Ccac fall 2011

Columnist · Jul 20, 2011

Moved to PA Nursing Programs Discussion forum for more responses.

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Jul 22, 2011

I graduated from CCAC Boyce a couple months ago. What did you need to know?

PittRN24 · Jul 25, 2011

Hey thanks for replying! So when I go to the orientation are they going to explain everything because it is an all day thing? I still want to work in the fall and already have another degree from another university so I think I'm pretty good with time management and know now to study. I just don't want to have too much on my plate. I'm taking Nrn 101 and A&P 2 in the fall. Ccac already just feels so disorganized

tokidoki7, ASN, RN · Jul 27, 2011

Hey thanks for replying! So when I go to the orientation are they going to explain everything because it is an all day thing? I still want to work in the fall and already have another degree from another university so I think I'm pretty good with time management and know now to study. I just don't want to have too much on my plate. I'm taking Nrn 101 and A&P 2 in the fall. Ccac already just feels so disorganized

Unfortunately, that's the norm! I can't remember how long orientation day was, but I do remember the instructors went over the syllabus, the student manual and what to expect during clinicals. In my first semester, I was able to still work full-time because I only had school 2 days a week (class one day and clinical one day). For about 4 weeks you go to a long-term care home to practice your basic nursing skills (ex: bathing, bed pans, making beds, blood pressure, respirations, etc) and for the rest of the semester you go to a hospital. I only had NRN 101 and no other classes, but since you're okay with time management and studying, I think you should be okay taking on A&P 2.

Jasoninpa · Aug 2, 2011

Orientation for 101 was a couple hours last semester. She goes over syllabus, guidelines, rules, attendance policy, etc. And then we watched tapes on nursing skills.

For the ltc rotation, you're basically being a CNA for one day a week. For the acute care portion, you get into some of the basic skills like vitals, nurse notes, head-to-toe assessment, etc.

I think that most of us still worked while attending, so that's not uncommon at all. It's actually really doable, esp. since, as you said, you have good time management.

laramyy · Aug 4, 2011

Also, you'll need to buy a stethoscope, pen light, and white shoes with no markings. I don't know why they don't tell us we need these things. Luckily I was on this site when a previous class was starting so I knew to ask.

laramyy · Aug 5, 2011

Hey Jason - I have a question about the books. We were given a list at registration (which includes Fundamentals), but there is a completely different list on the ccac central website. Was this the case for you as well? Should we buy from the registration or website list? We have called and emailed, but no one has gotten any answer. I feel like I started buying the wrong books...

Jasoninpa · Aug 5, 2011

Hi,

I just checked the CCAC Bookstore website, and they aren't showing us the books for NRN101. It is only showing SII classes, so I'm not sure.

I don't remember the book lists being different from what she gave us at registration vs. what they told us on the website to buy. I was really unmotivated last semester for the first part of it, so I didn't even buy I think any of the books til like week 3 or 4. So, it's hard for me to have a reference. I think I just bought what other people had in the class.

I could tell you what books we used last semester- but I'm not sure if maybe they changed to different ones for this semester. And to be honest, you could probably make due with a different version, even if that were the case.

I wish I had a better answer, but I just don't know sorry

laramyy · Aug 5, 2011

No problem! Thank you for looking :) They are just irking me at the moment.

futurernfarmer · Aug 30, 2011

I'm in 201/202 at allegheny right now and they are still irking me. My advice: get used to it, it gets worse for 102 and 201 (some of you know who I'm talking about!) Also, use the resources available:

nrn computer lab - make friends with Mrs. Bell and she'll hook you up,

open lab (it sucks to stay at school longer than you have to, but trust me it will be a huge asset),

and study groups, tutoring, or the RN acheivement classes if you think they'll help.

Don't get behind or you'll never catch up, but don't get too overwhelmed: many people graduate and pass the NCLEX every semester.

invertivore · Oct 11, 2011

CCAC Allegheny is rife with and operated in a perpetual state of incompetence. If it isn't too late, leave and don't look back. Go to Pitt, or CalU, or Waynesboro. Anywhere else would be worth the money. What you save in tuition you will spend on self-medicating yourself through the complete morass of idiocy.