Anyone in Passaic County Evening Progam?

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Hi everyone,

Does anyone here attend the Passaic County Evening Program?

I am starting in January and I am very nervous....all my pre-req are done so all I have to focus on is Nurs 101.

I am wondering how everyone handles it?

Unfortunately, I do have to work during the day, and I am in the middle of changing careers. Nursing is something I have always wanted to do and would like to get a feel for the program....likes/dislikes, workload, schedule.

Any info would be great!!

Thanks,

Denise

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Hi Denise,

I start Nur 1 at PCCC this week, so I can't help you with the evening program. But I'll let you know how the day program is when I start this week!!

Over the summer I had to complete a self-learning module on handwashing, bed baths, and occupied bed making. Then I had to go to lab for practice and testing out (by demonstration). I was nervous about it but the nurses in the lab were really nice and helpful.

I'll keep you posted as to my progress!! I can't wait to start this week even though I'm really nervous because I don't know what to expect!

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Hi,

That would be great!! You must be so excited!!

I went to the orientation in May but, I had to defer to the evening program, so I will start in January.

I do have that self learning packet, glad to hear it was not too bad and the nurses were nice and helpful.

I was already nervous about that...lol

Please let me know how you are doing, and I wish you the best of luck!!!

Denise

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Hi Denise!

Wow....almost finished with Nursing 1!!! Woo-Hoo!!! I has been....well....CRAZY BUSY!

I knew it would be a lot of work and I still underestimated how much!

The best advice I can give is to stay on top of your readings - there are pre-lecture quizzes that unless you have read the chapters assigned - you will not do well on them. Practice, practice, practice your lab skills - even after you have tested off, because you have to do them again in clinical and pass - in front of your clinical instructor.

Most of all, budget your time because the work in Nursing 1 isn't done until the semester is over. I could study, read, take notes, and practice skills all day - every day, but I have to make a conscious effort to say "OK, enough for now, I need to take tonight off!", then jump right back in it the next day.

The exams are tough but the questions aren't geared to "trick" you. If you do all your readings, go to lecture, and obviously study - you'll do fine! The instructors are teaching us to be critical thinkers so sometimes there are questions with 2 answers that make sense - the idea is to pick the "best" answer.

My only problem is with Lab Skills test off anxiety! I sometimes choke and studder like an idiot, but practice (sometimes) eases that anxiety. I just get nervous being put under a microscope no matter how confident I am in performing the skill. With that said, I still was able to pass all my lab skills the first time....so go figure?! I guess I'm doing better than I give myself credit for! LOL I just don't want to ever get "over-confident" - that's when mistakes are made!

Let me know how your doing! Best of luck to you!!:D

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Congrats!!!

I am still waiting for my letter to come in the mail, anxiously biting my nails. Two girls got accepted to the nursing program in my class this week. Best of luck this is a rare opportunity for anyone to get accepted, so try your hardest and give it your best because its only 40 people that get accepted to that program!!!

Kindly,

Heidi

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Specializes in Med Surg, Telemetry, ICU, ER as an Aide.

Congrats NJgirl! I bet you'll be celebrating this Christmas like its your first.

I guess I might've seen you around as I had nursing 3 at Passaic this fall as well. What a semester it was!

Best of luck in the semester to come.

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Good luck to you too beatrocka!!!

I'm nervous but excited for Nur 2.....any tips????

I feel like I will be more prepared for 2 since I now know what is expected of me and how the exams are given. But I've heard A LOT of scary things about 2 (I'm trying really hard to block out the neg stuff!)

I plan on REALLY enjoying this Christmas and New Year's....then its back to work until May.....its gonna be a long semester :uhoh3:

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Specializes in Med Surg, Telemetry, ICU, ER as an Aide.

Glad to hear that you are blocking out the negativity. One thing's for sure, nursing 2 is different. The books below were helpful in nursing 2. If you are able to, you can take a trip to the barnes and nobles in Clifton during the semester and do questions from the following books. The Prentice Hall book is also a very good resource, just like the Saunders book to summarize each topic ( in case you cant/ or are not able to do all the reading from your textbook).

On the other hand, the prices on half.com are pretty good for nclex books.

Half.com: Prentice Hall Rationales(9780131195998): Mary Ann Hogan: Books

Half.com: Mosbys Review Questions for the NCLEX-RN Examination(9780323047241): Dolores F. Saxton: Books

Half.com: Practice Questions for NCLEX-RN(9781401805906): Donna F. Gauwitz: Books

Happy Holidays!

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Specializes in Med Surg, Telemetry, ICU, ER as an Aide.

By the way, I think your med-surg book for nursing 2 is still the same. I can email you the syllabus and the exam grid + the pharmacology exam questions so you can hit the ground with your sneakers on, ready to run.

Let me know.

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Thanks soooo much! My email is [email protected]...

I just bought the Saunders review book (5th edition) - and it looks like it will be a huge help.

I was only sent the course calendar...there aren't any shared files posted yet (and its driving me nuts bc I would love to get some reading done since the kids are in school!)

The only book I'm having trouble finding is the "Unfolding Case Studies" by Glendon & Ulrich (2001). They might have it in the bookstore in Paterson but I hate getting ripped off! LOL! It's so much better to find these things on the web!

Dealoz.com is also great for locating the best price on books.

Do you start Nur 4 this semester?

Thanks again for all your advice! - I really appreciate it!!!! :yeah:

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Hi njgrl622,

Sounds like you had a great semester. You must be very proud!

I am looking forward to starting next month, but, I am anxious. It is nerve wracking not knowing what to expect, but thank you so much for all the info.

I have been working on the SLM and will go to the lab in January to practice and test. It seems like it is definately going to be a BUSY semester. I pray I make it!!

Hope you enjoy your New Year and good luck in NUrs. 2!!!

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Hi Denise!

Good luck with your test out!! Let me know if you have ANY questions this semester - I'd be glad to help!!

It will be nerve racking!! There will be times that you will ask yourself "What the heck am I doing here?!?!" :eek: But believe in yourself and know that you can do it!!!

Testing off in the lab made me nuts! I would have crazy anxiety - but the key is to practice, practice, practice. The professors aren't kidding when they preach about practicing in the lab. There is always an instructor in the lab that you can go to if you have questions - but you have to ask!

There are sooo many skills you need to pass in nursing 1 so its easy to feel overwhelmed - take a deep breath and take it slow. Read your lab book, look up videos on You Tube, watch the DVD's they made us buy, and practice at home if you can.

Best of Luck!!!! :yeah:

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