What was the first thing you learned in Nursing School?

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Hello Everyone,

I just found out this week that I've been accepted into my school's nursing program!

I will be starting my nursing classes in the fall and I want to get a head start. I was wondering what was the first was that you learned in nursing school. I'm asking all current RNs and nursing students. Thanks for your input, I'm so excited.

The nursing process and nursing diagnosing í ½í¹„

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i learned about drugs calculations :)

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Specializes in Oncology, OCN.

We covered hand washing and PPE in orientation boot camp before classes started (accelerated program). Patho started with fluid and electrolyte balances, fundamentals and health assessments focused on patient safety/hygiene.

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Thanks, I'll defiantly prepare for that.

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Learn how to study. Get to class early and prepare for lecture. Take each lecture and type an outline for it after class with the information provided in class + your notes and then before the exam relisten and highlight the important things.

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Specializes in Neuro.

First thing I learned was holy moly I'm not in pre-requisite land anymore. And then personal protective equipment & handwashing.

Try to learn what study style works for you early on.

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Congrats to you! I remember in our first week going over all of the basic things I learned from CNA school. Hand washing, PPE, how to take VS appropriately, bed baths, and even bed making. Also, we were tested on all of that stuff at the end of the week. Be prepared for a major test and skills pass-off's at least every 2 weeks, and 1-2 quizzes per week for the first semester.

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If you didn't chart it, it didn't happen.

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Head to toe assessment was STRONGLY emphasized from the get go in my program. And how invaluable giving a bed bath can be to that process. I ask my nurse assistants to grab me when they give their showers so I can do quick skin checks.

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Don't kill the patient (meaning "if you don't know, ask!)

Oh, and handwashing.

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The year was 1985 and the first thing we learned was how to make a bed. There were to be no wrinkles and the corners neatly tucked. To this day I take pride in making a no nonsense bed. Then we learned how to take a blood pressure, pulse and temp. Never forget the basics!

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Specializes in Medical-Surgical/Float Pool/Stepdown.

That I could be failed at any time even with a perfect 4.0!!!

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