[MagnesiuM]

Originally Posted by tracie0305

Akspudus...........
90th percentile is definitely high.....what happens if you don't pass with a 90?? I have heard that the accelerated program is a lot more difficult than the generic and that many accelerated students fail out....how true is that??? Hearing that you have a family is encouraging to me cuz I am in the same boat. Thank you for all your encouraging words!!!!

tracie, just so you don't freak out too much.....90th percentile is different than 90 percent!!! read askspudus' explanation to see the difference :-D

good luck!


akspudus: i know i asked this already, but what do we wear to lab practice classes, like health assessment and in-class clinical skills review? do i have to buy the MDC lab coat or can i get a generic white one?

thanks!

[akspudus]

For lab, you need a lab coat. You can use a plain white one if you want. You will also need your lab coat when you go in for pre-assignment. As you can imagine, you really won't make much of an impression at the hospital if you show up with a shabby old stained lab coat. I went ahead and got an MDC lab coat. They aren't that expensive, and you will get a lot of use out of it while your in school Its high quality (much better than the scrub top)...so when you press it, it looks real nice when you go to pre-assignment. remember, when you go to pre-assignment, you might be making an impression with a future employer. The more professional you look and act, the more receptive the hospital staff will be to help you out.

akspudus

PS...When you iron your uniform and lab coat, get the spray starch that has a stain blocker in it. It will help keep those whites...white.

[gradRN2007]

which hospital do you work at that MDC students go to? I graduated from MDC transitional program and never refused to do anything, and some excellent instructors and passed the nclex with a 75. I am also working as a tele RN in broward and know several students that went to BCC because MDC raised the gpa and has made it more diffucult to get in, also now they have a BSN program. I don't think you can lump all MDC students by saying they use cell phones etc. I think I am wasting my breath here but had to reply.

[SouthernAsh]

Akspudus,
Earlier I read something you had written about students taking classes in the summer. I will be going to the generic program in Homestead. Aren't classes and clinicals only Spring and Fall semesters with the 2 summers off? Is this right?
Thanks so much for your posts....Very helpful for all of us who are just starting...
ASH

[akspudus]

The MDC nursing programs are all completed in consecutive semesters. You will have classes during summer semester. In fact, this last summer was the busiest semester I have had since starting nursing school.
Nope you won't be getting summers off.

New nursing students start either in the spring or fall semesters. If your class started in the fall (as I did) you will have your community health, pediatric, psychiatric and obstetric classes in the summer. If you start in the spring semester (January) then you will have med-surf and pharmacology during the summer. Either way...your summer is going to be fast and furious...don't plan on going anywhere.


akspudus

[HealthJunkie]

Originally Posted by gradRN2007

which hospital do you work at that MDC students go to? I graduated from MDC transitional program and never refused to do anything, and some excellent instructors and passed the nclex with a 75. I am also working as a tele RN in broward and know several students that went to BCC because MDC raised the gpa and has made it more diffucult to get in, also now they have a BSN program. I don't think you can lump all MDC students by saying they use cell phones etc. I think I am wasting my breath here but had to reply.

gradRN2007,
I noticed u went through the MDC transitional program... I am trying to get into it from paramedics... Did they make u take the NLN NACE 1 exam before starting? If so, how was it and what could I expect? Thanks

[gradRN2007]

The exam I remember taking is the LPN exam because you are actually going into the RN program as an LPN. I was a medical technologist going in. You will get in and have the advantage of already being a paramedic..will be much easier for you. I didn't know the front from the back of the blood pressure cuff, etc, and Professor Hammack is a great professor, remember how she does assessments. I worked full time midnights and still did well at MDC, had to study a lot but met wonderful people and really loved the program. Now I work at memorial regional in hollywood, only not in the lab but cardiac step down unit.
good luck to you

[HealthJunkie]

Thanks so much. I was just concerned because I thought this exam, as well as my gpa, would determine my placement on the list when I apply for the program. Thanks for the encouraging words.

[akspudus]

Originally Posted by gradRN2007

Professor Hammack is a great professor, remember how she does assessments.

Yes Professor Hammack is great. I had her for Community Health Nursing this last summer. I wish I could take more classes from her. Rumor has it that she is going to teach the BSN Assessment classes.

Akspudus

[Phoenixlight]

Good Day All,

First of all, I'd like to thank those of you that bring real-word advice to this forum. I am currently stationed in Baghdad, Iraq so I turn to this forum to get the information that is not offered on the MDC site. So many times you turn to these forum sites and get nothing but a bunch of whining and complaining on how hard something is. I try to not pay attention to any of this, simply because everyone is so different. What may be hard to one student, may be "business-as-usual" to another.

I have applied for the Spring Bridge program at MDC. I am also transitioning from being a paramedic. I am very excited and have high hopes on getting accepted. I have had nothing but wonderful assistance from the Nursing advisement staff. They have bent over backwards to assist me via email with all my questions, doubts and worries. This is mind-blowing considering the experience I have had with MDC staff in the past has been abysmal. I have been done with my pre-reqs for a while and just finished my NLN-NACE exam and passed. For those of you medics wondering how you're going to take a test on something you know nothing about, relax! You will do fine if rely on what you have learned about patient assessment through medic school. There were also a lot of questions which pertain to the "nursing process" study that before taking the exam and perhaps you will score better than I did. They state you only need to pass with a 65 to fulfill the requirement. They do not factor your score as a basis of admittance. So basically its "you passed or you didnt".

Now, for some of that real word advice.
I still have a couple of months in Iraq and at least until Nov until I know if I'm accepted. At any rate, I would like to know if any one has any advice on what kind of supplies I need and the best places to buy them. I understand books change from semester to semester, so I guess we'll leave that until orientation (fingers-crossed)!
Would someone be so kind as to walk me through on what to expect from orientation?
When does it take place if my program starts in January.
What are the uniforms like?
Any tricks of the trade any of you possess will be helpful.
Are PDAs helpful while being a student at MDC?
Any other study techniques that will get the job done?
What kind of shoes are required?
Any day-to-day advice will be welcomed!

Thank you in advance!