I was just wondering if anyone on the waiting list for San Diego City College has gotten a letter of acceptance for Fall 2010. I'm in the 100's on the waiting list, so I'm getting pretty close, but since they're accepting 50% from the waiting list and 50% from the point system, it might take me a while longer to get accepted . The admin at the nursing office told me that acceptance letters for those on the waiting list should be sent out towards the end of March, so I was just wondering if anyone has received a letter of acceptance or alternate? If so, what number were you on the waiting list??
The questions are just weird and there is nothing and I mean nothing you can do to prepare for that exam. Trust me on this one. You will have PLENTY of other exams to worry about. Don't do this to yourself before school even starts. I understand exactly where you are coming from in feeling the need to excel at everything as most of us nursing students do, but do not even waste any more time from here until Jump Start worrying about this. I replied to the post quickly yesterday because I knew some of you were probably already worrying and my feelings were right. Please, let it go and spend the rest of your time on preparing yourself in other ways such as shopping for school supplies, schedules, getting rest, and visit w/ friends and family you won't be able to see all the time once school starts. You already took the TEAS exam and that is not what this is. If you still wish to worry, I won't say I told you so.
Also, another tip of advice. Nursing exams are not like any other exams you have taken in your prerequisites. They are about critical thinking and not memorization. You will have to learn to take these tests. It will come to you in time. Stressing about an exam after it is over is a waste of time and in nursing school, you will have no time to waste. You will need to learn to do the best you can on your exams and then to let it go. Otherwise, you will find yourself going crazy. Now stop worrying about this and go to the beach or something please.
I hope you are doing well and almost ready for school. Only one more week to go! Sorry I took so long to get back to you guys. I have a family member who is very sick with cancer who I am taking care of and most of my time has been spent taking care of her.
So, I finally got some time to respond to your requests about what to expect for your first year of nursing school. So here goes...
-Working: Do not work unless you absolutely have to. It is not advised by the nursing department and I agree with this completely. I understand that some of you will have to work because you can't afford not to. I have friends in the program that are in this situation. From what I have heard, it is quite a challenge. However, if you do need to work and want to know how to balance school and work, you will probably need to talk to someone that has to work and attend school. I work once in awhile for a nursing registry as a CNA when I can fit it into my schedule. I am blessed that my husband is able to work and support us, while I attend school so I don't have to work. I did take out a loan however to help with the expenses.
-Studying: Some of you will have to study for exams more than others. I realized this my first semester. I am one of those that has to study more. That is ok. I enjoy all that I am learning. It is fascinating to me and I want to be a good nurse so I don't mind putting in the hard work. You will learn what works best for you as time goes by. My first semester I studied every single day. I was scared to fail so I felt the need to study most of the time with the exception of breaks, eating, sleeping, and going to church. By my second semester, I was able to give myself more time to myself and spend a little more time with family. Over studying is not healthy either and by doing so you will burn out eventually. For myself it was about finding a balance between nursing school and my personal life. I had to find a balance between school, sleep, eating, exercising, free time, family time, and my time with God. It was tough to find a balance and in the process I also found a couple extra pounds , but I now feel definitely like my life has that balance.
As far as exact hours, I always tried to go with the suggestion of for every hour of class lecture, you need to study 3 hours. So for example, you guys will have approximately 6 hours of lecture each week, so that equals 18 hours of studying outside of class per week. I always tried to do that at least and most of the time I did extra.
Do not try to read every single page of the assigned readings. They assign you a lot and for most students, it is not possible to read all that they assign. Pay attention in class. Take good notes. Ask LOTS of questions. Be involved in the lecture. If possible, record the lectures to refer back to at home and in case you miss something. When you are studying read through the readings and focus on the material that was covered in class.
Do the NCLEX review questions at the end of each chapter assigned. Also, your power points are a good study tool. Flash cards and re-writing my notes in my own words helped me with studying for exams. You will be getting ATI review books for each of the ATI tests you will be taking. I have found the ATI books to be helpful. Do not try to start studying for exams the day before the exam. Try to review the material for lectures as soon as possible after the lecture and allow time to study each day rather than trying to cram everything at the last minute as there is a lot of info to retain. Try to start studying for exams a few days before the exam.
-Exams:You will have exams every 2-3 weeks. They are multiple choice. Like I said in my other post, nursing school exams are not like any other exams you have taken in other classes. They involve critical thinking and it may take you time to learn how to answer the questions appropriately. It is a good idea to purchase an NCLEX review book now as it will be a great study tool to assist you with learning how to take the exams, as well as material you will be covering. I highly recommend Saunder's. Start practicing NCLEX questions now so that you can get used to the style of questions. As time progresses, try to continue to practice NCLEX questions throughout school. As many as you can, as often as you can.
If you have a learning disability or even test taking anxiety, you can look into taking your tests at the DSPS where they allow you to have a little extra time to take your exams.
Skills Laband Skills Evaluations:You will learn nursing skills at school before you go into the hospital that you will be tested on and more as you progress in the program. Pay attention when your clinical instructor is teaching you and take good notes. Before your skills evaluations, take advantage of the time they give you to practice your skills in the lab. Also, you can even practice at home with your family members or even on a teddy bear. Yes, I actually did this when my husband wasn't around. Repeat the steps to your skills out loud and practice as if you are doing it with a patient. You can even practice just by explaining to your classmates the steps without the materials. Quiz each other.
When you go to take your skills eval, give yourself plenty of time so you are not rushed and create more anxiety for yourself. If being around others who are talking about an exam before the exam makes you nervous, do not show up early and hang out as this will only create more anxiety for you. Show up on time for your eval and if you have time to review and wish to, go off to a corner alone or with another classmate who you know won't make you more nervous. There is going to be a lot of anxious people on all of your tests days. You have to know if you are comfortable being around that environment and if you are not don't put yourself there. Surround yourself with positive thinkers and optimistic people. Anxiety and pessimism can be contagious.
Clinical: Clinical is fun and exciting! Come prepared. Dress according to the dress code. Don't get sent home for a silly reason like not wearing the right shoes. Allow yourself at least 6 hours of sleep. Try to get more, but any less and you may not be safe to work with patients. Eat something for breakfast and bring a snack you can stick in your pocket if you get hungry every couple of hours because sometimes its hard to take a break. Make sure you stay hydrated as well. Lack of sleep and dehydration=nursing student passing out in clinical. I know. It happened to me as a CNA.
You are going to get what you put into your clinical experience. Take advantage of every learning opportunity. Ask the nurses lots of question. Be friendly to them and always be willing to help out on the unit. By doing so when you ask them to show you certain procedures or if they know of another nurse that will be doing something you haven't seen, they will be more willing to take the time to call you so you can watch and participate.
Care Plans: You will have care plans to complete on your patients prior to clinical. This requires going to the hospital the day before clinical, picking out a patient, and doing research on that patient. They are VERY time consuming. They can take an average of 4 hours give or take to complete. This is how you will get to know your patients and be prepared to work with them once you meet them. Start early and allow yourself enough time to work on them so that you are staying up till 2am trying to complete your care plan. Make sure they are complete as your clinical instructor will send you home if they are not. They can be nerve wracking in the beginning because they take so long to complete, but you will learn to get quicker at completing them as time goes by.
Shoes: I have some Cherokee slip on shoes that I love. I purchased them at Scrub Mart.
Well, I believe I covered all of your questions. Let me know if you have any more. Nursing school will be a big adjustment, but you can do it. Remember to take time for yourself whatever that may mean for you. Whether its watching a movie, taking a walk, or spending time with family. It will be important in order to get you through the stressful times. Also, try to get exercise and make good food choices to keep yourself healthy. I guess that is about it for now. Lastly, I just have to say, enjoy the process. The time will go by faster then you know. Before you know it you may be the one writing on allnurses a year from now giving your advice to the next class! :)
Thank you so much for your advice! I know we all appreciate it! Are you going to be on one of the panels?
I've been freaked out over the nursing care plans after speaking to a graduate about the program. Are there any other books (or other resources) besides the required one that you recommend for the care plans?
. The admin at the nursing office told me that acceptance letters for those on the waiting list should be sent out towards the end of March, so I was just wondering if anyone has received a letter of acceptance or alternate? If so, what number were you on the waiting list??
, but I now feel definitely like my life has that balance.
luv2bake
18 Posts
Rayni22,
The questions are just weird and there is nothing and I mean nothing you can do to prepare for that exam. Trust me on this one. You will have PLENTY of other exams to worry about. Don't do this to yourself before school even starts. I understand exactly where you are coming from in feeling the need to excel at everything as most of us nursing students do, but do not even waste any more time from here until Jump Start worrying about this. I replied to the post quickly yesterday because I knew some of you were probably already worrying and my feelings were right. Please, let it go and spend the rest of your time on preparing yourself in other ways such as shopping for school supplies, schedules, getting rest, and visit w/ friends and family you won't be able to see all the time once school starts. You already took the TEAS exam and that is not what this is. If you still wish to worry, I won't say I told you so.
Also, another tip of advice. Nursing exams are not like any other exams you have taken in your prerequisites. They are about critical thinking and not memorization. You will have to learn to take these tests. It will come to you in time. Stressing about an exam after it is over is a waste of time and in nursing school, you will have no time to waste. You will need to learn to do the best you can on your exams and then to let it go. Otherwise, you will find yourself going crazy. Now stop worrying about this and go to the beach or something please.