College of the Canyons Spring 2016

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Hi everyone!

This might be a little too early for a thread like this, but I submitted my online application for the spring at COC and I'm so anxious yet excited!

Anyone else here already go ahead and do that? What's everyone's stats who's applying?

I have been studying for the TEAS since May, and it feels so real now that my application is in!

lets get this thread going :)

good luck to you guys. im going into 2nd semester and here are some tips

- You will mostly likely have no life, esp for 112 which is 5 days a week. You will probably see your classmates more than your family, meaning you'll probably be locked in your room learning interventions, insulins, medication administration, injections, dosage calculations, sc, IM, a lot of abbreviations, physical assessment, foley catheters, wound care, blood pressure, vital signs.... oh lord you're in for a treat. But you will survive. Just be wise when you study. For theory, don't memorize. Understand why it's the correct answer and be able to rationalize your answer. Flashcards are only good for when you have to memorize abbreviations and insulin o/p/d.. But that's just my opinion as I kind of hate using memorization to study. But sometimes you have to.

- take physical assessment seriously. Like really seriously. I wish someone would have told me that good physical assessment skills will make your life easier when you're documenting in clinicals. More than once I had to go back and reassess my patient cause my findings didn't match up with what I found on the chart. Other times what previous RNs were charting wasn't correct, and sometimes I just missed things. It happens. Documenting sucks but it's necessary. Back to the physical assessment, know the whys, whats, and abnormal, normal, and be able to tie abnormalities to possible pathology. For instance, if you find left lower leg edema with pitting present, can you explain why this happens? Nobody expects you to master pathophysiology during nursing school, but it helps to understand common abnormalities that could be physically assessed. This all comes with experience I think.

- Please don't go and read word for word every chapter that is assigned. You will lose your mind. Use other resources for learning things such as youtube, khan academy, or even simplenursing which is okay. But if you love reading textbooks that is great. I just find it difficult to retain information that isn't visual.

- Take careplans seriously. You will hate every inch of driving to the hospital after class, picking a patient, scrolling through the EMR trying to find the information your professor wants, writing down ALL the medications, and figuring out what interventions you're gonna implement the next morning, after only 3 hours of sleep. It's a huge pain. I will be here feeling your pain when you reach that point.

thats about it for now. this helped me reinforce things ive learned too so excuse the wall of text.

good luck. you will probably be best friends with red bulls and caffeine.

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48273 Thanks for all of that good info. The program is about to start, and I'm super nervous now; especially after reading the handbook. Looks like there are so many small things to look out for. I know it's kind of last minute, so you may not get a chance to answer, but I was wondering if you could give insight into the dosage calculation assessment that we take every semester. I've been you tubing videos to brush up on my skills, since I haven't done a conversion in about two years. Do they give you any type of preparation or lecture on the material? Do you have any suggestions as far as how to prepare for this? Thanks!

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just remember that they allow the use of calculator, it is going to be hard, i am scared but if you bought all the books there is a lot of practice problems on the CALCULATING WITH CONFIDENCE BOOK. i start Monday as well. I am very scared, but very happy at the same time. We just have to put our 100 into it.

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Very encouraging, thanks! I just started reading the Taylor chapters. Have you started practice problems from the Calculating with Confidence book? I was just about to make a study plan to do that, but I think I'm getting ahead of myself.

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Yes, don't get ahead of yourself. Just complete the assignment questions and readings for week 1. I just need to buy my stethoscope, pen light and scissors. Do you have them yet?. We also must complete the 30 questions of week 1 after reading the nursing hand book.

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Yeah, except for the watch. I guess I'll get that over the weekend. Stethoscope you can get at the bookstore on campus. I didn't get mine there, but they have it. You may get better pricing at an actual store for nursing supplies. Thanks for the heads up about the 30 questions due week 1. I need to get an agenda for all these dates and deadlines!

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Yes, 30 questions plus another 2 sets of questions for chapter 24 and 25 plus know all terms for those 2 chapters

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Ok, looks like no Super Bowl Sunday for me.

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48273 Thanks for all of that good info. The program is about to start, and I'm super nervous now; especially after reading the handbook. Looks like there are so many small things to look out for. I know it's kind of last minute, so you may not get a chance to answer, but I was wondering if you could give insight into the dosage calculation assessment that we take every semester. I've been you tubing videos to brush up on my skills, since I haven't done a conversion in about two years. Do they give you any type of preparation or lecture on the material? Do you have any suggestions as far as how to prepare for this? Thanks!

The D&C test is very simple imo. But even so, a couple people failed and had to retake in my class. Don't stress about it. If you can do the problems in the book then you will be fine. Just remember the rounding rules as they can come up on quizzes/tests. And always double check answers, units, and ask yourself "does this make sense?".

I found using the formula method to be the best in my case. Always hated DA and these conversion factors, which is how they will teach you.

Take it day by day. I remember the first week or so everyone was just tripping out on all the material but you will learn to adjust. I'll tell you right now the hardest part of 1st semester was not having enough time to be lazy or go out.

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You'll both be fine!! I personally liked the DA method. They will teach you and you will most likely get it and you'll pass for sure. Don't stress out on it.

PS if you can afford it I would recon buying a Lithmann stethoscope. I know the professors will say you just need a cheap one to be able to hear, but it can be hard to auscultate even with a Lithmann, which is a good stethoscope. You would do yourself a favor in being able to hear things clearly when the professors are there to help you decipher what you're hearing. Some of my friends waited till the end and kind of regret it.

PPS just took my NCLEX Tuesday and found out today I passed. I'm an official RN. You both will be fine and be in my shoes in no time. Feel free to message me with any questions. I love helping students out as I know how stressful it can be.

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Congrats on passing the NCLEX RN Erick. I'm so happy for you! Thanks for the advice. I tried to private message you because I have some questions about the program, and upcoming semesters, but I guess I'm not able to. Mainly I wanted to know if you used a resource to help you prepare for answering NCLEX style questions. I'm kinda nervous about that. Maybe you can message me your email, and we can touch base that way.

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Prisdo,

I messaged you my email!

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