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 would totally recommend one of those foot bath's and some foot soak powder to put in it. My favorite thing in nursing school was coming home and soaking my feet in mine and studying. It was a great way of relaxing and felt great on my feet that I swore were going to fall off!
I'll be starting my 3rd level this fall. Here are my suggestions:
1. A good NCLEX review book with a cd of questions. I use Saunders. I review questions before every test and it helps.
2. Locate your nearest large bookstore; ie Barns and Noble. Find one that is openen later than the library,has comfortable seating and a coffee shop. All the stuff you need to do reserch late. ( Barns and Noble encourages students to use their books for reserch)
3. If your school requires you to purches uniforms they have picked out, buy at least 3-4 sets. I only have two and after a year they are starting to fade. Now I have to get the new student uniforms and they are different than mine, so I won't match my class.
4. Get a tote bag you can keep all of your clinical stuff in so that it is all together. (And keep it in a safe place between semesters so your not panicked when you start back to school.)
5. Black pens that don't bleed and a lot of them!!
6. A voice recorder. I couldn't survive with out mine. I have a digital one I can dowload to my computer. Not only do I use it to record lectures, I also use it to record my notes so I can study while I drive!
7. No. 2 pencils. by the case. Take several with you on test days, they have a habit of disappearing just before you sit down to take a test.
8. Become friends with a student ahead of you, and ask to borrow their text books for your level. It will save you thousands of dollars!!
jlsst7;2246915 suggested "A voice recorder. I couldn't survive with out mine. I have a digital one I can dowload to my computer. Not only do I use it to record lectures, I also use it to record my notes so I can study while I drive!"
When you state you are able to download your voice recorder onto your computer, are you saying you can convert it into text? If so can you tell me what you use for a voice recorder and what program you use to convert it on your computer? I used to tape record lectures in class but then never seemed to listen to them, partly because they were tough to understand but I have heard this suggested so many times I may try again.
Well, it took me 3 days but I have finally read all of the tips. WOW! I now have a shopping list. Thanks to everyone who gave tips. I start nursing classes at the end of August, so hopefully I will be able to help someone down the line.
jlsst7;2246915 suggested "A voice recorder. I couldn't survive with out mine. I have a digital one I can dowload to my computer. Not only do I use it to record lectures, I also use it to record my notes so I can study while I drive!"
When you state you are able to download your voice recorder onto your computer, are you saying you can convert it into text? If so can you tell me what you use for a voice recorder and what program you use to convert it on your computer? I used to tape record lectures in class but then never seemed to listen to them, partly because they were tough to understand but I have heard this suggested so many times I may try again.
I download the lectures into my computer, then I can free up that space on my recorder. I then convert it to mp3 format, that way if I want I can burn it to a cd. I can not convert it into text, but since I have it to listen to at my pace, I can take better notes. I then record my voice reading my notes and listen to that in the car. Sorry if I confused you. Any digital recorder should do this for you. Ask the sales rep at your electronics store and they can help you make the best decision.
I"m a senior student (in more ways than one...ahem...), and you must get yourself a PDA with, at the very least, a nursing drug guide and a medical encyclopedia loaded onto it. If money is tight get a re-furbished older model (jr.com sells re-furbished PDAs for as low as 40.00), and the software should set you back about a hundred dollars.
Ok, I don't know what kinds PDA to even get!!! I have never even used a PDA, I use the computer just fine. Any suggestions as to which one to get? Also is it a pain the rear to load the programs on the PDA, I have dial-up, I have tried to get any other internet connection possible, however we live to far out in the country.
I start school the end of August and I guess I want to get one so I can figure out how the thing works any suggestions would be appreciated.
No problem, kindgo, here's what you do...you have no idea what type of PDA to buy, which means that the last thing you should do is buy the really expensive kind, stuffed with features you may not use or want. Second, you have dialup internet access, which makes purchasing software downloads a pain in the neck...go to www.jr.com (or a similar electronics seller), and choose a very cheap (even refurbished, if they have any) very basic PDA. Then, go to a PDA nursing software seller (I use Skyscape), and select a basic package of nursing software (They have bundled software packages) and have them put it on a separate memory card (Skyscape charges $25.00 for this service, which includes the card)...when your PDA arrives, slip the card in and you're ready to go...If you like the whole PDA thing and down the road you want to buy a better one, just take the SD card out and place it into your new PDA.
I do like my PDA with tabers and Davis drug guide on it, even some doctors have been known to come take a look at the functions.
by far the most important thing you need is organization and good study skills. Buy a ton of highlighters, black pens (only black because you can only chart in black and it is better to just not have to worry about accidentally grabbing a blue pen), a tiny calculator if you don't have a pda, a couple of different binders for the different classes and lots of ink cartridges and printer paper (nothing worse than running out of ink at midnight when you have a paper due the next morning.) Also think about getting a freezer where you can go to Cosco and stock up on frozen dinners so all you have to do is pop stuff in the oven or microwave, paper plates napkins and plastic cups are great too to cut down on dishwashing time. Get your house in perfect shape before school starts because you may not have time to clean during school so if it is clean to begin with it is easier to keep semi-presentable.
I have never even used a PDA, I use the computer just fine. Any suggestions as to which one to get? Also is it a pain the rear to load the programs on the PDA, I have dial-up, I have tried to get any other internet connection possible, however we live to far out in the country.
IrishEyes20
10 Posts
Thanks to everyone for thw wonderful information. I just read the last 45 pages over the last hour and a half. I'm an addict yes. haha
I start nursing school in the fall and I cant tell you how much more prepared I feel. =] Thanks to everyone for all the helpful points.