Calling all second semester+ FCCJ students

hawkfdc · Oct 15, 2007

tough time to post, we're all studying for finals.

The 2nd semester is a different level of intensity and time management. YOu only have 1 class the first half of the semester and 1 class the last half (with an online class thrown in for good measure for 8 weeks). Adult health is extremely time consuming, 2 days of clinicals, test on monday, and at some point you have to go to the hospital to pick up your patient assignment, then 1/2 day of class.

You would have to drop your child off at 6:00-6:30 to get to your clinical (day program), out by 3:00 pm. You need to look at all the schedules to see if your life can accomodate nursing school (not trying to sound like a put down). Would hate for you to be in the middle of and realize that you don't have the support system to handle the riggors.

MacunaRN · Oct 15, 2007

i just had to ask what is fccj and what programs do they have i find all these posts on allnurses just curious..

rbowie · Oct 15, 2007

Florida Community College at Jacksonville

Dr. Barbara Darby, President of North Campus, FCCJ, identifies "Florida Community College's nursing program is ranked as the third largest producer of nursing graduates in the nation. It has a long and rich tradition of preparing nurses to meet the workforce needs of Northeast Florida. Our graduates perform well on the National Council Licensure Examination and have distinguished themselves in every aspect of the profession-from bedside nursing to leadership roles. A caring faculty, state-of-the-art learning environments and a strong and dynamic curriculum produce graduates who are well prepared for a rewarding career."

http://www.fccj.edu/index.html

http://www.fccj.edu/prospective/programs/data07_08/2149.html

np_wannabe · Oct 15, 2007

tough time to post, we're all studying for finals.
The 2nd semester is a different level of intensity and time management. YOu only have 1 class the first half of the semester and 1 class the last half (with an online class thrown in for good measure for 8 weeks). Adult health is extremely time consuming, 2 days of clinicals, test on monday, and at some point you have to go to the hospital to pick up your patient assignment, then 1/2 day of class.
You would have to drop your child off at 6:00-6:30 to get to your clinical (day program), out by 3:00 pm. You need to look at all the schedules to see if your life can accomodate nursing school (not trying to sound like a put down). Would hate for you to be in the middle of and realize that you don't have the support system to handle the riggors.

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond, hawkfdc. I've applied to the night/weekend track so I wouldn't have to factor in child care, but I'm sure the intensity of the second semester would be just the same. I had heard that the second and third semesters are split up like that, which can be deceiving. I took AP1 and AP2 back-to-back, 8 weeks each, in one semester, so of course, that's what I think of to compare it to....(and made high A's in each of those classes, while working 20 hours per week, and being home with a 1 & 3 year old by day, so this is what I worry is clouding my judgment/objectivity)

Thanks again!!

hawkfdc · Oct 20, 2007

You're right when you say it clouds your judgement.

If you got A's in your pre-reqs, be prepared for B's and C's in the nursing program, the testing is COMPLETELY different from what you're used to. Instead of rote memorization on a test, its memorization and applying that using the assessment skills in the first semester.

If you have a good support system in place, keep moving ahead. If not, then proceed with caution. Congrats on your acceptance BTW.

kertz81 · Oct 23, 2007

Hi Np wannabe,

I just wanted to give you a little boost....I am in the night/weekend program now, in my first semester, and I must say that this is the hardest thing I've ever done in my entire life. I work 40 hours a week Monday through Friday, I'm planning my wedding, and I have school. My schedule right now is:

Monday: tests from 6-8:30 (only until 7 if you only have 1 test)

Thursday: class 6-9pm

Friday: go to the hospital to pick up patient info and write a care plan

Saturday: the first 8 weeks it was class from 7am-2:30pm, now it's clinical at the hospital from 6:45am-3pm

Sunday: two classes - 9am-noon and 1pm-4pm

So, needless to say it is very hard...but also very do-able. I had the same doubts tha tyou did, and I'm making it through. I think it really depends just how badly you want it. And if you got good grades for your pre-reqs, then you'll get good grades in nursing school. Our grading system is a lot harder, though. 100-93 = A, 92-86 = B, and 85-80 = C. Anything below that is an F. But, you just have to dedicate almost all of your free time to studying. You will sacrifice a lot for this (I know I have), but it's worth it. You see what all I'm doing, and I'm still getting all A's and B's on my tests!

So, don't doubt yourself. If you want it....go get it!

np_wannabe · Oct 23, 2007

Hi Np wannabe,
I just wanted to give you a little boost....I am in the night/weekend program now, in my first semester, and I must say that this is the hardest thing I've ever done in my entire life. I work 40 hours a week Monday through Friday, I'm planning my wedding, and I have school. My schedule right now is:
Monday: tests from 6-8:30 (only until 7 if you only have 1 test)
Thursday: class 6-9pm
Friday: go to the hospital to pick up patient info and write a care plan
Saturday: the first 8 weeks it was class from 7am-2:30pm, now it's clinical at the hospital from 6:45am-3pm
Sunday: two classes - 9am-noon and 1pm-4pm
So, needless to say it is very hard...but also very do-able. I had the same doubts tha tyou did, and I'm making it through. I think it really depends just how badly you want it. And if you got good grades for your pre-reqs, then you'll get good grades in nursing school. Our grading system is a lot harder, though. 100-93 = A, 92-86 = B, and 85-80 = C. Anything below that is an F. But, you just have to dedicate almost all of your free time to studying. You will sacrifice a lot for this (I know I have), but it's worth it. You see what all I'm doing, and I'm still getting all A's and B's on my tests!
So, don't doubt yourself. If you want it....go get it!

Thank you for your response, kertz. I am supposed to respond by Friday the 26th as to whether I will be attending the program, and I am still unsure (but leaning towards NOT) so I have not yet contacted FCCJ.

Basically, I have no doubts that I will do fine in the program--probably with more A's than B's, but what I'm not sure of is whether I want to give up the life I have now. My kids will be 3 & 5 in February, and I'm a stay-at-home-mom. The plan is for me to go nights/weekends while my husband works days and supports us. Doing that, my husband and I will be on completely opposite schedules, and when I am home I'll be studying. Not to sound like a wuss, but before I became a SAHM, he and I worked opposite schedules for 3 1/2 years because we had to and it really sucked. I don't know that I want to go back to that kind of life again. I am really enjoying our quality of life together as a family.

I have a few more days to think about it....the practical side of me says to just tough it up--only the first semester is the worst. The emotional side says that once my baby is in school at age four, we can all be on a day schedule and it would be much better....to just enjoy what i have while i can....:monkeydance:

Also~ So ... when do you study??? And how many hours per week are you studying?