Anyone ready yet? CSN newcomers?

QuietRN · Jan 14, 2009

Oh man! I'm with ya! I'm overwhelmed already!! Have you done the first week's readings yet? It's SOOO much!!! And there are so many other things to do besides all the text reading! The videos to watch, the quizzes to take (pharm), the papers to fill out, blah, blah, blah. I can see how it would be so easy to not get something turned in on time - there is a lot to follow, it'd be so easy to just miss something important!

My question to add: Is the WHOLE program this crazy?!

ohmeowzer RN, RN · Jan 14, 2009

i did the LPN to RN bridge so i didn't have to do the first semester. but i can tell you the program is rigorous and you won't sleep much until it is over and you graduate , then you study for boards. the program is aweome and i loved it... i passed all my math tests first try with 100% , but i do know alot of people were kicked out because of failing math. i don't know how they reinstate you with previous grades.. i think you are just considered to start over fresh. but the advisement office could answer the question about reinstatement...

do you have assigned reading allready? they want to start you out running because you will run the whole program. and believe me it's worth it... i am so happy i am a graduate of that program , it is awesome ... just take good notes and study alot... the program gets harder as you go along.. the last semester we had a lot fail out because the course work is built through the whole program and you are expected to know all that you learned through the year program. you pull it togther the last semester and they tell you uyo should know this information they give you in 211. the last semester we were studying 10 hours a day...

i am happy that you got in the program and please keep me posted .. learn all they tell you and do your reading ..

LvHaloRN · Jan 17, 2009

Yay!! Congrats on starting the program!! I'm in my last semester and its been an adventure! I'm so glad its finally over. The 1st semester is going to be very hard. And its not really that its hard but its like culture shock. All the reading and papers and tests you have to do. lol You're going to think....'what was I thinking coming into this program? I can't do this.' You've got to get that out of your head now! :) They might seem a little hard on the students but its kinda like a weeding out process. The 1st semester is really going to get you trained and in a rhythm to deal with the semesters to come.

The 1st semester math test isn't really something to worry too much about. You're going to have so much anxiety about failing it that it kinda helps you pass. The best advise I can give is repetitive practice. As long as you practice the problems and learn your conversions, you'll be fine. The harder tests come in the following semesters (especially 4th! - - we had 3 retakes and still had people fail out)

I'd say in my class, 90% passed their first try and the rest passed the 2nd try. I don't remember anyone who failed and had to drop out just because of math (at least in 1st semester). If you do happen to fail the 2nd time, your grades aren't going to save you. I think that's why they give the test in the beginning of the course. They don't care if you're a B average student. You'll have to get reinstated in the program.

So keep your chin up. Start good study habits now, form a study group, take lots of notes, and most importantly - - believe in yourself!! Good luck!! :heartbeat

NVhike · Jan 18, 2009

oh man! i'm with ya! i'm overwhelmed already!! have you done the first week's readings yet? it's sooo much!!! and there are so many other things to do besides all the text reading! the videos to watch, the quizzes to take (pharm), the papers to fill out, blah, blah, blah.
i just started last night. i'm still trying to shock myself out of "procrastination"!!!
i'm still trying to wake my "survival skills" up .... i swear, i think i have to climb red rock or jump into lake mead or something! . . . . . i'm keeping my fingers crossed though.

NVhike · Jan 18, 2009

i i am happy that you got in the program and please keep me posted .. learn all they tell you and do your reading ..

thank you for the kind words. . . . i just need to believe in myself a bit more (at least that's what my advisor told me when i met up with her on jan 15th to turn in everything for the ticket to clinical).

to be honest with you, i haven't exactly slept the same way for the last 2 - 3 weeks and i always feel like i'm forgetting something, or just feeling stressed already. i'm happy, worried, confused, anxious and god knows whatever else all at the same time! i wonder how many people felt like this before their 1st semester?? . . . . i bumped into a few people in the k bldg. a few days ago, who feel the same way as i do, it's comforting, but it doesn't take away the worry. anyway, wish me luck, 'coz i know i'm going to need it! :crying2: :confused:

NVhike · Jan 18, 2009

yay!! congrats on starting the program!! i'm in my last semester and its been an adventure! i'm so glad its finally over. the 1st semester is going to be very hard. they don't care if you're a b average student. you'll have to get reinstated in the program. so keep your chin up. start good study habits now, form a study group, take lots of notes, and most importantly - - believe in yourself!! good luck!! :heartbeat

thank you for the heads up and encouragement! yes, i can use whatever good luck comes my way. i know of the "weeding" part and i've known a few people who couldn't make the 90% math requirement on the 1st semester who are still trying to get "reinstated" as of today....

congrats on you almost finishing up... it must be nice to not have so much stress! at least, after you graduate, you only need to focus on nclex, which i'm sure you'll do well. thanks again. :)

Vegas New Grad · Jan 28, 2009

CONGRATUALTIONS on starting the program!! I graduated in Decemeber and I will say this, when I started the program I was excited and nervous and a little worried....so yes, that's normal. But I was also a procrastinator....not good, especially when almost every assignment requires reading at least a few chapters every night. Stay on top of the readings....this might be hard especially if you work or have children. If you can't get to every single chapter at lease skim through it paying attention to the charts and boxes throughout (they usually contain a lot of the important stuff). Take good notes....I can't stress this is enough...if you're not a fast writer, or if you don't have a laptop, try to invest in a recorder (if your intructor allows it). But that's really all you can do. Because there is a ton of information to be learned, really try your best to be an active learner - ask questions....ask a lot of questions this really helps you to understand the difficult concepts.

I won't say that I was a straight A student throughout the program....in fact it was a joke that we would say to each other 'C is good enough for me!' or 'C gets the degree'! But I did well in majority of my classes.

As for the math exam....you MUST PASS WITH A 90%....no questions....and it doesn't matter what you're averaging in class.

So take deep breath....say a little prayer and hang on for the ride of your life!!

GOOD LUCK!!

Race Mom, ASN, RN · Jan 29, 2009

I graduated in Dec 07. My advice to you all is that you take one night at the beginning of each semester, take out your syllabii from every class (lecture, lab, clinicals) and everytime there is something due or a test, write it on a calendar. I just printed out a calendar from an online calendar site and put all this info on it. Then I printed it out. I always bought the 3 ring binders that have a clear plastic front that you can slide a paper into and put a calendar in each binder front. That way it was always infront of me. You need to be organized. Missing an assignment, forgetting it's a test day...could cost you your seat.

When doing the math calc test, know that some questions will have more info than you need. Read the question, then find the dose ordered, dose on hand and how many mL's or tabs are included in that "dose on hand". Don't forget...if it asks you how many in 24 hours...you are probably needing to multiply your initial answer. Like tylenol 650mg PO every 8 hours. On hand is tylenol 325mg. How many tabs in 24 hours?

Dose ordered= 650mg

Dose on hand=325mg per tab

Needed =2 tabs

2 tabs X 3 (three times in 24hrs)=6 tabs in 24 hours

I always read the end of each question first to find out what they needed. I would write in the answer spot if I needed to figure out a 24 hour answer, etc. That way, I had to erase what I had written before I could answer, making sure I worked the problem all the way through. It's easy to just read the question and be excited that it looks right and forget to finish working out the remainder of the problem. Like in the above example...putting 2 tabs instead of 6 tabs because you forgot to find out the dose per day.

I am certain that none of this made sense. I've worked all night and need some sleep.

QuietRN · Jan 31, 2009

Woogy! Thanks so much for the great post! I just barely finished working on my two practice drug calc tests. I was worried about whether I was doing it right or not (and am awaiting response back from my instructor to see if I'm on the right track). But then I read your post...and I think I answered them right! Yea! The thing I have a hard time with is the conversions...so I really need to get working on memorizing them! Anyway...thanks for the great advice and the examples!!