[CariLiz]

Thanks RDW13!!

I appreciate it!!!! I'm so ready to start!!! Little bit of nervousness but mostly just anxious to begin! Glad to hear you are liking it so far, as I've heard some say the teachers weren't that thorough, yada yada.

Hmmm, I was hoping the syllabus were similar a tleast when it came to book sin such as I have already been eyeing some on Ebay. I will just wait till orientation.....did you get a syllabus then? Yes, My orientation is at Dale Mabry in June.

I hope you don't mind, I have some question for ya!


Did you start clinicals you first week or so?

Now, are you in the night time classes? If you're not....on the day of clinicals where they give you a choice between two days....how do they decide which day you do? Is it first come first serve or what?

Is your lab time configured into your class time. For instance it states, I will be going Tues & Wed from 1230-330(is that including lab or could it be before or after???)then clinicals on either Thur or Fri. Just wondering so I know what to expect.

Wow, most of your class is right at the 80%!!?? Yikes. I'm going to focusing focusing, focusing!!!! However, I do have three kids, but a fantastic hubby. I was wondering if you have kids and if it has been challenging to work around their schedule as well? Sorry, if that's too personal.

Congrats on almost finishing NP1!! Good luck next week...and thanks for the info!!!

Cari

[buzkil]

I have some questions for all of you who are attending/doing prereqs for hillsborough community college. What are the prereqs that are required?
What is the college entry test like?

Can you take it more than once?

I live in New Jersey and I am inquiring about the program for a friend of mine who is thinking about going there. She is an LPN. She has no prior college. I saw on HCC website the prereq list but are there prereqs for the prereqs?
Any information you can provide me with is appreciated. My friend is going through a bad divorce right now and I'm trying to help her figure out what she is going to do to support herself and her kids. I'm just looking for an idea about how many classes she would have to take befor starting the nursing program.
Thanks!

[compassionate1]

The HCC pre-regs are: Human Anatomy & Physiology 1 + the lab
(4 credits)
Human Anatomy & Physiology 2 + the lab
(4 credits)
Freshman English
(3 credits)
Microbiology & Human Disease + the lab
(4 credits)
Introduction to Sociology
(3 credits)
Math-any general ed. math (at least algebra)
(3 credits)
Then while in the program you must take 3 credits of Nutrition, Psychology or Chemistry type class. 3 credits from a list of Humanities and 3 credits for Freshman English II. As far as I know you can only take the enterance test once. They use it to place your skill levels.

[RDW13]

Cari:

You won't get the syllabus until the first day of class. The bookstore should have all the books you need to buy there, so you can go there and get the ISBN numbers and then check them out on eBay or any used bookstore online to get better deals. During orientation they may mention a couple of books to buy before class starts that you can begin reading, but usually the first day of class is when you find out which books they really want you to buy and which ones are optional or nice to have as reference.

Clinicals will start on the 5th week of the first semester. They have you work in the school nursing lab the first 4 weeks to teach you some skills on the "dummies". Then it is off to the hospital.

I'm in the night program so my clinicals are on Saturday. With the day program, they offer two classes and two clinicals. It is first come, first serve on which day your classes are on and then which day your clinical will be. You have to be ready to register on-line the moment the classes are open to you to register. For some reason the morning classes are the ones people want most. Those who register late get stuck with the afternoon classes.

There are separate "Lab" hours you have to do on campus on your own time. There are lab hours posted and you have to go to lab 10 hours in the skills lab to practice techniques and 5 hours in the computer lab. It is totally separate time from lecture and clinicals. Just another thing to add to your long list of things to get done in a short period of time

I'm the breadwinner of the house and the wife stays home to take care of the 2 kids that are in elementary school. I have to work 40 hours during the day, go to class two nights a week, and then clinicals all day Saturday. Very busy schedule, but I try to make some time for the family when I can. It is doable, but you have to manage your time very well, and remember to take breaks when you can.

Good luck to you as you start. August will be here very, very soon.

[buzkil]

Thank you compassionate1!

[CariLiz]

buzkil~

Just FYI, for your friend who already has her LPN.

Transition option. Individuals who are LPNs or Paramedics are eligible to enroll in an accelerated program leading to an associate’s degree in nursing and subsequently be in a position to take the licensing examination. There is also a military medic option designed for members of the armed forces of the United States who are also licensed
LPNs. The program is designed to assist these professionals pursuit of a degree (ADN). This program is offered once a year on the Dale Mabry campus.

compassionate1 is exactly right with all the pre-req and then the additional classes you'll need during; however, I have never been told anything regarding an entrance exam. Am I missing something here?

RDW13~
Thanks once again for the info. It was helpful to know when clinicals would start, how lab worked, and all the info on the books.

Although the schedule is available for viewing online, we were told not to register for our classes until after that. Is that the time you are referring to registering? Right after orientation?

BTW, how picky were they about the no trim color in the shoes. I know they have to be leather with no mesh, but what if they are shox with a tad of light gray on the swoosh? Are they that picky?

And I know this may be a sticky topic...how are they on nose piercing? It's a tiny tiny stud. Did any one in your class have to deal with this? I know only one pair of stud earrings and such but was wondering if I could just get a clear ring for my nose or if it will have to come out completely. Personally, I know it body jewelry is frowned upon, but I honestly believe it doesn't affect my care I would provide as a nurse. JMHO.

Wow, you go! You are busy! It's nice to see someone so busy is making it. Let's me know it is achievable. I hope I wasn't prying. Good luck and thanks again.

Cari

[compassionate1]

CariLiz: I had to take the college enterance test at HCC because I had never been to college.

[CariLiz]

Thanks for the clarification!

College entrance exam but not a nursing entrance exam. I misunderstood.

Now, is the college entrance exam the same as your placement tests? If so, you can take this more than the one time.

Cari

[compassionate1]

Yes it is the same. I didn't realize you could take it more than once, that's good to know. Thanks

[RDW13]

Cari:

They will tell you at orientation the day and time you can register. You need to be logged in and ready to register for the class you want at the exact moment they tell you the class will be open for registration. This is specific to Nursing and the NP1 class. They have it listed now as closed, but they will flip the switch at whatever time they tell you and everyone rushes on-line to register for the class they want (mornings or afternoons).

They are not too picky about the shoes. You should be fine with the ones you mentioned. The want all-white shoes or as close to all-white as you can get.

For the nose ring, they repeated several times that anything but a small stud (no hoops or dangles) in the ears is unacceptable. No visible tattoos and no other visible body piercings, including nose rings, tongue, etc. You are right that it won't stop you from being a great nurse, but "them are the rules" for the school at least.

Best of luck!