CCAC Nursing Spring 2014 Hopefuls

Apples&Oranges · Nov 8, 2013

For us, we got our schedules in orientation (I'm at South.) They had the class officers come in and answer questions, which was really informative. It was great to get some tips from students who were more experienced in the program. We also got our clinical sites. Some of the clinical facilitators were there to speak to students about what type of unit it was and what to expect the first day, some were not. Mine wasn't. I had to call the hospital and ask what type of floor mine was (all I was told was 12E.) My floor ended up being progressive care (had to look up what that meant online ) but others got surgery, straight med/surg, ortho, etc. My group went in totally blind - literally, very first day was clinical and she said "Go start am care." WHAT?!? Scary as hell, but we got through it.

We also got a little bit of info on ATI and Certified Profile. Tip: Get on ATI right away. Not so much to start doing the practice tests, but to familiarize yourself with the site, (it's a HUGE site - TONS of resources) make sure you have access (you will need it later!) and to work out the bugs. Do the first practice test in week 2 or 3 - don't wait till October like they told us. You will get a terrible score, but who cares? It will be a perfect example of the way your exam questions will be worded. You're not in A&P anymore....This program will make A&P and Micro look like a day at the beach. Seriously.

Really, though, this is the exciting part. Enjoy the anticipation. Once classes start, you won't have much time to be anything but nervous and exhausted and confused...If you stay organized and keep up with the reading and assignments, though, it's totally doable. I have high As in 110 and 120 because I go and sit in the library and study on my days "off." It's stressful, but soooo worth it when you do well. Good luck, and please let me know if you (anyone) have any questions. I really wish I had known who to ask before I started!

P.S. Don't take your own stethoscope into isolation rooms! Leave it in your bag! Yuck.

mrsralph · Nov 12, 2013

Thanks for the info! Do you have any idea when we are able to purchase our books? Cost? Etc. how about shoes? And I have a friend who has to take a co req. do you know if they allow you to take classes over the summer? Thanks in advance :-)

bunnysanford · Nov 15, 2013

The books are expensive... if you get the big package from the bookstore. Ask your professors if they absolutely require you to have the latest edition, or if they plan to have you turn in assignments from the PrepU programs that come with the bookstore package. I have been very successful buying the next-to-latest edition (6th edition of Fundamentals by Taylor... I found for $6, disc intact, code unused. The main difference seems to be the chapters are in a slightly different order, so I took a photo of my classmate's table of contents to refer to so I wouldn't read the wrong chapters). I recognize I won't be able to get away with it in all of my classes, but I spent under $200 on my textbooks this semester (not including ATI) where some of my classmates spent over $1000. Do not be afraid to shop around and get your books one at a time. I thought the little bit of online shopping time I spent was well worth it. The only thing you HAVE to buy at your campus bookstore is the ATI packet, no matter what the people at the bookstore tell you (they don't know, they're just trying to sell books). Half-Price Books, Amazon, Chegg: these are your friends. That's my rant.

Shoes: all white, no mesh, comfortable practical shoes. I got a pair of Sanita clogs (like Dansko) at a pretty nice price on Amazon that have served me well. Whatever works for you. I imagine mine will take me through the first couple years of my career.

The one thing I would change about this semester is I would have studied some from my ATI book for my quizzes and tests in class. Those books are like the Clif Notes to your big books, and would have been handy to supplement my long readings (not as a replacement -- don't get me wrong).

That said, I can't guarantee that any of this isn't going to change suddenly, so save your receipts in case they suddenly decide to require bright orange shoes instead or something!

bunnysanford · Nov 15, 2013

OH! ATI makes a phone app that is all study questions. I like to practice them on the bus. They have a free version, but I went ahead and got the deluxe $20 version, since I'll be taking those tests the whole way through. I thought it helped.

Nellienel12 · Nov 22, 2013

Hi there. Im also accepted to Boyce Day program. I hear its a pretty good program. Im in the process of getting things together now. My biggest concern is having enough time for work and school.

Apples&Oranges · Nov 27, 2013

Somehow this didn't post back when I wrote it. Here it is again:

Books they told us about at orientation. I wouldn't order them before cause some of the "required" books (like the math book) were not actually required. They said, as long as you can do calc, we don't care HOW you do it. I got the list at orientation and ordered all my books on Amazon. The people who got the "package" at the bookstore paid about 800$. I paid about 500$. It was stressful not knowing for absolutely sure if they would get there on time or be the right edition - all was perfect. As far as summer classes, I think the only campus that runs through the summer is Boyce fast track. You can always take non nursing during the summer (like micro or whatever if you don't have it done - and get your BSN classes done!) and there is a 210? nursing course with no prereqs. At South, there is a lottery system to determine who can take it in the summer cause sooo many people want to get it out of the way. Of 120 of us, only 30 get to take it. . It will probably be different for you guys cause your terms are offset from ours. As far as shoes go: I have worked 14-15 hour shift in ERs for years. GET A GREAT PAIR OF SHOES. It's worth the investment to spend 70-80$ on a pair that will let you be on your feet without pain. Oh, they absolutely MUST be all white for school. I got the white goofy shoes they offered with the uniforms at orientation cause they were super comfortable - big mistake. They are really comfortable...for about 9 hours. After that my feet start to cramp and ache. I wear them for short (clinical) days, but not for work. The Good Feet Store in Squirrel Hill has great shoes, or look online for specific nurse shoes. Good arch support. Worth it.

Took the first ATI test yesterday... Passed in the 99th percentile!! Several of my classmates did not . Read your ATI fundament

Keep having fun planning!

mrsralph · Jan 7, 2014

Thanks so much for all the info!!! Classes start Monday and I'm very excited and nervous too! We have orientation this Thursday and im hoping they will let us know where our clinical site will be since our class schedule still says TBA!!! I have decided to wait on shoes and ask what is acceptable at orientation Im hearing many different things. I have a co worker who started on my job a few months ago and she will be graduationg from the program this spring. She gave me the Fundamentals of Nursing textbook and told me to begin reading, in which I have. She also gave me all the ATI books as well. she said its best to always read ahead. During registration me and 3 other friends made sure we registered for the same class and clinical which was so nice!!! Hopefully we can do that for the whole program if we are lucky again!!!! Its nice to know we will have a little study group to help each other!! I'm so ready to embark on the future that awaits me. @Nellie I work in a hospital doing 3 twelve's a week. I work every weekend, and now every Wednesday to accommodate my class schedule. 3 twelve's is the way to go!! Working every weekend doing twelve's free up more days through the week. And being that I don't have class on Wednesdays I work my 3rd twelve that day. Not sure of where you work and whether or not your job accommodates your school schedule but Good Luck with everything!! Oh And what's your class schedule?! I'm in option #2. Maybe we are classmates :-)

Nellienel12 · Jan 12, 2014

I work down at shadyside rehab. U know what we are classmates. Im option 2 also.

RaiDade · May 8, 2014

Hey Mrs.Ralph I just realized who you were lol, best wishes this friday!