Surviving SW Nursing School : Peds

Just something to think about. If you take AH1 first then you will only have 1 or 2 days between test 3 and the final. Having more time is huge when it comes to this class. It is better to have 1 or 2 days between OBs test 3 and final

Taking this first- build confidence

There are more passes in the second section of AH1-so take OB first

Do OB first if FON was hard for you

Clinical is less demanding and you may need a break after FON

MENTAL HEATH	PEDS

Take this first so you don’t burn out Less paperwork, no clinical prep and an easier clinical	Take the hard class first-peds is TOUGH! Your brain will be refreshed if you take this after the break and it’s harder. Nobody fails psych and getting through peds will give you confidence Use the break to read a head, this another class where you are going to need this. Use the break to study milestones and immunizations really well "I think it's excellent to read and prep ahead for upcoming classes. Peds is not a piece of cake. The more exposed you are to the material, the more second nature it becomes." Certainly be prepared for Peds!! I've heard several people say they've been told Peds wasn't so bad and not to worry about it. I can tell you now if you're not worried about it you will NOT pass. Peds is tough. Please be prepared!!

AND VARIOUS TIPS

"For AH1 go over EVERYTHING and don't waste your time trying to memorize things or focusing on what you think is important. Also I've heard from a lot of people "know the drugs" so people spend way more time than they should trying to focus on drugs. Yes you should go over the drugs but don't waste time trying to memorize all the drugs and everything about them. Know what your nursing responsibilities are for the drugs....ex. major side effects to watch for."--JW

"I loved this site for learning the developmental milestones. "Fat happy baby" was my favorite"--YJ

How To Learn And Remember Pediatric Developmental Milestones

"I'ma tell you what... I think it's excellent to think ahead and start reading/prepping for upcoming classes. I sure wish I did more of that when I was there... especially that entire 4 month summer I could have been prepping for peds. But I listened to everyone that was like "naw, enjoy your time off..." which was fun, but you can do both! The more you're exposed to the material, the more second nature it becomes. It's so much info they could spread it over 4 years if they wanted to. I wish I was kidding about that lol. yeah, prepare for everything. It'll only make your life easier in the long run, so you're not jamming everything into every nook and cranny in your brain last minute, and when you get out of school you might actually remember some stuff!

who also suggests getting this book:

Sunday, August 4, 2013

Different Types Of Clinical Experiences, Different Types Of Nurses

Clinical

Dosages

Adult Health 1

Peds

Mental Health

Adult Health 2

These Videos and articles will help you understand just what to expect in each clinical setting and what differs between them. How you progress from Foundations to ICU (which sounds much scarier than it actually is).

Foundations

This is the very basics. Learn this stuff well-it's important. Practice on everyone who will let you. We go into the community to do some service learning... that's where you will learn to take a manual blood pressure really, really well and then never take a manual blood pressure ever again in the clinical setting.

A nice quote about your responsibilities:

"The student nurse has the responsibility of observing procedures, documenting procedures that she performs and practicing her nursing skills. Prior to meeting a patient, she reviews the patient's medical record and familiarizes herself with the patient's condition and treatment. The student also follows the rules and regulations of medical facility. In meeting the clinical rotation objectives the student assesses the patients mental and physical condition, defines the patient's health problem then makes and implements a plan of care. The instructor supervises the student and assumes responsibility for the student's actions."

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/info_8624952_nursing-objectives-clinical-rotation.html#ixzz2b1gJzTgn

One of the sections is taught at the Memphis Jewish Home- this one is a little more challenging because you will not get any charting experience and although older, he patients are relatively 'healthy'. It is a different kind of nursing than bedside nursing. This is a good place to learn to interact with all kinds of people and maybe put the principles of cultural sensitivity into practice. My motto is-there's always SOMETHING to learn even if it's not what you thought you were going to learn. You will learn how to chart later, I promise.

Basic Clinical Skills-Nurse Nacole

How To Prepare For Clinicals-Nurse Nacole

What To Bring To Clinical-Nurse Nacole

Article- What To Expect Your First Year Of Nursing School

Resource- Clinical Instruction In Nursing Homes

Adult Health 1

My first patient in AH1 was so complicated, I almost quit that day. Tubes everywhere (including a rectal tube- gotta love those), restraints, machine, tons of meds. What a difference from the quiet nursing home. I did not sit down the entire day. I was overwhelmed but kept plodding along and learned a whole lot about time management. That was my first introduction to just how hard nurses really work.

Video-What Does A Med-Surg Nurse Do?

Article- What Does A Med-Surg Nurse Do?

Students either love OB or hate it. The guys have a hard time with this one, for sure. This clinical is more hands-off than other clinicals you have to find creative ways to use your time. OB clinical is, however, a great way to meet new people :) That was a joke. Get it? NEW PEOPLE-oy!

A Day In The Life Of A Labor And Delivery Nurse

How To Become A Labor And Delivery nurse

Peds

The pediatric rotation addresses issues unique to childhood and adolescents by focusing on human development and emphasizes the impact of family, community and society on child health and well being. This is an excellent opportunity to apply some of the social principles we are taught-seeing the child as part of the whole family, interacting with all members of the family

Article- Pediatric Clinical Rotation

Le Bonheur YouTube Channel

Mental Health

Since only 4% of RNs work in the mental health field, I am assuming this is NOT everyone's favorite clinical rotation.

Article-Meet Some Psychiatric Nurses

Video- What Is A Psychiatric Nurse

MMHI

Adult Health 2

This quote pretty much sums it up:

"In the intensive care unit (ICU), nursing students have the ability to learn about the complex health issues of critically ill patients, practice selected technical skills, and develop communication skills. There are both benefits and challenges to having nursing students in the intensive care setting. With preparation, the student is able to immerse in the ICU environment, acquire new knowledge and skills, and participate alongside the nurse caring for critically ill patients. "

( http://www.nursingcenter.com/lnc/journalarticle?Article_ID=952854)

A Day In The Life Of An ICU Nurse

Video- Shock Trauma At The Med

The Med --Frontline Of Life

Article- Why I Stay- Day In The Life Of An ICU Nurse

Thursday, June 13, 2013

I Believe The Children Are Our Future

Peds

Did I mention I have five kids? Oh yeah, and I was a teacher for sixteen years. So I am obviously an expert on peds nursing, right? WRONG! One thing NCLEX study guides tell you not to do is to relate the question back to your own experiences. Remember the question is about the NCLEX perfect world. Every baby walks between 10-12 months (and doesn't wait until 15 months sending her parents into paroxysms of fear), speaks in 3-4 words sentences at 3 (my three-year-old could say, "And now for our feature presentation," she watched way too many videos), and ties his shoelaces at 5 (I don't think my left-handed child could tie his shoe laces until 8th grade).

So, know those NCLEX milestones: The anterior fontanel closes between 12 and 18 months, the posterior fontanel by 8 weeks, the Moro reflex should be gone by 4 months, the two-year-old is 50% of her adult height (I am 5'10', I must have been a GIANT two-year-old, now I think about it), can throw a ball at 18 months, has 20 teeth at 3, has head control by 4 months, doubles her birth weight at 6 months, sits by 8 months, triples birth length by 12 months

This IS a class where some small detail might become a test question and you'd better know your vaccination schedule backwards and forwards.

Then there's the infamous peds test 3. You may have heard talk about it. It's legendary.

Yes, THIS one: PEDS TEST 3

Almost nothing you study will be on the test (it will however, be on the final). I saw friend in the hallway after the test and she said, "Well, that was random." That perfectly summed up the whole experience. I went home and cried because I had surely failed it, then sat at the computer and through my tears refreshed PAWS every ten seconds until the grades were posted. I passed. I fell off my computer chair.

Here is a lovely link from the CDC, it's a vaccination schedule and developmental milestones all-in-one chart:

Lovely Link

Jean Piaget is from my hometown. Apparently he used to ride his bike around town, maybe I saw him while I was in my concrete operational and formal operational phases. EVERY SINGLE preschool in Geneva is named after him. I say this because you had better know his theory. And Erickson's and Freud's.

Here is a nice little chart comparing the three theories with some Kohlberg thrown in:

Nice Little Chart

This is an Amazing Resources-videos and aricles

Growth And Development

The general consensus from people who took this class is that this book:

Is very helpful. This book is available to check out at the Memphis Public Library or you can get an old version on Amazon.
Evolve also has some FREE resources that go with this book. This includes chapter tests and downloadable chapter guides.