anyone starting RN at MDC this august?

U.S.A. Florida

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i am starting the accelerated RN this august at MDC, and i have some questions for anyone else who's been in the program, is in the program, or in the generic.... lots of questions.....:confused:

do you wear those white tunics only to clinicals? what do you have to wear to the skills lab and health assessment class? scrubs or street clothes?

my insurance won't cover ANY of the labs/physical/TB test/immunizations....where did you go to get yours done?

have you heard anything about the instructors for the accelerated? are they the type to fail you if you breathe before opening your alcohol wipe instead of after, or are they out to help you succeed?

does MDC really not distribute the stafford loans until after school starts??? tuition is due july 22, but the financial aid office lady told me that stafford loans won't come out until the second week of september....eek! that means i'll have to come up with A LOT of money up front that i don't have.....

soooo many questions, i know!!! thanks in advance.

dazed and confused....

I'm looking at the Fall 08 schedule for the Nursing Generic Option and it's kind of weird?? The semesters are split into sequences? what is that?

I'm trying to plan my schedule and a NUR1025C says that the times are 8am-10:40am. but a comment on the bottom says, " Generic Full-Time ends 3:45pm w/break sequence 1 semester 1

I dont get it!

Do the advisors register you for class during the orientation, or do you register for classes after the orientation??

Will it benefit me if I arrive earlier to the orientation? Will I get to choose my classes before people that come after me?

Have you heard anything about the Scholars Programs? Jackson's in particular?

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hi tiff2003,, i haven't heard anything for the scholars program, I applied for baptist,,,,I think that they are taking registrations at the orientation,,, and they will give us an schedule,, I hope so!!!!!!

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Specializes in New Graduate Nurse.

Tiff I replied to you in a private message with the following information. After realizing more people might benefit I cut and pasted it out here for all.

The long and the short of "sequences" is that it makes it easier for you to register and not end up with scheduling conflicts. For instance Fundamentals of Nursing is a lecture that runs the whole semester....but Pharmacology Math, Fundamentals Clinical and Lab all have different start and stop dates. So, to keep you from picking a schedule that will end up with a conflict in the middle of the semester...they label each group of classes that are scheduled to work together as a "sequence". Just make sure you pick all your classes from the same sequence..and you will be OK>

You will be registering for your own classes. Usually, right after orientation.

During first semester, basically the class is divided into two schedules. You can choose which one you want...as long as there is space. Since they don't try and fit ALL of the generic nursing classes into one theory lecture (such as Fundamentals), they simply say make two different schedule combinations for clinical, labs and lectures. ONe is sequence one..the other is sequence two...you choose which one works for you. Also, if your in sequence one...you are NOT locked into "sequence 1" through out school. You can choose which ever sequence you want for each semester.

As for arriving early for orientation, there really is no need...other than getting a good seat. Like I said, your going to register after orientation....and usually there is a mad dash to the registrars office. If you know how to register online with "shopping cart" or "speed" registration...just pick out the reference numbers for each class in which ever sequence...and go to the library or success center and use a computer there. Each clinical group has 10-12 seats in it...pick one that you can get to easily for pre-assignment and clinical.

Good luck!!!

Hope this helps

akspudus

PS..The computers in the success center are notoriously slow to log onto....but once you are one, they work great. Use your MyMDC username and password.

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Specializes in New Graduate Nurse.

any tips for remembering all those medications/effects/interactions/dosages/etc.???? that seems like the hardest part, for me, because i've done patient care already a lot as a CNA.

do we practice IVs on each other? some schools still do, you know :-)

thanks so much again!!!! you're awesome!

In Semester 2 pharmacology you will be learning the various medication as they are grouped into pharmacologic classes. For each class you will learn drug name generic(trade)/indications/dose/pharmacokinetics/mechanism of action/adverse reactions and side effects/nursing interventions and patient teaching. It sounds like a lot...but it isn't too bad. Just get to know the mechanism of action..and most of it will fall into place. I highly recommend buying a set of Mosby's Nursing Drug Cards. They are perfect for clinical and are quick..too the point and have the information you need..nothing else. Great for those times when your clinical instructor stumps you with a question as you are walking towards a patients room about to administer that drug.

Another helpful book is Nursing Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy..a great suplament to your pharm text book. Also...LEARN how to use your drug guide.

IV practice?? LOL yeah...nope no phlebotomy sticks at MDC. Not even on a mannequin. You'll do an IM injection on a pad first..then on to the clinical environment.

akspudus

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so....how does one go about learning how to stick another human being in a relatively small blood vessel with a relatively large hollow needle without causing undue trauma/fear/shrieking/threats of lawsuits and other nightmares i envision coming from any patient that i attempt an IV stick on......? LOL

i've been a CNA on and off for 10 years, and i have to admit, there's not much that bothers me about healthcare, but i'm terrified of starting IVs.....it doesn't help that there are about only a handful of nurses anywhere you go that are actually really good at it.

my stomach clenches up just thinking about it.

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Hey everyone-

I am also starting the nursing program (Accel.) this fall. Can anyone tell me more about the HCA scholarship? I am reluctant to go ahead with it yet as I have so many questions. I sent an e mail to the coordinator about a week ago and have received no answer.

Here are the questions I have:

1. Are we guaranteed a job upon graduation (assuming we pass of course)?

2. Can we choose the location we want or are we placed?

3. When are the funds disbursed? Is it the second semester?

4. What is the "nurse tech" program we enroll in the second semester?

If anyone out therer has answers or additional info I'd really appreciate the help! Thanks!!!

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Hi Erin! I hope someone has answers to your HCA scholarship questions....if not, start a new thread under that title. Click the "new thread" button in the "general student nursing" forum, and someone might have an answer if no one does here.

what's the name/contact info of that clinic you went to for varicella? i lost my paper. thanks!

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Specializes in New Graduate Nurse.

ymarti,

I typed this up as a reply to your private message..then I thought maybe some others might benefit from it. I hope you don't mind that I posted it out here as well as sending you a private response to your questions.

Hi akspudus,

I was wondering if you could answer some questions regarding MDC. I was accepted to the generic nursing program and I was wondering if you could tell me what orientation entails. I guess I'm just wondering what could possibly take all day. Also, during clinicals did you get any exposure to the ICU at all? I'm interested in that area of nursing and was wondering. Was there any class you found particularly challenging or that a lot of others had trouble with? Thanks for your response.

Orientation is pretty much an introduction to the Medical Campus. They go over the various policies for nursing school and hand out various information packets and booklets that describe accession through school as well as the various polices (i.e. uniform, attendance, grades, etc). Keep all of these packets. More than once I have found them handy. You'll also get a book list...for each semester. Be prepared...the first semester of nursing school is VERY expensive. You'll not only have about 50lbs of books to buy..but also uniforms, stethoscope..etc. Just keep in mind that these expenses are for things you will need for all of nursing school as well as beyond.

In clinical you most likely will not get any exposure to ICU. I haven't...but you never know you may. Clinical usually follow this pattern:

Semester One -Fundamentals (One clinical day per week)

Clinical is usually in a nursing home where you will be exposed to administration of medicine and basic patient care for non-ill patients or pretty much bed ridden patients.

Semester Two - Med/Surg (Two clinical days per week)

Clinical is on the med/surg floor where you will be exposed to taking care of patients with that require more medical attention requiring a hospital stay. As you can imagine, the assessment and patient care skills you learned in semester one will be built upon.

Semester Three - Specialties (one or two clinical days per week)

During these quick rotations, you will be exposed to nursing care in Psychiatric, Obstetric and Pediatric environments. This is the semester I am in right now. Psych was interesting. I am in OB now (interesting but not my cup-o-tea). And starting week after next I will be in pediatrics. During these clinicals you are exposed to the various types of nursing care required for each of these specialties.

Semester Four - Advance Med/surg and Leadership (Two clinical days per week)

I'll be starting these rotations in late August. As far as I know, they just build upon your skills and get you ready to eventually graduate. (scary..lol)

The hardest class I have found so far?? PRobably for me was med/surg one. I was sort of caught by surprise how much time I needed to study for this class. I did well in the class but I worked myself to the bone to do it. Otherwise, most of nursing school isn't HARD...just extremely tedious and detail oriented. You really have to learn a lot of information...then learn how to apply that information. You will learn a new skill of information application called critical thinking. Basically they feed you information as they teach you...then ask you to do something with it.

Nursing school is very possible. IT is NOT impossible to get through..and people do get straight A's through it. Just buckle in....get to work....read everything they tell you to read...and then hop on the internet and read more.

Hope this helps!!

Akspudus

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Hey! Yes, I may need to start a new thread for this one. If no one replies today, maybe I will. Anyway, the number for the clinic is 305-235-0028. They will tell you the wesite you need to book your appointment on, I can't remember it. Its $50 (student rate). I think they also do other stuff as well if you havent taken care of it yet. See you soon!

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Akspudus,

Thanks for you response to my previous question. What kind of school supplies would you say are essential or helpful for the nursing program?

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Specializes in New Graduate Nurse.
Akspudus,

Thanks for you response to my previous question. What kind of school supplies would you say are essential or helpful for the nursing program?

Hmmm, well the one thing that I am glad I spent good money on was my stethoscope. I realize it isn't really a "supply", but for the most part nursing school doesn't demand much more "supplies" than other college classes (i.e. binders, pens, notecards and notepads).

I went ahead and purchased a Littmann Cardiology III. I am a little hard of hearing so I was worried about hearing all of those breath sounds and heart sounds so I wanted to make sure I purchased a good stethoscope. I'm glad I did. Quite a few of my fellow students struggle to hear sounds that I can hear VERY clearly with my stethoscope.

The MDC uniform top is required, but your not required to buy the pants from the school. Go to allheart.com and pick out some comfy white pants. For semester one you really only need one uniform since your in clinical once a week. Semester two you'll want to ahve two sets for your biweekly clinical. Comfortable white shoes (all white sneakers work great) round out your uniform.

Other areas I spent money? Supplemental reading/study materials. You'll be reading from the text books quite a bit. Sometimes reading a simplified version of the material brings it all home. I have a copy of Nursing Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy and Medical-Surgical Nursing Made Incredibly Easy. Both books look like they have been put through hell....cuz they have. In my opinion, they are worth their weight in gold.

I also love Mosby's Nursing Drug Cards. They are simple, straight to the point and contain all the info you need. I pull the relevant cards for my patients medications and carry them with me throughout the clinical day. Very Handy.

OHH Yeah...make sure you get a NCLEX review book very early in nursing school. I really like Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN Examination. It comes with a CD that has lots of practice questions on it...as well as a good review guide for pretty much every section of nursing school.

Thats about it..lol. I also have a PDA with Taber's Cyclobedic Medical Dictionary, Thompson Clinical Xpert, and Epocrates loaded on it. Very handy, but not a necessity. A recorder for lectures is definitely handy. Heck, you might as well get a rolling bag to pack all your stuff in..unless you have a strong back.

Hmmm...maybe I should hide this post from my wife. I don't think she has a clue as to how much "stuff" I have accumulated during nursing school....lol.

Akspudus

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The long and the short of "sequences" is that it makes it easier for you to register and not end up with scheduling conflicts. For instance Fundamentals of Nursing is a lecture that runs the whole semester....but Pharmacology Math, Fundamentals Clinical and Lab all have different start and stop dates. So, to keep you from picking a schedule that will end up with a conflict in the middle of the semester...they label each group of classes that are scheduled to work together as a "sequence". Just make sure you pick all your classes from the same sequence..and you will be OK
I compared the sequence 1 & 2...and saw that if I ended up picking one from each there would be no conflict at all because they are both on different days and times...

Im confused now...If they are supposed to conflict but they really don't then what is the point of having those "sequences" on the course description???

:confused:

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