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).

...I've got a question for some of the 2nd semester juniors or seniors....Whats up with these math/meds exams on the first day of clinicals? Is it just like the math/meds exam we had in fundamentals? they supply calculators? Is it for every clinical? or just med surg I? Thanks!

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Shoes for fundamentals have to be white. (My professor said that later in the program some professors may allow black) But for fundamentals, white shoes are a must. They can be all white sneakers (leather, no cloth b/c of risk of bodily fluid splashing and inability to easily clean contaminated cloth), or white nursing shoes. I was trying to save a little money, and I bought all white sneakers ($50). Lets just say this semester, I splurged and bought a nice pair of Dansko nursing shoes at Alexanders ($85 after discount). My feet were killing me in the sneakers after an 8 hour day on my feet![/quote']

I don't think that's true. I've never worn white shoes and it's not in the nursing school handbook either but some students are convinced they must be white. There's no policy on it from what I understand unless they changed the rules recently.

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...I've got a question for some of the 2nd semester juniors or seniors....Whats up with these math/meds exams on the first day of clinicals? Is it just like the math/meds exam we had in fundamentals? they supply calculators? Is it for every clinical? or just med surg I? Thanks!

Yes, you take a calculation exam for every clinical throughout the program and they supply the calculator. I believe passing is 90% and you get 3 chances. As long as you have a Math for Meds book, you should be fine. It's just basic dosage calculations in those lovely word problems lol. Don't get lost in the extraneous information. :)

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Not sure. I think your right, I don't think its in the handbook either. But all 4 professors in my fundamentals class last semester (Fall 2010) specifically said "white leather and no cloth" to the class. I hope we are able to wear different colors. :) I love the designed shoes at Alexanders. :)

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Thanks for the math/meds exam info! I have been worried! So its the same as fundamentals: 90% or higher is passing, and you get a retake (or 2). Good to know.

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Not sure. I think your right I don't think its in the handbook either. But all 4 professors in my fundamentals class last semester (Fall 2010) specifically said "white leather and no cloth" to the class. I hope we are able to wear different colors. :) I love the designed shoes at Alexanders. :)[/quote']

Yeah, in fact, I have some black shoes and several other students wore black. One student had a leopard print dansko and some students simply wore regular sneakers! LOL With that being said, wear whatever your professor prefers. Good luck in clinical!

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That's good to know! Thank you! I actually prefer black and its not too late to return the shoes I just bought! Thanks for the good luck! I will need it! Med. Surg and pedi are a few weeks away!

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.

Hey everyone, I'm a senior level student and just to verify that you need to get white shoes/sneakers that are not open-toed and are washable. A lot of professors will let you slide if you have black shoes but some are very particular that you have white so its best just to get the white ones to start with and then your fine. Any other questions for an exiting senior that I can help you with?

!Chris :specs:

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From what I've been told by my adviser, they have a set number of transfer and second-degree students that they accept each semester. Students who started their freshman year at RIC are given first priority, then several spots are designated for the transfer and second-degree people. It is more difficult to be accepted as a transfer/sec deg. student, but not impossible.

Thanks for the good luck... we'll need it this year! Graduation and NCLEX is just around the corner! :nurse:

Thanks again... I got my acceptance letter for spring and I'm so excited! :w00t: I've worked hard to get into the program so it feels good to know that I'm in. I feel like I can actually focus on the next part now. - and try to find books that aren't too expensive.

I know you aren't supposed to mention professor names, but I'm hoping that mine are good... according to rate my professor, both ladies have so-so ratings. Some hate them and say favorites are chosen, some love them. Are the first two nursing courses difficult?

When do you take the NCLEX and how soon after do you know?

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Congrats!! That is awesome!! I was accepted last Spring (2010) and I was very proud too! And you should be!! Its not an easy task and the competition certainly isn't minimal! NURS-220 and 222 are not difficult courses (in comparison to the rest of the program). A lot of studying is required to do well. Just do the reading assignments, and do not get behind on the reading! :) Kind of boring but provides a good transition to 223 and 224.

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Chris...any advice for med.surg I and pedi? Anything I should brush up on for day 1? Thanks! :)

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Specializes in Emergency Nursing.
Chris...any advice for med.surg I and pedi? Anything I should brush up on for day 1? Thanks! :)

Send me a private message of your instructors names and I can offer some better advice.

!Chris :specs:

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