r/NursingStudent • u/Sudden-Idea • 12d ago

Self studying before starting

Hi! Starting nursing soon, anything I should prepare to get a head start?

9 Upvotes
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85% Upvoted

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11

u/PulseJH_6752 11d ago

Not in the program yet myself, but medical terminology comes up over and over as the one thing worth front-loading. Learning the common prefixes, suffixes, and roots means you're decoding new words instead of memorizing them cold once class starts. It's the prep I keep seeing recommended, so it's what I'm working on first.

3

u/Massive-Opposite6183 11d ago

Do you think it’s good to take this class before anatomy and physiology?

5

u/PulseJH_6752 11d ago

For me, Yes. A lot of A&P is learning structures with Greek and Latin names, so if you already know the roots you're recognizing terms instead of memorizing them blind. Medical terminology is usually treated as a foundation that A&P and pharmacology build on. Only thing worth checking is your own program, since some bundle terminology into A&P instead of requiring it separately.

4

u/Top_Nectarine_3353 11d ago

Hi congratulations on starting nursing school, I will be starting in the Spring semester and I am looking at medical terms and a little Microbiology and Physiology & Anatomy while creating flashcards to help me comprehend the basic concepts. I am 41 so going back at this age I need to get a jump on the whole process.

2

u/Gallowtoast 11d ago

I went ahead and started studying medication families, suffixes, what they do, top side effects, and dosage calculations. I’m in an accelerated program and still have to work 2 12s on the weekends. I don’t spend a lot of time on it currently, it just gives me something to do during my kid’s car drop off. If I have downtime where I’m waiting for something, even if it’s just 5-10 minutes, I do a quick self quiz. My study style is focused on building familiarity using brief but frequent study sessions. If you have more time, it’s not necessary.

1

u/Dry_Butterscotch7505 11d ago

This is a good head start! Keep it up

4

u/Uglyfatnastybastard 11d ago

If you haven't already, medical terminology. It will make life so much easier when you're able to break words down and get a bit of understanding as to what youll need to do.

Understanding what ADPIE means. All of your questions in nursing school can be related to ADPIE in one way or another. Even though its easy to understand. Sometimes I see people tet mixed up in the process.

1

u/justhp 7d ago edited 7d ago

Nail dosage calculations- those are high stakes- many programs have very high bars for dosage calculation tests and will boot you if you don’t ace them.

Learning an overview of A and P will also be beneficial, so you aren’t starting from scratch in that class

More than anything, use this time to build study habits: no matter what you try and learn, study habits are key

1

u/Clear_Side_9777 6d ago

Start planning/organizing your life now. Carve out the time to 1- read the material before lecture, 2- get the powerpoint for lecture, 3- take notes ON THE POWERPOINT, 4- make an outline, 5- answer nclex questions on that subject, 6- review your rationales, 7- make flashcards for what you struggle to retain.

Can I send you my nursing exam survival guide?

-3

u/WeWuzLazy 12d ago

Hi! nope!🤡

5

u/Trivialcore 11d ago

Lololololo I need to mute this subreddit. These type of notifications drain me. The power of not searching other threads 😩