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!
Miamiman911, hang in there. I called MDC medical campus Nursing Dept yesterday friday 6/26. They were not able to advise me if I was accepted or not. She did mention to me that as of yesterday, many letters were sent out including mine. Apparently, this is the second round of acceptance. Good luck..
I just got my ACCEPTANCE to the Fall 2009, PT Generic Nursing Option. I was told by a friend who works in MDC that the lowest GPA for PT Generic was 3.71. Good luck to all.
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.
Congrats! herigonz
I'm assuming this is for the AO track. Is it the similar or equal stress for Full-Time not working? Or will there be a little more breathing room? I have Orientation on July 21st, but I want to start studying now. I have purchased the following books from a current student that gave me a price I could not refuse.
Fundamentals of nursing 7th Edition by Potter and Perry ISBN 978-0-323-04828-6
Focus on Nursing Pharmacology 4th Edition by Amy M. Karch ISBN 0-7817-9047-6
Nursing Interventions & Clinical Skills 4th Edition by Elkin, Perry, & Potter ISBN 978-0-323-04458-5
Physical Examination & Health Assessment 4th Edition by Carolyn Jarvis ISBN 0-7216-9773-9
Mental Health Nursing Reviews and Rationales 2nd Edition Marry Ann Hogan
Med-Surg Success: A course Review Applying to Critical Thinking to Test taking
Fundamentals Success 2nd Edition: A Course Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking
Pharmocology Success: A course Review Applying to Critical Thinking to Test taking
Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary 20th Edition
Nurse's Pocket Guide 10th Edition Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions, and Rationales
My question is what should I start studying 1st? I have been told to start reading Fundamentals of nursing and Physical Examination & Health Assessment. But, after attending a CPR class a current RN MDC Graduate told me no! Start and focus on Anatomy and Pathology. Any advice?
This forum has a wealth of Nursing knowledge. The trick is finding some that apply to us as Pre and soon to be Nursing students. Other than the "Stickys" locked at the top of some threads, one must dig or search to find ones that could be helpful. Here's my list so far:
You are super-efficient:yeah: ... everyone will be glad to be your study/group mate
Last week's Accel Orientation was fine--except that I did not meet any of you guys here--Mortero, Mommy'sgirl, et al-- Was tempted to make an announcement to the whole class paging them ? heheheh
Anyway, hope to see you guys on campus soon.
ProspectiveMDC, Mortero, Mommy'sgirl--can you PMB your emails so we can communicate and perhaps meet once school starts ?
I know Brucedragon, should have been like "HELLO WHO IS BRUCEDRAGON AND MORTERO" did you rush out with everyone else to go register? The woman was still answering questions she went to call bursar's office to find out when we had to pay and when we turned around the whole room had evacuated. Has your program code changed yet on your degree audit?
Mommy'sgirl, yes... I was quite surprised the orientation was done by 12:30 pm... No, I did not register that day... I registered online at home that night. And yes, my audit code has changed to accelerated code number-- what about yours ?
Has anyone gathered any further information on the South Florida Workforce Program?? I understand it's affiliated to the Unemployment Office/ Program ... is that a requirement? Or is it strictly need based? I had attempted calling the other day and got the run-around to refer to the website.... (sigh...). If anyone has any information please let me know - I'm praying (and crossing my fingers!) to get accepted to the Jan '10 AO program. Thanks, and hope everyone's having a happy and safe 4th of July weekend
I was approved for it, just waiting for my vouchers. I think you have to go to the workforce near you, b/c they require a light bill or something to show your current address. Its not strictly need based, they require that you do not work and you must have an acceptance letter,and rejection from financial aid for an appointment. Best of Luck!
Thanks for the info Mommy'sGirl! Does the program only cover the Generic Track, or can it be applied to the AO as well. And Congrats on your acceptance into the program!!!!!!
thank you, no it is not only for generic, i am in the accelerated program. all they ask is that you make good grades and that you do not work! great grant to have, they pay for everything; including tuition, uniforms, shoes, books, stethoscope, secondhand watch, etc. and gas card or bus pass. they don't want you to be burdened by anything but studying! :) take care
herigonz
5 Posts
Miamiman911, hang in there. I called MDC medical campus Nursing Dept yesterday friday 6/26. They were not able to advise me if I was accepted or not. She did mention to me that as of yesterday, many letters were sent out including mine. Apparently, this is the second round of acceptance. Good luck..