CCAC Spring 2012

mlordderiggi · Nov 9, 2011

Have you called the school yet? I think I would and ask where your packet is because I have had mine over a week now. Just to make sure that it is on its way to you really soon so you can get things started and not be so overwhelmed around the holidays! The mandatory info meeting is Tuesday the 15th (next week) at 6:30 just so you know so you can plan. Let me know if I can give you anymore information!

rlr090306 · Nov 9, 2011

Thanks sewnmom and mlordderiggi! My packet is in the mail; they had a really old address for me from when I took classes YEARS ago;) I know the the multi-step vaccinations I need to get started on now which is why I was asking here about which are required. So the 3 step hep and the 2 step ppd (the gal from CCAC Boyce told me that was required). Thanks again!!

fiction030 · Nov 10, 2011

I'm attending the fast track program at Boyce in January too and was wondering if anyone had scheduled their CPR course yet?

KHALEY972 · Nov 10, 2011

All the things we have to get done are so expensive....ugh. A $53 drug test is ridiculous, I'm going somewhere else...where did y'all go?

fiction030, I already have my CPR and I was told that most of the CPR classes at Boyce are full. I would suggest looking online for other CPR class sites. There should be plenty in the area for you to choose from.

mlordderiggi · Nov 11, 2011

Fiction, I took a Cpr class last weekend that I found on the website given in the packet I think if was cprpgh.com it was 45 bucks for the 2 yr healthcare card we need and it was a 3 hr class and the teacher was really interesting so id def check that web site for upcoming dates!

rlr090306 · Nov 29, 2011

Has anyone shopped around for books yet? I have just started and so far between Amazon and Barnes and Noble, some are less expensive at both so if that's the way to go I will order from both. Also, how is it that the bookstore at CCAC doesn't have the list of books being used for Spring 2012 but we received it at the mandatory registration meeting? I am a little confused. I am most curious about the NRN-101 Lippincott Package. I wonder what they will sell that for and is it really the 7th edition on the Clinical Nursing Skills book? I can only find 3rd edition.

sewnmom, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Nov 29, 2011

The book list should be on CCAC central attached to the class. YOu can call and ask your campus if that book list is up to date.

For the first part of the semester you do need the Fundamentals book and the assessment book. Past semester students have told us that you dont even need the books but this semester they buckled down and made us read the books.

You will need the drug therapy book for when pharmacology is discussed (I think that was exam 2). You will need the nursing diagnosis handbook (it is small) for the second half of the semester. I did buy the optional nutrition book (exam 4) and it was helpful. If you have a nutrition book already that should work fine.

They made dosage calculations an actual class this upcoming semester so I imagine you need the book for that. It is 90 something at the bookstore.

YOU will need a DRUG BOOK and A MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA. Tabor has nice ones with cds. The RN nurse notes little reference thing is nice to have for clinicals. I personally did not use mine but I know my classmates did use theirs and a few used mine.

You dont need concept mapping or med surg just yet. I havent used mine yet. I did get an older edition of med surg (it was only 6 bucks at half price books) so I had one. I did use it for a few of the papers I had to write for reference and for just general information.

If you are taking the pharmacology book I heard the book they are using is the same drug therapy book on the main list. I would check that on ccac central again to make sure.

And again on binders - I got a heavy duty one and some medium duty ones. The heavy duty one is my main one (with its own zip code now) and it is still holding up (the clear pockets in the front are gone). The medium duty ones are falling apart. So get one really good one.

On the paperwork - and my classmates will tell you I am a bit overboard sometimes on the organization - however I have helped more than one of them out when needed by having the paperwork and having extras.

I took the handbook to Fed Ex office made a copy (think it was about 6 bucks or so). I bought an extra copy of the NRN 101 handbook for $4.95. I put these in a cheap binder and put them on my shelf so I would have them if I needed them. I have. I have pulled them down to make copies of sheets when I needed them at 2 am. They have all the forms you need in one of the offices - at Allegheny it is right across from the ladies bathroom on the 7th floor. ALERT: the format of the forms can differ for some reason. It's a good idea to stop in and pick up blanks of all the forms you need.

I am going to write an additional post on some tips for clinical.

sewnmom, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Nov 29, 2011

For clinicals:

The first rotation at the Kane facilities is not very difficult. It is sad and smelly but some of the people you work with are very pleasant and happy you are there. For that you just need a small notebook and pens and your clinical stuff (stethoscope, etc you will use to varying degrees as you are allowed).

The paperwork you need is in your packet. You will need your drug book and encyclopedia for this. YOU DO NOT have to go to the facility the night before to get your patient orders/information. Dont ever be late and remember you can only miss ONE which you have to pay to make up during finals week.

For the other rotations at the hospitals:

Your paperwork comes from your packet. You need to go the night before after 3 pm to get your orders. This is good to know ahead of time especially for people that work/childcare arrangements/etc. Lab coat must be worn with no jeans, tennis shoes, etc.

For this you will need your encycl, drug book, rn notes booklet, nursing diagnosis. Some people bring the fundies book because it has almost everythign in it.

I made a binder for clinical. I got copies of the paper work so I had a section of just BLANKS. I kept all my paperwork from week to week. I also kept all my drug cards (sheets you write up) so they were all together. You just pencil in the bottom of what it is for that patient and then you can reuse it. My instructor, who was the strictest clinical instructor, allowed that.

Here is a little hint for everyone: when you first go to the second rotation, have a blank of each of the required paperwork to use as a template. Write down what they are looking for in each section (bp, description of assessment, how it is to be worded not "good" "normal", etc) because believe me you will not remember it when you are working on it the next week. I just added to the form each week with additional information and what she thought was acceptable or not. Keep these templates in a safe place. The more organized you stay the better off you will be.

I also bought a set of the med quick drug cards. These were nice to have and were already condensed compared to the book. It was easier to find the information that was pertinent a lot of the time.

The little assessment book clinical handbook is nice to have. It is not necessary but I did take it to class instead of lugging the huge text.

I had a separate bag for clinicals but I had duplicate of stethoscopes and everything to do that. There is not a lot of room at clinicals to store stuff. Plus security could always be an issue.

If I lost either of my nursing binders (main and clinical) I would be violently ill. That is why I made a duplicate basic one just in case.

sewnmom, BSN, MSN, RN, APRN, NP · Nov 29, 2011

I got almost all my books online. I shopped and got great deals when Borders was going out of business. The rest I got at textbooks, amazon and book places on line.

pookalook · Dec 5, 2011

Hello, and welcome incoming boyce nursing students! My name is Robyn, and I am the vice president of the Student Nursing Association. I know you all have a million questions, so I just wanted to give you a heads up on the mentoring program that the SNA instituted this semester. this program will give you the opportunity to be matched with a senior level nursing student who can give you advice that will be invaluable to you in your nursing education! I will be attending your orientation so that I am available to answer questions and sign up interested students. Hope to see you there!

KHALEY972 · Dec 7, 2011

Thanks pookalook, look forward to seeing you there!