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).

Anyone have specific details on uniform requirements? I know the handbook says, in part:

Female students will be able to choose a maroon skirt or slacks with a maroon scrub top embroidered

with "Rhode Island College School of Nursing". Male students will wear maroon slacks with the same

type of shirt. White lab coats will have Rhode Island College patch on the left arm. The School of

Nursing patch is available in the nursing office ($5.00). Scrubs, tops and slacks, lab coats, name tags

and other equipment can be ordered through Alexander's Uniforms, 1 Lambert Lind Highway,

Warwick, RI 401-654-6500. Updated ordering procedures will be announced each semester.

Anything specific on shoes? I'm doing CCRI's CNA program now, need to get white shoes, and would like to get shoes that work for both clinicals... Think white closed-back Danskos will be fine? Can't imagine they'd find much reason to disallow those.

Hey there!

Out of curiosity...has anyone transfered to RIC-Nursing from out of state?

I'm from CT and I have my undergrad in a non-health related field. I decided to go back to school for nursing and I'm about halfway through with my science pre-reqs...however I may need to move to RI due to my husband's work.

I thought about transfering to RIC and wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations or thoughts...

Thanks!

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
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..

1. 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?

I'm not sure what you mean by this, if you mean that someone wasn't able to do a certain clinical because there wasn't space at the time then the answer is "Yes". I know of a student who wasn't able to get into Maternity when she needed to because there wasn't enough space and she had to wait an extra semester so that she could be placed in the Maternity course. The school did help her out though in that rather then make her wait a whole semester they got her into the summer section and she did it then so she was still graduating at the same time as the rest of her classmates. I know this situation is very rare though, most students get the clinicals they need, perhaps a little out of the planned order that they wanted, but they still get them all done and on time. I had to take Peds. and Med/Surg I before I took Psych. and Maternity but it all worked out fine.

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

I would say "Yes" and "No". Yes I recommend it but it is not necessary, yet. I have an iPod touch (important because it has no camera on it) and I use Davis' Drug Guide and I have a program for EKGs and Lab Values too. I find them very helpful in clinicals when your patient gets a new drug added that you didn't get time to research the night before and its much easier to use then the online program that most of the Lifespan hospitals have, but that's just my opinion.

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

I've heard about it, read a little about it, wanted to do it and then ultimately decided I had enough on my plate with working 32 hours a week and doing school full time. Better ask Lauren on this one, she's a smartie and Honors sounds like something right up her alley.

Is there anything I should buy before starting 220 and 222?

Just get the recommended books and maybe a good bookshelf for all the nursing books you will have to get in the next few years. Don't throw away ANY of the books you buy once your in the program. I still use some of my 220 books and I'm a senior :uhoh3:. I would however get rid of any books from your pre-reqs because you probably wont' need them and you need the space for your new books.

What is on the TEAS Test?

Math and English, period. Its a test for basic competency, its really not that difficult. If you have taken a college course in either English or Math then you are already way ahead of the game. Most of the stuff covered is like stuff you learned in high school, but if your a little rusty on it that's ok too because as long as you pass then your fine. A few months into the semester someone will come and talk to you about your results and where you can improve on and how to improve. Breathe and relax.

!Chris :specs:

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Hey there!

Out of curiosity...has anyone transfered to RIC-Nursing from out of state?

I'm from CT and I have my undergrad in a non-health related field. I decided to go back to school for nursing and I'm about halfway through with my science pre-reqs...however I may need to move to RI due to my husband's work.

I thought about transfering to RIC and wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations or thoughts...

Thanks!

Lauren is our resident second degree girl and can answer all of your questions about that. Just a warning though, being a second degree student is like walking though a minefield because they make it really tough to get into the program because they only take a few second degree candidates every semester. You can do it though!

!Chris :specs:

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Good points, Chris.

I know that second degree students and transfer students are placed at the bottom of the "list" when the admissions committee decides on new nursing students. This is because RIC gives priority to students who started their freshman year at RIC as an intended nursing major. However, it is definitely possible to get in as a transfer or second-degree. Chris and I were both transfer students and are graduating from the program this year. Just keep your grades (very) high and work hard.

Specializes in Med/Surg.
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? i am very good friends with the person chris referred to. this is a rare situation, and luckily she is still graduating with us, since she was able to take the maternity course this summer.

does nursing 223 take place on or off campus? for the first part of the semester, you'll be doing lots of classroom time and also lab time for practicing skills. there's a few hurdles to get over before you can go to clinical-- the fundamentals exam, dosage exam, injections test, etc.... then you'll go to clinical once a week in a nursing home for the last 6 or 8 weeks (can't remember exactly). you only get one patient, and do very basic care on them (i did do a few injections, an enema, and some oral meds).then there's a big paper for the clinical component- the gerontological assessment paper and careplans. there is also a drug profile assignment, among other things.

would you recommend getting a pda or is it not necessary? waste of money, for the most part. i bought a pda and nursing software for it and have barely touched it. your reference books can answer all of your questions.

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'm not involved in an honors project. between my internship and getting ready to knock out this last year of school, i can't even imagine adding something else to the plate. you could always ask your advisor for more information if you're interested, though. you should be all set for 220/222 with just the books. i have to be honest, 220 and 222 are very simple courses. you read the chapters and powerpoints, and then you take the exams. the courses get progressively more difficult after that first semester, so don't stress about 220/222.

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! it's normal to be nervous, but try and relax a little. there's not much you can do to prepare, so enjoy your time off.

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..

the teas is basic english and math, no science on it. it's used as an assessment tool for your learning. if you have low scores on the teas, your advisor will meet with you to assess what additional help you might need so that you can be successful in the program. good luck!

Wow! Thank you both for the information. Extremely helpful. Can't wait to start classes!

Out of curiosity...has anyone transfered to RIC-Nursing from out of state?

I'm from CT and I have my undergrad in a non-health related field. I decided to go back to school for nursing and I'm about halfway through with my science pre-reqs...however I may need to move to RI due to my husband's work.

I thought about transfering to RIC and wanted to know if anyone had any recommendations or thoughts...

Thanks!

I transferred to RIC after two years studying science at a private school in MA. My grades were pretty low at my old school (about a 2.8 or 2.9) and I was terrified that I wouldn't get into the program. I think the most important thing is to take your prereqs at RIC and get A's in the three classes they stress the most (Chem106, Anatomy, and Psych - Human Development). It takes about a year to get your prerequisites done before you can apply to the program.

Thanks for the info fetta818 and Chris....I'll contact the school for more info too. I really like the structure of the program from what I viewed on the RIC website.

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

I agree with Fetta818 on this one. Get really good grades in the Chem 105 & 106, Human Development and Bio 108 (Take it even if you don't have to, its easy and gives you a good GPA boost). I would suggest that if you took Anatomy, Physiology or Micro. or anything like that at your other school and got below a B- you should probably consider retaking it at RIC but get your Chem 105 & 106, Human Development and Bio 108 out of the way first and apply after you've done them. Every time you apply (if you meet the miniumum requirements) and you are deferred because there isn't enough space, it moves you further up the list for next time. Note that I said deferred and not denied because denial means that you haven't even met the minimum requirements and if you try to apply and get denied twice then you can't be allowed into the program. The point is, make sure that before you apply your GPA is above the minimum requirements (I think its a 2.7 right now but I haven't heard of anyone getting in without at least a 3.0 or above) and make sure that you have done the required pre-reqs before admission. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

!Chris :specs:

Specializes in Med/Surg.
I agree with Fetta818 on this one. Get really good grades in the Chem 105 & 106, Human Development and Bio 108 (Take it even if you don't have to, its easy and gives you a good GPA boost). I would suggest that if you took Anatomy, Physiology or Micro. or anything like that at your other school and got below a B- you should probably consider retaking it at RIC but get your Chem 105 & 106, Human Development and Bio 108 out of the way first and apply after you've done them. Every time you apply (if you meet the miniumum requirements) and you are deferred because there isn't enough space, it moves you further up the list for next time. Note that I said deferred and not denied because denial means that you haven't even met the minimum requirements and if you try to apply and get denied twice then you can't be allowed into the program. The point is, make sure that before you apply your GPA is above the minimum requirements (I think its a 2.7 right now but I haven't heard of anyone getting in without at least a 3.0 or above) and make sure that you have done the required pre-reqs before admission. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

!Chris :specs:

Good post, just wanted to correct one thing you said: the thing about moving up the "list" next time, after you've been deferred, isn't true anymore. It used to be that way, though. You'd apply, get deferred because there was not enough space, and apply again with better chances. Now, they are strictly comparing you to the pool of applicants at that time.

So, if you have a 3.2 and get rejected on your first application... you apply again... they don't take into account that you've already applied previously. Your GPA and prereq grades are compared to this new pool of applicants. The only reason I know this is because it's now printed on the newer school of nursing applications, and I've heard some of the faculty discussing it.

Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Good post, just wanted to correct one thing you said: the thing about moving up the "list" next time, after you've been deferred, isn't true anymore. It used to be that way, though. You'd apply, get deferred because there was not enough space, and apply again with better chances. Now, they are strictly comparing you to the pool of applicants at that time.

So, if you have a 3.2 and get rejected on your first application... you apply again... they don't take into account that you've already applied previously. Your GPA and prereq grades are compared to this new pool of applicants. The only reason I know this is because it's now printed on the newer school of nursing applications, and I've heard some of the faculty discussing it.

Ohh ok that's cool. I didn't get a chance to read the new nursing application form. I guess that's more of a fair way to choose applicants.

!Chris :specs:

I posted a whie back and have been reading over the posts here. I've completed all my pre-reqs except chem 106 and have gotten an A- in everything else. My gpa is just under 3.7 and I swear all I think about is my gpa and getting in, whether it's good enough, etc. I am so nervous that I won't get in because of what I've heard about transfer students. It seems like I would have a good shot if I do well in 106, but I don't really know. Along with 106, I'll be taking core 1 and 2 this fall - so I'll be in for lots of studying and writing. ;)

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