What to do while on waitlists?

hey there! I wrote this same exact post one year ago! Here is what I did...I spent lots and lots and lots of time with my children, read lots of books, lost 30lbs, took Pharm and Nursing Foundations, and just had fun... I can say it went by fast (people said it would and I didn't believe them) I start in February. Good luck to you! How long (approx) is your wait?

this is good info!

What you 'll do?Pray it comes to pass and your wish and dream come to reality.

I've been thinking about this same thing! I'm taking my pre-reqs right now... but I will have an estimated 1 year wait after finishing my pre-reqs before getting to start nursing school. My school has a wait list where if you keep your grades up taking the pre-reqs you are guaranteed entrance into NS when your number comes up on the waiting list. I hate having to sit out of school for a whole year... but I also like knowing that entrance into school is a sure thing. I'll probably spend lots of time with my daughter... maybe a take a few courses that might end up being helpful in NS. I also will need to get my CPR certification during that time.

Enjoy your family and free time! Also, have you considered taking a CNA course? It's actually a pre-req for some NS. Even if not required, it will really help with fundamentals when you start NS. Medical Terminology is not required at my school, but I took it as a filler course and it was very helpful. Some people take Nutrition or Pharmacology ahead of time, but, sadly, that isn't an option where I go. If you have a long wait, try to stay fresh on your anatomy and physiology.

So what have you guys done while being on the never ending waitlists? It feels like such a waste of time, I'm considering just getting a BS in Biology while I wait and see what opportunities open up.

well im enrolled in phlebotomy school so i can get some pt. contact and hospital experience :) and you work directly under an RN so its good shadowing in a sense.just no giving drugs

If you haven't already, take a medical terminology class, pharmocology, and Spanish.

If you've done all of that already, I'd find out which Basic Nursing book your program uses and start reading up on it. It would also help to get your drug guide early and start making flashcards of the most commonly prescribed drugs.

All of these things will give you a clear edge. In my experience, those of us who are the most prepared aren't targeted by those sorts of instructors who prey on the weak

if you haven't already, take a medical terminology class, pharmocology, and spanish.

if you've done all of that already, i'd find out which basic nursing book your program uses and start reading up on it. it would also help to get your drug guide early and start making flashcards of the most commonly prescribed drugs.

all of these things will give you a clear edge. in my experience, those of us who are the most prepared aren't targeted by those sorts of instructors who prey on the weak

wiser words have never been spoken. if you learn you drugs/dosages or even if u learn the names (generic/trade/name brand) you'll have a really great edge on all your nursing class mates*&*you'll*impress*everyone! :)

An EMT class would cover some basic skills and knowledge that might be useful in the future. It's also a window into another healthcare discipline.

Thanks for all of the great ideas everyone is giving. I think I'll look into a Med Terminology course. Also... if I decided to start making flashcards of drugs, what would I need to put on those flashcards?

Thanks for all of the great ideas everyone is giving. I think I'll look into a Med Terminology course. Also... if I decided to start making flashcards of drugs, what would I need to put on those flashcards?

The absolute most important information for those cards, IMO, would be:

classification

side effects

safe dose range

generic name

nursing considerations

Reason being for generic name is you will see so many variations of a name brand, but the generic name is always the same. Knowing the medications by their generic name means you always know what that med is.

Side effects should be a no brainer

Safe dose range, also no brainer

Classification is important because there are always new medications coming out. Even if you are not familiar with the name of a new med, you can know a lot about that med if you know, for example, that it is an analgesic or NSAID.

For example, say someone tells you that they are Contin or Roxanol or Kadian...and each of these names are drawing a blank. Then that person tells you it's an opiod analgesic and automatically you realise that you need to monitor that patient's respiratory rate. The same goes for if you knew that medication by it's generic name....Morphine.

Nursing considerations are extra things you want to keep in mind when administering this medication such as contraindications or precautions. For example, you wouldn't want to give someone with a low resp rate the morphine....or the patient with the systolic blood pressure of 80 his blood pressure medication....or the patient with the loose stool their stool softner....or the patient with the low blood sugar their insulin.

All of this sort of stuff is what your nursing instructors will be looking for to make sure you are safe and knowledgable. Passing medications was a BIG anxiety issue for everyone in the first semester, and for many others going into the second semester. Getting a lot of this information under your belt now will go a long way in making you confident and compitent.

Just don't get too comfortable, that's when mistakes happen :)