Darton College summer 2011

curtRN · May 3, 2011

I'm in darton's nursing program and will be graduating over the summer. Your class will be on mondays and tuesdays. So you can commute over the summer. But when you start your med-surg classes you may want to consider the move. It will be easier on you as far as gas, time spent driving, and being on time. I don't know your situation but these instructors don't play about being late to clinical or class. Besides make-up tests for being late are a bitc*.

inhouse · May 4, 2011

Thanks mcurtis111 ... When does med-surg starts and how many days per week will be classes/clinicals?

curtRN · May 10, 2011

Sorry for being so late. Over the summer you will have fundamentals of nursing and pharm and I already told you the schedule for that. Typically med surg 1 & 2 classes are once a week and clinicals are once a week till you get to med surg 3. Depending on your class size you will either have a week day or weekend clinical day. Every one wants a week day so I hope you pull a low number in the drawing. lol... I know alot of people that commute but even they say it takes a toll on you after awhile. But you make find a friend or something that won't mind letting you hit the sofa for a night. Let me know if you have any more questions. I'll be quicker next time. lol...

inhouse · May 10, 2011

thanks so much. This is major.. What advise do you have for me as far as surviving nursing school as a whole especially the 1st couple of semesters. Do I need extra study guide outside of what the school provided? what is your study schedule? what was the class size starting out and what is the class size now?

curtRN · May 11, 2011

No problem. Ummm, surviving nursing school is well.... Challenging. I'm still trying to get out myself. lol... In fundamentals you just have to study, study, study. That class gives you the foundation for future classes. Also, most of the instructors are great. If you need anything they will help! When you get to med-surg you may benefit from an nclex comprehensive review book like saunders or something. It really helped me because I'm couldn't completely understand from the text book. I typical study anywhere from 20 to 30 hours a week depending on the test. I really have to go over the material for it to stick for me. My starting class was like 117 students. It will shrink to 35 to 50 by the time is over with. Don't let that discourage you though. You determine your success. Go in with a good attitude and be ready to learn.

inhouse · May 12, 2011

I won't be discouraged. Believe me I have too much riding on this.. Thanks for the words of encouragement. When do you graduate? and congrats on making it this far ... I know you can't wait to finish ..

curtRN · May 12, 2011

July 28th! I can't wait. I'm actually studying for the class already, hoping to finish all the units before summer classes start. I hate taking med surg classes over the summer, but I wanna graduate as soon as possible. A couple of words for motivation. One of the hospitals back home made me an offer of $25 an hour as a new graduate with $4 extra differential for night shift so thats $29 an hour fresh out of school! So I know the atlanta area should be more.

inhouse · May 13, 2011

wow congrats .. I know you are counting the days down ... are u using ebook of paper books? Do you have any notes that you can send me? where is home? and did you stay on campus?

curtRN · May 16, 2011

I'm using ebooks and a couple of paper books. Ummm, I don't have much that can help you for fundamentals. For Med Surg and your other classes, I have plenty. I'm actually going to do a presentation for your class the first day. I'm going to give your class a copy of all my ebooks and nclex programs. They're valued at over $1200 together and I'm going to give it to you for free.

I'm from the Macon area. Naw, I didn't stay on campus. In order to stay on campus you 1. have to be full time (12 credits a semester) and 2. The cost is not worth the small private rooms. I'm a little too old for that, but if I had to I would. The way I manage my money is I got a nice two bedroom apartment for $500 with a room mate. Pell pays for school, a $1000 loan pays my rent for the semester (4 months), and my part time job (10-20 a week) pays for my food, bills, and gas. Not to mention I still have $2000 in sub. student loan money I could get if I need it.

Staying in the dorms gives you peace of mind though. You won't have to worry about bills coming ever month or messing up your money. But your going to pay around $1600 a semester to stay there though.

inhouse · May 16, 2011

Is your presentation in the 25th? Orientation/1st day of class? What would your presentation be on? That is nice of you to give the entire class that info for free. I REALLY DO APPROPRIATE IT. thanks a million.... is there a way for me to get my hands on that info before class the 25th? how do I get the all the notes you have? Is it something that can be emailed ? Or will you have a package for me on orientation day?

Which apartments do you stay and how far away from the school is it? How did u find a room mate? And thanks for helping me out .. gosh you have been a God sent ..

curtRN · May 18, 2011

I think so, Ms. Lanier your instructor is gonna give me a date Monday.

It will be over my experience in the program, tips and advice, and going over the programs / e-books I'm going to give your class, and the importance and value of NCLEX questions.

I can't email it unless I do it piece by piece and thats alot. lol.... Notes over the class I don't really have, besides it would be out-dated because the school changed the course about a year ago.

I'm going to have a copy of the programs / e-books on a flash drive and CD that I will pass around and leave with the instructor or some one. I stay in Westwind Apts. Its like 5 mins away from the school but their are alot of closers one to the school. I know its like 8 or more off the top of my head.

Believe me, its plenty of students thinking just like you. Finding a room mate is not really hard because alot people look for room mates. The problem is finding the right room mate and thats something you will have to figure out. But you can ask around the class when you start to meet people in your class. Aleast 1/3 of the class will probably not live in Albany. Don't be too concerned about it. Your welcome for the help, don't hesitate to ask anything. Congratulations on making it in and good luck!