Brookhaven Nursing Program

kickymarcia · Apr 16, 2011

I'm in!!! Third time was the charm.

I can't wait to meet everyone.

I currently work full time as a PCT at a hospital and will continue through nursing school. I will probably drop to part time next spring.

Wooooohooo! I'm so excited.

vinnyb · Apr 16, 2011

Wow!!Thank God, I made it..I'm so elated..Congratulations to those who have been accepted as well...let's all celebrate and enjoy this moment..Alum08 I definitely need time to think and make plans on how I want to organize my life before clinicals start..I am a CNA at a LTC facility, but i'm thinking of what I should do, because the work is a grind and I want to ensure my success in nursing school.

MARY0401 · Apr 16, 2011

im so excited that i dont think i want to work! :yeah:

Ashlee067 · Apr 16, 2011

I'm hoping to get a job as a PCT after the first semester, not sure what to do about the fall as I work as a nanny now and I don't know whether the hours will work together even part time. Trying to save as much money as possible this summer!

Sweetpea- what were all the things you needed before the semester started (stethoscope, watch, etc.)? I'd like to get started purchasing everything so I can spread it out over the next few months instead of all at once after orientation and right before school starts!

Sweetpea1301 · Apr 17, 2011

Get ready for a long post!

With regards to the supplies: The one thing you cannot get around will be purchasing the required skills kit that will be sold in the book store this fall. The price changes each semester based on what is in it/ who they buy from, but for example- our kit ranged from $65-85. Not sure why there were two prices... this kit has the supplies you need to practice and check off your skills throughout the semester- you will turn it in the first week of class and some supplies will be removed for stocking the lab. The rest you will take home to practice with.

When it comes to books- you will get a list of required and suggested texts at success camp. The campus bookstore sells a book package for an approximate whopping $650-700! Majors bookstore has the same package and they were price matching each other, so the campus store ended up giving coupons for the package. I am the type of person who needed to price shop and piece it out to get the best deal, so I went to the book store and asked for a list of what all was in their package, before I had even heard from success camp. Here's the low-down on the book package: it includes physical AND electronic versions of your new books, plus the ones from support courses like pharm., dosage, etc. If you are interested in brand new textbooks/online access, and an online version of your support course books, the package is the way to go. It really is a good value for everything you get. If, however, you don't mind used books and don't care about online access, and don't need the support materials, then wait and piece it out from craigslist/ebay/amazon, etc. I did it that way and saved a ton. Plus, the evolve website lets you register for online study resources even without owning the book! Check it out- go to the "resources" tab in your eveolve account, and search keywords like "pharmacology keys"- it should pull up the textbook and it's study materials.

We received plenty of emails prior to success camp, so we were slightly prepared ahead of time. You will too- in fact, there will be a BAZILLION AND ONE pages to print out- multiple handbooks/etc. I was fortunate enough to print them at work, then I took them to Staples and had them spiral bound (less than $3). I have done all my classes this way since A&P and it really makes a difference! Keeps things organized and easy to reference. That will be your first cost- if you print at home you will need a lot of paper and possibly ink, or you will pay to print it at a store.

Now comes the fun expense! You will probably receive an email prior to success camp with an order form for scrubs. You will be required to have at least one pair of uniform scrubs, but I suggest getting at least 2 to start. You can order more when the next semester starts. There is a contract with EmbroidMe in Farmer's Branch/Carrollton to embroider the school logo and your name on the top. You have the option to purchase your scrubs from EmbroidMe, or bring them your personal scrubs to be embroidered. The cost to purchase one set (embroidered) from them is aprx. $40. You might think "oh, I can buy them chepaer elsewhere and have them embroidered", but if you bring your personal scrubs to them, they still ccharge around $25 for embroidery! So unless you are finding free scrubs or have Hunter Green, you really won't save much going with your own. I assume the uniforms will still be Hunter Green. The scrubs at the embroidery shop are Cherokee brand and I find them frumpy and uncomfortable- I will probably spend some money this summer to buy a nicer set and just pay the money to have it embroidered. You can go to embroidme and try their scrubs on. Your last semester you will have clinicals 3-4 days a week so you may want 3 sets of scrubs. The shoes need to be all or primarily white- no Crocs or slides. They need to have a back on them, and no holes.

You will need a wristwatch, or pocket watch if you prefer. The watch HAS TO BE ANALOG- not digital- WITH A WORKING SECOND HAND. I have heard that there are digital watches out there that do have a digital second hand, but they are kindof frowned upon. Some stores (like scrub shops and online retailers) sell nursing-specific watches. I bought one with a vinyl band so I can disinfect it. Make sure it is water resistant too. You will use your watch from the start of the semester. here is a cool stethoscope watch! http://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Medical-Analog-Stethoscope-Watch/dp/B001ULDADW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1303007845&sr=1-4. Watches are needed to count apical heartrate/ radial pulses.

When it comes to a stethoscope, there are plenty of options. You will need to purchase one, and Littman is a great brand, though expensive. It is not suggested to get an expensive steth. right away, because they tend to get lost or stolen. I suggest getting something minor at first until you are in the habit of wearing and using it, and not forgetting it! If you forget a Littman at the hospital, it probably won't be there when you return for it, unfortunately. You will use the steth. almost right away too. You can find Littmans in stores and online- shop around for a good price! I purchased this one: http://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Traditional-Black-Sprague-Stethoscope/dp/B00062N40A and it has served it's purpose well. I do plan to upgrade to a nicer steth, hoping that I can hear heart sounds better. I am an EMT and have been using the above steth. with no problems. You should also have a penlight and scissors. In fact, you can find kits like this one http://www.amazon.com/Prestige-Medical-Nylon-Organizer-Pink/dp/B001CU9VDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=hpc&qid=1303007845&sr=1-1 . You can have whatever color you like!

I think that's pretty much it for supplies for now.

With regard to work: it is hard to maintain a job and do this program. It is not impossible, but I thought I could handle it, since I have always worked 2-3 jobs and gone to school. Things changed dramatically when I started this program! You will be in class for 16 hours a week, plus study time.You will have to practice your skills and take tests outside of class time. When clinicals start, you will be in class or at the hospital 20-28 hours a week. Plus study time. I too worked for a non-profit and ended up going PRN when clinicals started, mostly because clinicals threw a wrench in my schedule. You will do a random drawing of number 1-40, and chose your clinical location in that order. After everyone has chosen, you have the option to negotiate trades with your classmates. Different locations are available for different days. For example, clinicals at Medical Center Plano were on Mondays. All 3 other hospitals were Fridays. You will need to be flexible though, because you might have to make up a clinical on an off day, and my clinicals at MCP actually ended up being on Sundays and Mondays for two weeks straight. Plus, you always have to go to the hospital the day before to pick a patient and do some care planning. This takes a few hours. It may be impossible to work your current job due to schedule, or you may decide to cut back on hours. Naturally, many people will decide to become a PCT at various hospitals- this is a good idea to get a foot in the door and build a relationship for future employment as an RN. Some positions require 2 semesters of school though. There are a few people who work 20 hours a week, but they are exhausted and are good organizers of time. I don't think anyone works more than that. I suggest you all tell your current employers that you will be starting nursing school in the fall and will need some flexibility, and may need to cut back on hours. The more prepared they are, the more flexible they should be when you need it. For example- when we had all that ice in February, we missed week of school and had to come in on days we normally didn't have class. And even though your clinical will be on "Monday or Friday" (or whatever day your class will have), there could be random days you have to go instead, and you always go the day before. I currently work 2 days a week.

Just enjoy your summer and spend time with your friends and family, and let them know that you will be very busy starting this fall. Look into your shoes, stethoscope, watch, scissors and penlight. Put some money aside for books and scrubs. And pat yourself on the back! You made it!

Sweetpea1301 · Apr 17, 2011

Ashlee067- I was a nanny before, and think you will have a hard time doing it during this program. You will probably have to rearrange your schedule, and won't always be available during kid's hours. But you might just have to cut back a little.

vinnyb · Apr 17, 2011

SweetPea..That was well written and very informative, thank you so much.

lupe1058 · Apr 17, 2011

Wow! Sweetpea, thank you so much for taking the time to be so thorough, it shows that you are a very sweet person (I see why you go by Sweetpea:heartbeat) and you will be a great nurse...thanks again

Would love to meet you and give you a big hug:loveya:

:tku::tku:

Alum08 · Apr 17, 2011

Thanks Sweatpea!!! That's really good information.

Hobbits · Apr 17, 2011

WOOOOHOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I got in too!!! 31.07 points!!!! I bet I'm at the bottom of the list lol! I will have 32 points after this semester though, because I am currently taking death and dying at Collin college. I am so excited!!!! I am looking forward to meeting all of you, I will be the short, chubby, and long brown hair in a pony tail hobbit looking student with a big smile on my face because I FINALLY got in!!!! *does a little dance* All my friends that are in RN programs are saying sleep now... because this will be our last chance. So good night everyone haha!!

*added* Sweatpea!!! That was great thank you SOOOO much for sharing all that info! I am so excited and worried and you helped me feel a lot better! I tried to personal message people that got in but I have to upgrade my account. sad face, I gotta save moneys for school. Maybe we can join a FB group

*Advice* so I have called the school multiple times about my hep 3 shot thing, I took mine over a 13 month span and they said the most important part is to prove it, so I called all 3 different doctors and had them fax my proof. I STRONGLY suggest everyone take care of this ASAP because some of those offices are slow. As long as you have 3 they don't care how long it took. Some schools make you redo them if it took too long... but when I read on the immunizations website it said you should never restart a vaccine because they are just boosts and space between doesn't matter as long as you got the required amount. When I called Brookhaven they said thats fine just make sure you can prove you have the shots. So I will be taking all the advice from people who post thank you for sharing, I see being organized is going to be very important.

*Question* Are we allowed to bring laptops to class? My mom got me a cute net book for nursing school. I'm hoping to save on paper.

mjcruiser · Apr 17, 2011

Congratulations to all who got in.

I had 29.XX points, unfortunately not enough to get in. (Currently taking Patho/Dosage/Pharm/Death and Dying). I'm very disappointed, even though I knew I was probably near the bottom of the list and my odds weren't that great. I sure hope that I can make it in the following semester (w/ my classes I'm currently taking being completed). I had a 94.XX on the HESI and don't think I'll be able to top that if I attempt again.

Can anyone verify if they really taking into account previous applicants? When I spoke to the nursing dept, they told me that they did not, however I have heard rumors of "3 extra points" for previous applicants.

I'm not holding my breath for there to be that many vacancies that would permit my acceptance, being that probably a large amount of people b/t my point total and what the bottom threshold was.

While I wish I was in the shoes of those who posted that they got in, please let me wish you the best of luck in your time in nursing school. :yeah:

vinnyb · Apr 17, 2011

MJcruiser...Do not give up just yet, there may be a small chance that you could make it in as an alternate. I say this, not to give you false hope, but because with BHC taking in 60 there could be a chance that a few students attend elsewhere...So Maybe if 3 or 4 people decline the offer(not impossible), then you might be in the top 5 of alternates...I'm just guessing, but I think the entry level score was probably right at 30..Forget about the 3 points(that is history))...So If you have maybe a 29.xx score...then you never know what coud happen... If that window closes then you will definitely make it with the spring 2012 class..My advice would be that you should not take the HESI again, with a 94+ you are near the top of the food chain(take no chances with a score like that)...and as you finish your support classes you will round out with a score around 34 or 35..which will gurantee your admission next spring..Best case scenario-you become an alternate...worst case- you start nursing school 5 months later(Jan. instead of Aug/Sept)..stay positive and good luck...also if you have algebra already, chances are that you could still get in at Mountain View for this fall...they have a late application period(July xxx)...and they seem to be on the verge of getting fully approved for their nursing program..keep in mind they were a satelite program of BHC, so most of what they want you probably already have.