CCAC Fall 2011

jlshort06 · Aug 11, 2011

Were there mostly power points for lectures? Did you use 3 separate binders for clinical, lab, lecture? I'm just trying to figure out what I should and shouldn't get. I know highlighters are a must! Anything else you know of that would help?

jlshort06 · Aug 14, 2011

Laptops in lecture, so far nobody has had an issue with that. Recording the lecture is a different story. One instructor I know of is opposed to recording the lecture. I don't know why. However, that does not stop some people.

Were there mostly power points for lectures? Did you use 3 separate binders for clinical, lab, lecture? I'm just trying to figure out what I should and shouldn't get. I know highlighters are a must! Anything else you know of that would help?

dondk, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2011

Were there mostly power points for lectures? Did you use 3 separate binders for clinical, lab, lecture? I'm just trying to figure out what I should and shouldn't get. I know highlighters are a must! Anything else you know of that would help?

you do not need three binders, one will do. Your binder will be mostly for lecture, maybe a section for lab. I don't know of any clinical that ever used/needed a binder. Although, folders are a must. At clinical you should have a folder for all the paperwork (blank copies) and one for what you need to turn in. A folder for lab as there are handouts, not much in the way of note taking though.

Powerpoints is how everything is done. I would suggest downloading and saving your powerpoints locally, Blackboard has been known to go down and the most inopportune time (right before an exam/final). If you like to print your powerpoints, do it at the school on their ink and paper. Some of my classmates would have the ppt's and required docs on google, so if at clinical they could access it and print it at the clinical site (not a bad idea).

Laptops at lecture/lab... why? there is barely an wifi and why lug the extra weight and take the chance of something walking? you are in lecture/lab for a few hours at most, I don't think a laptop will "add" anything to your learning experience. If you need to look something up, carry a smart phone, at least you will get reception on that.

What else to have... a calendar/planner is a nice idea.

For clinical... a highlighter, clipboard (plain variety), sharpie, pens (blue/red).

For class... stapler, some people carried a hole punch or three ring hole punch, whiteout.

just remember whatever you get you have to carry around, add your books and you can have a 40# backpack in nothing flat and a sore back by midterm.

As for recording... most instructors are opposed to it, they will site copyright laws. Basically, they don't want to be caught on an exam that a question was not discussed in class and you have the "proof" via recording.

Hope this helped...

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Aug 15, 2011

Were there mostly power points for lectures? Did you use 3 separate binders for clinical, lab, lecture? I'm just trying to figure out what I should and shouldn't get. I know highlighters are a must! Anything else you know of that would help?

100% of lectures- and lab- are covered by powerpoint! Go on Blackboard and save the powerpoints on a flashdrive at home! And whatever you do, DO NOT print out your powerpoints right before class! You and most of your classmates will be in the computer lab printing out powerpoints! Sometimes other students will take powerpoints that they didn't even print out!

I started the nursing program with 3 binders and it was too much of a hassle. I eventually switched to one big one and used dividers. Place the new powerpoints up front throughtout the semester.

As for clinical, some instructors don't care if you carry a clipboard and some instructors don't want students to carry clipboards at all, so expect to carry lots of stuff in your pocket (flushes, alcohol wipes, pens, pen light, notes, etc.)

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Aug 15, 2011

I'm in the Boyce Night program. For clinical sites, these are the one's I'm familiar with. Maybe someone else can give some more as well..
Presbyterian senior care for everyone to start in 101
Then move on to the acute care setting
UPMC St. Margaret's
Shadyside
Presbyterian
Mercy
Magee
Montifiore
Alle Kiski
West Penn
Excela in Greensburg
In 102 I did a rotation in HealthSouth in Monroeville. I also spoke with another Boyce student who did a round at Forbes in Monroeville.
So that list is pretty scattered across the map.
Hope that helps.

Lifecare in Wilkinsburg is another facility used for med surg and psych. There was also a group that went to the VA for psych.

kh321 · Aug 16, 2011

At South Campus all of our lectures were done via powerpoint. We were told to purchase the printed slides from the bookstore at the start of the term. They were not posted for us on blackboard. We had to purchase these packets for lab and clinical as well. They already had holes punched into them for a 3 ring binder.

jlshort06 · Aug 16, 2011

O.k. I'm at Boyce Campus in the day program. So for future reference what process is it that we go through in order to take the NCLEX? I keep seeing something about an ATT. I'm going to be starting my clinicals here in a week. I am already thinking that I will be relocating to TN when I finish school. I was told that I can take the NCLEX at a PA testing center and my license would come from TN.

I'm just trying to gauge how long after everyone finishes their program until they take the NCLEX? I know that I want to take it as soon as possible just to get it out of the way. How long did it take to get the ATT in order to register for the NCLEX?

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Aug 17, 2011

O.k. I'm at Boyce Campus in the day program. So for future reference what process is it that we go through in order to take the NCLEX? I keep seeing something about an ATT. I'm going to be starting my clinicals here in a week. I am already thinking that I will be relocating to TN when I finish school. I was told that I can take the NCLEX at a PA testing center and my license would come from TN.
I'm just trying to gauge how long after everyone finishes their program until they take the NCLEX? I know that I want to take it as soon as possible just to get it out of the way. How long did it take to get the ATT in order to register for the NCLEX?

I graduate from Boyce in May and it unfortunately took a long time to get our ATTs. The last day of school ended May 9 and our paperwork wasn't sent until the week of May 22. It was a very nerve racking time! Eventually, everyone received their ATTs towards the end of June. Once you get your ATT, you can go on Pearson's website to schedule a test date for yourself.

To take the NCLEX you have to pay a $35 state licensure fee and $200 for the actual test. If you want a temporary practice permit, you'll have to pay $35. So the total ends up being $270. You can pay for this 90 days before you graduate, but the processing will be put on hold until the school sends in the necessary documentation to the state.

student120 · Aug 25, 2011

Any information current/past students have with this question would be greatly appreciated...

I'm interested in applying for a day program and wondered what your schedule looked/looks like if you only have the nursing coursework to complete? I noticed the time required for nursing 101 for example is only one day a week, maybe for only 4 hours a day. I wondered if that only included lecture time..and there was additional time commitment for lab and clinical, relating to the nursing 101 course? I am trying to figure out how much time I would need to be away from my daughter, to arrange childcare, etc. to see if this would be feasible for me at this point.

Any insight on this would be much appreciated!

sbuff05 · Aug 26, 2011

I am currently working on the day program completing only the nursing courses and I have an 8 hour clinical 1 day a week and then 2 hour lecture and 2 hour lab 2 days a week in a 4 hour block.

kh321 · Aug 26, 2011

For 101 my schedule was Tuesday-Thursday 4 hours a day (2 lecture, 2 lab) and an 8 hour clinical. For 102 it was an 8 hour clinical 2.5 hours on Tuesday and Thursday with a 2 hour lab on every other Tuesday. 201 was taken over 3 weeks in the summer for 10 hours a week divided into 2 days. For 202 it is lecture 1.5 hour Monday with lab for 2 hours I think and Tuesday 3.5 lecture plus 13 hours of clinical.

student120 · Aug 28, 2011

Thank you both for your responses! kh321 I'm assuming you are in the fast track program since you mentioned going in the summer.

What did you guys do for the CIT course/requirement?

If you don't mind may I ask what campus you attend..I'm trying to figure out if the South or Boyce Campus would be closest for me. I live in the squirrel hills area...seems like getting to the boyce campus, and along 376/squirrel hill tunnel area could cause some trouble that maybe wouldnt be so bad traveling to the south campus....hard to tell though with pgh traffic..never know!

SBuff05...would you mind letting me know the times of the courses...I'm assuming since it's a day program they are morning hours..but again, I'm just assuming and am nervous about it not being during hours I'll be free....my husband goes to work around noon...so i'm hoping a lot of classes don't go beyond 3pm....just wondering..thanks!

Thanks again for your help!