What are good things to know by heart?

[glenlorie]

Hi everyone,

I am in my second semester of a 2 year RN program and I'm starting to realize there are some things I just want to commit to memory to make things easier during my clinical life as well as in my future career as an RN. I've started by making index cards (to use as flash cards) and I have made some for normal lab results for adults and children (such as cbc, hemoglobin, BUN, etc). I was just wondering if anyone has any suggestions that they know by memory or things you think would be good for me to start commiting to memory. Thanks for taking the time to read this and for all the help everybody! I hope you all have a wonderful night!

[NCRNMDM, ASN, RN]

I think it is important to remember electrolyte values (like potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorous, magnesium, etc). I also feel that it is important to remember ABG values, the different disorders they comprise, and the treatments for each acid-base imbalance. BUN and creatinine are good labs to remember, as are hemoglobin, hematocrit, and blood glucose. Also know what the PT/PTT and INR are, what they measure, and what it means if they are abnormal. You should also have a firm understanding of vital signs, what they mean, and why they may be abnormal. In reality, there are far too many drugs, treatments, and lab values, and it is impossible to think that you will memorize them all, or even a great majority of them.

As a student, you cannot memorize everything from every department and unit that you do clinical in. Once you graduate and begin working in a specific department, you will have a much easier time learning more values and information about the laboratory tests commonly ordered and the medications commonly given in that specific unit.

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

one thing to keep in mind is that even the doctors don't have all the answers, that's why they run to their ipads or computer. trust me it will come to you when you need it the most. in addition, i recall one of my ways of studying which was besides the flash-cards; it was by taping the material that would be in the exam, and listen to it like it was music. best of luck to you in all of your future endeavors..ciao~

[Annaiya, NP]

I agree with the not memorizing too much, because it will likely be different when you finally get a job and start working. Focus on your assessment skills and recognizing abnormals, that will be much more valuable than having a lot of lab values memorized. How good are you at finding pulses? Auscultating the different lung fields, cardiac areas? How thorough are you with your skin assessment? What about a neuro exam for a pt with neuro changes? Those are the things I wish I had focused more on during clinical. They are the same regardless of where you end up working after graduation, and they are essential to good patient care!

[CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

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