CSN: 2 semesters done, 2 to go. A review so far...

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I haven't signed on much this last semester. It was hectic, to say the least. I figured that after two semesters, I'll give anyone (who cares) a quick review of the first two semesters of the nursing program.

First semester (Nursing 101 and Pharm) wasn't too bad overall. I had (who is considered as) the toughest clinical instructor in 101. You'll know who I'm talking about once you get there. Having a military background, I'm used to the yelling and harsher instruction style. It didn't really bother me that much. Pharm is nothing but memorization. Make flash cards for them. It was the best way for me to study. You'll continue to go deeper into pharm related topics in the second semester. So make sure you understand it during the first semester.

Second semester: two words... It sucked! Nursing 115 (med surg) is difficult, but not terribly difficult. The hardest part is trying to understand NCLEX style questions on the test. You'll have at least two patients to watch over during shifts,which isn't that hard at all. Just learn to prioritize and it's a walk in the park. I was able to go into the ER for one clinical day and found the fast pace satisfying. I've found my niche (which I already knew). Labs can be difficult and I HIGHLY recommend going to open labs during the week to practice on things you've already learned. Keep practicing, because when it's time to do it for real, you have to be on point.

Mental health was a disaster. The lecture was fine. The lab was ok at best. But the clinical was nothing less than a storm of cow poo backed by hurricane Katrina. We had four different instructors during the time of our labs (beginning to end) and every one of them wanted different assignments and schedules. Papers that were due three weeks from now we're suddenly due this week. Know your APA!!!!!!!!!!! You will get destroyed on APA unless it's nearly perfect. The writing styles and assignments are just giant wastes of time, but all mandatory. I can't remember even one assignment I had to do. Just get them done ASAP. They are horribly bad and just waste time. Regarding assignments, TRY to get all your assignments done for 115 clinical prior to midterm. Two people in my clinical class alone failed because they procrastinated too much and weren't able to correct their papers to a 90% by the end of the semester. Do yourself a favor and get ALL that done before midterm.

I hope this helps out anyone who's just getting in or going into 2nd semester. It's been rough, but I've been told 3rd and 4th are much easier. Good luck to everyone going into the program.

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Thanks for sharing! not in the program yet, but might be one day *fingers crossed* Do you know the lowest points admitted to your class?

Are you able to work at all with your busy schedule?

Thanks!

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I'm lucky, because I'm retired Air Force. I don't need to work. On that note, I studied about 50 hours a week during the second semester and about 30 during the first.

Lowest points was around 28 or so. They didn't say, but I know some alternates got in.

The program schedule will be changing quite a bit in a semester or two. You will also be required to have a CNA or something like that. Long story short, CSN needs extra people going through that program to "pad" their numbers. Good luck and I recommend having all your science prereqs done before going in. There's just no way to do a 223/224 type class the same time as nursing.

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Just wait...third semester is going to rock your world lol...it's so horribly disorganized especially when it comes to Peds.... OB isn't bad if that's where your end game is.... first Peds exam is over 19 chapters and the book that is used is filled with so much extra unnecessary information...please make sure you go to all reviews it will narrow everything down better.

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Thanks! Hopefully, I'll get in the high 20s it would be great to even be an alternate at this point. Studying 50 hours aweek! i guess i better start saving up work won't be an option.

Can you explain what you mean by "pad their numbers"?

Sounds like those of us with low points might benefit from this ;)

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The CNA program in CSN isn't doing too well. They need more students to go through the program and pass. So to get into the RN program, you're going to need the CNA certification first. It's just another way to "help" CSN look better.

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ahhh that totally makes sense and explains why they're requiring the cna certification now. .. i thought you were implying they needed more RN students to make them look better. ..silly me ;) Thank you again!

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Does 50 hrs a week studying include class time? I've seen some people say on forums they do about 3 hrs a day of studying outside of class.

I'm looking to apply to CSN's nursing program fall of 2017. Do you have any advice for what to do beforehand to be better prepared in the nursing program? What do you think about reading the books required for the classes before?

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I haven't signed on much this last semester. It was hectic, to say the least. I figured that after two semesters, I'll give anyone (who cares) a quick review of the first two semesters of the nursing program.

First semester (Nursing 101 and Pharm) wasn't too bad overall. I had (who is considered as) the toughest clinical instructor in 101. You'll know who I'm talking about once you get there. Having a military background, I'm used to the yelling and harsher instruction style. It didn't really bother me that much. Pharm is nothing but memorization. Make flash cards for them. It was the best way for me to study. You'll continue to go deeper into pharm related topics in the second semester. So make sure you understand it during the first semester.

Second semester: two words... It sucked! Nursing 115 (med surg) is difficult, but not terribly difficult. The hardest part is trying to understand NCLEX style questions on the test. You'll have at least two patients to watch over during shifts,which isn't that hard at all. Just learn to prioritize and it's a walk in the park. I was able to go into the ER for one clinical day and found the fast pace satisfying. I've found my niche (which I already knew). Labs can be difficult and I HIGHLY recommend going to open labs during the week to practice on things you've already learned. Keep practicing, because when it's time to do it for real, you have to be on point.

Mental health was a disaster. The lecture was fine. The lab was ok at best. But the clinical was nothing less than a storm of cow poo backed by hurricane Katrina. We had four different instructors during the time of our labs (beginning to end) and every one of them wanted different assignments and schedules. Papers that were due three weeks from now we're suddenly due this week. Know your APA!!!!!!!!!!! You will get destroyed on APA unless it's nearly perfect. The writing styles and assignments are just giant wastes of time, but all mandatory. I can't remember even one assignment I had to do. Just get them done ASAP. They are horribly bad and just waste time. Regarding assignments, TRY to get all your assignments done for 115 clinical prior to midterm. Two people in my clinical class alone failed because they procrastinated too much and weren't able to correct their papers to a 90% by the end of the semester. Do yourself a favor and get ALL that done before midterm.

I hope this helps out anyone who's just getting in or going into 2nd semester. It's been rough, but I've been told 3rd and 4th are much easier. Good luck to everyone going into the program.

Oh boy. Going into second semester and now I'm nervous. I thought first semester was tough but more in like a psychological way. All these new things were very overwhelming - from clinicals at 6:30 AM, to working with patients for the first time, to 10+ chapters for an exam. Would your biggest piece of advice be to just stay on top of it?

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Just curious, since I'm coming up on my first exam for the first semester, how hard is it? I'm just curious, because I've been reading everything and studying like 12 hours a day. Am I overdoing it?

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Can anyone tell me how quickly classes fill up during registration? I work full time 1500-2300 so I want to know how hard its going to be to register for classes/clinical/labs before 1400...Thanks

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Hey viper! Haven't seen any of your later posts. Any updates ?? I'm sure your either some or very close to it now

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