I have been going through all these posts to find what items are the best things to have for nursing school. The posts are all scattered so I thought I would start a post that will contain all the info for the new incoming students.
I would like to know what I should spend my money on when it comes to study guides, NCLEX review books, NET review books, best nursing shoes (without a logo), stethescope, misc nursing items you have to have, etc. Any new students/senior students/graduate nurses have any info they can share? What were the items you couldn't live without???
I think also it's a good idea to have a good study group. The group can look over one anothers care plans, and encourage and help each other. Especially with all the due dates in school, its good to have people to remind you.
This might not be a popular opinion, but in regards to careplan books...
I didn't buy one. I did every careplan by myself. It sucked, hard. But by the end, I was much more up on nursing dx than many of my classmates. Great for when instructors and preceptors ask you questions. I know doing careplans is torture, and you never really need to know how to do them after school, but I really feel like doing them the hard way benefitted me.
:::: have the templates for the care plans & meds, saved all my care plans, wish I had saved all my meds, too. The care plans have saved me a TON of time, seriously, we know the interventions, and how many times do you need to type out risk of constipation r/t medications? Cut and paste is wonderful.
I also agree with lots of liquor, just be careful, you dont want to add 'ineffective coping' to your own personal care plan. :rotfl:
62 days to Graduation.....
Great advice on this thread, by the way.:::
I am going to make a program with a drop down menu or the kind where you just click the little box.... God I love my computer and having tons of free time while knowing how to make programs and stuff!! If any of you have the templates for care plans or med sheets that you use can you please pm me cause I would LOVE a copy of the different kinds as I am new to nursing but want to start my program so it will be useful and i can convert it to PDA format when I am done with my nursing studies. Thanks a ton ~J~
Well get you a Lippincott Book...it really really helps! I also have the Saunders Review 3500 question CD. Litmann Steth. is actually the best, and Rockers are great shoes. Get plenty of paper, black pens, and a clip board. You will need a pen light, get one that goes on your Steth. and alot of prayer :-)
This one's kind of random, but.... a three-hole punch. My school used powerpoint for all the lectures, and I had so much paper, and if I didn't punch them and get them in a binder, they ended up everywhere. Spend a little more for one that can punch a lot at once.
Okay, here are my suggestions (I am an RN/BSN that graduated in 2004 - at the top of my class!) :-)
1. Pens
2. Datebook/organizer - either electronic (PDA - I used Palm Tungsten C) or just a datebook - at the beginning of each semester/quarter, write in the due dates of all of your assignments
3. A plastic clipboard that you can open up and hold papers in - it's 8.5 X 11" - you can get them at WalMart
4. Highlighters
5. Comfortable shoes! I recommend Birkenstocks all the way!
6. A rolling backpack
7. NCLEX prep books - even if you are not even close to graduating, I'd HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX, as it breaks down all topics into 2-3 pages. So, if you're in Med-Surg, and you are learning about CHF, take the time to read in the Saunders book, too. Your test scores will reflect this, and you will have a greater chance of passing the NCLEX! I passed with 75 questions and was the highest scorer in our class for the pre-NCLEX test.
7a. I'd highly recommend Kaplan's NCLEX prep book, because all of the other question and answer books don't have the level of difficulty that Kaplan has.
8. Nursing2006 journal/magazine. It's easy to read, and it is a wonderful starting point!
9. A nursing mentor. You should consider having an upperclassman or someone that has recently graduated mentor you...guide you...and support you! I am happy to mentor anyone on this board, so email me at [email protected] if you are interested.
10. Support of your family and also belief in yourself! You CAN do this!
I was just recently accepted at TCC in fort worth, and we need teal scrubs. I have heard in the past this color is hard to find. Does anyone have a good suggestion of where I should shop for this particular color of teal and low cost scrubs?
Thanks for all the great advice! It is much appreciated. I start my program in August -06 I am so excited! I am going to use these reccomendations a lot!
Kim
akira72
8 Posts
Definitely take the mint:lol2:
I think also it's a good idea to have a good study group. The group can look over one anothers care plans, and encourage and help each other. Especially with all the due dates in school, its good to have people to remind you.