Hi and Congrats to all that starting the RN Accelerated/Part time/Full time/Transitional option this August 2009 at MDC!
I have read tons of posts from prior years of former and present MDC RN students that were in our shoes not so long ago.
We have a little over two months b4 we start and our lives as we know them will not be the same. We have several hurdles left and more to come specially day of registration.
I took the liberty of bundling several posts into one for the sake of brevity. However, it's from the same helpful person.
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.
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.
Littmann Cardiology III stethoscope, allheart.com and pick out some comfy white pants, have a copy of Nursing Pharmacology Made Incredibly Easy and Medical-Surgical Nursing Made Incredibly Easy. I also love Mosby's Nursing Drug Cards. 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.
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.
On the success center computers...there is a program called "test taking strategies for nursing students". MAKE SURE YOU DO IT! It will help you out tremendously.
I have heard that some things have changed, for example in that 'mad dash' to the computers everyone who registers after Orientation at 3pm will have to register at 4pm for thats when you are allowed to start registration.
Also, I have compiled a list of recommended professors let me know if I should post them for all to see.
More important, I would love to compile a list of professors to avoid completely!
Can anyone who is accelerated check your schedule to see if the dates don't match up from what was on the blue schedule sheet they gave us and what was actually on the schedule from registrars. Specifically Med/Surg says it ends 2/03 and Med/Surg Clin. says it ends 4/23. Does everyone have something similar? I didn't meet any of you by the way!!!!
You know we were all there today and I didnt even think to find out who all the individuals in the Part time were...I guess we will meet in person on Thursday before the test...did anyone find any info on the format of the test or any study aides>>>
MairepFalcon I am sorry we did not meet today...I am sure we will meet at the test on Thurs...my name is Rachael...I will be there and if not surely we will meet at our Tues night class Congratulations
I am soo bummed out reading all these posts. I applied to the Generic PT program and I have not received any notices of admission. It appears everyone has been selected. I thought I had a fairly high GPA, but it appears I do not. My GPA is 3.75. Can anyone tell me what was there GPA just to get an idea. Thanks and Good luck to all.
I did not withdraw from any of my courses and my sciences grades were all A's and one B in A&P II lab with a GPA of 3.75. To this day I have not received any notification for MDC of acceptance or denial. A friend who has a 3.63 GPA has not received anything either. We both applied to the PT Generic program.
Does anyone know what is that about "a second round", if anyone rejects acceptance?
I did not withdraw from any of my courses and my sciences grades were all A's and one B in A&P II lab with a GPA of 3.75. To this day I have not received any notification for MDC of acceptance or denial. A friend who has a 3.63 GPA has not received anything either. We both applied to the PT Generic program.
Does anyone know what is that about "a second round", if anyone rejects acceptance?
TY
My suggestion is that you call the nursing department. A lady there will be able to tell you if were selected in the 2nd round or not. I had the sane issue as you. My GPA was 3.75 and I was first denied to the first selection but later found out I was accepted earlier this week. I too have not yet rcvd any letter in the mail so dont feel bad. At least if you call and speak with this lady you can have some peace of mind. Hope this helps! :)
RMO1809 thanks soo much for the info. By the way, I did contact ***** today. She was unable to tell me whether or not I was accepted, however she did mention my letter went out in the mail today friday. I hope to meet you in August if I do get in, and much luck to you also.
Hello i am student at mdc i applied for the rn program for the fall of 2009. The school informed me that they have not yet send any letters of acceptance yet i have seen some post on here stating that they have received the letter......???? I am confused between what school is telling me and you guys.... Are the letters already being sent? Please help...........
Hello i am student at mdc i applied for the rn program for the fall of 2009. The school informed me that they have not yet send any letters of acceptance yet i have seen some post on here stating that they have received the letter......???? I am confused between what school is telling me and you guys.... Are the letters already being sent? Please help...........
I don't know what program you applied to; however, letters have been sent out since the beginning of June. I believe my letter was dated June 8th, mailed out on the 9th. Not only were letters sent out, but those of us in accelerated and part-time have already been to orientation and assessments, registered for classes, and have turned all of our paperwork in. I read that they are telling students letters have not been mailed out and it is your choice to believe the school or those of us who are in. There is another post with others who have yet to rec'v letters, titled: "Any Miami Dade College students going for the acceler. or generic option". Best of luck!!!
I can not believe that students with a 3.7 GPA are not getting in!!! Things seem to be getting really bad. Do not worry, because for us already in the program it has been a struggle. We have a Critical thinking careplan, and pharmacology exam we have to pass at the end of each clinical. This semester for advanced med surg they are using our class as guinea pigs and making us take it in only SIX WEEKS!!! Not only that part, but also the fact that our clinical instructors do not have any material or excercises for ous to practice critical thinking and careplan nor the meds. The students have had to LOOOKKKKK for all this information all over the place. Clinicals are 12 hours!!! We hardly have time to study for the exams in lecture and the worse part is that we are on our own for the exit exams we have to take for clinical. I do not plan to do critical thinking care plan all over again that is for sure, I do not want to get stuck doing 12 hour clinicals ALL over again. I am scared and freaking out about all the cutting of staff because it is really affecting the way our classes are handled and the way students get information and are able to study.
Apart from ALL the stress the comes with nursing school, it is becoming even more difficult to be a student with the budget cuts. I pray that you all have a smooth ride, but with MDC PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE make sure that you understand NOTHING will be handed to you, and YOU will have to be responsible for all the material that needs to be learned. Most likely things will not get better for a while so make sure you are on top of everything. I have a lot of material for psy and for med surg if anyone ever needs it. Study guides and stuff for future classes. Please let me know by PM if you guys would be intereasted.
MOMMY'SGIRL
88 Posts
Can anyone who is accelerated check your schedule to see if the dates don't match up from what was on the blue schedule sheet they gave us and what was actually on the schedule from registrars. Specifically Med/Surg says it ends 2/03 and Med/Surg Clin. says it ends 4/23. Does everyone have something similar?
I didn't meet any of you by the way!!!!