CSCC RN orientation?

CNM2B · May 19, 2008

I'm not a current student, but I graduated a couple of years ago. I am pretty sure that the orientation (for both online and traditional) is in late-June. You will probably get a letter very soon with the date. When you go, they will give you info on uniforms and other things that need to be accomplished before starting. I would call the nursing office and see when it is scheduled--I'm sure they already have the date set.

Good luck! CSCC is a great program--I have found that I was very well-prepared for work as a nurse after attending their program. It is a lot of hard work (much harder than my first Bachelor's Degree), but well worth it in the end.

A quick piece of advice to you and other students--especially if you want to work in Columbus when you graduate. The nursing shortage here is OVER. If I were you, I would get a part time PCA, SNA, or PSA job at one of the hospitals--wherever you want to work when you graduate. That will give you an "in" to that hospital. Children's has NO new grad positions this year, Ohio Health has only a few, and OSU has a few that are almost exclusively going to OSU grads. I heard that there will be close to 600 nursing grads this year in Central Ohio and less than 100 positions available...just some friendly advice. Good luck and let me know if you have any more questions about Columbus State!!

sassy7cassy · May 19, 2008

That advice was VERY helpful, thank you. I had no idea about the nursing shortage in Columbus being resolved. More than likely, I'll be moving out of Columbus in summer 2011 (a year after graduation) unless my boyfriend matches somewhere here. (he's in med school, graduating in 2011) I need to hurry and take my nurses aid test before my window expires this fall and was planning on getting a job at one of the hospitals and your advice certainly provides me with extra motivation to do that! I would hate being a newlywed with no job. :uhoh3:

Oh, and is this orientation generally during the week or on a weekend?

CNM2B · May 19, 2008

The orientation is usually during the week. I think it was a Friday when I went.

I don't think you actually need to take the STNA test. Most of the hospitals have their own class and they teach you what you need to know. If you don't need a job right away (which is advisable, since the first 3 quarters are REALLY intense), you can wait until after 4th quarter (your first med/surg quarter) and get a job with very little extra training. I took an SNA job at OSU and we had 1 week of training. The SNA is the same job as the PCA, but it is only for nursing students. They are really flexible with schedules and only made me work once a week. I know that Ohio Health (where I currently work as an RN) has a similar position (called a PSA now). I think they will train you exactly how they want you to work....

It is really hard to get a PSA or SNA job by applying through the website at these hospitals...not sure why. So, if you are interested, I would talk to one of your classmates (several will probably already be working in that capacity) for a contact name/number. If you PM me, I can give you a contact at Ohio Health. That is the best way to find a job.... working as a PSA/PCA/SNA is a great way to get good experience and get to know lots of people!

Congrats! Nursing is so fun!

sassy7cassy · May 25, 2008

Your information has been invaluable! Thank you so, so much!

My information is rolling in! Just a day or two after I posted this (after the woman at CSCC said it would be mailed out in 2 weeks) I received my orientation/uniform information. Yesterday I received my health record info. GRRR, it is going to be such a hassle to get all my immunization records together! I have had 3 doctors back home, my last doctor back home switched to a new practice, and one doctor in Columbus. Luckily I have some vacation time coming up so I can make a bunch of phone calls and figure out what's where. I called my high school and couldn't get a straight answer as to whether or not they "still had" my immunization records. :madface: I graduated all of 6 years ago, they better still have them!

I'm really looking forward to putting together all of the pieces and getting started with this! I've waited for years, I can't believe it's finally time to start! :yeah: