[nursecher]

I had my orientation for nursing school yesterday. They told us how demanding the program is and that we should sit down our families and let them know that we will not be doing the things we normally do once nursing school starts in January. Senior students came in and talked to us. They all said how their lives have changed thus far. Most said that they tried to work and had to end up quitting their jobs. Others with kids, like myself, said they have to rely on husbands/wives/friends to do most of the childcare and home responsibilities. We had to take a critial thinking test and a math test.
The uniform people were there and I am so excited about the drawstring scrub pants that are bootcut and not tapered leg!! The downfall is that we have to wear all white but oh well. We got our patches that we are to sew on our left scrub and labcoat sleeves.
I was surprised to see that I am one of the younger students and we have 4 or 5 males in our class. I look at it as a good thing. I guess older students with marriages and kids are a norm at my school.
We got our schedules for the first semester and alot of days we are only there from 8-12:30. I was surprised to see that the second week of school we start our clinicals, and by the end of the week we are scrubbing in for surgery!!! It is all surreal, I can't believe this is finally happening.
We signed up for CPR, got the info about TB test and Hep vacs, and got our book list.
They fed us lunch....pizza....and had a cake that said "Welcome Class of 2008" All of the instructors seem awesome and everyone says how much they want you to succeed. I know I chose the perfect school for me. Oh and did mention that their NCLEX pass rate for this past year is 98%?
I can't wait to start.

[locolorenzo22]

Good to hear you're excited! I'm not sure about the work aspect, but it may just vary based on class schedule and time you really need. For example, I haven't been working this last month, but most of the time I spend studying would be time that I wasn't at work anyways.
My job I'm trying to get will have 4-midnight as hours, but it's caregiving in a group home and things quiet down by 930/10, so we can study those last 2 hours as long as you have everything else done.
As far as the kids go, I think many students in my program are realizing that they can't spend as much time with them, due to school reuirements. I can't speak for that as I'm just another single male.
Uniforms, at least you get some options, mine looks a little *ahem* special..to say the least.
Wow, you're already in clinical at 2nd week? is this a ADN, bridge, BSN? Ours don't start for another 3 weeks, we have to have the basics of shots, med admin, testing, etc down first.
You got to sign up for CPR? Our school makes us look it up ourselves, but we have to have a card to go to clinical, and we have to have one with start date in May thru December by the end of the term. (plus we have to pay for it ourselves.)
TB tests and Hep B vacs all paperwork had to be done before we can go to clinical, or even to stay in the program.....
Nice to hear you're looking forward to it.....Good luck!

[nursecher]

Originally Posted by locolorenzo22

Good to hear you're excited! I'm not sure about the work aspect, but it may just vary based on class schedule and time you really need. For example, I haven't been working this last month, but most of the time I spend studying would be time that I wasn't at work anyways.
My job I'm trying to get will have 4-midnight as hours, but it's caregiving in a group home and things quiet down by 930/10, so we can study those last 2 hours as long as you have everything else done.
As far as the kids go, I think many students in my program are realizing that they can't spend as much time with them, due to school reuirements. I can't speak for that as I'm just another single male.
Uniforms, at least you get some options, mine looks a little *ahem* special..to say the least.
Wow, you're already in clinical at 2nd week? is this a ADN, bridge, BSN? Ours don't start for another 3 weeks, we have to have the basics of shots, med admin, testing, etc down first.
You got to sign up for CPR? Our school makes us look it up ourselves, but we have to have a card to go to clinical, and we have to have one with start date in May thru December by the end of the term. (plus we have to pay for it ourselves.)
TB tests and Hep B vacs all paperwork had to be done before we can go to clinical, or even to stay in the program.....
Nice to hear you're looking forward to it.....Good luck!

I was surprised that we start clinicals the second week as well. It is a 16 month hospital based RN diploma program so that is probably why.
Everyone had to sign up for CPR and they do it at the nursing school. We do not have to pay for it. Some people already have their CPR done and have to re-do it anyway. They want to make sure I guess.
As for working I'm sure there are people that do it. I guess it depends on the person. Thanks for the response.

[Jules A]

Dag, we didn't get cake and pizza! Lol, other than that it sounds pretty much the same especially the warning about kissing your family good-bye. FWIW I worked 30+ hours the entire time in LPN school and it was fine. In fact I took an extra 4 credit class (pre-req for the RN program) during my last semester. Was it a lot of work? You bet but just a lot of material not hard. Congratulations you sound so excited that is very cool. Keep us posted. Jules

[abbythetabby]

I was told the same thing, but had plenty of time for a social life/part-time work in school for the 1st two semesters. However, third semester is barely leaving me enough time to sleep. Oy!