Any students attending IWCC nursing program?

U.S.A. Indiana

Published

I am hoping to get into Iowa Western's program next year and was just wondering what the work load was like. I have 2 boys that will be in Jr high and high school then, but of course they still need my help and guidance through the evening. I am hoping that the nursing program won't be too difficult to do with a family and all. How much reading and homework is there each night? How long are clinicals, etc? Would love any info you would like to share. THanks so much!

Harley2008

Who is your instructor for Pharm II? Just curious cuz I bounced between the main campus group and the Jennie Ed group so I know a lot of the instructors. Pharm II is tough. You will really get into the the actions that the drugs have on the body. You need to know your side effects as well. In the tests you shouls always get both the trade and generic name if they are talking about a specific drug. Use any helpful tricks that you picked up in Pharm I as much as you can. For example beta blockers typically end in "-lol".

As far as the NCLEX goes, go through the study guide that came in your books cover to cover, including the CD in the back. Go over as many sample questions as you can. I took that book around with me everywhere I went while I was waiting to take my test. When you feel like you're burning out on them; put it down and leave it alone for a couple of days. 3 days out from the test put the book away. Rest and focus on other things.

Good Luck!

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lizl123,

You will have to take Workplace Empowerment. It used to be called Career Strategies and when I took it you really only went over how to write a resume and how to perform in an interview. It's probably good for someone who is 18 to 20 yrs old. But I'm in my 30's and have been in the workplace for 20 years, so it was a snoozer class for me.

The PN phase is hard because they through so much at you at once and they tend to treat you like you're 3 years old. A lot of my younger classmates had a huge problem with this. But it's just a game you have to play. The clinicals are well supervised. The first semester is divided into phases; you cannot advance to the next phase without passing the previous one. Clinicals are the last half of the semester; the first half you will learn basic LPN skills, Dressing changes, putting in a Foley catheter, trach care, drawing up and giving injections, and calculating medication dosages and IV drip rates. The clinicals are supervised pretty well. You won't be able to give any meds without the instructor there with you. You'll also be responsible for all nursing cares like bathing. Be ready to help your other clincal mates out; work as a team and you'll get through it.

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Thanks so much for your advise. I appreciate it. I have my fingers crossed that I will get in after I finish A&P II in May.

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lizl123,

Always glad to help! If you need anything later on, don't be afraid to put something up on this site. This is a great place to gets tips and advice.

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Thank you. I will do that. Again, I appreciate your help. take care

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Specializes in hopefully LPN I tested jan 14.

Pharm II is only at Jennie this semester. I have been studying for days off and on from the PN study book we got (mainly the disk now)In the past few days I have done 1200 questions with rationales. I plan on trying to go through all 3400 before next Thur, but may not make it.. life happens.. interruptions. I am terrified about the NCLEX, so I have not looked at the pharm II book yet class starts Monday.

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Harley2008,

I've never had ******** for Pharm, but I've had her for Lifespan 3 and 5. She expects you to do your readings. Personally, I don't think she is a very good instructor. She never really gave very good guidance when it comes to things like papers and other assignments; she would bascially say "here's what's due, get it done." Hopefully she will be better for you guys. I know that she really hasn't been teaching all that long. ***** *****is a great lady. I think you'll like her. She is pretty easy going (almost to a fault). I had her for Lifespan 4. I don't know how she will be in Assessment. I found Health Assessment to be pretty easy but I think that stems from my background (I'm a EMT and a medic in the Army National Guard). The best advice for that class is to read (I know, ugh, right?!) and to practice in the lab, cuz you'll have a lab practical where you have to do an actual assessment on someone.

Good luck on the NCLEX. It seems like you are hammering away at the questions. I found that the test taking strategies at the beginning of the book are pretty helpful. They go over how to break down a question, keywords to in the question to focus on. Things to remember about the test: 1) don't read too much into the question. If you start asking yourself a lot "what if's" about a question, stop and re-read it. 2) Some questions may seem like they have more than one right answer and that may be true; what you need to remember is to focus on finding the "more right" answer from the ones available. 3) Don't freak when the computer shuts down and you're done and you think you either didn't get enough questions or you got too many. You get a minimum of 75. some people only need 75, some people need more. 4) Relax. Believe me, I know what you're going through. Go in there with confidence. There WILL be questions that you flat out don't know the answer to. Don't let it get to you. For every question that you don't know there will be others that are so easy that you won't believe they ar eevan on the test. Again good luck. If you need anything else don't be afraid to post!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care.

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