Hi, I'm hoping to eventually enter the nursing program, but I'm curious about a something. Someone had told me before entering, it's best to get all of your co-reqs done for the program, so that only the nursing courses are left. Is this a good idea? If so, you can take all the classes (other than the Nursing courses) without being in the program, right?
One more thing... are the PAX exams hard? Any tips to study for them?
I heard the head of the nursing dpt at Allegheny campus say something about they needed to keep their Nclex pass rate above 85% or so. That is a threshold that apparently the state looks at for nursing school accreditation. I know that at one point West Penn's nursing program was on probation from the state for low pass rates.
As far as liking nursing, who you have as an instructor, in my opinion, can make a big difference. My group has been lucky this semester because we've had extremely supportive, knowledgeable instructors who have made the focus on student learning rather than running clinicals like a drill sergeant. I'll admit, the first semester I felt kind of lost. I felt like I was just basically a CNA, but without CNA training. Because of that, people were still wondering how to turn off the bed alarms and count I/O or turn off a call light in second semester. Now, because of the right instructors, we are being showe a LOT, and all the pieces are really coming together.
So, if you feel discouraged, hang in there, seriously. It will all make sense. IT REALLY WILL. :)
Specializes in oncology/hematology, med-surg, FNP.
That is good to know Jason. Sometimes it feels like "where did that come from..." and feeling lost. I just try to keep up with the reading and all the notes and study like crazy. My first round clinical was good. My second rotation the instructor has a reputation for being very strict and like a drill sgt. I dont know if that is a bad thing. Many have said that because of this instructor, they can do dressings (and other things) and adhere to policy so much better than their peers. I am just taking it one week at a time and trying to stay calm (cue vagus nerve here).
I will say this - I had heard from many sources that you dont really need to purchase the books. I disagree. The first test had a few questions directly from the book. For lab, they are constantly asking if we read the material on the reading list. It seems as if they are making an effort to use the books more. I have not bought all books yet. I have all the ones we need right now that are on our reading list.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that instructors who allow students to be slackers are good. A teacher can be great without being a drill sergeant. When the instructor makes clinicals about *learning* rather than about *them,* that is what I'm talking about as beneficial. Sometimes learning can get lost in all the ego. My instructors this semester have shown us how to do things, and I've learned a heck of a lot more in the last six weeks than I did all last semester. Besides, it is hard to learn in an environment where a teacher is trying to intimidate. :)
Specializes in oncology/hematology, med-surg, FNP.
Amen to that. I would rather not have all that stress in the learning environment but my one friend (a nurse) says that sometimes that is what the job is like - so getting used to the stress is a good.
I have to see how this rotation pans out for my clinical group. We loved our first round even if it was long term care.
When I went, I took the NET test. Could they possibly be bringing that back? I didn't find NET that hard but I know people who failed it the first time so.... BTW, I graduated this past May from ccac, if anyone has any questions I may be able to help.
Lauren, thanks for offering to give information. I haven't heard anything about them bringing back the NET. I suppose by them saying the PAX is "discriminatory" to international students, it is talking about becaues they have to be able to read the english language. I've never taken the NET, but I know that a section on it was reading. So, don't see how that takes that out of the equation.
I did have a question: so how was the job search for your graduating class?
Jasoninpa
121 Posts
Sewnmom,
I heard the head of the nursing dpt at Allegheny campus say something about they needed to keep their Nclex pass rate above 85% or so. That is a threshold that apparently the state looks at for nursing school accreditation. I know that at one point West Penn's nursing program was on probation from the state for low pass rates.
As far as liking nursing, who you have as an instructor, in my opinion, can make a big difference. My group has been lucky this semester because we've had extremely supportive, knowledgeable instructors who have made the focus on student learning rather than running clinicals like a drill sergeant. I'll admit, the first semester I felt kind of lost. I felt like I was just basically a CNA, but without CNA training. Because of that, people were still wondering how to turn off the bed alarms and count I/O or turn off a call light in second semester. Now, because of the right instructors, we are being showe a LOT, and all the pieces are really coming together.
So, if you feel discouraged, hang in there, seriously. It will all make sense. IT REALLY WILL. :)