Anyone starting the RN program at CCSF this Fall 2011?

CherGC · May 25, 2011

What type of job do you have now and are they flexible as far as hours go? I graduated from CCSF last year and it's an intense program. The first 6 weeks is an introduction to nursing and basic knowledge, as well as going to labs which will prep you for clinical rotations. During the first few weeks of school, you will be at school for at least 6 hours a day. Do you have experience in the medical field? Because that may help a little bit as far as your medical knowledge goes. Only a handful of students actually worked during the program. Hope this helps a little... let me know if you have any other questions and good luck!

utruong · May 27, 2011

I am currently working for Kaiser as a unit assistant in Interventional Radiology. My work is willing to be flexible with my hours and I plan on working only part-time to keep my benefits. I would say I have some knowledge of the medical field. I know how things work in terms of how the place runs. I wanted to get an idea of a schedule. I know it may not be the same for everyone, but I would like to see how my schedule may be. Thanks for your reply and the info is helpful! :) Did you work at all during the program? Where were your clinicals? Any tips you might have about the program?

CherGC · Jun 4, 2011

Working as a unit assistant should help a little as far as basic medical terminology goes. Like I said in the earlier post, the first six weeks are VERY intense, especially since many of us weren't used to being in school for 6-7 hours each day. During the first 6 weeks, I believe you're in school at least 3-4 days a week. Pharmacology class is usually 2 hours and held on Mondays. The other 3 days would be your nursing lecture/lab class. This is a long stretch, but I would recommend taking a few weeks off from work for the first 6 weeks, or at least for 3-4 weeks. After the first 6 weeks, you begin you clinical rotations as well as going to class twice a week. I was in the night program before they phased it out so I'm not sure if the clinical rotations for the day program are the same. But during the first semester of clinicals, you go to the hospital twice a week (probably tues and wed), every other week. The first few clinical weeks are a bit intense as well because you need to prep before clinical rotations. This includes looking up meds before clinicals (which can be a lot because some patients may have 20 different meds) and researching they're diagnosis. After clinicals are done for the week, you have to do a write up about your patient. The first few pathophysiology papers may take a few hours to do until you get the hang of it. I'm pretty sure all the first semester students went to CPMC and worked in the acute units as well as skilled nursing facilities. I did work during the program, but not until the 3rd and 4th semesters.