APU ELM for Fall 2014

Emily103 · Oct 5, 2014

@By1stgrace,

congratulations! where will you be starting?

How long ago did you take your pre-requisite coursework? I think there really isn't much you can do to prepare, because the pre-requisites should be enough. If you took them very long ago, perhaps you can familiarize yourself with some anatomy vocab. Other than that, I took my pre-reqs about 4-5 years prior to the start of the program and I think I'm doing well so far. The first week for pathophysiology, you'll spend some time reviewing cell biology so it's pretty straightforward. My courses are not science heavy like the prereq coursework, but more application. For ex: explain what causes left and right sided heart failure. You will be able to understand the symptoms of each type of heart failure based on what you know about the anatomy of the heart (which they review with you too.)

lilies1 · Oct 6, 2014

@Emily103

Is it necessary to buy all the textbooks? Did you find yourself not opening some of them?

Thank you so much for sharing with us!

Emily103 · Oct 15, 2014

Super sorry about the late reply!

I bought the book bundle from the store for ease. There are so many books that you are required to purchase for the first semester and it totals about $1000. If you buy used, it's about $800, and rentals cost about $400. A lot of the books are meant to be reused and you wouldn't be able to with a rental book. I do feel that if you have more time to play around with costs, I would buy your books used. You can feel free to message upperclassmen and ask for their old books that they're willing to resell at a lower cost.

There are books I wouldn't recommend buying, for example, the APA manual. It is highly recommended and something that will be reused according to the professors, but I was a liberal arts major in undergrad and all I did was write papers in APA. I'm very familiar with it and have done well without it for the last 2-3 papers we've written this semester so far. Lastly, online sources such as OWL purdue work well enough for APA formatting so I don't feel that one was necessary. Some people swear by it though! I think it would be mostly a preference thing.

Summers3 · Oct 17, 2014

Hi Emily103!

Thank you again so much for your reply!

For your books, you said most are to be reused so does this imply that we won't have to have to buy as many books in future semesters?

For your clinicals, how are breaks and lunch scheduled? How do you strengthen yourself to get through 12 hours shift day after day? I'm one of those people that needs to eat/drink something or use the bathroom every few hours (I can't go all 12 hours without doing so), can I please ask for your advice on this?

Finally, may I please ask if there winter, spring or summer break at all? If so, how long?

Thank you again so much for your time, Emily103. I know you're very very busy with the program and life in general but taking the time to answer all our questions really eases our fears about the program. thank you again! :)

Emily103 · Oct 21, 2014

Hi Tina!

I miscommunicated, they will be reused as in you'll refer back to the books in future semesters. The bundle is actually only for the first semester!

For clinicals, it is generally a 12 hour shift starting at 6:30-7:30PM. Sometimes we get out early, sometimes late. You're allowed two 10 minutes breaks, and a 30 minute lunch break. You're able to take them as you please. You can space them out if you want to make sure you have enough time to drink water and eat. For me, I noticed that when it becomes too busy, I have a hard time eating lunch on time and sometimes end up eating at 2-3PM. We've also taken breaks 15 minutes before our shift ends, so we have time to rest, before we come back at the last 5 minutes to say goodbye to our patients and nurses. It's up to you, but I think it highly depends on the hospital and whatever policy they have. You're always free to go use the restroom and get water if need be during your shift, maybe you can use the few minutes to eat a cracker or piece of fruit!

I believe there is about 2 months of actual break in the entire program. You get ~3 weeks off in December for Christmas break, and you have a week off for spring break, and ~3 more weeks for your summer break. Otherwise, you're in school the rest of the time! We also get Thanksgiving day off.

No problem! I'm sorry I haven't been on the ball with answering your questions, but I love to help. :) I know how lost I felt in the beginning and it helped calm my nerves to get more information.

Summers3 · Oct 21, 2014

Dear Emily,

I see! I have no idea what to expect from 12hrs clinicals so I’m just worried about how to approach and handle it throughout the program. But I’m glad they are flexible enough to allow you to use the bathroom or grab a quick bite if needs be (especially since clinicals will be very physically demanding). And doesn’t the program situate you only in Kaiser? You don’t get a choice since they choose the clinical for you I believe?

Sorry, but just one last question. How physically demanding was the program/clinicals for you in general? I would like to know because I don’t consider myself very strong physically so I really worried that I might have to lift/move equipment or patients much heavier/bigger than I am (so I’m worried I won’t be able to handle it myself). But I have seen plenty of nurses similar to my body size or even smaller body sizes that handles their job amazingly well so maybe this is perhaps a worry I just have to accommodate over time?

Sorry for bombarding you with so many random questions, Emily but I can’t thank you enough for taking time out of your busy semester to share your experiences with us. I will be at both orientations for the next cohort and hopefully I can meet you and thank you in person then.

Emily103 · Oct 21, 2014

You'll be fine, the 12 hours fly by because you're so busy! I always feel tired, but very fulfilled. It feels like a very productive day, and because your passion is nursing, it's a great feeling to be in the hospital. The program usually splits your cohort in half and you're all placed in 1 of 2 hospitals. There isn't a choice in your placement, but each hospital has their own policies regarding the student nurses. You'll find out at whichever site you're placed at. It's not always Kaiser.

You don't need to be physically strong enough to lift up patients. If that were the case, no one small and skinny would ever be a nurse! I'm about 5'1" and not very strong either. You'll never be picking up a patient entirely, only supporting them. Should the need to move the patient up if they've slid downwards in bed, arises, you are able to call a colleague to help. The hospitals usually employ lift teams as well to help with obese patients. Lastly, they teach you methods in moving the patient such as lifting with your thighs and the correct posture/stance to prevent injury to yourself. The patients usually have sheets under them that you slide upwards to move their bodies in directions. I wouldn't stress too much about that part.

Happy to help answer your questions! I'm in cohort 47 if you ever need to find me! :)

Summers3 · Nov 10, 2014

Dear Emily,

So sorry for the super late reply! I see, I was particularly worried about physical strength in the clinical area but your comments relieved me greatly so I can stop worrying so much. ^^

Lastly, majority of pre-licensure students are full time so with regards to financial aspect of the ELM program, may I please ask if APU offered additional grants and scholarships in additional to loans and FAFSA too? Or is that something we have to seek out individually for ourselves? (that we have to mostly survive the pre-licensure program for 1.5 years on mostly loans)? Thank you, Emily. J

I am in cohort 52 starting this upcoming Spring 2015 and I hope to meet you as well as the rest of the cohorts in person. Thank you again and have a great holiday season! Best wishes to you! :)

rizzoland13 · Nov 12, 2014

Emily!! So excited to hear from you!! I have been off of allnurses for awhile, and just noticed today the wealth of knowledge that you have shared!! Thank you so much for all of the info. I just registered for my classes for Term 1, and noticed that the schedule I have is different than what you had for Term 1. My schedule is as follows: Tues 8-11/12-3; Thurs 8:30-10:30/11:30-1:30; and Friday 8:30-3:30. I am assuming that clinicals will take place on either Monday or Wednesday, but is there a chance that one of those days will be off?? It would be great to have a day to catch up on studying during the week!! Also, if you don't mind me asking, where have your clinical rotations been scheduled so far?? I am so excited to get a chance to pick your brain...Hope to hear from you soon!!

Summers3 · Nov 12, 2014

RIzzoland13, are you starting this Spring 2015 as well? May I ask which location? I am in SD this spring 2015 so hopefully see you there! :)

Also, question to everyone (I apologize in advance if this is really obvious/stupid): the ELM provides a BSN after the pre-licensure portion. Does it differs anything from "normal 4 year BSN degree" versus APU's "accelerated MSN program that gives BSN degree" ??? Regardless, they are on the same standing, right?

Thank you! :)

rizzoland13 · Nov 12, 2014

Tina I am starting at the Inland Empire location in January! As far as the degree you are given, it is equivocal to any other four-year nursing degree; it is obtained in 15 months because you have already taken so many of the required undergrad classes with your other degree....excited to meet you at orientation!!

Summers3 · Nov 12, 2014

I thought you were in SD, darn we won't be classmates but I'm excited to meet you at orientation! See you there!