Broward College New Student Advice - Study Now?

futurenurse809 · Jul 18, 2009

I will be starting the nursing brogram at BCC SOUTH any advice??

olive_nurse · Jul 18, 2009

Gosh...advice. Here's a couple tips from a person who is 8 months into the program:

1. Don't buy that package of books together. Buy things as you need them. Some books they say you need but you don't use them at all or use a couple pages which you can look on with someone else.

2. Don't fall behind in reading. Read every day. You can't play catch up in nursing school so don't even bother.

3. Practice your skills constantly.

4. If you're unsure about how to do something, ask a fellow student first before asking the professor. They say you can ask questions but that will open the door for them to continue to focus on you down the line. You don't want that.

5. Practice the nursing style NCLEX questions all the time. Ones in every book that you come across. It helps increase your speed on tests and figuring out what they are asking for in the question. Remember, you only have a minute a question. And that goes extremely fast if you have issues grasping what they are asking.

6. Don't let the professors intimidate you. Know why you're there, be respectful, don't talk back and don't let them sway you from your decision to be a nurse.

7. Stay busy in the hospital clinicals. Don't lean, hang out, or be in the way. You are there to work from the start of the shift 'til the end. Develop good habits right from the get-go.

8. Try to find a study group if you work well that way. Either way, have a network of people that you bounce things off of and find out information that you will need to pass. Communication is a big issue at south campus and unless you keep in touch with your classmates, you will miss out on a lot of information.

9. You can start to study now but ultimately, you don't really know the info until they go over it. Things like bed making, oral care, bathing, etc. can be looked at. You will need to know the steps on how to do things like that so focus on those skills if you are eager to begin. Otherwise, just enjoy your time off before the start of the next year and 8 months!

GOOD LUCK, FUTURENURSE809!

LoveToLearn999 · Jul 25, 2009

I thought that was great advice! I am starting at North Campus this Fall. I am full of excitement AND fear. I have been preparing. I like your advice so much that I cut & pasted it onto a WORD doc, re-worked it a little to fit "me", printed it, & taped it in front of where I do my homework, so I can see it every single day!!

Good luck to you. I feel that this is my last chance too. (I am getting up there in age)!!

olive_nurse · Jul 26, 2009

I'm so glad to hear that my advice was helpful to you. Don't be afraid. You will do fine. But remember what I said. C means continue. I know you may laugh at that now but when you get to the program and take your first couple of tests, you'll know what I mean. Use your time wisely. The first full semester is when they get you. Don't let them. Pharm, Process I, Process II and GI/GU is pivotal and that's when they weed out everyone whom they don't feel will make good nurses. Out of 84 in my class, only 39 or so made it past GI/GU. It's serious. Just do what they say with no complaints and you'll do great. Don't try to take shortcuts or "get by." It won't work in nursing. They will smell you out. Keep low to the ground and show them that you have what it takes to be a great nurse. :nurse:

LoveToLearn999 · Jul 27, 2009

Thanks again! Yeah I get that there are no more straight A's. I got all A's in all of my prereqs, but I hear that a "C" is great news for this program. I hear it in your advice that you are really stressing the part about flying under the radar. Can you elaborate more on that for me. Also, do you have any classmates that got the Evolve Ebooks?

Thanks so much for your wisdom & time!

olive_nurse · Jul 28, 2009

Well, I would say don't make a fuss about anything. I see other students who question professors' directives and it doesn't work out well for them in the end. Professors talk to other professors so make sure you remain positive with whomever you talk to. It makes a difference.

No, I don't know anyone who has the evolve e-books but if you feel comfortable with that type of learning style, go for it. However, we do use the books in class so you will have to have your computer with you at all times. Is the skills book also part of the ebook Evolve series? I would think you would need the skills book to look at when practicing your skills in the lab.

olive_nurse · Jul 28, 2009

P.S. I recommend a book to start practicing math until you start. It's probably about $10. It's called Math for Nurses (Kaplan). It will help you figure out where you're at in math, building upon a foundation and it's pretty easy to understand. Hope this helps!

LoveToLearn999 · Jul 28, 2009

You bet it helps. Everything does. I do have Dosage Calculations & I am currently taking a prep math course for nursing at central.

I have dedicated a room in my house for studying. The E-books also come with the text books. I think the box set is about $180 more than just buying the books alone.

Are you about to start your second year at North?

Whitty0423 · Nov 6, 2009

im a current student right now at central campus. you guys seem sooo exited about it which is great stay with that attitude, but prepare to hate it towards your second semester....bcc sucks big time. they failed ppl for stupid reasons. my class was the first one based on gpa average to be accepted we had pretty much smart ppl in our class. but bcc has a business with the nursing program ahhh big advise do not buy allllll the books dont please dont waste ur money. just buy ur skills books "mandatory " u only will use it maybe twice the only book u really need is the drug guide and perry and potter thats about it u dont need anything else trust meeeeeeeeeeeeee. im almost done with this semester and stuck with all this books i never even touch

Hey Current Bc Student R

I'm going to be registering at Central tomorrow. is it normal for them to only show a few teachers? I was looking for the professor you suggested and of course everything says TBA for pharm .. but one of the other bloggers on here suggested mrs kan... and mrs ber... any suggestions would be great!!!

aND for pharm what time and day did you take yours for that great teacher .. maybe that will help determine who is who : )

labrador4122, RN · Nov 7, 2009

wow! good luck girls!!

Go south campus!! PM me if you have questions about south, im an '07 grad

german21 · Dec 1, 2009

Hi everyone!!:)

Can anyone recommend any math review books to buy in order to prepare for the math tests given for the RN program..the ones where you have to score 90% and above in order to continue in the program???:)

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also is there any class I can take in order to prepare for this?

labrador4122, RN · Dec 2, 2009

Hi everyone!!:)
Can anyone recommend any math review books to buy in order to prepare for the math tests given for the RN program..the ones where you have to score 90% and above in order to continue in the program???:)
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also is there any class I can take in order to prepare for this?

hey, go to the book store and buy the book they require you to buy

its called "dosage calculations' a ratio-proportion approach" by gloria pickar

if not, you can go now to a campus nursing lab, and tell them that you would like practice math sheets for practice, and they will give them to you.

it's good to practice math because you will always need it for those test, there are people that fail that test and can't continue in the program because of it.