Which classes would benefit?

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Hi, I'm getting ready to start 1st level clinicals this fall and was wondering what type of summer classes would help me along. I have all my general studies out of the way. I thought about a dosage calc class, my school hands you the book and says go learn it and on such and such day you will have a test. I am also considering a pharmacology class, it's not included in the ADN program. I realize that dosage calc isn't very hard, I have the book, and, I don't want to waste my money, I'm paying out of pocket, any input would be appreciated.Thanks

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Specializes in HCA, Physch, WC, Management.

How in the world does your ADN program not include pharmacology?!? If it isn't included then by ALL MEANS, take it!

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

Many ADN programs do not have a seperate pharmacology class; they infuse it with the main cirriculum. I noticed that most LPN programs have them, though. I would definitely take the medical dosage class in addition to pharmacology. It would take some of the edge off studying the drugs, which is very, very important in nursing.

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Specializes in Mother-Baby.

how in the world does your adn program not include pharmacology?!? if it isn't included then by all means, take it!

well...if her program is anything like mine was, it's worked into every test you have! uhh.

anyhow....as far as what kind of classes to take to prepare you for the fall - if you have finished all your required classes (sociology, psychology, life-span psychology, statistics, etc. etc.) then i'd say take the summer to relax. once you start nursing school you're going to be so pressed for time to study that you don't have a life outside of school. especially true if you have to work or have family obligations.

but...if you really want to be proactive....i'd really suggest buying and reading the required nursing fundamentals book for your program. that would give you a huge jump start. you'd become familiar with terminology, standards of care, medication administration, patient teaching, assessments, etc. and might make better grades that first semseter! ha. :) first semester is usually all about fundamentals!

but.....absolutely have a life this summer. spend time with your family and friends. take a little trip/vacation....see movies....sleep.....relax! because you won't have much time for these things once school starts.

good luck!!!:wink2:

txpixiedust

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I am currently in an ADN program. My program did not require pharmacology, but I am SOOOOOO sorry that I did not take it on my own. I am going to try to find one to take during the second summer session so that I will have it before OB/GYN and my Complex Adult class. Try to take one if you can. I really think it will make your life easier. The drug calculations are not difficult to learn, but it would be great to have a better understanding of the drugs. There are so many of them. I wish that I would have taken pharmacology and pathophysiology. Even though my program doesn't require either, I wish they did. They should be mandatory for every program. Good luck.

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Specializes in Peds, PICU, Home health, Dialysis.

There have been many discussions on this board about nursing schools that do not have pharmacology classes, but instead "integrate" them into the different sections covered in their classes. I still think that is scary. In my BSN program, we had to take two semesters of pharmacology.

I wouldn't waste my time on a med calc class. Medication dosage calculations are very very easy - especially if you use dimensional analysis. If your school does a good job of integrating pharm into your classes, I would personally take a semester off and enjoy yourself, travel, or try getting a job as a nurse apprentice at a local hospital.

But if you are dying to take a class, I would choose pharmacology. :)

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Specializes in Telemetry, Med Surg, Pediatrics, ER.

I am amazed that Pharmacology is not required. I would definitely suggest taking it. I got a lot out of the class.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

If anyone wants a brush up on pharmacology for school or NCLEX, consider the Helen Feuer Nursing Review. They sell a pharmacology CD set for about $80 (may be more, now), that is well worth the money, to me. I did have pharmacology in my LPN program, but it really sucked like lemons ( had a horrible instructor). I had to take a crash course in pharm before NCLEX and this was the one. The address is http://www.f-n-r.net/ They give wonderful hints on how to remember the classifications. The audio is entertaining, lively and a great buy. Make sure that you get the booklet that goes with it for notes. Also, Delmar Comprehensive Review for NCLEX-RN or PN. They have a pharmacology chapter that was great as well.

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Just thought I'd throw an idea out there:

CE courses are a relatively inexpensive way to "brush up" on a topic without having to make a huge time & money commitment; and you aren't graded!:nuke:

For instance, there is a "pharmacology review for the dental team" class offered at our local teaching hospital. It is $150 for each attendee and is 8 hours friday and 8 hours saturday.

Maybe there are offerings like this for nursing topics?

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Thanks for the replies about dosage calc & pharmacology classes for the summer. I respect everybody's view/experience.:thankya:

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