Anyone? I am not sure wether I want to take this class or not. Supposedly it reviews the content and is good for when you have questions.
I have two concerns:
1. I have test anxiety. Does this 1-credit class have exams/quizzes too?
2. Inconvenient time. Our classes goes from 8am-12pm. Then we have a three hours break before this class starts from 3pm-4pm. It's a rather long wait for the one-hour class if you don't live nearby.
A little background, this is for block I. For prereq classes I usually get A/B's so I feel fine-ish. Just not sure how really beneficial this class is. Does it really prepare you for the N-CLEX like it said it wouls? Because everyone I know say they feel unprepared after graduation anyways. Going home at noon rather than 4pm, even though only once a week, seems nice.
Any opinions from current / prev students or in general? Thank you ?
Your 104 class will be with your regular cohort, nobody else. Blocks 2, 3 and 4 will have their own review class. It is a 1 credit class, but does not result in an actual credit-grade on your transcript. That doesn't mean you can just no-show for class though - you will be dinged if you don't show up if you enrolled in it.
Just like pototoz said, the value of the class really depends on your teacher. In general I have found it to be reasonably helpful. If nothing else, it gives me an hour with my laptop working through PrepU questions or something. For $100, I would say it's worth it.
Typically we would review concepts that we didn't understand, go over exam questions, review for upcoming exams, HESI questions, and so on. It varied depending on where we were in the semester. What time it will be depends on which school you're at and which block you're in. Every block, your schedule will change. Some blocks I was at school 3 days and lab 2 days, this block I've only been in school 2 days a week!
A lot of people have struggled with the fact that nursing classes are no longer teaching you about the patho/phys etc, it is mainly focused on nursing concepts. I mention this because you can ask questions in review class about that stuff, but don't expect it to be taught in regular class. Your professor will typically expect you to arrive to class having a pretty strong foundation of that stuff so they can get on with the nursing side of things.
Best of luck! Feel free to ask as many questions as you want - this place was a godsend to me when I was in your shoes I asked so may questions!! LOL
Apple-Core thank you SO much for all of the information. Are you currently in the CEP program? I feel like I am running in the dark trying to find out as much information as I can. I have heard some conflicting info and I am trying to get it all sorted out before I apply in December. I will definitely reach out to you and others on this platform...it is AMAZING!
The information you shared makes a ton of sense. If I get into the CEP program (fingers crossed) I am definitely going to take this class. Do they typically try to schedule the review class on the days when nursing students have classes on campus? I assume that would depend on the individual school and available space. Also, how is a nursing class/schedule structured? The days when you are not on campus do you attend clinicals?
Apple-Core thank you SO much for all of the information. Are you currently in the CEP program? I feel like I am running in the dark trying to find out as much information as I can. I have heard some conflicting info and I am trying to get it all sorted out before I apply in December. I will definitely reach out to you and others on this platform...it is AMAZING!
The information you shared makes a ton of sense. If I get into the CEP program (fingers crossed) I am definitely going to take this class. Do they typically try to schedule the review class on the days when nursing students have classes on campus? I assume that would depend on the individual school and available space. Also, how is a nursing class/schedule structured? The days when you are not on campus do you attend clinicals?
Sorry in advance for all the questions!
Don't apologize - ! Honestly, I asked so many questions too =0) Yes, I'm a CEP student although I graduate in 2 weeks!! Certainly at my school they always scheduled the review class to be prior to or immediately after a regular class, so you didn't have to drive in just for the hour - but, yes, I can only talk for my school although I am pretty sure that they are run the same way.
Classes are scheduled at various times and it depends on which cohort you are in. For example, some cohorts are weekends only. However, if you are in a M-F cohort, then classes are usually 8-12 or 9-12, or 1-4. Some blocks we had class in the morning and the lab (practical skills) in the afternoon. The schedule can vary depending on exams and skill check-offs. It also changes depending on the block you are in. In other words, there really is no set answer although usually you won't be in school every day.
Clinicals will be on days you are not in school, yes, and they can also be on weekends. Almost always you will do day shifts, and they will meet anywhere between 5.30am and 6.30am depending on which facility you are at.
Don't apologize - ! Honestly, I asked so many questions too =0) Yes, I'm a CEP student although I graduate in 2 weeks!! Certainly at my school they always scheduled the review class to be prior to or immediately after a regular class, so you didn't have to drive in just for the hour - but, yes, I can only talk for my school although I am pretty sure that they are run the same way.
Classes are scheduled at various times and it depends on which cohort you are in. For example, some cohorts are weekends only. However, if you are in a M-F cohort, then classes are usually 8-12 or 9-12, or 1-4. Some blocks we had class in the morning and the lab (practical skills) in the afternoon. The schedule can vary depending on exams and skill check-offs. It also changes depending on the block you are in. In other words, there really is no set answer although usually you won't be in school every day.
Clinicals will be on days you are not in school, yes, and they can also be on weekends. Almost always you will do day shifts, and they will meet anywhere between 5.30am and 6.30am depending on which facility you are at.
OH WOW!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!! This is so exciting!!!!! I am wishing you all of the luck! Knowing that you got in and are almost a graduate is so inspiring.
Also, thank you so much for more info. This is so helpful and it gives me some things to think about. Are students able to choose their clinical days, or does the whole cohort attend clinicals together?
If you do not mind me asking, which community college/university did you choose to partner with? I have picked my top three community college and university, but I fear that my score may not be competitive enough. I will not know for sure though until February/March.
Also, is there a way to send private messages on this platform? I feel bad flooding this stream with millions of questions.
OH WOW!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!! This is so exciting!!!!! I am wishing you all of the luck! Knowing that you got in and are almost a graduate is so inspiring.
Also, thank you so much for more info. This is so helpful and it gives me some things to think about. Are students able to choose their clinical days, or does the whole cohort attend clinicals together?
If you do not mind me asking, which community college/university did you choose to partner with? I have picked my top three community college and university, but I fear that my score may not be competitive enough. I will not know for sure though until February/March.
Also, is there a way to send private messages on this platform? I feel bad flooding this stream with millions of questions.
Hi again -
Yes, you can privately email me any time you wish, although I think this website mandates you have a certain amount of posts before you can use that feature. Don't worry about flooding the thread because I am sure many people have the same questions that you do!
Typically you don't get to choose your clinicals. You will be placed in a group of about 6 others from your cohort and will attend clinicals on a specified day. In block 1, your clinical will be long-term care. That is usually at a memory-assisted place or rehab. Usually the patient turn-around will be low - and you will often see the same patients every time you go. The idea behind this is to get you used to the basics of nursing - being comfortable with physical contact of a patient, passing basic oral meds and a few subQ/Im meds (such as heparin), turning patients, wound care etc.
In block 2 you will usually do med-surg (general medicine) and psychiatric nursing, block 3 is med-surg and OB (L&D) and block 4 is Peds and critical care (ICU and ED) plus your TTP (transition to practice). In other words, you get a pretty good all-round hands-on experience.
Clinicals are what you make of them. I've seen students sit around chatting for the entire shift, and others who get stuck in with every opportunity going. Obviously the latter is better for your skills practice.
With regard to your university choice, if you have the minimum GPA that the university specifies, then you are guaranteed a place with them if you get offered a place on the CEP. In other words, acceptance into the Maricopa college ensures your place in the Uni (not the other way around). It is the community college bit that is super competitive and based on your scores.
However, as I'm sure you are aware, you submit an application to the nursing pool as well as the CEP, so if you don't get accepted to the CEP, just reapply for CEP the next chance (the next semester), and your nursing pool application (which is for the ADN) will still be valid. Worst case scenario, if you fail to get into the CEP even with multiple applications, your ADN application will eventually wind its way through the system to the top and you'll get into the program via the ADN route. Then, once you get going and as long as you maintain a decent GPA in the ADN, you can transfer over (called "bridging") to the bachelor program at the end of block 2. OK - you'll graduate with the bachelors degree a little later than you hoped, but you'll still get it!
Graduating with the ADN still gives you the title of RN. Graduating with the bachelors means you'll be RN, BSN. To be licensed for either you have to sit your national licensing exam - the NCLEX, which is independent of the school(s). I hope that makes sense.
The CEP is done on a points system, so for sure you want to get the best GPA you can, and the best HESI A-2 score possible. Re-sit the HESI if you have to (you get 3 chances a year) to bump your chances. If you don't get chosen for CEP this semester, reapply for the next one, and the one after that....just keep applying (2 X a year) until you either get on the CEP or you get on the ADN!
Yes, you can privately email me any time you wish, although I think this website mandates you have a certain amount of posts before you can use that feature. Don't worry about flooding the thread because I am sure many people have the same questions that you do!
Typically you don't get to choose your clinicals. You will be placed in a group of about 6 others from your cohort and will attend clinicals on a specified day. In block 1, your clinical will be long-term care. That is usually at a memory-assisted place or rehab. Usually the patient turn-around will be low - and you will often see the same patients every time you go. The idea behind this is to get you used to the basics of nursing - being comfortable with physical contact of a patient, passing basic oral meds and a few subQ/Im meds (such as heparin), turning patients, wound care etc.
In block 2 you will usually do med-surg (general medicine) and psychiatric nursing, block 3 is med-surg and OB (L&D) and block 4 is Peds and critical care (ICU and ED) plus your TTP (transition to practice). In other words, you get a pretty good all-round hands-on experience.
Clinicals are what you make of them. I've seen students sit around chatting for the entire shift, and others who get stuck in with every opportunity going. Obviously the latter is better for your skills practice.
With regard to your university choice, if you have the minimum GPA that the university specifies, then you are guaranteed a place with them if you get offered a place on the CEP. In other words, acceptance into the Maricopa college ensures your place in the Uni (not the other way around). It is the community college bit that is super competitive and based on your scores.
However, as I'm sure you are aware, you submit an application to the nursing pool as well as the CEP, so if you don't get accepted to the CEP, just reapply for CEP the next chance (the next semester), and your nursing pool application (which is for the ADN) will still be valid. Worst case scenario, if you fail to get into the CEP even with multiple applications, your ADN application will eventually wind its way through the system to the top and you'll get into the program via the ADN route. Then, once you get going and as long as you maintain a decent GPA in the ADN, you can transfer over (called "bridging") to the bachelor program at the end of block 2. OK - you'll graduate with the bachelors degree a little later than you hoped, but you'll still get it!
Graduating with the ADN still gives you the title of RN. Graduating with the bachelors means you'll be RN, BSN. To be licensed for either you have to sit your national licensing exam - the NCLEX, which is independent of the school(s). I hope that makes sense.
The CEP is done on a points system, so for sure you want to get the best GPA you can, and the best HESI A-2 score possible. Re-sit the HESI if you have to (you get 3 chances a year) to bump your chances. If you don't get chosen for CEP this semester, reapply for the next one, and the one after that....just keep applying (2 X a year) until you either get on the CEP or you get on the ADN!
Hope this helps!
AC
Thank you for all of the information on clinicals. I definitely want to be as involved as I can be during clinicals because I may want to apply to those locations after I graduate and pass the NCLEX. I definitely do not want to be remembered as the “lazy” nursing student, lol.
In your opinion, which block had the most stressful clinical?
Thank you for all of the information on clinicals. I definitely want to be as involved as I can be during clinicals because I may want to apply to those locations after I graduate and pass the NCLEX. I definitely do not want to be remembered as the “lazy” nursing student, lol.
In your opinion, which block had the most stressful clinical?
For me, my least favorite clinical was psych. I didn't like it at all, and it wasn't comfortable to see people in such mental distress. Plus the unpredictability of it, and patients who wander around rather than stay in rooms. But it's a very personal opinion, as others in my cohort loved psych and plan to work in that field as a long-term career.
I haven't found any of the clinicals "stressful" per se. I think the most difficult aspect is being paired with a nurse who doesn't want to work with a student and/or other nurses who have been abrasive and rude, and in some cases downright mean. That typically wasn't my experience; most of the nurses I worked with were great, but I have friends who didn't have a great experience some weeks. Don't be shy to request a change if you find yourself in this situation though! Just talk to your instructor and ask to be partnered with someone else.
Nothing surprised me or "stressed" me regarding patient situations. I mean, the first time you do an IV on a real person it can be nerve-wracking but you'll soon get over that.
KCLSEA
59 Posts
Apple-Core thank you SO much for all of the information. Are you currently in the CEP program? I feel like I am running in the dark trying to find out as much information as I can. I have heard some conflicting info and I am trying to get it all sorted out before I apply in December. I will definitely reach out to you and others on this platform...it is AMAZING!
The information you shared makes a ton of sense. If I get into the CEP program (fingers crossed) I am definitely going to take this class. Do they typically try to schedule the review class on the days when nursing students have classes on campus? I assume that would depend on the individual school and available space. Also, how is a nursing class/schedule structured? The days when you are not on campus do you attend clinicals?
Sorry in advance for all the questions!