Anyone in the fall 2010 cohort for the ABSN program at Concordia (in Irvine)?

BellsRNBSN · Sep 4, 2010

Hi Blueberry,

I did the same thing as you - I ordered one uniform set ahead of time to make sure it fit right. And I'm glad I did, because it was definitely too big, so I sent it back for a smaller size. I have two pairs of pants, two tops, and one cardigan/jacket. No, we did not have to wear our uniforms on the first day. In fact, I don't believe we will ever wear our entire uniform to class. On some days, you will be wearing your cardigan/jacket though, so I would just make sure you have that by the end of the first week, or by the second week, just in case. The dress code for class is very laidback. Sometimes they tell us to wear comfortable shoes, but you could wear sandals if that's what you're most comfortable in.

That's very nice of you to say, I'm glad I can help! I look forward to mentoring your class next semester, although from what it sounds like, second semester is the hardest and busiest. Clinicals start next week so I'll be getting my shoes and some supplemental books this weekend. I can't believe it's coming up so fast! Second week DONE!

Hope you're doing well!

KRomney · Oct 3, 2010

Hopeful!

How are you? How are you feeling, how is everything going? Update us if you ever have a minute, I would love to hear about everything!!! Hope all is well!

BellsRNBSN · Oct 4, 2010

Hi there :)

I'm...exhausted, haha. That tired feeling never really goes away. Things are definitely getting intense. We're averaging 2 written tests and 1-2 skills tests (so a total of 3-4 tests) every week. I'm a bit overwhelmed, but...

I am definitely still LOVING the program! The faculty are great and my classmates are simply amazing. And my favorite day of the week is probably my clinical day. My clinical shifts have been great so far (I really hope I'm not jinxing myself by saying that!) - I LOVE my clinical group, my clinical instructor is nice, and my patients have been fabulous. It's so true what all of the instructors said to us - the patients are so happy to have the extra attention from the students, they just love us. The RN I shadowed at my last clinical was even teasing me about how the patient would only talk about how much she liked me, which really made my day. I've been really fortunate to be shadowing amazing RNs so far; not all of my classmates have been so fortunate. It seems to me that how your clinical shift goes is directly dependent on two things: 1) how your clinical instructor is, and 2) how the RN you shadow is.

By the way, I ended up buying white New Balance sneakers for clinical. My feet fit in normal width shoes, but I bought the wide width, and they have been great for me. My feet are still tired at the end of the shift, but they feel fine overall. My back, however, is a whole other story. I just started having back pain this week, I might have to trade in my backpack for one of those suitcase rolling things.

So anyway, it's crazy and exhausting and intimidating and exciting and like nothing I've ever experienced before. But I'm sure you guys will love it! :nurse:

Feel free to ask me questions if you have any! I hope you guys are doing well too. Enjoy your sleep and free time (if you have any) while you still can!

KRomney · Dec 5, 2010

Hopeful!

We haven't heard from you in awhile and I just wanted to check in to make sure your still alive haha! I am getting really excited although they just set back our start date another week :uhoh21: oh well, more time to prepare!

How is everything going, any tips for us, are you barely hanging on or are you managing things? No rush on answering, I would love to hear some stories!

Hope all is well!

KRomney · Dec 6, 2010

Also.. I could have sworn Henny posted the clinical sites on allnurses, but I can't seem to find that post. Do you know all of Concordia's clinical sites?

BellsRNBSN · Dec 14, 2010

Hey Romney! :)

Done with first semester!!!!!!!!!!!! We had finals last week, so I've been pretty busy. First semester is pretty crazy, but I think that's mostly because you're getting used to the fast pace and testing style. I think the most important advice I could give to the incoming class is to stay calm and not freak out and to stay organized and on top of things from the very first day. The first few weeks of the program weren't as hard as I was expecting them to be, but the work and tests creep up on you, and before you know it, you've got 3 written tests, 2 skills tests, 2 care plans, and a paper due all in the same week.

I'm so excited to meet your class! Each of you will be paired up with a "mentor" from our class. We're going to be super busy with second semester, but we all will definitely help you guys as much as we can. Plus, the faculty are all so supportive, so you guys have a lot of options for help if you need it.

Do you mean the clinical sites just for your class or for the whole program? Clinical sites are pretty much decided right before the semester begins, so usually the faculty don't even know for sure until around the first week of classes. I don't know where your class will be. We were told our clinical sites for second semester, but there have already been changes. A common theme I find among nursing schools is that nothing is ever set in stone. I could give you a list of possible sites if you want? Like where our clinical sites were for first semester and where we'll be for second semester. Let me know if you would want that and I could PM it to you.

I hope this info helps! And seriously, ENJOY the holidays and your time off before the craziness begins! Get a lot of sleep and spend plenty of time having fun with your friends and family. Merry Christmas!!! :nurse: