[mstoussaint-smart]

I went to west jefferson hospital for my cpr certification.

[lise2887]

I just completed the first semester at CSN (Basics) and was accepted when I first applied with no degree and a 3.7 GPA. However, I took the PAX test, not the TEAS.

If I can give anyone starting Basics in the fall, it would be this: read ALL of the recommended assignments AHEAD of time. When you do get accepted, you will receive a Student Advising Packet that, in addition to tons of other information, also has reading assignments for the first week of class. Read these before you even show up for day 1 as there will not be time to go back and catch up. Your notes for lectures will be posted online and will also contain reading assignments that I strongly recommend that you read before you go to the lecture. It will make your life easier and you will comprehend much more. Otherwise, you will spend the entire semester trying to catch up, which is impossible. Reading the Fundamentals of Nursing book is a must, if you want to do well. You cannot get everything that you need just from the lecture notes.

Also, I would not recommend getting the pharmacology book, even though they say it is "required". Someone gave me the same advice and I didn't listen. I paid about $75 for the book and it is as pristine as the day that I bought it because it has never been opened. If you feel that you HAVE to have the book, I will be happy to sell you mine

Good luck!

[mstoussaint-smart]

are u selling your fundamentals of nursing book i have the 7th edition but it is required we get the 8th edition.

[butrfli]

Lise2887, Thanks for the very helpful advise! How was the first semester for you? Did you find it to be very hard? I'm starting in August as well as others who've posted.

MsToussaint-smart, I bought the Fundamentals of Nursing 7th edition too. I'm not looking to replace it with the 8th ed. I'm sure we'll be fine with it. I compared my book to my friend who has the 8th and their pretty much the same. My chapter may state one topic and her's may state the same topic but in the next chapter number. That's the only difference I saw. I heard we will get tons of notes to study from so I'm sure one edition behind won't be a big deal. Best of luck to you.

[cajunmom06]

I also have older editions of the books..I was going off the list that was posted on website before we got our revised packet at advising. I compared them also and looks like we will be just fine

[lise2887]

mstoussaint-smart: I won't be selling my Fundamentals book because it is also required for NACI. But I don't think that it's necessary for you to upgrade. The teachers lecture off of the notes that you have to download and print off of Blackboard. The book is strictly for you to read on your time, which I can't stress the importance of enough! The concepts should be the same from one edition to the next so if you already have the 7th, I wouldn't bother paying for the 8th.

butrfli: You are welcome for the information. I went into the first semester not knowing anything, with a million questions, and without anyone to really ask. So I'm happy to help out. I wouldn't say that the semester was "hard". However, it was very intense and a ton of work. You have to have a lot of dedication, time, discipline and organizational skills. Make sure that you have a good support network and a study group. If there's anything else that I can help out with, feel free to ask. Best of luck to you!!