Brookhaven College Nursing Program Fall 2014

EdwardO · Jul 20, 2014

I'm almost done with pharm now. Taking it online over the summer. Just online quizzes. Very easy that way, though I might pay for it later by not fully absorbing the textbook.

abenton111 · Jul 22, 2014

I have tons of things to tell all of you from scrubs to financial aids to professors but no time right now as I'm off to the hospital for pre clinical, more about that too perhaps this afternoon!!!

jenbunny12 · Jul 22, 2014

Thanks Abenton 111, looking forward to hearing all about it!!

Toadoro · Jul 22, 2014

I just talked to Nancy Summers about textbooks and supplies. She said used versions of textbooks are fine! Some of the books require online access codes, but not all. She also said the books and supply kit should be ready in the bookstore next week.

abenton111 · Jul 23, 2014

Ok here we go, from the beginning! You are going to or probably just got your schedule, I just got mine for third semester (YIKES!). Sure it probably doesn't look like much but its going to be intense! You will have class, and skills and clinical and there will be a day when you can come in and practice your skills (open lab). Make sure you utilize your time!!! You are going to need to make study groups!!! You are going to need to USE THESE STUDY GROUPS! There are going to be tests, and they are going to be hard!!! You are going to get two projects for clinical a teaching plan and a major care plan, start them ASAP!!! they take a ton of time and are not hard, but very time consuming!!! Here's another tip, DO YOUR PAPERWORK! Ive seen students get kicked out of clinical for the day for not doing theirs. Yes everyone will probably have different amounts of work to do (each professor requires different things, it sucks but its the way it is). Meds, Meds, Meds, I cant stress enough to make med cards and know your meds! Know what they do, what side effects they have, what are signs and symptoms of overdose etc. The first time you have "Pre clinical" you will cry. That's it, the bottom line is you will be so tired and frustrated and lost that you will cry, and then you will suck it up because you got this far and you aren't giving up now.

Ok time management..... yes we are all experts at time management UNTIL you start nursing school, and then it wouldn't matter if there were 4 of you with 8 arms each, there is almost never enough time to get stuff done. Tell your family that you love them because you aren't going to see much of them for a while. Because of all the stuff you have to do get more than 1 pair of scrubs!!! You have to wear them everywhere! Tops must come from the bookstore because they have to have your name on them (by the way I hope you have ordered because they are constantly screwing up at the bookstore), pants can come from ANYWHERE!!! Just make sure the color matches! For clinicals you are going to want cargo pants because you can NEVER have too many pockets. I found several pairs at a scrub store at the Allen outlet mall. And for all the books/other crap you are dragging around? Do yourself a favor and get a rolling bag! You are going to wind up buying way more crap than they told you in the beginning, be prepared for this!!! That's okay because you applied for financial aid right? Well if you did boy are you in for a fun time, I'm telling you this now because we are currently fighting with financial aid and perhaps you will fare better than we did! "Nursing classes" make up their own schedule.... they don't necessarily end when they are supposed (like AFTER the cutoff date for financial aid). also they like to do a lot of flex term classes, so while you are taking 9 or 12 hours your hours don't count until you certify in your last class. So for us next semester (fall) we are taking 9 hours but its broken into 3 mini semesters....so we wont receive our financial aid until we certify as attending in our last class........in November.... Anywho there's the heads up on that.

Professors.....they are all different......the stories you've heard are probably all true.......They each have their quirks which you will find out rather quickly.

Finally APA format....... hope you love it because its your new best friend!

I'm happy to answer any questions, but Im in clinical Wed-Th-Fri from 6:30-7!!!

Best of luck yall!!!

crossfitnurse · Jul 23, 2014

OK, let me try this another way lol!
What was your weekly schedule like while going thru the Brookhaven nursing program? Did you have time for crossfit?

Yes I did have time for that. I had time for a part time job. I had time to be a mom. I had time to make it all the way to 4th semester and gain a position at a hospital and set myself up for success.

Was it simple? Nope. It's been simple for no one. People with PhDs in my program are having a hard time. But like I said - you'll see.

abenton111 · Jul 23, 2014

One more thing I just thought of... Be prepared for things to change! Just because they tell you your schedule is one thing doesn'tean it will stay that way!! Ex: we (2nd semester) are in clinical We'd-Th-fri, except one group (they were supposed be) EXCEPT their clinical professor changed their days to be Mon/tues/wed. Just know nothing is set in stone, even if you have a piece of paper that says it is! :)

LindsayP229 · Jul 23, 2014

What kind of bag is everyone carrying? I've been told to get a rolling bag...not my style at all but would it be worth it?

rosroberson · Jul 24, 2014

I keep hearing about additional cost. What other cost should I expect? I can imagine the stethoscope being one, but beyond that what can I expect?

mlank81011 · Jul 24, 2014

Speaking of stethoscopes, do you have to buy a specific type? Or can anyone recommend one? I'm not in the program yet, I plan on applying for fall 2015. I'm soaking in all of your suggestions though. Good luck to everyone starting this fall!

brittrb · Jul 24, 2014

Crossfitnurse What hospital were you at fourth semester?

The added costs are hesi exams q semester, finger printing, redoing cpr(it's only good for one year in nursing school even though your card says two), medical supply kits, and then little things like new backpacks, comfy shoes, etc.

I'm starting my last semester in four weeks and I HIGHLY recommend compression socks and the most comfortable pair of shoes you can find, if not clinicals will seem a lot longer. Don't worry too much about having them completely white because they're not really sticklers about that.

brittrb · Jul 24, 2014

As far as the bag goes... I was only 19 when I started and dreaded getting a rolling bag but I'm glad I eventually gave in. Learn from my mistake and get one at the start!