National University San Diego

danni314 · Mar 21, 2009

hey honeybee,

just out of curiosity...when we start the online classes after the first year or so are we still going to be doing clinicals? are they in relation to that class will we be in each month still or just so we dont get rusty on our nursing skills.

thanks!

misslolalady · Mar 21, 2009

Online classes are the last 6 months or so. You won't get rusty with the other nursing skills you learned, because I believe at least 1 of them does have a clinical component. Plus, toward the end of the program you will be studying for the NCLEX, so you will definitely be studying all the skills you learned from way back.

gnomik79 · Mar 21, 2009

oh ok. anyone try and find comfy white shoes yet?

I just bought a pair of new Crocs Specialist on ebay for $29.88 and Free shipping! :yeah:

Tuquies · Mar 21, 2009

Cool good for you, it will make all the difference on your feet and back later, especially on those 12 hr. clinicals if we get any...I just went with some plain old white keds.

danni314 · Mar 22, 2009

thanks misslolalady. when i heard about those online classes i wasnt sure what to think i really didnt expect that. just seeing what the next two years are like. i think i read on another post that you started in january of this year?

misslolalady · Mar 23, 2009

Yes, I did start in January. I start my first round of clinicals pretty soon. They are 12 hour shifts. (But so know that if you get 12 hour shifts, you will work less days than the people who do 8 hour shifts) :)

It's definitely intense. It's not the subject matter that is difficult, it's just the amount of work that never ends. Expect to study everyday, for several hours a day.

In terms of the teaching staff, some are great, and some are...well... downright terrible. Just know that there are going to be plenty of situations and teachers that will make you beyond frustrated. Just try not to take things personally, and put the frustration into energy for getting your work done. Believe me. You'll be better off. Just take it one class at a time. Don't look ahead at your future schedule, just concentrate on where you are in the present. :)

Tuquies · Mar 23, 2009

Great Post Misslolalady! That kind of advice is really what we need to hear, its hard, but we can do it. One foot in front of the other to climb a mountain right? You seem to have it all figured out and together. Hopefully I sound like that once I get my barrings right and figure out how to jugle my daughter and school and home ect. Ladies we are so close to starting!!!

I am now in Chapter 3 of our reading. Haven't taken the test yet, but I will this week. Your right thereading is tedious, I don't know how much we sohould really take into account. For instance should we rememorize Piaget's stages for instance? The good thing is with all these prereq's we spent the last 2 1/2 years or so on went over just about everything in the first few cahpters in more detail so...not so bad at all (so far!)

Tuquies · Mar 23, 2009

Ladies, do you think we should get together for dessert or coffee the friday before class starts, just to get to know one anouther, since there isn't likely to be much time for that later..just a thought. Get to know the people I will learn with and in some instances depend on for the next 2 years or so! Let me know! :)

gnomik79 · Mar 23, 2009

Ladies, do you think we should get together for dessert or coffee the friday before class starts, just to get to know one anouther, since there isn't likely to be much time for that later..just a thought. Get to know the people I will learn with and in some instances depend on for the next 2 years or so! Let me know! :)

Sounds good to me! :) I will be packing most of that week, cause we are moving on April 10, but I'm sure I can squeeze in an hour or so for a cup of coffee. :)

misslolalady · Mar 23, 2009

Yes, definitely learn Piaget's and Erikson's stages. They'll come up time and time again anyhow. And, I know it seems hard, but don't stress about the reading. The tests for that class are not going to be as hard as you think. I would always stress A LOT before tests, then I would take it and think, "oh, that wasn't really that bad at all." I have received all A's so far in my classes.

But-do know that a lot of the test questions asked are not asking for specific information you have read, per se, they are looking for what you, as a nurse THINK the best answer is. It's all critical thinking. A lot of the times there are two, or three right answers, you need to choose the best. Daunting? Eh, at times. But honestly, you'll be surprised how much you actually do know after each test. :)

gnomik79 · Mar 23, 2009

LOVE your advices, misslolalady! :):) Thank you SO much! Do you mind a more personal quetion: do you work? Or just go to school full time? Any kids? If so, how do you find time to study without feeling guilty about not spending time with the ones you love? That's my problem.... Anyone else?

danni314 · Mar 23, 2009

no, i definitely know how you feel. my parents offered to have my daughter spend the night friday so i could work on my paper and spend some time with jeremy, but when i went to get her saturday afternoon (after work) i realized it had been two straight days since i saw her last! i go to work before shes away and since they had her for just one evening it meant two days apart...its going to be difficult.

my husband also has the craziest of schedules, working all weekend, a 24 hour shift, and night shifts out of town. it had been like 3 weeks since we have had a "real" conversation haha (hence the need to go out on friday!) and i just keep telling myself that its probably NOT going to get any better. i am cutting down one shift a week, and hopefully that will help a little.

and i think (well i hope) that using "nursing judgement" and critical thinking on tests and throughout our course might make these classes seem different than all the rest, and really teach us what its like to be a nurse. some people are just bad test takers, others can memorize ever answer and can't actually put skills to practice, and im hoping this is a good medium, that those that know will do well!!

great job misslolalady with getting A's so far. I hope I can do that too!!! I would also be interested in knowing if you work etc.

oh! and girls...i think a coffee meeting would be GREAT on april 3rd. i took that day off of work to hopefully get last minute things together for nursing...so now it will be my nursing day!