Broward College August 2011

Dv914 · Jan 14, 2011

I'm not sure. I would like to know too.

miamiguy · Jan 17, 2011

stay away from south campus, if you can go to North campus its a better program !!!

alisonelizabeth · Jan 18, 2011

Hey, guys, wanted to post on this thread since I started Nursing at BC this January over at Central campus. It's only been, what, three weeks? Two? But it's been incredibly intense!! We have our first exam in theory on eleven chapter this Friday.

Those of you who are able to get Micro out of the way this summer, I'd suggest that's a good idea, but keep in mind, you'll also have a summer off while in the program:) I took Micro in the summer with a wonderful male professor (looks a bit like Santa) at North campus.

The skills you learn in health care core are actually the skills you are mainly doing in Nursing Process I Clinical at lab and hospital (lab for first few, I think 5 or 6 weeks, then hospital for maybe 2 or 3 days, it's not much). So practice those skills as MUCH as you can. Sterile gloving, PPE, handwashing, moving and transferring patients, VITAL SIGNS (this is one you need to perform and you get two chances or are kicked out of the class), creating and maintaining a sterile field, bathing a patient, oral care, giving an enema, head to toe physical assessment, Applying restraints, making an occupied or unoccupied bed, etc. As you can see, there are more skills than just in health care core, but all of the skills we learned in core, we WILL be tested on again in NPIL.

As far as the Hep B shots, it's definitely best to get them, but don't sweat it if you can't get the whole series done in time. I was only able to get one shot done and was told to sign the waiver declining the shot that it was okay, wouldn't impede me going to the hospital or anything, and then when I've got the immunization complete, return with the results and they'll update my record. You should also get a flu shot, because at Central at least, we were told that hospitals would be requiring them.

I really, really can't stress enough how much you should practice critical thinking type test questions before you begin the program. These are questions of the sort I guarantee you've never seen before. The Test Success and Fundamentals Success books are very good (Fundamentals Success is better, in my opinion, because it breaks it down into categories..but you might not care about that distinction unless you're in the program). Also, if you end up at Central, you'll be sent a reading assignment 2 days before classes start to read Ch 1-6 in Perry-Potter's Fundamentals of Success. Just telling you ahead of time.

If you have any questions, let me know. The program can make you feel like you're destined to fail, and you might come home some days and cry-I did. But hey, as long as you keep studying, and keep going, you'll get there. And I have a one and a half year old son, so finding the time to study is one of the hardest things for me. You're supposed to study 28 hours a week in the program.

Also, one more thing: you're NOT allowed calculators for the math. So I suggest buying Dosage Calculations: A ratio proportion approach by Pickar (the textbook we use) and if you want, the bookstore sells a packet of sample problems that is just like what we do. The class is only 4 weeks long!

10mlc · Jan 19, 2011

im currently taking micro lecture and lab but i still need to take the Hesi test and im so nervous to take it :uhoh3: , I've read that a lot of you guys have taken the test already can you PLEASE tell me what the test is all about!? i want to be able to get in the nursing program this fall 2011.

alisonelizabeth · Jan 20, 2011

im currently taking micro lecture and lab but i still need to take the Hesi test and im so nervous to take it , I've read that a lot of you guys have taken the test already can you PLEASE tell me what the test is all about!? i want to be able to get in the nursing program this fall 2011.

Well, I would make sure you go over things you don't remember from A&P I a bit, make sure you know your A&P II decently well--for both, read the Anatomy & Physiology section of the HESI study guide, which is published by Evolve. The A&P on the test is not that bad, but you DO have to know it well- because there's a lot they can pick from, and it can sometimes be obscure: I personally had a few questions on my test that were a little, ''Where did THAT come from?" There weren't as many bones/muscles/joints A&P I type questions on my exam, personally, as there was A&P II type questions- but everyone's exam will be different.

As far as the math goes, a calculator will pop up on your screen, and it is multiple choice, so as long as you know your basics, like how to at LEAST set up your problem, you will be fine. And there are some really...ahhh, simple questions, like adding. 17+24 type. And subtracting. Lol. There are ratios on the exam, and remember, ratios are basically fractions. Again, the HESI study guide is perfect in going over exactly what will be on their exam. If you study from that, in my opinion, as long as you've done well in your classes, you won't have a problem on the exam. I'm a person who struggles very much so with math, and I got a 94 on the math on the HESI.

The English is a bit boring and tedious and I think that's where a lot of people get the lowest scores, because perhaps it isn't necessarily their first language (I'm not trying to be negative here at all, this is just based off of what I have heard people say to me), or because they don't spend enough time reading the passage to know what the question is truly asking. If English is a known problem area for you, again, study from the HESI study guide to see the types of questions they'll be expecting you to know and answer- and if that's not enough, perhaps go online and look for English practice and questions, there are plenty of good websites out there. Remember, there are multiple English portions on the exam.

--I DO want to say that once you get into the program, you are NOT allowed to use your calculator for the math, and the math is of the sort presented on the HESI, including mostly ratios with a lot of conversions, also fractions, multiplying, dividing, etc. So if you struggle without a calculator, please please please study beforehand. The math class is only 4 weeks long, and there is only 1 exam and you must get a 90 on it (out of 10 questions) to pass the class.

The HESI is very easy and is the least of your worries, I promise. You may all be worrying now about GETTING in, and be so very excited about the process, and I don't want to dash any hopes, I simply want to prepare you for just how fast paced and intense the program truly is. It's rough. It's doable. But you MUST be dedicated. It WILL be ALL YOU DO. I now spend 2 and a half hours with my son a day during the weekdays, THAT'S IT. That breaks my heart. But that's how it has to be- I need to study to pass.

If you want to do well in theory, please learn how to take the test questions. That's the key to your success. You can memorize and study 24/7 and not pass if you don't know how to answer these questions- they aren't what ANYONE is used to. Besides Fundamentals Success and Test Success, more great books for these questions RECOMMENDED BY THE NURSING COUNSELOR are- Lippincott's NCLEX Made Incredibly Easy; and Hogan's Reviews and Rationales. Also a lot of students are recommending a Saunder's NCLEX style book. Find what works for YOU. :)

Good luck!

Crabbs · Jan 20, 2011

Thanks for all your advice alisonelizabeth. I'm a little worried about my GPA that's why I want to do good on the HESI so it can give me a better chance of getting.

I was also thinking of going to the south campus cause I live in downtown Miami and that would be the closest campus for me but I've heard bad things about that campus.

10mlc · Jan 21, 2011

@ alisonelizabeth.... thank you so much for your help i just here people say they had to take the test 3 to 4 times so it made me more scare about it, but i am studying the hesi book. i just can't wait to start the nursing program.

sunshinegirlFlorida · Jan 21, 2011

AlisonElizabeth, thank you so much for your post! It is VERY helpful :) I did the Healthcare Core online and really did not learn any of the skills you mentioned. I wrote them down and will start working on them. This way I will have a general idea of how to do things when I start.

I want to buy the Nursing books during the summer and start reading. This way I am hoping not to feel super overwhelmed the first 2 weeks or so.

Good point about taking Micro during the summer we have off. I did not even think of that!! If my job will not give me the flexibility I need during this summer, at least I now know it is okay and could just take it during my sumer off :) That takes off a huge load off my shoulders.

I will take your advise and purchase the Fundamentals Success book. The more prepared I am for these exams the better it will be! Thank you VERY much for all of the advise. If you think of anything else as the semester progresses please let us know :)

yisy4u · Jan 24, 2011

Wow!!! finally a group where I fit in! lol...I'm taking A&P2 and chem as well. Only that I'm taking it at Miami Dade college. However, I'm thinking that I should apply for the fall 2011 at BCC, otherwise; I'll need to wait to January 2012 to enter the MDC nursing program. Also, I haven't taken the hesi yet. Maybe I should start preparing for it since NOW. :) Good luck to everyone.

yisy4u · Jan 24, 2011

Is Micro one of the pre-requisits of the nursing program? I'm checking the admission information and don't see it there. :confused:

sunshinegirlFlorida · Jan 24, 2011

Is Micro one of the pre-requisits of the nursing program? I'm checking the admission information and don't see it there.

It is not a pre-req for the Program but you do need it to graduate :)

yisy4u · Jan 24, 2011

Ohh!! Ok! thanks for the info. I will be taking it this summer.