CSN RN Spring 2013

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Hello everyone, I'm new to the site and I was wondering if there are any fellow CSN RN Spring '13 hopefuls out there. I just turned in my application today and I would love to get to know some of my potential classmates through this forum :)

Specializes in medicine.
Congratulations to everyone that got accepted. I would highly recommend the toolbox class. On the third week of ACE you will have to pass a 10 question math conversion test with 90% or better. If you don't, there is ONE opportunity to retake, if you don't pass that you are excused from the program. I don't know about anyone else, but I've spent a lot of $$$ and time trying to get accepted to nursing school, I wasn't about to let a math test ruin my opportunity. Yes, you can learn the calculations from a book and we do learn how to write a care plan in 1st semester so if you are confident in your calculations, you can take a pass on it. I cancelled a summer vacation that I had planned a year in advance to attend it and I am thankful everyday that I did.

I agree with Sunshine Daisy about the clipboard thing, I got mine on amazon for under $10. The rolling backpack has been a lifesaver, also on amazon for about $70. I don't even carry my books with me and my backpack is about 60 lbs. I recommend a laptop. I have an iPad with all of my books on it, but Angel is not compatible with safari and it's a HUGE hassle to navigate. I got the hard copy books and the ebooks and I have barely opened a regular book. I just like the option of having them in case the apocalypse happens. Pageburst is the ebook platform from Elsevier for mobile devices and it is fairly user friendly, (most of the time.)

Get extra name tags and have them EVERYWHERE (your car, your spouses car, your backpack, your purse, etc). I would definitely get the magnetic back and regret getting the pin version to save $$$. There is a trophy place on Torrey Pines & Sahara that can make extras quick, (in case you forget yours and need one pronto) and they are reasonably priced.

I would also start brushing up/learning medical terminology. I got the Mosby's med term flashcards, very helpful. I have also found quizlet to be VERY helpful, both in finding pre-made sets and for making sets of items for specific exams. They have a free app in the iTunes app store.

I wouldn't bother trying to read the textbooks too much before the assigned reading because as the content progresses if you get too far ahead it can get really confusing and you will have to re-read closer to lecture anyway. With that said, don't get behind on reading, either.

Good luck to everyone.

Thank you for such great info , on regards to the math test , I suppose they give you time to prepare for it right? Although i am planning to take the toolbox course, also you said the 3rd week of ACE? What class is that

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ACE=Alternative clinical experience, and it is your first 3 weeks of clinical. They don't release you on real patients right away :) You'll do things like practice injections, doing accue checks, stuff like that. They will give you practice problems to do and will go over them as well.

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I am curious if anybody is attending the toolbox 285 in January. I am signed up for the one in December but may need to switch to January. We have orientation on the 17th though and that is one of the dates of the classes? Anybody have any insight on this?

Thanks

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I signed up for both and I picked the 4:00 ones so they won't affect the last orientation date. According to the lady that gave us our paperwork last week they are different classes so you may benefit from taking both but I'm sure we will find out more on Friday. I can't wait for orientation so we can learn more and meet each other!

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I am curious if anybody is attending the toolbox 285 in January. I am signed up for the one in December but may need to switch to January. We have orientation on the 17th though and that is one of the dates of the classes? Anybody have any insight on this?

Thanks

The first part of Toolbox, December, is the Careplan portion, the 2nd part in January is the Math portion.

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The first part of Toolbox, December, is the Careplan portion, the 2nd part in January is the Math portion.

Okay, thanks!!! I was wondering about that!! Thanks for the info!!!

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The first part of Toolbox, December, is the Careplan portion, the 2nd part in January is the Math portion.

Thanks! :)

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Specializes in medicine.
ACE=Alternative clinical experience, and it is your first 3 weeks of clinical. They don't release you on real patients right away :) You'll do things like practice injections, doing accue checks, stuff like that. They will give you practice problems to do and will go over them as well.

Thank you SunshineDaisy , I usually do really well in math but I will not under estimate anything in the nursing program and must be prepared, and regarding the ACE class and math test Im sure not everyone is taking the toolbox course so they still should have the opportunity to be prepared for such test :geek: .

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Make sure you know the conversions! there will be a page in your syllabus that has a table over conversions (Like 5 mL=1 tsp). You will have to know these for the math tests throughout school! I took mine and wrote them on a 3x5 card and then laminated it to study!

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Make sure you know the conversions! there will be a page in your syllabus that has a table over conversions (Like 5 mL=1 tsp). You will have to know these for the math tests throughout school! I took mine and wrote them on a 3x5 card and then laminated it to study!

Do they require that you know anything about I.V. calculations/drip rates in the first semester?

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Nope, that is 2nd semester! It's just basic conversions and med calculations! And if you wanna look me up on FB shoot me a PM here with your name and I'll add you.

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Nope, that is 2nd semester! It's just basic conversions and med calculations! And if you wanna look me up on FB shoot me a PM here with your name and I'll add you.

Ok good...I had trouble with that during my pharmacy technician certification training! I'm just not ready for that yet! I sent you a PM :D

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