Rhode Island College School of Nursing-- BSN Program

U.S.A. Rhode Island

Published

i just wanted to start a thread for the ric bsn program. if anyone has questions on pre-req classes, admission, what the program is like.....this is the place to ask! the whole nursing school process can be overwhelming, so hopefully this will help out a little.

i (along with my buddy chris, who is also on allnurses) will be starting my senior year in the fall. any questions about the program can definitely be answered by either myself or chris! :D

just as a reference, here is the recommended plan of study:

freshman year

biol 108basic principles of biology -4

biol 231human anatomy -4

chem 105general, organic, and biological chemistry i -4

chem 106general, organic, and biological chemistry ii -4

psyc 110introduction to psychology -3

psyc 230human development -4

wrtg 100writing and rhetoric -4

general education core (1)

sophomore year (beginning)

nurs 220foundations of therapeutic interventions -3

nurs 222professional nursing i -3

nurs 223fundamentals of nursing practice -3

nurs 224health assessment -3

biol 335human physiology -4

biol 348microbiology -4

general education core (2)general education core (3)

junior year (intermediate)

nurs 340psychiatric / mental health nursing -6

nurs 344maternal newborn nursing -6

nurs 342adult health nursing i -6

nurs 346nursing of children and families -6

general education core (4)general education (m)

senior year (advanced)

nurs 370public and community health nursing-6

nurs 372adult health nursing ii -6

nurs 374contemporary professional nursing -3

nurs 375transition to professional nursing practice -6

*nurs 375 is the last nursing course taken

general education (a)general education (sb)elective

admission requires completion of the pre-reqs (two chems, bio 108, anatomy, two psychs)

and a minimum gpa of 2.7 (though i don't know anyone who has been admitted with under

a 3.2).

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Just go next to my name and click on the little email icon :)

Foote is great. She has a very dry sense of humor and gives you everything you need to pass her exams. I had a different professor for 222 when I took it, but the professor you have also teaches fundamentals and med/surg clinicals. She is known to be a "cool" clinical instructor, but tends to have favorites. I think you'll be OK since this is only a lecture course, and is very easy.

As for micro...I had that professor. She is a tough cookie. One minute nice, the next minute snapping at you. Stay out of her radar, that's all I can say lol.

MiniDachshund - glad to hear you enjoy the meetings. We are working on getting some new guest speakers for this year. Should be fun! See you both in the fall around the nursing lounge - I'll be the one stressed out in the corner studying for Med/Surg II and all the other lovely senior courses :nurse:

If you girls have any other questions about anything at all, please feel free to ask away!

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I'm glad you want to get involved!

Meetings are held every other Weds from around 12-1 in the nursing lounge in Fogarty. You can private message me your email address and I'll add it to our list to keep you up to date with meetings, the welcome reception, and special events.

I wish these meetings were later in the day or on the weekends. I can never attend because I have to go to work :(

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
I wish these meetings were later in the day or on the weekends. I can never attend because I have to go to work :(

Oh, bummer! Sorry about that. It's RIC's "free period" so we have to hold the meetings then.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Hey Lauren do you by any chance know when they will be sending out the Sigma Theta Tau invitations this year? I thought the ceremony was in the early fall so does that mean the invites go out sometime this summer? I'm just curious, I hope that my GPA is good enough to qualify.

!Chris :specs:

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Hi! I was told recently via email that you have to have completed N374 and are 1 or 2 semesters from graduation. Dr. H (RIC Psych nursing) will contact those who are eligible in early September for induction in December.

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Hi! I was told recently via email that you have to have completed N374 and are 1 or 2 semesters from graduation. Dr. H (RIC Psych nursing) will contact those who are eligible in early September for induction in December.

That's just the information that I was looking for, thank you. I'm going to be a senior this fall and I'm actually completing N374 this summer in the Summer II session. Thanks again.

!Chris :specs:

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Has anyone here taken clinical during the summer? I've heard they're difficult to get into because there are limited spots.. does it go by GPA, or credits, or is it random? I would like to take a couple of my nursing courses during summer 2012 so that I can graduate one semester earlier. Any opinions on whether this is a good/bad idea? Thanks :)

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I haven't taken a clinical but I am taking the leadership course (it has no clinical component to it.) I've heard that the summer clinicals are a lot of work and that you should plan on NOT having a job and whatever else you like to do lol. But if you can make it through the six weeks, it'll be worth it. Personally, I need a slower pace so that I can grasp the material.

To add to that, I've heard that there's a test every week (at least in med/surg). So you have lecture on Monday, then you go to the hospital to prep for clinical on Tuesday, lecture again on Wed., Wed. night prep, Thursday clinical again and Fridays are off.

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Specializes in Med/Surg.
Has anyone here taken clinical during the summer? I've heard they're difficult to get into because there are limited spots.. does it go by GPA, or credits, or is it random? I would like to take a couple of my nursing courses during summer 2012 so that I can graduate one semester earlier. Any opinions on whether this is a good/bad idea? Thanks :)

Summer class availability goes by the number of credits you have. Because of this, second degree students almost always fill up the summer clinical courses.

I have friends that have taken one or two summer clinicals and have gotten by, but they all have said they'd never do it again (too fast and too much stress). I know everyone is always in a rush to finish, but I'm glad I've taken the full 3 years....it's been difficult enough the traditional way, nevermind accelerating the process!

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Thanks for the input!!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I have to agree with Lauren on this one, summer clinicals are usually not a good idea unless you are not working and have absolutely no other commitments so that you can focus your entire time during the class to coursework and studying. I would also reccomend not doing summer clinicals unless you are a really strong student in other clinicals (atleast a B+ in all of your other clinicals) but again that is just an opinion.

!Chris :specs:

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I have to agree with Lauren on this one, summer clinicals are usually not a good idea unless you are not working and have absolutely no other commitments so that you can focus your entire time during the class to coursework and studying. I would also reccomend not doing summer clinicals unless you are a really strong student in other clinicals (atleast a B+ in all of your other clinicals) but again that is just an opinion.

!Chris :specs:

Thanks! Yes I am aware that I would have to devote all my time to studies if I did this. I guess that also rules out starting 340 next summer if they offer it (because I will be taking 223, 224 during spring 11). I want to graduate ASAP, but don't want to sacrifice the quality of my education...

A couple more questions for you senior level nursing students at RIC:

Have you ever (or do you know of anyone who has) had to put off a certain clinical for a semester because there was no space?

Does Nursing 223 take place on or off campus?

Would you recommend getting a PDA or is it not necessary?

I read about an Honors Program during senior year in the nursing student handbook, is anyone involved in that?

Is there anything I should buy before starting 220 and 222? (besides books - haha)

I just have so many questions and I am SO nervous :eek: to start this fall so I am trying to prepare myself as much as possible.. So glad I found this site and thread!

Also - What is on the TEAs Test? I am taking it the 24th. Think I'll be fine for math and English but I'm a little worried about what kind of science is on it..

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