Anyone else applying for fall 2010 SPC nursing program?

dp133 · Dec 22, 2010

So this thread hasn't been active in a little while but I wanted to post and see how everyone's first semester went? Mine went pretty well but I think I'll enjoy level two more. I know it will be more work as the care plans will become more extensive but I think I'll enjoy the content a little more as I find patho very interesting. Enjoy the break!

leighfl · Dec 22, 2010

dp133 - thanks for reactivating this thread. I will begin SPC nursing classes in Jan. Just picked up the books today. Interested in hearing what you thought of the workload? I've heard A's are not achievable? I appreciate hearing your thoughts on the program.

dp133 · Dec 23, 2010

Leighfl, congrats on starting the program. Are you doing days or nights?

I wouldn't say A's are unattainable. The grading scale is tougher as you need a 92% for an A but people do get A's. With that being said I'll add that alot more B's are given that A's.

Regarding the program... I can't make comparisons as I haven't attended any other nursing programs. I'll say that it's a better value than the programs offered by private, for-profit institutions. And it's not fair to compare SPC with USF or UT as those are BSN programs with different curriculum.

Keep up with the reading and WORK when you're at your clinical site and you should do fine.

studentinnursing · Dec 23, 2010

A's are attainable. Keep up with your reading and enjoy clinicals; that's when you'll know if you really love nursing; it's absolutely indescribably cool to take care of and get to know your patients. One mistake I saw some people make at clinical was: when passing meds, some other students would only write down/look up the meds they were passing; you'll know what I'm talking about when you start clinical. You should look up all meds, as I knew all about patient's medical diagnoses, health status, and/or health history before I even looked at the chart. The only other thing, as I stated, is keeping up with reading; reading before or after lecture works, whichever works for you. Good luck and have a blast! I am just going into Nursing II in January, so that's all I have, first semester stuff. Practice your skills over and over til they're second nature if you have time too.

ILRunner · Jan 6, 2011

Does anyone know how long we are on campus prior to going to the clinical sites for Nursing 2? Just curious. Thanks!

marita19_98 · Jan 27, 2011

just wanted to share.... I just received my acceptance letter for fall 2011 ..... so happy....

any helpful advise to a future RN transition student!!!!

Anyone out there .....

msbean · Apr 28, 2011

If you just go to the local health center they should pull you up. And if not you'll have to get titers done for Varicella (Chicken Pox) and your MMR. Plus you need 2 TB tests! But don't stress out too much, they don't really need all that till like a month or two after you started. You just don't wanna wait last minute.
Shoes: Get whatever you feel is comfortable! They're your feet! But in the beginning they're a little picky about your shoes but as long as they are predominantly white, you're good!
Stethoscope: I like the Littmans! I think you hear great through them. You may want to check out Ultrascopes as well. They are pretty much the BOMB! And you can get them in fun designs!
Clinical Sites: PM me if you want specific teachers I would suggest...
Bad news: Med/Surg is EVERY semester... get used to it!!! It's not that bad... You only have one patient for teh day :)
Laptops: Just like Morgan0429 said. In the beginning most people didn't but by the end EVERYONE had theirs there. Hahah. There are a LOT of powerpoints! But they're VERY helpful, too. ---Some teachers don't allow for recorders because they sometimes "forget" that they are up there when we take breaks... And it happened in my class that they had said some things that they did not want to be recorded!!! Hahaha, but I didn't feel the need to have one, I just took notes :)
Phone Apps: To be honest, I used my med/surg, lab and nursing diagnosis books only. I didn't have any apps on a phone or PDA for level 1 or 2. I just got an iPod touch to see and some of the apps are $$$!!!! So you're guess is as good as mine. Though I have been researching and epocrates seems to be pretty good. I believe there are threads on here about apps so you should be able to find some good ones!
Math: Don't freak. Even if it's a hard subject for you! And honestly, don't worry about it till you're in class! Enjoy the rest of your summer and RELAX... Buy yourself a massage and get a pedicure, don't do math! It's really not as hard as it seems, it's just a few basic formulas, that NEVER change... And they will teach you ALL about it. In fact, they do a math workshop that you should go to. That is all you will need! I promise!
And Morgan0429: Whatever clinical experience you had in level 1. That would be considered Med/Surg... And it doesn't really change to much either.
If I didn't answer something, I'm sorry! Ask me again or message me! :)

Hi AT.. I've been reading your posts here from last summer and am wondering if you could share your thoughts on clinical sites/instructors with me in a PM? I start this Fall and have NO idea where to start as far as choosing clinicals..

Thanks in advance :)

Drea92 · Nov 30, 2011

im extra late but i was curious on which shift was better, night or day?????

haimyem · Dec 1, 2011

Depends on what you're looking for. Night session does not take a break over the summer, so if you're willing to crunch a couple of weeks that you don't get in the summer then nights would work for you. If you tend to procrastinate this may not be the option for you.

Drea92 · Dec 1, 2011

thanks for the reply. would you by chance know which hospitals i would have to pick to be on nights? i think st.anthony's was one if im not mistaken

haimyem · Dec 1, 2011

Day and night have two different sign ups. It doesn't matter what hospital you pick, it's whether you choose day or night on the sheet and if you are an alternate you get what they have. If you have the choice it is normally choice 6,7, or 8 on the bottom of the sheet. St Anthony's might be a night choice, but it could also be a day choice like the VA.

Drea92 · Dec 1, 2011

okay thanks :)