[Chelsro615]

Hopefully I will be in HFCC program by next year, but can anyone who has taken the program or is in the program, describe how the first year of nursing @ HFCC. I'm trying to get an idea of how many days I'll be at school/clinicals. Also is it possible to have a part-time job while in the program at all? (I'm young so I don't have any kids to worry about, or house/apartment.) Just to have money on the side.

It will be really helpful.

[Michigan RN]

Originally Posted by Chelsro615

Hopefully I will be in HFCC program by next year, but can anyone who has taken the program or is in the program, describe how the first year of nursing @ HFCC. I'm trying to get an idea of how many days I'll be at school/clinicals. Also is it possible to have a part-time job while in the program at all? (I'm young so I don't have any kids to worry about, or house/apartment.) Just to have money on the side.

It will be really helpful.

I worked part-time when I went to HFCC. First semester, clinicals are twice a week as well as class twice a week, I think. It's been over two years, can't remember a lot. I worked on the weekends only. Every weekend. It got old after a while but hey, I still needed money for my books and my car. First semester is fundementals. I don't think we started clinicals right off the bat. Second semester is Med/surg pt 1. Third semester is Med/surg part 2 and this semester is pretty heavy because you go over all the systems and chronic diseases. Last semester is Peds/Ob/Transition, five weeks of each.

Take the supplemental classes too. I would finish all of your prereqs before starting the program. Highly recommend doing that. Good luck.

[MySimplePlan]

Echo the above; you'll be in lecture 9a-12p x 2 days/week.

The first 8 weeks of your first semester will find you in the nursing lab, learning skills. The second 8 weeks is your first MedSurg rotation. Working the weekends will be tough, unless you're great at studying every single night. (However, having no kids might make that easier.)

Good luck to you at HFCC.

[Michigan RN]

Originally Posted by MySimplePlan

Echo the above; you'll be in lecture 9a-12p x 2 days/week.

The first 8 weeks of your first semester will find you in the nursing lab, learning skills. The second 8 weeks is your first MedSurg rotation. Working the weekends will be tough, unless you're great at studying every single night. (However, having no kids might make that easier.)

Good luck to you at HFCC.

Eh, I don't remember a whole lot from med/surg 1.

[amybethf]

Hello! First semester is Theory (120) and Fundamentals (126) for 16 weeks. You will have 8 weeks in the lab and then the last 8 weeks is your first clinical. 2nd semester is Psych, 8 weeks and Med/Surg 1, 8 weeks. You have a choice to either take Psych or M/S first. In my opinion, I would take M/S first because it is more difficult than Psych and it feels a whole lot better to get it done and out of the way. Clinicals builds on more skills and hanging IV's. If you didn't get to do an injection first semester, you get plenty of opportunities 2nd semester. They also begin to focus more on prioritizing and time mgmt. skills.

Also, you can either do 4 days (2 lectures and 2 clinicals) or do both lecture and clinicals in 2 days. People who work full-time ususally opt for the 2 days. You also have a choice to do PM clinicals as well.

Good Luck!

[oguesswhat]

I'm in last week of semester 1. I have class Mon 12-2. Tues and Wed clinicals/lab (same as above...clinicals didn't start till 8 weeks in.) Thurs 9-2. I work Fri and Sat nights...pain in the behind but I have too. Some people work full time when in the program...why and how I do not know?! I wish I didn't have too but thats life. Semester 2 we just received our schedule. Monday 8:30-1. Tues and Wed clinicals mostly (lab a few times.) Thurs 9-12/1. Not sure about 2nd year.

[amybethf]

Originally Posted by oguesswhat

I'm in last week of semester 1. I have class Mon 12-2. Tues and Wed clinicals/lab (same as above...clinicals didn't start till 8 weeks in.) Thurs 9-2. I work Fri and Sat nights...pain in the behind but I have too. Some people work full time when in the program...why and how I do not know?! I wish I didn't have too but thats life. Semester 2 we just received our schedule. Monday 8:30-1. Tues and Wed clinicals mostly (lab a few times.) Thurs 9-12/1. Not sure about 2nd year.

For 2nd semster 155, you only have 1 check-off in lab - you are given 4 scenarios with all requiring a combination of different skills, plus IV drip rate.

[CandyGyrl]

Curious... Are there a ton of papers to write? Research Papers that is. Also, what are the supplemental classes? Wait last thing... never mind.

[Michigan RN]

Originally Posted by CandyGyrl

Curious... Are there a ton of papers to write? Research Papers that is. Also, what are the supplemental classes? Wait last thing... never mind.

I think there was a total of two or three research papers to write. Supplemental is a class that is instructed by Dombrosky and its just like a remedial type class. You go to that class to get assistance. It was helpful.

[Veruka]

For NSG 155 you have to write 3 pathophys papers, 1 OR paper, 8 pharmacology papers, 2 care plans, & 2 assessments, and a teaching plan- a total of 17 papers. I would recommend being extremely manageable with your time. There were several people in my class that waited until the last minute to do their papers, and I believe it came back to bite most of them in the end.