Worried

[Nightingale11]

I have completed one quarter in nursing (Fundamentals and Health Assessment) and I completed 1 out of 2 classes this past quarter (Pharm and MedSurg). MedSurg I ended up withdrawing because of professor issues and I had a flat out 70. That was after 3 tests and I didn't feel I had the knowledge I should have. This Jan. I will be taking Speech, Sociology and American Lit and in March I will be back into MedSurg with a new instructor.

My problem in Pharmacology was the HESI. My class was told there wouldn't be a lot of drugs on the HESI, to focus on diabetes. I didn't do well on the HESI but passed the class with a B but felt so stupid afterwards. There was tons of drug info and if you didn't know what the drug was then you just had to guess. So my question is how should I start looking over drugs and memorizing them?

Also I need to start reviewing for NCLEX even though it's a ways off and was wondering if I should purchase books or rent from the library.

[EDRN-2010]

So my question is how should I start looking over drugs and memorizing them?Also I need to start reviewing for NCLEX even though it's a ways off and was wondering if I should purchase books or rent from the library.

It is difficult to memorize things and actually remember them when you are not actively using them in your day to day practice. I took pharm fairly early in my prereq classes and honestly didn't learn all of the drugs (or even many of them). The biggest thing I think I took away from that class was how drugs work. I learned more specifics about each class of drugs and specific drugs when we went over them during the nursing program. -ex. When we went over cardiac, I learned the different Blood pressure meds, rescue meds, etc. Taking that pharm class kind of layed the foundation to help me better understand the meds as I learned them over the next few years. I also found preparing for clinical and looking up the meds really helped too. Maybe this will work for you too.

As far as NCLEX books...

They are not only helpful in preparing for the NCLEX but also for preparing for exams throughout the entire nursing program. During Fundamentals I used a book called Fundamentals success by FA Davis, with Med-Surg I used 3 different books; Saunders, Med surg success, and Mosby Q&A review.

I think if you take a step back and set small goals, and focus on one thing at a time, you will find things less overwhelming. Good Luck!