How was the FCTC program?

bvouge · Sep 19, 2014

Hi silver3,

Thank you for the friend request. You can ask me anything along your journey at First Coast. But the workload is heavy the program is tedious. But as a graduate it's doable. Expect it to be hard but then get easy and then hard again or vice versa. You will cry, stress and doubt your choice but keep your dreams and goals in front. Studying has to be second nature I the program. Like eat and study at the same time. I hope that helped some. But I know once we graduated the program did change a little.

aNewMe_favored · Sep 21, 2014

bvouge thank you so much for replying! how would you say it changed, and was it for the better? how were the instructors and do they work with you to help and make sure you are getting the material? at orientation they said they want everyone to succeed and are there to help make sure you get it, but im just trying to see if its true? lol

how was it with so much information to retain and how did you get it to actually stick? are there a lot of chapters to read and know weekly? im trying to prepare myself for this journey as much as I possibly can. also how did you feel when you sat for your boards? did you feel you were well prepared? how long would you say it took for you to get a date for your boards? oh my goodness thank you so much once again for replying because there is barely any current information on the forum about the school, and some people never come back to the forum after they have finished with school. so many thanks! :)

bvouge · Sep 27, 2014

Sorry it's late and long!

You're welcome!

I'm not sure we'd already graduated once it took effect. But it most likely changed for the better. Instructors do help you if you ask and will give you pointers and tools. If you aren't getting a section, during one of the 10-15 min breaks or after class tell them so they can set something up or help you right then. lol. I understand, put it like this... If you aynt trying your hardest and pushing and studying and asking questions....they aynt gone help you.... You have to put forth in order for them to use their time to help you. Make sense.

HAHAHAHA...You will NEVER know if it stuck until A. Exit exam B. NCLEX (Another topic lol.) and C. When you're working and you remember oh yea!!! or when you're reading one of your residents chart and you're like oh yea I remember this!! or when you're watching a commercial and you hear a drug and you know the side effects or what it does.... That's when you know SOMETHING stuck. YES! A LOT of chapters.... A LOT!!

Uhhh... boards. Well I sent my info in, paid, registered, did finger prints...it would've been quick but my finger prints didn't take so it took like a week longer but its VERY quick. Being prepared goes back to the info being retained ACTUALLY sticking. NCLEX is another language in its self. If you have a lot of questions, it doesn't mean youre doing bad. It just means they found out your weak subject. Any who, I took the ATIs and I read ALL the rationales even the ones that weren't the right choice to understand WHY it wasn't the right choice or the MORE correct choice, as they do in nursing. I also did the Kaplan Review but I just listened to how to answer the questions and eliminate choices. That helped out ALOT!

I suggest...which is hard. But I suggest to do the ATIs that go along with the subject you all are studying. You'll have to ask for the codes but make sure you ask for the ATI pertaining to the subject. Study, read all chapters, Ask questions, get clarification, ATIs, Get all the hands on in clinical rotations, don't be scared to get out there and be a nurse... oh and the Director of Nursing...I don't want to put her on blast is a BOOK OF KNOWLEDGE!!! Just make sure that you have read and have notes and ask away she is a GREAT help!! I hope she's still there...

aNewMe_favored · Sep 27, 2014

oh yes mrs. P??? she is!! she said that they really want students to learn and get it and it was another instructor who said the same. they will be bringing in new instructors also, its just a lot to take in you know? LOL that's great getting an exam date is quick!!!thank you soooo much once again!

how do you go about getting the ATI's, do you have to pay for those and the Kaplan? These are online right? I have so many questions LOL hahahahaha

bvouge · Sep 30, 2014

YESSSS!!! Love her!!! It was a lot to take in, whenever you start ANYHTING new its always a lot to take in.

You are very welcome and ask away!!

ATIs will be given to you.... if they're still using it...they'll tell you how to set it up or give you a username... one of them. They are online and ATI is paid for through tuition.

aNewMe_favored · Oct 1, 2014

thank you so much bvouge!!!! how are you liking your new career was it an easy transition? I see a lot of jobs in LTC and some in hospitals as well. I will most assuredly ask away so please stay close by!!! LOL :)

Nay91 · Oct 11, 2014

Hey I'm so happy I found this thread. Does anyone know if you can change from evening to day class?

aNewMe_favored · Oct 13, 2014

Hi Nay91, for which school?

cocobrotha · Dec 16, 2014

Goodafternoon Im paying totally out of pocket . . . . Do you have any old text books . . . . that I can borrow . . . . Any assistance would be greatly appreciated . . . .

cocobrotha · Dec 16, 2014

Goodafternoon Im paying totally out of pocket . . . . Do you have any old text books . . . . that I can borrow . . . . Any assistance would be greatly appreciated . . . .

bvouge · Jan 5, 2015

Hi Silver3!!

I didn't even know you had replied, sorry for the delay. I'm still here!!

Its okay.. :yawn: I don't hate it but I would rather be using more of my skills learned. Then JUST pushing meds to 20-30 patients. You really don't get the time to get to know and learn of your resident/patients history or diagnosis or disease. That is what I am MOST interested in; wounds I LOVE WOUND CARE :yes:

I could care less about getting a check just to push a cart and pass medications. I feel I am more then LTC. I'm here... :banghead:at a brick wall with my nursing career. I've only been working for 9 month on the 7th. I want more...

I will say I have worked on the rehab side at my current job but its EXTREMLY busy so you cant, in my mind, take care of your patient accurately like you would want to.

Easy transition I will say yes. When I first started, the first few months I worked I was pregnant and emotional hormonal and I work 7p-7a on the rehab with 30 residents it was pleasant. I learned a lot. I'm seeking more so back to school I go for RN. Good days bad days but I'm in it for the experience not just a check. I LOVE learning. So at some point you feel like in LTC that you are not learning about the diagnosis or disease, your just coming to work.

I hope this makes sense lol. Just ask questions I'm still here.