Cliff Hangers!
Jell'o Everyone!!!!
Ok, so I left you hanging on a few things last post. The lab partner situation, some classmates not advancing and the exam situation. Let me fill in the blanks!
So, I don't know if you are aware BUT there are no exams quite like nursing exams. Prerequisite exams went a little like this ...
Study material: electrons have a negative charge.
Exam question: Electrons have what kind of charge?
a. positive b. neutral c. negative d. all of the above
(Answer please? .... I think you have that figured out. You're a genius!)
And due to the fact that you studied and read the study material you just Aced that exam. Now let me give you a sneak peak of nursing school exams.
Study material: the entire chapterS (yes with the capital S to clarify that it's plural and it seems like the entire chapter, EVERY SINGLE WORD is highlighter worthy. So sorry for not being able to narrow it down for you (and no appologizes aren't given and no there are NO study guides .... Hahahahaa study guides; funny!) I'll put a question that is to the point.
Exam question: A nurse is preparing a continuous insulin infusion for a child with diabetic ketoacidosis and a blood glucose level of 800 mg/dl. Which solution is the most appropriate at the beginning of therapy?
a. 100 units of regular insulin in normal saline solution
b. 100 units of NPH insulin in normal saline solution
c. 100 unnits of regular insulin in dextrose 5% in water
d. 100 units of NPH insulin in dextrose 5% in water
Now let's break this down a bit. You have to know A LOT of information to be able to answer this one question. Pharmacology would provide you with the information on the different types of insulin (I'll take it in January). I do know that a. & c. are fast acting insulin and NPH takes a little longer to work and it's long acting. So, we can discard b. & d. We are down to a 50/50 chance of getting it right. Glucose level at 800 needs to be brought down ASAP. Pathophysiology is where you'll learn about ketoacidosis, type 1 & 2 diabetes etc.
Answer: a. rationale: continuous insulin infusions use only short-acting regular insulin. Insulin is added to normal saline solution and administered until the client's blood glucose level falls. Further along in the therapy, dextrose solution is administered to prevent hypoglycemia.
A LOT goes into answering one question. you must know your stuff. I got this question from NCLEX 4000. I recommend it. You'll thank me later!
I think you get my gist. Which leads me into health assessment. The exams have been NCLEX style from the beginning but as the material gets tougher it requires more critical thinking skills. My school is an accelerated program and it requires a lot of attention and commitment. It's doable it just gets tough. Last session I learned that above and beyond isn't for the "teachers pet" it's a prerequisite to make it in an accelerated nursing program. I also learned that you know how you start but not how you end. You have to plan for the unexpected. It was tough to see the class size diminish by the day. To top if off final exams are now standardized. The lab partner I practiced with all session had to drop the class and the assessment I had to do for check off ended up being with someone I hadn't practiced with. Understand that we will be faced with failing assignments, maybe failing exams or classes. You'll get through it. Get back up and bust your butt! How bad do you want it? Work harder, get through it! You aren't alone.
Also, we must be okay with last minute changes. It happens in the "real world" all the time. You don't know what can happen to your patient in the hospital setting and being prepared for it all is key. I have so much to learn but I'm enjoying myself.
There's this huge sense of accomplishment when you get your grades back and see that the hard work paid off and you've been advanced to the next set of classes.
Next post I'll talk about health assessment II, fundamentals II, Health Assessment lab and clinical! Yes!!!!! I started clinicals. My first location is a nursing home and man has it been eye opening already. Can't wait to share. Smooches.
-NurseMimiii
Ok, so I left you hanging on a few things last post. The lab partner situation, some classmates not advancing and the exam situation. Let me fill in the blanks!
So, I don't know if you are aware BUT there are no exams quite like nursing exams. Prerequisite exams went a little like this ...
Study material: electrons have a negative charge.
Exam question: Electrons have what kind of charge?
a. positive b. neutral c. negative d. all of the above
(Answer please? .... I think you have that figured out. You're a genius!)
And due to the fact that you studied and read the study material you just Aced that exam. Now let me give you a sneak peak of nursing school exams.
Study material: the entire chapterS (yes with the capital S to clarify that it's plural and it seems like the entire chapter, EVERY SINGLE WORD is highlighter worthy. So sorry for not being able to narrow it down for you (and no appologizes aren't given and no there are NO study guides .... Hahahahaa study guides; funny!) I'll put a question that is to the point.
Exam question: A nurse is preparing a continuous insulin infusion for a child with diabetic ketoacidosis and a blood glucose level of 800 mg/dl. Which solution is the most appropriate at the beginning of therapy?
a. 100 units of regular insulin in normal saline solution
b. 100 units of NPH insulin in normal saline solution
c. 100 unnits of regular insulin in dextrose 5% in water
d. 100 units of NPH insulin in dextrose 5% in water
Now let's break this down a bit. You have to know A LOT of information to be able to answer this one question. Pharmacology would provide you with the information on the different types of insulin (I'll take it in January). I do know that a. & c. are fast acting insulin and NPH takes a little longer to work and it's long acting. So, we can discard b. & d. We are down to a 50/50 chance of getting it right. Glucose level at 800 needs to be brought down ASAP. Pathophysiology is where you'll learn about ketoacidosis, type 1 & 2 diabetes etc.
Answer: a. rationale: continuous insulin infusions use only short-acting regular insulin. Insulin is added to normal saline solution and administered until the client's blood glucose level falls. Further along in the therapy, dextrose solution is administered to prevent hypoglycemia.
A LOT goes into answering one question. you must know your stuff. I got this question from NCLEX 4000. I recommend it. You'll thank me later!
I think you get my gist. Which leads me into health assessment. The exams have been NCLEX style from the beginning but as the material gets tougher it requires more critical thinking skills. My school is an accelerated program and it requires a lot of attention and commitment. It's doable it just gets tough. Last session I learned that above and beyond isn't for the "teachers pet" it's a prerequisite to make it in an accelerated nursing program. I also learned that you know how you start but not how you end. You have to plan for the unexpected. It was tough to see the class size diminish by the day. To top if off final exams are now standardized. The lab partner I practiced with all session had to drop the class and the assessment I had to do for check off ended up being with someone I hadn't practiced with. Understand that we will be faced with failing assignments, maybe failing exams or classes. You'll get through it. Get back up and bust your butt! How bad do you want it? Work harder, get through it! You aren't alone.
Also, we must be okay with last minute changes. It happens in the "real world" all the time. You don't know what can happen to your patient in the hospital setting and being prepared for it all is key. I have so much to learn but I'm enjoying myself.
There's this huge sense of accomplishment when you get your grades back and see that the hard work paid off and you've been advanced to the next set of classes.
Next post I'll talk about health assessment II, fundamentals II, Health Assessment lab and clinical! Yes!!!!! I started clinicals. My first location is a nursing home and man has it been eye opening already. Can't wait to share. Smooches.
-NurseMimiii
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