(Part 2) Best products from r/StudentNurse

Yes. Get compression socks. I wear them to clincal and long lecture days. I bought white sketchers. Make sure your get leather or leather like shoes. This saved my last week when my isolation Pt had to take a shower in her room shower. She was very, very weak and couldn't hardly move. It took three of us and it still was very hard on all of us and took 1.5 hours, even with her sitting on the chair. She never should have been allowed a shower, but my instructor insisted. So I was pretty much in the shower with her to wash her and keep her safe while another student held her up and another grabbed supplies. My socks hardly were just barley damp because the shoes being leather. I really like the compression socks and ordered them on amazon. I got a 3 pack for about 18 bucks.

I bought a rolling backpack. This one. It is pretty big and holds a lot, but I wish it was a little bigger. But I also keep a lot of extras with me to avoid needing a purse.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00V63TY0W/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Get a nice, big lunch bag.

I spent a lot of money before school started on nice brand pens and pencils and stuff like that to find what I liked best for notes. Which was stupid because really prefer the papermate flair pens in the medium and ultra fine, a nice mechanical pencil (favorite is the Pilot G-2 .07 pencil) and eraser stick and mildliner highlighters. Try and remember what you liked best for studying when you were in school before or if you have been in school more recently, you'll know.

If you are taking notes via laptop. Convert your power points into word docs. by saving them as an outline/rtf. Open them in word, highlight all the info and start cleaning it up, before class. Then you can just type right into where you need to note something.
I don't use a laptop in class, but I do this for my hand written notes. It takes a while to go back in and fill it in the extra notes. But then when filling in study guides, I just copy and paste the info needed in. I also have done very well in my program for it just starting last month. A lot of this is because of my notes.

I have a binder for each class. My professors have our tests divided up on blackboard. So each divider is a test or whatever week it is, since we have tests every week. I put all power points in there. I get those sticky file tabs that you can put on papers and tab each power point. The kind that I have are removable. So after I enter my notes into the outline and study guide. I put it on the first page of each section that we are covering that week. It really helps with keeping my binder a little more organized with so many papers in each weeks/tests tabs.

As for binders. You will need big ones if you print things off. Start with a 1.5in or so and see how quickly you fill that up. I already am almost full of a 2in, but again. I print a lot and do those outlines on top of the printed power points. Get the dividers with pockets.

If your budget allows, look into a laser printer. This will save you tons in ink over time. Stock up on printer paper and any other supplies you need. Keep extras on hand and things like a mini stapler, cheap pens and pencils, ect on hand.

Buy a good stethoscope. Do it before you start learning vitals. Our supplied ones sucked and I was in tears at the same clinical as the awful shower experience because I was having trouble with vitals, only learning them the day before. My clincal instructor was not patient or nice about it all. I bought a Littman Classic III over the weekend and WOOOOOW. It got passed around lab and now several people are ordering them, lol.

As for clincal instructors, I have only had one so far. But you must teach yourself to not take it too hard if you have one who is not so great. Sometimes people are mean even though you haven't done anything wrong. If there is a problem, talk to your professors.

If you can, treat yourself to cute things like badge reels or fun shoes or really comfy scrubs if you're allowed those things. We can wear whatever scrub and shoe wise on none clincal days. I just got my first A (I have to brag, it was 100%, lol) on a math test in years. And I mean like, early high school or sometime in middle or elementary school, if that and I have been out of high school for 12+ years, lol. So I am about to reward myself with some reels.

Stay on top of everything. It is hard to do so sometimes, even just being a month in. But if you stay on top of it, I promise you that you will be okay. Do not miss class. Do not miss skills lab Do not miss clincal. My program kicks you out if you miss more than one lab or clincal. Your priority is school and yourself, your child and spouse. You will have to miss out on things. It sucks, but it will be okay. Don't be that student who bitches about why due dates they way they are or that they forgot something or anything like that. There are no places for excuses or blaming others. The teachers will pick up on it. I dont mean this to scare you. My program is great. But those of us who are on top of it, can tell who is sinking because of poor organization and not taking school seriously. if we can tell, the teachers probably have a 6th sense for this. So when there are times when you need a little more help, or something legit comes up or if you are sick or anything, they're going to take you seriously and they are going to be more apt to help you.

Leave early and arrive to school early. I have tests first things on both lecture days and both the highways to where my school is are torn up with construction. I leave with plenty of time so I can get to class, relax for a bit, review and chat with my classmates. The professors will also know who is always on time and who is always late. Again, another thing that they will most likely take into consideration. Find friends with these same habits. Instantly, you will start helping each other and having each other's backs. If an emergency arises, they'll share their notes no questions asked. Or text each other for support and some positiveness when there are hard days. My new friends really helped me get through my awful clinical last week by checking in on me and allowing me to vent and I am so thankful for that. Other students will notice your little group and want to be part of it, let them. Again, professors will notice.

I say the professors will notice, a lot. Untimely, they might be the ones who help them determine who is serious and who is not when it comes to getting a job. This is because they might be the ones helping you find a job. Don't be fake nice or suck up or anything like that. But they will notice all of these things ,even soon into the program. I am assuming they are going to recommend the students who had their shit together and did well and helped one another out, before anyone else when jobs start calling for references or asking for resumes.

This came out way longer than I meant. I was a nervous wreck before school started. I am a very anxious and high strung person over all, so this new journey really had me freaking out.

I don't mean my tips to scare you or make you nervous or wig you out. Some of the things might seem like common sense. Just be nice to everyone (even the annoying students), stay on top of your work, ask questions, participate in class and lab, stay organized to the point so that Martha Fucking Stewart gives you a nod of approval, do what needs to be done and do a little more, and most of all try to relax and enjoy your new journey. It is crazy, it is stressful and I have already had a wtf am I doing cry session, but it is also a lot of fun. I am loving school and I love my program. It is rewarding and challenging. I am already so proud of myself because I am doing really well and I am really not too freaked out over the next quarter that starts in a few weeks. I always say, if I am not freaking out, there really is no reason for anyone else to be, because I get wound up over everything, Take that anxiety and put to use to your school work and your clinical site. My perfectionism is both a blessing and a curse. if you have those tendencies, use them to your advantage. Don't see school as hard or a huge struggle, instead see it as a challenge you need to overcome, or a game, or a way to improve yourself, if that makes sense. You will be just fine, and do really well if you have the right mindset and view on how you're going to handle school!

Don't stress too much, cuz if I am not super stressed, you shouldn't be either!

A good laptop. If you are interested in ebooks (I wasn't an ebook person for a long time, now I dont know what I'd do without them) buy a cheap computer monitor that you can hook up to your laptop when you are home. Put your ebooks (hint, a lot of nursing textbook pdfs are very very easily found online with no cost...) on the second monitor - you will never have to hunch over a heavy textbook again, and you can easily take notes on your main laptop screen while simply looking to the side to read. This has saved me TONS of money (ya know how everyone freaks about spending like 1k on books? I am about to graduate and I've spent less than $200 on books..and if I had known I could have used old editions for some of the books I did buy, I wouldn't have needed to buy them at all. You get my point. Check out libgen.io) I bought one relatively small notebook for school and I just use it for scrap paper, doing dosage calculation practice problems, and for taking report at clinicals on my patients. I keep all my notes on the computer and while I understand the whole "if you write it down physically you remember it better" trope, it's horribly inefficient. Unless you are the world's slowest typer, you should be able to type faster than you can write. My friends that write lecture notes in class never get half as much information as me. And while I don't think you need to write down every little word a professor says, there are going to be a lot of times where they are explaining a process (for example, what steps would you go through with a stroke patient rolling into the ER) and having that speed of typing means you won't miss anything. I do go back in and "simplify" my notes quite often, but I seriously think you are missing out if you decide to hand write instead of type. Most of my friends who write end up falling back on my notes because they couldn't write everything fast enough. Also, you can very quickly access notes from prior classes (which trust me, you will need to). Check out Microsoft OneNote. I have been using it for years and can't believe anyone still uses Microsoft word or anything else. It is like word but it makes "notebooks" and it stores everything in a cloud as well, and automatically backs it up. So you can access your "notebooks" anywhere you have internet that is outside of your regular computer, but you DONT need internet access on your normal computer to use the program or access your notes. It is pretty nifty. You can copy and paste pictures from the internet and videos from youtube straight into your notes, and it has this neat "screen clipping" feature where you just click and drag over anything and it grabs it and puts it in your document. This is very useful with ebooks because you can clip a table or picture right out of your book into your notes.

so long story short:

• reliable computer + a cheap monitor to hook your laptop up to at home
  
  
• a notebook
  
  
• planner if you don't prefer the online variety. I used to do paper planners and loved them but I found they are not as convenient as using google calendar (which has a to-do list + reminders built in...I dont care to admit how long it took me to realize that) which will sync up to your phone and computer and remind you about things.
  
  
• eta - a clipboard when you start clinicals. get one that opens/closes and has a compartment inside. Like this, but dont buy this one - I have it and still use it but will probably get a better one when this one breaks. It is super flimsy and doesn't really hold itself shut all the way --it is so flimsy and thin that when you write on it you are pushing down into the clip board, and it gets warped. it can barely handle the thin stack of paper, 2 pens, ecg calipers and mini calculator that I have inside of it. I do really like the reference sheet that is laminated to the back of it but I hate how it is not sturdy. You can't really hold it in one hand and write with the other too well, which is the whole point of a clipboard, to not need another surface. Target has a much better version of this that isn't so damn flimsy several of my friends ended up getting. They just end up keeping a printed reference sheet taped inside of their clipboard, which is honestly just as useful.
  
  
  If you cant tell i'm all about going digital. I used to be a pretty 50/50 person. I'd type my notes then re-write it by hand but i stopped because that is not a really effective way of studying. it is a lazy way. It is doing a lot of work without getting much out of it. The way you should be studying is to TEST YOURSELF. Do practice questions (there are a bazillion practice books out there. you need to use them. there is one for pretty much every nursing school subject) and test yourself. Talk about a topic. See how much you know. If you feel like you don't know how to que yourself with what to think about, break it down. Make some flash cards to prompt yourself - It's hard to say "gee, I need to list everything I know about diabetes" - you wont get far. "What is diabetes?" "What causes it?" "What does a patient with diabetes look like (What are their clinical manifestations)?" "What are some important assessments for a diabetes patient?" "How do I treat someone with diabetes?" "What do i need to teach a person with diabetes for when they go home?" - if you can cover these questions you are golden. of course at first your classes may not cover each of these topics at the same time but you will put these pieces together. I have re-used notes from my first semester lectures that I just expended upon..for example when we covered diabetes in med-surg, I took the pieces from my patho, pharm, foundations, health assessment notes that were relevant, then expanded upon them in lecture, added some book notes, and some pictures/vids from google that helped me, now I have something very easy to use when I review for the nclex. You should always be "putting things together" with nursing and it is WAY easier to do this when you are not confined to pieces of paper.

I'm 5'3" 100lb, I wear Cherokee small petite pants, both the Basic and one level up. I like the average one with my side pocket, but both aren't dragging. Tops/pants come in as small as XXS, but personally I wear XS. I have Koi kimono tie top which I love because I van make it tighter to fit. I also have a Cherokee medium price range XS top which I like. I've tried on the super cheap Cherokee top and it was way to big and the martial just wasn't worth it. I know some stores do student discounts, so call up a few and ask. If not Amazon and a few other spots online are good, but I got mine from a Scrub store that gave me a big discount. Walmart and some Sears also sell scrubs. Good luck

Edit:
Please note I am a student, and so far this is just what I've tried on that works for me within my budget.

Fav pants
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FYEYJHM/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1480626086&sr=8-4&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=cherokee%2Bscrubs%2Bwomen&dpPl=1&dpID=31uv0e49Q0L&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

Cherokee Top
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006TLU3WY/ref=cts_ap_1_vtp?pi=SL110&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2601945562&pf_rd_r=S24X2EF6EV9JNJ55W0GW&pd_rd_wg=0UVbc&pf_rd_s=mobile-detail-softlines&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_i=B006X38WJO&pd_rd_w=5q80Z&pf_rd_i=mobile-detail-softlines&pd_rd_r=S24X2EF6EV9JNJ55W0GW&dpPl=1&dpID=41CV2uNzmYL&th=1&psc=1

Koi Top
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00GA7P3Z4/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1480626419&sr=8-2&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=koi%2Bscrub%2Btops&dpPl=1&dpID=41%2Bpln066EL&ref=plSrch&th=1&psc=1

Current finishing up my second-to-last semester of the ABSN at a large midwest state school. Prior degree was Nutrition and Dietetics.

/u/mrbutterbeans is spot on, especially with #2-6 and #9. All of those points are essential to success in this program. I'll add a few points:

1. Working is possible, but everything depends on your situation outside of school. I work 22-24 hours per week with a home health agency providing respite care. Good money, good pt care experience. Finding a job as a CNA/PCA/Tech would be ideal, but those are much more difficult to find. Every student in my cohort has a part-time job, some working up to 40 hrs a week.
   
   
2. Don't let your body go. Your sleep schedule will be all sorts of hell but try to get at least 6 hours of shut-eye, three solid meals, and some sort of healthy relief. When I get off my workout routine because of the overwhelming coursework, I still find time to take a half hour walk or bike ride and clear my mind. Find something that keeps you sane.
   
   
3. When you have classes with traditional undergrads, you’re the kids asking 1000 questions and sitting in the front row. A lot of teachers and other students hate that… hah. The ABSN students tend to be much more driven.
   
   
4. Go to your public library or amazon.com TODAY and start reading: RN biographies, books of lab values, medical terminology-for-Dummies type books. Memorize vital sign ranges and important lab values (get ahead of everyone else, the first thing you learn will be BP, heart rate, temperature, pulse ox, respiratory rates, potassium, chloride, sodium, BUN, creatinine, , glucose, bicarbonate, phosphorus, hemoglobin, hematocrit, platelets). I utilized some of these resources in the months before beginning this program:
   
   Download some NCLEX prep apps on your phone and quiz yourself when you have spare time. Even if you don’t understand some terminology, you will see how nursing school questions are formatted, which is different than most other fields of study.
   
   
   Getting the most out of nursing school
   
   
   http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0763755818/ref=oh_details_o03_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
   
   Virtual online Anatomy learning modules
   
   http://www.insightmedical.org/ (left side of page)
   http://www.saylor.org/courses/bio302/?ismissing=0&resourcetype=12
   
   You will learn more in the next year than you ever have. Towards the end of every clinical rotation my group has an “Ah-ha!” moment where everything connects and you feel like you have come so far. It’s incredibly rewarding to me. By the end of your third semester you’ll feel quite powerful, albeit a bit rushed.
   

Brands for any of those things don't really matter except for Stethoscope. And even then you shouldn't be overspending. Like there is a good Littmann scope for $200. I recommend people to get that one but not for nursing school and 2nd some people lose their stethoscope like potheads lose bic lighters so it's not always a good thing getting the most expensive thing. Or if you are, make sure you get a really unique/flamboyant color in which when people see it they will automatically think "YES that's u/AviatingPenguin24's Littmann." Littmann scopes have a lifetime warranty if you are buying from a certified and genuine seller (heard there's a lot of fakes for littmann's).

​

BP cuff, a cheap one off Amazon will be miles better than most BP cuff you use in lab for practices. Really that's it. The rest you can pretty much get basic/cheap or simple brands. Check the reviews to make sure it's not some bootleg quality material and that they have good enough customer service/warranty service.

​

As for pulse oximeter I have no idea. We weren't required to purchase one. TBH I would go for the cheap one; the cheaper and easier to replace the better.

​

You're going to likely be buying more supplementary equipment for clinicals and stuff (optional things but very useful IMO) like a clipboard or small notepad or other NCLEX supplementary material. So save money when you can where you can and make sure they are easy to replace. Also expensive and good brands don't always mean more durable/longer-lasting (the girl who bought the $200 Littmann scope broke it on her 2nd week of use and took almost a month to replace under warranty). Which is why I stress "easy/convenience in replacing." This includes cost and how fast can you get it/if it is readily available. You preferably want everything to be accessible within the week and with warranty, in 2 weeks

•CV Pharmacology helped me understand many concepts, though that site is geared only toward heart (CV Cardiovascular) medications.

















•This site about adrenergic receptors was useful as well.



















•RealNurseEd helped a lot on a few concepts like ABG’s.



















•I’m not sure what textbook the class uses, but Lehne’s Pharmacology for Nursing is worded very clearly and in understandable terms, I’d recommend it (check if your school’s library has it instead of buying it).



















•MERCK MANUAL!!!!! This is the capstone, hallmark, gold standard, ultimate resource, bible of medical (mainly patho) information. Googling things sends one to a land of indirect results, sensory overload, and often conflicting information, it can be really hard to get a definitive answer from there. Merck Manual is a straightforward, to-the-point resource for anything medical related. Again, your library probably has this, any edition is marvelous.





















•Gray’s Anatomy is actually a real and extremely useful book, go figure. It very clearly breaks down and labels human anatomy. Patho is virtually an amped-up review of A&P, so this and Merck Manual might be useful. Hundreds of versions are available, many online formats free. Your library most likely has this as well.






















•Various lecture videos on YouTube can help. And when searching for a certain thing, follow the search with “.edu”— that will usually bring up sites in html format. I’ve found those sites to be most straightforward and easy to use.

I'm also a senior nursing student and something that has really worked well for me is recording lectures. My classes are typically four hours long, so I start a new recording for each chapter. Recording by chapter allows me to find the material more easily, and it's less daunting to open a recording that's 1:00-1:30h as opposed to a solid 4:00h of lecture. I recommend using an app on your phone that allows you to playback lectures at variable speeds (1.5x works well for me). Also, you might want to get an okay to record from your professor... I've heard that some professors are weird about being recorded, but I haven't had anyone say no to me yet.

I don't take notes during class because I want to listen and absorb as much information as possible without getting distracted. After class, you can head to your study spot and pop on the recordings and start transcribing your notes without worrying about missing something important. I listen to my lectures in the car, at the gym, walking my dog, etc.

I definitely recommend preparing for the lectures, though. Read through the chapter and take your own notes, jot down questions, and be ready to participate in the lecture. Don't be afraid to ask questions, but if you don't feel like asking during class, write them down and ask during a break, after class, or send an email.

Also... the Saunders NCLEX Review book has been a lifesaver. It's got thousands of practice questions to help you get the feel for NCLEX-style questions. It's also really helped me learn the materials a bit better as well. It was recommended by the director of our program, and I've actually seen some questions from these reviews pop up on exams. You might want to contact your program advisor and see if this book is recommended or if there's an equivalent book that your program uses.

>Can a shy person excel in nursing?

Yes of course, as long as your shyness doesn't interfere with patient care and safety!

> Any advice for overcoming this?

I'm pretty shy and have some social anxiety and this mostly comes out in personal social situations. When at school or work - I just fake it. I know that sounds so simple but that's really all I do. I basically am an actress. Not being my "true self" relieves most of my shyness/insecurity/anxiety.
> I want to be good with people & dealing with their emotions & illnesses but as of right now I can't even do basic small talk. Any advice would be strongly appreciated.

If it is this debilitating - you should talk to a counselor/therapist. What you are dealing with is a VERY COMMON issue among humans and there are TONS of therapies/skills/books/etc that are for people in your situation. Therapist can help you recognize strengths in your personality/shyness and identify areas in which you could develop to reach your full potential. You don't need to become an extrovert to be a successful nurse.

I suggest this book: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking It really helped me accept myself and that my introversion was valuable.

Don't let yourself fall behind. Always be two steps ahead and never be afraid to ask questions! Also be Be sure to pick up a RN / LPN NCLEX question style book. The questions make you think a different way, it's not a "Teacher said this in class so this is what is going to be on the test" type of question if you know what I mean.

My program's first semester focused on fundamentals since all the biology classes were pre-reqs for mine. This book helped me a lot with nurse logic and thinking like a nurse. Be sure to read rationales and understand WHY you do something a certain way or why you got a question wrong. There is a reason for everything and it is chaos at first but once you find your groove stick to it and stay strong. Also one thing that caused a lot of confusion for people in my program is this: understand that your instructors have probably been practicing for years and have their own way of doing things. It may not be exactly textbook but as long as there a rationale for why it works it is still the same. It caused problems for my program but figure out who is writing your tests and see if they want you to do it a specific way or sometimes it really doesn't matter. Just something we had to become aware of.

Utilize all of your school's resources as well. Mine has a wonderful practice lab and staff so I was sure to be in there all the time practicing skills. If you don't have that talk to an instructor and see if they have any suggestions for you because quite honestly you NEED to know how do things and you want to know before you get to clinical.

Also remember to take care of yourself. I tried working 30+ hours a week amid moving, not taking care of my own personal problems and eating horridly I ended up failing my first time through. My second time through I Aced the class and got an average of 91% on all my tests partly because was working less and taking care of myself (exercise, eating well, sleeping when possible). Not to say you can't work (as people in my program had 40+ hour a week jobs and somehow still managed an A) but it may make it substantially harder. Deep Breathing, go for walks do some yoga.

Also for test taking don't psych yourself out. Tips that I was given were:

1. Get yourself hyped for the tests and quizzes. Don't go in anxiety ridden you'll be prone to make more mistakes. You've prepared for this, you've studied slept ate. YOU CAN DO THIS.
   
   
2. Don't stand around the door waiting to go into class. Those "did you study this?" questions you WILL get will cause you to second guess yourself "oh no I didn't study that! I'm going to lose points" was something I would hear.
   
   
3. When answering the questions read the question twice. Get rid of two answers you know it can't be. Read the question again and make sure you understand what it is asking. Is it asking you about a priority diagnosis? Or what you would do first? Who you would treat first? They have a lot of distractions in these questions and must be read thoroughly.
   
   Good luck you'll do great! :)

I'd say this is a perfectly normal reaction, especially if you have never seen a dead person before. Also, it's completely normal for caregivers of all levels to feel this kind of grief.

I volunteer in hospice every weekend, so I periodically (usually at least 1 per shift, sometimes 2) see the bodies go by. I have to admit that since my shift is only once a week, I don't typically even "know" the people being wheeled out. I'm sure that makes it a little harder for you, given that you had some part of their care. People who volunteer multiple shifts a week and primarily sit with patients often have to take "breaks" because they get so weighed down with the pain.

For me, the most difficult part is always the families. Nobody responds to grief quite the same. I don't feel pain so much for the person as I do for those they left behind.

How do I "cope"? Since I am primarily at the front desk providing family support, I find the best thing is just listening and letting yourself be with them in the moment. I don't talk a lot, but I do a whole lot of listening. It's especially hard for me personally when a young person dies and I see their family (we don't see a whole lot of under 20's, but I frequently see early 30's and on), because that is just SO hard.

I think coping is just getting used to it. You have to accept that sometimes you will "feel". Sometimes you might not. Neither one is wrong, as long as it doesn't consume you or impair you ability to function. I think I take the most comfort in knowing that so many families and patients have a wonderful experience in our facility. I know people are dying on THEIR own terms (for the most part, sadly things still happen) in hospice.

Most people (maybe others have other experiences) who know they are about to die are oddly at peace with it. If you ever have the chance to be in/hear/talk about those moments, there is something peaceful about that. I guess some people could take this as sad, but I think it's a beautiful thing when someone is so content with their life.

A lot of my acceptance of death came from watching my own stepmom (46 when she died) go through cancer that started in her bile duct and spread, ultimately killing her 9 months later. I don't think death will ever be "easy" for me, but witnessing the bravery of those that are dying has completely changed my view. It's as natural as being born.

Have you read any books by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross? I have read a few of her books (I bought them when I found out my stepmom was terminal) and my favorite is this one:

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Dying-Doctors-Nurses-Families/dp/1476775540

It's an easy read and helped prepare me emotionally. Before my stepmom, I had only ever lost grandparents who were ready to go (not that it wasn't sad that I lost them, but hopefully you know what I mean. I tend to be less "shocked" when the elderly die).

Buy an NCLEX study guide. There are nclex test taking tips in there. You can use the practice questions in there to study for your exams. Some times, the questions in those practice tests are very similar if not verbatim the questions on your tests. I recommend the Saunders and Hesi practice books. Also, depending on the class their are Success books like this one that are very helpful for studying: http://amzn.com/0803625049

No problem. It's what I'm using to study for my NCLEX, and it was a great help during my various courses too.

If you need help with Pharmacology I'd recommend this book as well:
http://www.amazon.com/Pharmacology-Made-Insanely-Loretta-Manning/dp/0984204075/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427289442&sr=8-1&keywords=pharmacology+made+insanely+easy

The best book I found was this one on amazon. It was practice test strips and explanations in the back.

https://www.amazon.com/ECGs-Made-Easy-Reference-Package/dp/0323101062

It was actually a textbook I had when I took an EKG class for my bachelors in exercise science degree.

I use this clipboard for clinicals:
2019 Nursing Clipboard with Storage and Quick Access Medical References by Tribe RN - Nurse/Student Edition - Bonus Nursing Cheat Sheets https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0714BQC91/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_sJjXDbFXVYYES


CAVN (2 PCS) Reusable LED Medical Penlight with Pupil Gauge for Nurses Doctors with Pocket Clip https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HAXUE9G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_XJjXDb76S7JNN

EMT Trauma Shears with Carabiner - Stainless Steel Bandage Scissors for Surgical, Medical & Nursing Purposes - Sharp Curved Scissor is Perfect for EMS, Doctors, Nurses, Cutting Bandages (Pink) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018OCOROU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_jKjXDbJX60B3G

I use this bag for clinicals :
Laptop Backpack for Women,... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JR4M81M?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

These cards for pharm:
Pharm Phlash!: Pharmacology Flash... https://www.amazon.com/dp/0803660480?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This backpack for lecture, books are HEAVY:
LAPACKER 15.6 - 17 inch Water... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017XAMPV6?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

And that’s basically the sum of what I use everyday in nursing school. :)

Pharm Phlash! Pharmacology cards are great! These are helping me with my pharmacology class and provide a lot of information on them. These cards are sorted by brain, endocrine, muscle, etc then from there have an index where you can look up the drug. It also gives you the trade, generic, and Canadian name too. Gives you doses, routes, and adverse effects.

Pharm Phlash!: Pharmacology Flash Cards https://www.amazon.com/dp/0803660480/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_urEZCbSX8K39R

Cliff notes, dood. I have this. It's cheap and pretty easily understandable. It's also not a humongous book, so that's nice. http://www.amazon.com/CliffsNotes-Anatomy-Physiology-2ndEdition-Cliffsnotes/dp/0470878746

I only did a little with the online practice questions. I preferred the book; the one I had was divided into sections based on the math topic, walked you through some problems, and then had practice problems, as well as some practice tests. It felt more comprehensive to me, which is what I was looking for because I hadn't taken math in years (I'm 34, and had placed out of math for my first undergrad, so it had been about 16 years or so at the time). I'm pretty sure this is the one I bought https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1438009038/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I'd sell it. My Fundamentals textbook had a mini A&P review at the beginning of the chapters so that helped. Also there's tons of info online but if you'd like an actual book, try this one:

http://www.amazon.com/CliffsNotes-Anatomy-Physiology-2ndEdition-Cliffsnotes/dp/0470878746/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1449677466&sr=8-1&keywords=cliffs+notes+anatomy+and+physiology+review

http://www.amazon.com/Med-Surg-Success-Applying-Critical-Thinking/dp/0803625049/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381844678&sr=8-1&keywords=med+surg+success

Saved my life in med surg...