STLCC Forest Park - Starting Jan '09

U.S.A. Missouri

Published

Woohoo! Got my admission letter and dropped it off today at the office!! I'm very excited and just a little scared of it all. Anyone else out there starting this January? I can't wait!

STL2008, RN

285 Posts

Hey i start in January too! at forest Park! I need to turn in my paper still!

WDWpixieRN, RN

2,237 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

Good luck you two!! And anyone else starting soon!!

Just remember to keep putting one foot in front of the other; don't look too far in to the future and just take it one day/week at a time. LISTEN closely to your instructors -- especially your clinical ones....they will tell you all you need to know about working with them. Even the difficult ones pass students and you might as well be one (or two) of them. Lay low, be on time, mind your own "bidness", and be nice to the nurses/techs on the floor where you will be. The staff isn't always easy to get along with so be mindful of their time and "territory".

Just off an overnight shift and those are the things that come quickly to mind. Be prepared at all times and be ON TIME!! That's one of the quickest ways to get attention and it's NOT GOOD attention!! lol

My best to you; we need ya' out here!!

listener

96 Posts

Thank you WDW for your comments - I/we really appreciate it!!! And hello STL2008!! Glad to know there's at least one more person out there. Anybody else???

Btw, if you or any current students have a clue about figuring out textbook requirements ahead of time, I'd love to know. I much prefer buying books online, or getting used ones directly from recent students rather than going through the bookstore, if possible.

I'm also considering using a pda like a Palm TX. If any current/recent students have any suggestions regarding appropriate software for the STLCC program, that would be great info too. Thanks!!

WDWpixieRN, RN

2,237 Posts

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

listener:

I don't know how to help you there. We had an orientation several months before the program started and I had to miss it, but I don't think they gave out a list then. I had written our program director about a book list early but she never sent one. I believe it's in their best interest to NOT give a list early as it semi-forces students to buy from the bookstore due to the time crunch.

It's always possible to check this semester's books in the bookstore or online as a guide to what they'll be using, with the understanding that each semester is subject to change.

It can't hurt to try to contact your program's director to see about a book list ahead of time or to ask at orientation (if you have one). There is at least one FP student who checks in here from time to time; perhaps she'll be of more help.

As for the PDA thing; I'm no help. I know of one person who used one in our class -- not necessarily to her advantage, as she ended up repeating a semester. I also can't say I've seen them used on the floor where I am working now. Unless you've got the money to burn, your money may be better spent elsewhere for the time being!

luvs2readlotsRN

190 Posts

Current fourth semester Forest Park student here....CONGRADULATIONS TO YOU BOTH!!!! Hope that wait list wasnt too long!!!

You will love Forest Park! The instructors are great...I truly believe they bring out the best in you. Don't be intimidated by the check outs in skills lab...know that the instructors are there to guide you and want you to pass that skills check out. Keep on top of the reading, enjoy clinical...in fact if you hear an instructor is "hard" hope you get them! I learned the most from those "hard" instructors!!!

They are currently remodeling the simulator labs(robots)so you will be able to take advantage of that. As for books I know for first semester they just went to the newest edition of Potter & Perry...but you may want to just give the nursing office a call. They could tell you what books they want you to have...tell them that you want to read ahead...I'm sure they will be happy to guide you.

Feel free to PM me, or if you can't PM yet post any questions. I'll be happy to answer to the best of my ability. WDWpixie gave some real good advice. I would reiterate...take it one day, one class, one clinical at a time. Know that many others have done it, and successfully before you, and you can do it too!!! Good Luck!

luvs2readlotsRN

190 Posts

Oh! One more very important thing...Join the Student Nurse Association. It's only five dollars a semester, but they give away textbooks at most of their meetings. I've gotten free: a careplanning book, a drug book, a pathophysiology book, an NCLEX book. That $5 investment a semester has certainly paid off. Plus they have some great speakers and/or recruiters come in to talk. The last two semester they have also picked one "charitable project". Last semester it was to buy things for Nurses for Newborns. This semester we are buying items for one of the instructors to take to a hospital in Mexico. I cant praise Forest Park SNA enough! Again, good luck!

DoeRN

941 Posts

Congrats on getting accepted. I know a lot of people who graduated from there including my aunt who is a DON. And they have good pass rates. Hang in there it will be over before you know it. I am at a school that is really really close to Forest Park.

STL2008, RN

285 Posts

Congrats on getting accepted. I know a lot of people who graduated from there including my aunt who is a DON. And they have good pass rates. Hang in there it will be over before you know it. I am at a school that is really really close to Forest Park.

Thank you! Do u go to chamberlain?

STL2008, RN

285 Posts

Current fourth semester Forest Park student here....CONGRADULATIONS TO YOU BOTH!!!! Hope that wait list wasnt too long!!!

You will love Forest Park! The instructors are great...I truly believe they bring out the best in you. Don't be intimidated by the check outs in skills lab...know that the instructors are there to guide you and want you to pass that skills check out. Keep on top of the reading, enjoy clinical...in fact if you hear an instructor is "hard" hope you get them! I learned the most from those "hard" instructors!!!

They are currently remodeling the simulator labs(robots)so you will be able to take advantage of that. As for books I know for first semester they just went to the newest edition of Potter & Perry...but you may want to just give the nursing office a call. They could tell you what books they want you to have...tell them that you want to read ahead...I'm sure they will be happy to guide you.

Feel free to PM me, or if you can't PM yet post any questions. I'll be happy to answer to the best of my ability. WDWpixie gave some real good advice. I would reiterate...take it one day, one class, one clinical at a time. Know that many others have done it, and successfully before you, and you can do it too!!! Good Luck!

Thank You!!! I really want to PM u. But idk how many posts im suppose to have til I can PM.

One thing i was worrying about is our recorders allowed to have in the classrooms.

MrsIndependent

71 Posts

Lovs2readlots......is the student nurse program only for students of STLCC or an anyone join?

luvs2readlotsRN

190 Posts

They say "with the instructors permission you may record"...thus far all of my instructors have allowed recorders in the classroom. They don't allow them to be used in the nursing lab though.

Baileycakes: I think it's only for students at SLCC Forest Park interested in the nursing program. But, then I'm just guessing! For a definite answer you could call the nursing office at the college. Hope that helps!

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