Gateway LPN Fast Track

mitenz · Mar 24, 2011

You will have to register in person....did they enclose a signed "add" form from the nursing department in your acceptance letter? If not, they will be sending it.

Uniforms are different than the RN programs....you will be able to get your scrub tops in the Gateway Bookstore...and you are required to wear white scrub pants and white shoes....shoe must be closed toe and pretty much all white.

Yes, you can bring laptop/netbook to class...alot of did...some of us used Ipod touch for first semester clinicals as the cell phone rule is strictly enforced first semester....second semester...we all used our cell phones....

Don't be nervous....just prepare yourself that it is going to a hectic two semesters with lots of studying and you will do fine....don't forget...NCLEX, NCLEX, NCLEX.....those questions will be your success in the program....Good luck!

Marlene39 · Mar 24, 2011

Did you use the same uniform as all the other Maricopa Colleges? I am going to see if I can find a used one on craigslist. What color scrub pants did you have to buy? Did you have to purchase them through a certain place, or could you just go ahead and order them elsewhere online?

You are welcome to my scrub tops if you wear a small. I have two to share. I was planning on giving them to the nursing office anyway. Congrats on getting in!! You will love the program!

Marlene

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 25, 2011

Mitenz, yes they did enclose the form. It looks like I will need to register in person.

Marlene, I wear a large so I will just wait and buy them.

Can you wear any kind of closed toe, white, non-slip shoe? I was looking at these crocs work shoes...They don't look like crocs at all, but some people have said they are very comfortable.

Can we just buy any white pants from any store?

inspiredRN10 · Mar 25, 2011

Hi Miteacher, I just got my letter for the day program! I am waiting on a few other programs to see what my options are, and what I got in to. Do you know when we have to accept the program or decline? Is it just by the August 8th class registration deadline?

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 25, 2011

I think just by the 8th. It didnt say you had to confirm your spot. What other programs did you apply for?

inspiredRN10 · Mar 25, 2011

I am doing Grand Canyon University's app in May. And a scholarship app through Chandler Gilbert in May also. And I am thinking I would find out about both of those in June. So I have a few options. I just feel relieved to know I will be started somewhere for sure in the fall! I liked that they included all of falls schedule, so we can plan an entire semester ahead!

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 25, 2011

Inspiredrn10,

Yes, that is nice that they allow you to plan for an entire semester. I thought about applying to Grand Canyon myself, but with the FTPN program, I will at least be able to work at the school for one more year. Unfortunately, I still have to work while I go to school, so I think this was the best option. I also looked into going to NAU for their accelerated second degree option, but it would have been too costly for me to temporarily live up there and everything else.

pinaytoh · Mar 25, 2011

Happy to get my acceptance letter for Fall'11, evening program...terrified and excited...My friend is in the Spring class and she is telling me how difficult it is..and some people are failing...

Taking Bio205 and medical terminology...Still have to take Bio201 & 202 this summer...I figure to get everything out of the way and focus on PN program only....

It's worth waiting for!!!!:)

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 25, 2011

Happy to get my acceptance letter for Fall'11, evening program...terrified and excited...My friend is in the Spring class and she is telling me how difficult it is..and some people are failing...
Taking Bio205 and medical terminology...Still have to take Bio201 & 202 this summer...I figure to get everything out of the way and focus on PN program only....
It's worth waiting for!!!!:)

I am also in the evening program and am very afraid of failing! I was an A student during my first college experience, but I think nursing is much more challenging than teaching. I do work as a teacher, so I will only be able to study on evenings and weekends. I never studied or tried before, and always receives A's during my first college experience, however this time I think I will have to study and put all my effort in just to make it.

Where are you taking the medical terminology course? Do you feel it was worthwhile and beneficial? Did you have to purchase a textbook?

If you're looking for somewhere to take BIO 201 and 202, I took both through Phoenix College online, and they are great. The instructor was very helpful, and always got back with you quickly. I never had to go there and take tests in person like at RIO.

Did you friend say why some people are failing? That's what I am so afraid of. After taking all these science courses, and waiting that I will fail. I purchased one of the Nclex PN books with CD just to practice over the summer and try to get the feel for things. I am not sure what else to practice, but someone else mentioned some specific things like range of motion, cranial nerves, drug calculations, etc...

pinaytoh · Mar 29, 2011

@Miteacher...my friends says it's the way test are given..students are having a hard time comprehending (Critical THinking) although some of them are A students...it could be study or test taking skills!!! We'll sure find that out!!!

You should be fine..I've been out of school for a long time, English is my second language, and I'm still working on my critical thinking skills...so I have more things to worry about this upcoming class...

I checked Phoenix College A&P..(thank you)Who was your instructor...I need an online class---away from RIO...

Good Luck!!!!

Marlene39 · Mar 29, 2011

I am also in the evening program and am very afraid of failing! I was an A student during my first college experience, but I think nursing is much more challenging than teaching. I do work as a teacher, so I will only be able to study on evenings and weekends. I never studied or tried before, and always receives A's during my first college experience, however this time I think I will have to study and put all my effort in just to make it. Did you friend say why some people are failing? That's what I am so afraid of.

Miteacher,

Okay, lots of people failed (we lost 13 out of our original 40 the first semester), but that doesn't mean you have to worry about it. Just wrap your head around maybe not getting an A. I was a straight A student as well and got a B (90%) the first semester. A lot of the people who failed had stuff going on at home, had severe test anxiety or struggled with English. There were a few that just couldn't get a grip on the test style but will go back next time and do just fine. Don't psych yourself out to fail or you will. Just do your best, study as much as you can and do lots and lots of Nclex questions before the tests. I also had to realize up front that I was not going to be the highest grade ranking student. There are people in my class who have been working in the healthcare field for years and have advanced degrees. I can't compete with that and I'm not going to either. I'm going to do the best I can on the tests and learn as much as I can in clinicals so I will be the best prepared nurse I can be.

You are going to have lots of time to stress later. Take these next few months and chill! :coollook:

Marlene

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 29, 2011

@Miteacher...my friends says it's the way test are given..students are having a hard time comprehending (Critical THinking) although some of them are A students...it could be study or test taking skills!!! We'll sure find that out!!!
You should be fine..I've been out of school for a long time, English is my second language, and I'm still working on my critical thinking skills...so I have more things to worry about this upcoming class...
I checked Phoenix College A&P..(thank you)Who was your instructor...I need an online class---away from RIO...
Good Luck!!!!

I just sent you a email about the A & P class. I don't think we are allowed to name specific instructors on this message board. I would definitely take it there over RIO. Rio science classes were awful, and I felt like I did not learn much or receive any support or feedback from the instructor.

I have been out of college for about 6 years now, so I wonder how it will be to go back to college again for something completely different. Yeah, I am worried about the critical thinking skills and test-taking. I did buy the Saunders book, and I have been doing some questions each day on the CD just to get the feel for the questions. I also plan on practicing over the summer. I bought the book with CD used on Ebay, and it was much cheaper there than anywhere else. They also had a CD with practice questions that I bought too on Ebay, and it was very reasonable.

It just scares me so much to hear that other people are having a hard time with this. I am getting very anxious, and worried. I will have to work during the program too, so that is also worrisome. I think the best thing to do over the summer is just practice questions, review A & P, and the basics again from the CNA course. I took my CNA course last summer, and already feel like I have forgotten some of the information from the course.