Originally Posted by Micci
Hi, I'm starting first semester and we just had our nursing orientation meeting today. I am trying not to but I feel completely overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" we talked about. Modules, clinicals, exams, lab times..etc, a huge stack of books, and all the other little stuff that has to be done before clinicals. I know it will all sort itself out once we actually start going to class and doing some of the stuff. They sent us home with alot of "homework" to get done too.
I am excited though to finally get started on actually nursing courses
Hi Micci!
Bluewolf9193 is right...it will all fall into place (and I'm sure they mentioned that at orientation). After Orientation, it is kinda scary! Keep up with the work and you should be ok. And if anything is not making sense or you need clarification on how to complete certaing things, feel free to PM me or just throw it out on the board...we're all here to answer any questions! First day of class is mainly filling out paperwork and our instructor also made copies of our CPR certification cards and our Immunization records (the blue copy) from the Health Center. Oh, and proof that we completed our computer training - I can't think of what they were called!
We found a great group of girls to start our own board with to help each other through...it has been awesome!! And they are all with the day group, I actually go at night, but we worked so great together and I feel like they helped me tremendously more than once! So, I have my class to talk to as well as these wonderful girls (who I met here actually!)
I assume what they assigned you was reading and EBO's, correct? Just make sure you get your EBO's completed and any study guides they may assign. Class guides I tried to do if possible, but we usually did those in class, but reading prepared me for that. Once you start class, you can split EBO's up between your group (if they choose to do it) so that each person does so many questions, depending on the size of your class and then you just compile them together. That to me was the most overwhelming thing...the thought of having to do 30 questions a week??? But you won't...your class should jump on the opportunity to split them!
Highlight the book as you go. I have always been one of those people who had issues with highlighting my textbooks...
But when I got into nursing, I finally realized that these books will probably stay with me even after I graduate, so I figured I should just go ahead and highlight as I go.
Did you get all of your immunizations done? I had started mine prior to orientation to beat the rush. I would call and make an appointment with the nurse and start that if you haven't, do the physical with your doc and you should be set with that! The HEP-B is a 3 series, so you'll have to go back a few times and then after your done, you'll have to do a titre for that as well.
CPA's are not so bad - you basically have to show your knowledge of all the different procedures you learn and it was pretty laid back for me, but informative! And it gets you in "PE" mode.
For the tests, learn how to think critically...really read the question and look for the
BEST fit to that question. I always ran into the "there could be two answers" issue, but you have to be able to think critically and choose the right one. You'll get it!
And PE's, you guys are kinda lucky. I know they changed it to where you could miss so many critical elements, but last year, we couldn't miss a thing...if you did, you would fail the semester. I didn't pass my first time - nerves got the best of me and I messed up my meds. But the second time was much easier - way less stressed!
You will have someone come into your class in a couple weeks to give you some hints on how to do stuff and get through the class...very informative and helpful! Listen to what they have to say!!
What instructor do you have?
Good luck, and happy studying!!! Sorry, this turned into a novel!
Lori
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Something similar almost happened this year. I got a rejection letter from the nursing program saying I didn't meet all the requirements- saying I had not attended an info session. I about had a coronary, but when I called them they found record that I had but had already chosen the class I think but hopefully hadn't sent the letters. 
