Broward College Nursing Program January 2017

bethanyblush · Oct 20, 2016

Thank you for this update and the needed advice bethanyblush - it's really appreciated!! Well done on your success so far. It's really reassuring to hear such positive words about the program.
Would you mind providing a tentative weekly (Monday - Sunday) schedule of the first semester? I understand the class days/timings (Process I, Lab, Clinical,Rx, & Math) but can you please advise on your time outside of the lecture specifically (return demo, etc. ) and the clinicals? Are they two days a week for the entire 8 weeks or just the beginning? The sample schedule is posted on the BC website which is very helpful, but was just curious from a realistic approach. How soon after being accepted into the program, did you start studying for the program? Also, what clinical skills were you able to 'perform' during the clinicals?
I'm sure you are very busy, so your previous post and any additional advice is sincerely appreciated. THANK YOU VERY MUCH! :)

Let me start with saying that the program is not perfect by any means. As with everything, things are constantly changing (it's because they're always trying to improve everyone's experience). I'm sure you've all heard horror stories like I have. But I can reassure you that no one there purposely is out to get you or make you fail. It is not their goal. Let me also say that I got in with a 4.0, and passed lecture with a C! A high C that is LOL, but my point is that I am extremely studious, I put in the time, but overall this is a very difficult career path. So when they say "C's make degrees" it's the truth. And the grading scale is different I had an 82 but that's considered a C in nursing school. Trust me, I worked my butt off for that and in my eyes in equivalent to an A!

The resources are there. The lab coordinators are always printing out forms and resources for us to utilize. Find what works to you and stick with it. Tune out the negativity. The first week you're in lab both Tuesday and Wednesday. Every week after that you only go on your assigned day. But prior to return demo you will practically live there. This is where time management plays a role, because although you have return demo, you'll also have 10-15 chapters to read for your lecture class. It takes dedication and it's all temporary until we graduate remember that. But if you're committed you'll be fine. Like I said, take everything you hear with a grain of salt. I'm still in the beginning but I can say I am very determined and I've done very well. I feel as though I know what I have to do to get through this program.

To answer your question, before return demo I had a calendar and I scheduled everything including my reading. Lab open hours are limited so I planned according to that.

this is what it was like:

Monday: lecture 9-12, then lunch, then I would attend practice lab from 1-4pm. I'd go home take a break and then read from like 6-11pm

Tuesday: I had off since my lab day was Wednesday. This is the day where I'd make my coffee in the morning and sit at my desk all day reading for theory.

Wednesday: LAB DAY all day. Usually from 8-5 until you start hospital rotations then it's (6-6)

Thursday: the first 4 weeks I had math from 1:30-4:30 until our exam on the 4th week. I then had Pharm from 5-7. Pharm is the easiest. Dr. K is very understanding of the workload from everything else so he works with us.

Friday: lecture 9-12. Practice lab 1-4pm. & then, Friday night reading!

Saturday: practice lab for the full amount of hours it was open. (It varies)

Sunday: reading all day!

When I wasn't in the lab, I would practice my return demo as a break from my reading on every member in my household! It is important to practice. I had my physical assessment down to 11 minutes before return demo and that's what takes students the longest!

You can't cheat the reading. I'm a visual learner but I got the audio book and it helped me get through the reading. I'd listen along as I read my book. It helped train me to be able to read for long periods of time without the audio.

Good luck guys! Hope this helps a bit. You'll feel lost the first couple of weeks but trust me it's okay! I met some pretty awesome people from this forum. So be kind to each other because we're all in this together! You guys have been accepted to the best nursing program! Congrats!â¤ï¸

sicilib · Oct 20, 2016

Thank you so much Bethany! You are amazing!

Question tho, working you think will not be doable in the program right>

Let me start with saying that the program is not perfect by any means. As with everything, things are constantly changing (it's because they're always trying to improve everyone's experience). I'm sure you've all heard horror stories like I have. But I can reassure you that no one there purposely is out to get you or make you fail. It is not their goal. Let me also say that I got in with a 4.0, and passed lecture with a C! A high C that is LOL, but my point is that I am extremely studious, I put in the time, but overall this is a very difficult career path. So when they say "C's make degrees" it's the truth. And the grading scale is different I had an 82 but that's considered a C in nursing school. Trust me, I worked my butt off for that and in my eyes in equivalent to an A!
The resources are there. The lab coordinators are always printing out forms and resources for us to utilize. Find what works to you and stick with it. Tune out the negativity. The first week you're in lab both Tuesday and Wednesday. Every week after that you only go on your assigned day. But prior to return demo you will practically live there. This is where time management plays a role, because although you have return demo, you'll also have 10-15 chapters to read for your lecture class. It takes dedication and it's all temporary until we graduate remember that. But if you're committed you'll be fine. Like I said, take everything you hear with a grain of salt. I'm still in the beginning but I can say I am very determined and I've done very well. I feel as though I know what I have to do to get through this program.
To answer your question, before return demo I had a calendar and I scheduled everything including my reading. Lab open hours are limited so I planned according to that.
this is what it was like:
Monday: lecture 9-12, then lunch, then I would attend practice lab from 1-4pm. I'd go home take a break and then read from like 6-11pm
Tuesday: I had off since my lab day was Wednesday. This is the day where I'd make my coffee in the morning and sit at my desk all day reading for theory.
Wednesday: LAB DAY all day. Usually from 8-5 until you start hospital rotations then it's (6-6)
Thursday: the first 4 weeks I had math from 1:30-4:30 until our exam on the 4th week. I then had Pharm from 5-7. Pharm is the easiest. Dr. K is very understanding of the workload from everything else so he works with us.
Friday: lecture 9-12. Practice lab 1-4pm. & then, Friday night reading!
Saturday: practice lab for the full amount of hours it was open. (It varies)
Sunday: reading all day!
When I wasn't in the lab, I would practice my return demo as a break from my reading on every member in my household! It is important to practice. I had my physical assessment down to 11 minutes before return demo and that's what takes students the longest!
You can't cheat the reading. I'm a visual learner but I got the audio book and it helped me get through the reading. I'd listen along as I read my book. It helped train me to be able to read for long periods of time without the audio.
Good luck guys! Hope this helps a bit. You'll feel lost the first couple of weeks but trust me it's okay! I met some pretty awesome people from this forum. So be kind to each other because we're all in this together! You guys have been accepted to the best nursing program! Congrats!â¤ï¸

bethanyblush · Oct 20, 2016

Thank you so much Bethany! You are amazing!
Question tho, working you think will not be doable in the program right>

I personally couldn't work during the program. BUT, that is just me. I can say that I have witnessed people work in the program AND pass. BUT, it was very difficult for them and they did cut back their hours. Personally, if it were me, I know there's no way I could've done it. It is recommended not to, especially your first semester. But I think it's subjective. It all depends on the person really.

charmcd82 · Oct 20, 2016

Let me start with saying that the program is not perfect by any means. As with everything, things are constantly changing (it's because they're always trying to improve everyone's experience). I'm sure you've all heard horror stories like I have. But I can reassure you that no one there purposely is out to get you or make you fail. It is not their goal. Let me also say that I got in with a 4.0, and passed lecture with a C! A high C that is LOL, but my point is that I am extremely studious, I put in the time, but overall this is a very difficult career path. So when they say "C's make degrees" it's the truth. And the grading scale is different I had an 82 but that's considered a C in nursing school. Trust me, I worked my butt off for that and in my eyes in equivalent to an A!
The resources are there. The lab coordinators are always printing out forms and resources for us to utilize. Find what works to you and stick with it. Tune out the negativity. The first week you're in lab both Tuesday and Wednesday. Every week after that you only go on your assigned day. But prior to return demo you will practically live there. This is where time management plays a role, because although you have return demo, you'll also have 10-15 chapters to read for your lecture class. It takes dedication and it's all temporary until we graduate remember that. But if you're committed you'll be fine. Like I said, take everything you hear with a grain of salt. I'm still in the beginning but I can say I am very determined and I've done very well. I feel as though I know what I have to do to get through this program.
To answer your question, before return demo I had a calendar and I scheduled everything including my reading. Lab open hours are limited so I planned according to that.
this is what it was like:
Monday: lecture 9-12, then lunch, then I would attend practice lab from 1-4pm. I'd go home take a break and then read from like 6-11pm
Tuesday: I had off since my lab day was Wednesday. This is the day where I'd make my coffee in the morning and sit at my desk all day reading for theory.
Wednesday: LAB DAY all day. Usually from 8-5 until you start hospital rotations then it's (6-6)
Thursday: the first 4 weeks I had math from 1:30-4:30 until our exam on the 4th week. I then had Pharm from 5-7. Pharm is the easiest. Dr. K is very understanding of the workload from everything else so he works with us.
Friday: lecture 9-12. Practice lab 1-4pm. & then, Friday night reading!
Saturday: practice lab for the full amount of hours it was open. (It varies)
Sunday: reading all day!
When I wasn't in the lab, I would practice my return demo as a break from my reading on every member in my household! It is important to practice. I had my physical assessment down to 11 minutes before return demo and that's what takes students the longest!
You can't cheat the reading. I'm a visual learner but I got the audio book and it helped me get through the reading. I'd listen along as I read my book. It helped train me to be able to read for long periods of time without the audio.
Good luck guys! Hope this helps a bit. You'll feel lost the first couple of weeks but trust me it's okay! I met some pretty awesome people from this forum. So be kind to each other because we're all in this together! You guys have been accepted to the best nursing program! Congrats!â¤ï¸

Thank you so much. One question where did you find the audio books? I am dyslexic and I prefer not to read too much

sicilib · Oct 20, 2016

i was going to ask that too lol

LondonFog, BSN · Oct 21, 2016

THANK YOU SO MUCH bethanyblush!!!! That was an amazing intro and reality check. We all sincerely appreciate your advice and time. Thank you so much for taking time out to do this for us - sincerely! Really very nice of you :) Best of luck with the remainder of the program; Hopefully with your advice, we'll see you out there! :)

bethanyblush · Oct 21, 2016

So, the fundamentals book has an e-book you can purchase (it is expensive). But, coming into this program I didn't know what else to do but to purchase this (I also bought the physical copy because I'm crazy and OCD lol). I would have the e-book read to me as I followed along with my tangible copy and highlight in my book.

this is the link: Fundamentals of Nursing - Elsevier eBook on VitalSource, 9th Edition - 978

bethanyblush · Oct 21, 2016

THANK YOU SO MUCH bethanyblush!!!! That was an amazing intro and reality check. We all sincerely appreciate your advice and time. Thank you so much for taking time out to do this for us - sincerely! Really very nice of you :) Best of luck with the remainder of the program; Hopefully with your advice, we'll see you out there! :)

You'll get the hang of it I promise. I met a friend on this forum who I call my fairy god-mother because she did what I'm doing now. It's why I felt the need to let you all know it is possible and it is all up to you. Best of luck to you all!

Kingrn2018 · Oct 21, 2016

Is the pre ADMISSIONS orientation at the same campus for both days?

ndrullard · Oct 21, 2016

Is the pre ADMISSIONS orientation at the same campus for both days?

Yes, the meetings are all held on the same campus, same location, just different times.

Kingrn2018 · Oct 21, 2016

Yes, the meetings are all held on the same campus, same location, just different times.

Okay thank you!

Yaya34 · Oct 24, 2016

Good Morning All,

I'm curious, When will the alternate's find out if they got a seat? Is it during orientation?