A day in the life of CACC-Childersburg students

Cooper1 · Dec 25, 2008

I just got through my first semester and it was a lot of hard work but I pulled out making all A's for the semester. 1st semester clinical I did not have any weekend clinicals but some did. Really it is just luck of the draw who goes when and what times. You really have to be flexible to what they want. Going in I had a 3.8 GPA and I had 195 points so I'm sure you will have NO problem getting in. 1st semester we only had clinical once a week and the second semester we will be having clinical twice a week. The teachers give you a schedule at the beginning of the semester of all your clinicals so you know well in advance when and where they are. I am very satisfied with the program, I believe the teachers really know their stuff and teach it very well. Also the school does ATI testing and I think those books are wonderful! Well that is it for me I know I can't give you a 5 semester run down but I hope this helps. Merry Christmas!!! Good Luck!

melsman1904 · Dec 25, 2008

I'm going to be a 5th semester student Jan. 13. Here's how I see it:

First Semester: You do 6 clinicals( works out to once a week for a few weeks). Also, you have 3 classes that meet once per week, with Fundamentals lab meeting twice per week.

Second Semester: you do 18 clinicals( 12 for Med-Surg, 6 for OB/Peds...works out to about 2 per week). You have two classes meeting once each per week with a Med Surg lab that meets once per week(I think, can't remember for sure).

Third Semester: It's a summer class so you have lots to do with little time to do it! Class meets once per week with no lab. You will have 12 clinicals which will work out to once or twice per week.

Fourth Semester: You have class once per week with no lab. There will be 18 clinicals which works out to about 2-3 clinicals per week.

Fifth Semester: I'm just getting there, so I don't know a lot about this semester yet. I do know that you have two classes and 12 clinicals. Also, you have a preceptorship which is around 90 total hours(I think).

Classes are usually finished by 1400 with a few exceptions. Clinicals will depend on your non-nursing class schedule, as well as available clinical sites and instructors. So far, I've had no weekend clinicals because I only had 1 non-nursing class to take while in nursing school.

I am satisfied with the program.

The RN program is pretty darn competitive. I think 500 or so usually apply and around 75-80 get in. With 197 points, you *should* get in, but without knowing what every other applicant scored, no one can say for sure. But I had less points than you and got in. Good Luck!

Words of wisdom: Read the chapters, there will be material from the book that is not lectured on in class on the tests. Seek help from the instructors before you get into trouble with your grade...All of the instructors @ CACC are more than willing to help you.

LiveLoveLearn · Dec 26, 2008

wow you guys, thank you so much for that detailed info! :bowingpur i appreciate it so much. if you think of anything else, please let me know. merry christmas and happy new year! :gift:

Mommy_of_3_in_AL..RN · Dec 26, 2008

I went through pinning on December 18. Although I went through the RN program, i chose the delayed track, which split it into 7 semesters instead of 5. I did this because i have a husband and 3 small children, and live an hour away from campus. It was just a little less stressful on my family. So, having said that, i cant really give you much on each semester, because mine were different. But, I can tell you this..i learned that, although it is up to you to do well in class, it is almost imposible to do without the friends you meet along the way. You will see that you spend more time with them than with your family. The instructors are your friends, not your enemies..and you will have a much better experience if you know that from the beginning. Some students with me were constantly arguing and trying to force their hand with the instructors, who can be ruthless if given the chance. The best thing to do is know that you can go to them with anything...they will help.

As far as clinicals...BE FLEXIBLE!!! Yes, they give you a schedule each semester, but that is subject to, and WILL change...often times at the last minute. Then they will have to reschedule, which can also happen at the last minute....that is where most of your weekend clinicals come in. Flexibility is not a choice..it is a necessity. Car pool when you can, expecially to clinicals that are further away.

It is all worth it in the end. It truly is! Good luck to you, and if you need anything just ask.

LiveLoveLearn · Dec 29, 2008

"it is all worth it in the end. " that is true and i have all kinds of motivational stuff hanging on my desk and walls in my office telling me things like, "believe," "dream," "be a nurse," "join the ones who dare to care," and i even have my name typed and posted on the wall with all the initials that will come after it, one day--r.n. bsn, msn-- because like you said, it will all be worth it in the end. thank you mommy of 3! :) does anyone suggest anything to be familiar with before entering the rn program--such as medical terminology, equivalents, etc?

Mommy_of_3_in_AL..RN · Dec 30, 2008

It will not hurt to have some concept of medication dosaging, etc. You will use it from day one, and will build on it the whole time. It wont hurt to look over your health assesment book if you already have it, or as soon as you get it. You will have to do a check off performing a complete head to toe with a partner in first semester, so you can start that early. Otherwise, i would say that you can go over the procedures in Fundamentals (foley, NG tube, IV etc) but some instructors deviate a little from the text in their instruction, so just know that you may need to alter the way the book reads a little.

And it never hurts to start doing practice NCLEX exams..even from day one, when you dont know anything, becuase the tests given in class will mirror the NCLEX type format, and you should become familiar with that. Plus, most instructors require you to complete so many (750-1000) as part of your class credit. Thats about all i can think of right now with out totally scaring you..any other questions just ask!!!