nurse.
First and foremost, relax and enjoy your free time! Between your acceptance and actual matriculation, I highly suggest you have fun, spend time with your family and friends, and sleep. All of that will change once actual nursing school begins.
I don't really think you need to go crazy with reviewing before nursing school. If you did well in the prerequisite courses, you will be fine. If anything, feel free to review your anatomy and physiology, as these absolutely will come up again in all of your nursing courses (whether fundamentals, health assessment, pharmacology, medical-surgical nursing, etc). The great thing is that all of the nursing course textbooks will include brief reviews of the relevant anatomy and physiology in each chapter (for example, the oxygenation chapter in your fundamentals of nursing textbook will include a review of the respiratory system).
You really are not going to understand NCLEX questions until you start. I know you are excited but just relax. Time will be here faster than you think. You can look at meds but until you take pharm you are not going to understand what and why they are used. Go and have fun! The stress of nursing school will be here soon enough.
Eat less...exercise more...get enough sleep and...do as many NCLEX questions that you can stomach....ultimately you will realize nursing school is about nothing more than passing NCLEX..."nursing" begins when you get a job....also...being gainfully employed helps most humans.
I'm with most hopefuls, much to excited to simply just "enjoy" the time in between. Of course I'm not going to go nuts immersing myself in nursing school prep, but it's nice to have something productive and relevant to do while waiting.
Specializes in Pediatrics/Developmental Pediatrics/Research/psych.
I would suggest buying an NCLEX book and doing as many practice questions as you can. This will help you learn how to answer nursing exam questions and will help you prepare for the ultimate exam, the NCLEX. You can even find a "Nursing for dummies" book and brush up on your anatomy & physiology and pharmacology.
How do you plan on studying for nclex if you haven't started nursing school. I think that you can hold of on nclex, but review A&P as well as study skills, time management, and critical thinking.
If you feel you must start studying, start with a book that explains how the tests work.
GIRL you better enjoy this free time, it's not exactly... abundant when you're in the program. Trust me.
Just prepare to give your all, and prepare to learn. You don't need to do NCLEX questions just yet (those questions will be totally esoteric to you right now). Once you begin your program, you can start those then.
Right now... seriously, just relax. I agree with calioterr3, get yourself into a healthy routine and take care of your body. Before my program started, I read about drugs and procedures, thinking it would prepare me. But what I really wish I had done was focus on my physical and mental well-being. When you are in the program, you will see the human body in harrowing conditions. It will make you wish you took better care of the one you have.
The information will come, honey. You don't need to start school before it even begins.
One of the schools I applied to has Pathophysiology as a "recommended" course to take beforehand, so I'm taking that. It serves as a good A&P review (which others mentioned) in addition to the obvious beneficial new material. I'm also developing my Spanish skills (in big demand in many regions), since I won't have time to work on that once the program starts.
dorkypanda
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i got this app too! It's really interesting reading through the rationales.