I Start Clinicals Monday

lillypad274 · Jan 11, 2009

I'm attending Deltech Owens Campus in Georgetown starting Monday. Its been a long time coming since sitting on the waiting list at Terry Campus-Deltech for months. Well if anybody else is starting Monday also, I wish the best of luck. Ok, now I gotta get back to reading this book that they've already assigned us to read. Oh brother!! Let the games BEGIN!

I'm going to DelTech in Wilmington, DE and started last fall. I think the DVD lectures made things easier. The key is to come to class fully prepared, and don't get behind on the reading. Read everything, because it will always help you later on, even if you think it probably won't be on the test. They are very strict and don't give you much leeway. In some ways it can help you that way, but in other ways, it can cause you unhealthy stress.

Just keep a positive attitude and whatever you have to learn, just give it your absolute best and you should do fine. If you get criticized, don't take it personally. It happens to other students sometimes too, so just keep on keeping on and make the best of any challenging situation.:wink2:

I have heard it gets a LOT harder after the first two courses. Just stay on course.

Louisa May Alcott reminds me: "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.":wink2:

MIC! · May 21, 2009

Well, I started this thread way back in January before I began clinicals. Now that I've gained some experience I will share. We started of with about 25 students and we are down to about 15 students now. We lost some good students who have become friends during the course of 14 weeks. For anybody starting clinicals soon... Read your text book and stay on top of it. Lilypad274 was correct in saying this. I don't care if they give you a study guide, powerpoints, and worksheets. Always read the textbook along WITH the handouts they give you in class. We had a student who unfortunately failed by one point. There are going to be trick questions on your tests. These will force you to think. They claim that they want nurses in the field who can critically think. But, they are more like trick questions to me honestly. You are probly aware of this already but MATH, MATH. Stay on top of it. There is a lot of stress that comes with the program so brace yourself. The stress is all in the effort to see who wants it bad enough. Clinicals is not easy. We had students who made the Dean List every semester up until this point. But now they are only getting C grades or lower on clinical tests. So don't underestimate clinicals.

If you don't have to maintain a job then don't work during the clinical portion. It will give you more time to study. If you can hold study groups with your classmates this is beneficial. I wish I was able to host a study group but, geographically this was impossible for me.

cebollita · Nov 26, 2009

MIC, I'm starting deltech In January at the Owens campus, for the LPN program. Where do you guys go for clinicals? How are things going for you now?

MIC! · Nov 27, 2009

We've been to Milford Rehab, Genesis Nursing home, and Chesapeake Rehab(1day) this semester. Things are going well for me. I'm on a count down to take the boards. I'm excited! Just be mindful of all the advice given in this thread and you should be ok. And if you would like to pm me with specific questions, feel free.

cebollita · Nov 29, 2009

Oh wow, thanks. There are a lot more specific questions I want to ask you, but I haven't gotten those 15 posts under my belt yet to be able to! (only a few more to go though)

Anyway, are you in the RN program? I'm only going for my LPN for now. I hear the waiting list is shorter for the LPN program. (No, not the reason I'm doing it haha)

I am really excited to be going back to school for nursing...but whether I even can or not depends on if my student loans go through! I'm still waiting to find out.

MIC! · Nov 30, 2009

I'm in the RN program. A lot of people do the RN program and take their LPN boards midway through the RN program. That is why the LPN waitlist is usually shorter. Have you taken your prereq courses Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, etc.?? I'm not sure if your starting clinical this semester or if your beginning your prereq courses in January. I'm a little confused. If you could tell me what point your at right now I could help you better.

cebollita · Nov 30, 2009

Ohh I'm sorry, I tend not be very clear and confuse people sometimes!

I'm starting in January, with my pre-reqs, my first classes are A+P 1, Human Development, and Basic Math, because I suck at math and have to take the easy one first.

I wanted to take 4 classes, but I'm exempt from sociology and English comp because of some credits that transfered over from when I went to art school a few years ago(before I really knew what I wanted to do. )

MIC! · Dec 11, 2009

Wow, just finished the semester today. I wish u luck in January.

cebollita · Dec 13, 2009

Thank you very much! I wish you luck in your next semester full of clinicals. I'm so excited.