What is the 2ND semester like?

StudentSandra · Nov 30, 2001

lol i wish i could tell you, i'll be starting my 2 nd semester of an adn program this spring. we finished our last clinical of the semester yesterday!!!! good luck

Tina Ennis · Nov 30, 2001

Well I am finishing my 3rd semester of an ADN program and going into my 4th and final!! Our second semester was the med-surg rotation. Ours was very difficult but also very interesting. This is the semester that we lost the most students so I wish you good luck!!

Good Luck to everyone and Happy Holidays

dgh1973 · Nov 30, 2001

My 2nd semester in the ADN program was OB and Med/Surg. We learned all skills first semester so we were able to rotate through quite a few departments and assist or observe. Most people really loved the OB content, esp. labor and delivery. I really enjoyed rotating through the ICU, ER and observing all the surgeries. I guess it just depends on what type of program you're in. I found that we were given a little more responsibility and after a couple weeks in clinical my confidence increased with each assignment. I worked my way up to three to four patients by the end of the semester. If you're in an ADN program as I was, the pace if pretty fast in clinical and I think you'll feel like there IS light at the end of the tunnel by the end of the semester! Hang in there and good luck!

rosemadder · Dec 1, 2001

I'll be starting 2nd semester this spring also. It's funny because when you first start everyone says "if you just get through the first semester you'll be fine". Then, when it's time to start the 2nd semester you hear "if you just make it through the second semester you'll be fine".

I have decided "Hey, if I just make it through five semesters..."

I have heard that MedSurg is difficult and you MUST stay on top of it. Who knows???

one day at a time.....

StudentSandra · Dec 3, 2001

originally posted by ns3838
i will be starting my 2nd semester of the 1st year in the spring. does anyone have any input on this part? will it be a little more interesting than this beginning stuff was? the history of nursing was not very exciting to me! thanks!!

what do you mean the history of nursing was boring to you? how dare you? :eek:

i should tell your instructor you said that!!!

ps before anyone says anything the original poster is in my class.

Katnip, RN · Dec 3, 2001

I'm starting my 2nd semester in the spring, too. Adult health. Our instructors said it's the most difficult course of the entire program. But at least we'll be doing clinicals.

StudentSandra · Dec 3, 2001

originally posted by cyberkat
i'm starting my 2nd semester in the spring, too. adult health. our instructors said it's the most difficult course of the entire program. but at least we'll be doing clinicals.

didn't you have any clinicals in your first semester? are you in a bsn program? that first day in clinicals is like the first day of school, butterflies and major anxiety. :cool:

Ortho_RN · Dec 3, 2001

What were your clinicals like first semester??? What all did you do??

dgh1973 · Dec 3, 2001

My particular program taught all skills first semester. Of course we had all the lecture/theory courses as well. We only had to do about three days worth of clinical in the first semester and only took one patient per student. The patients were pretty low on the severity scale. For instance, the patients I had were a 14 year old with tonsilitis and then I took care of an elderly gentleman in with pneumonia for the next two days. We were mainly required to hone our assessment skills, learn how to do a quick head to toe and then we did administer meds under the strict supervision of our instructor. Good luck!

StudentSandra · Dec 3, 2001

originally posted by nurs2b
what were your clinicals like first semester??? what all did you do??

the first half of the semester we had skills training.

we then had 5 clinicals, every wednesday. at an intermediate care facility(to sick to go home or to ltc, but not sick enough for hospital inpatient) we had to do vs, assist with baths, everything from just getting the patients what they needed to do it themselves, to assisting in the shower (that is interesting) without getting drenched yourself, to complete bed baths. we also did or assisted with dressing changes, most of these were very extensive. i'll let my friend tell you about her double amputee. my pt had cellulitis l leg and used 14, yes 14, 5x8 in dressings to cover her wound. we also passed all meds except iv meds, including injections.

we helped with meals.

we did assessments, had to do 3 nursing diagnosis care plans each week. we also had to look up all meds & lab reports.

wow i guess we did more than i thought. :cool:

did i miss anything peg?

Brown Suga · Dec 4, 2001

I will be starting my second semester of an ADN program in the spring. My block coordinator is attempting to set up a schedule that will accomodate everyone. My clinicals with be in OB/GYN, rural health peds, school nurse peds and med/surg. My OB/GYN clinicals are schedule to be a 12hr day shift on wed/thurs or tues/fri. Then med/surg and peds will be on wed/thurs. I don't mind having to adjust to the clinical rotation week to week. I am sure my place of employment might have a problem. I have not decided whether or not to keep my job for this semester since they like to plan a month in advance. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.:)