CSN Spring 2015

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Is anyone applying for Spring 2015 Nursing Program 2015? I applied for Fall 2014 with 37 points and will be applying for Spring 2015 with 38 points. Does anyone have pointers for the application process? Has anyone gone to the limited entry workshop? I have been discouraged, and need some uplifting information.

thanks for the info.

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I was browsing through the handbook and wondering, is the attendance policy really that strict? Not planning on missing days, but just getting worried what if there is an emergency, etc?

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Christina, is there any thing you suggest we bring to orientation besides the drug test receipt, are we to bring the handbook, do you remember, and i think they said they would be selling stuff there is there anything you suggest we but at orientation, sorry if you can remember all that from when you went, or anyone else that knows?

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sorry anything you suggest we buy at orientation, I think they said they would have medical supplies?

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I was browsing through the handbook and wondering, is the attendance policy really that strict? Not planning on missing days, but just getting worried what if there is an emergency, etc?

Attendance is very strict, especially with regard to clinical and lab. The state board of nursing requires that a student completes a certain amount of hours in order to be eligible for licensure. There are penalties involved if you miss a day. Again, more info about this will be provided at orientation. Lecture is not so strict. You may miss out on points from assignments and such but it will not be considered an absence.

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Christina, is there any thing you suggest we bring to orientation besides the drug test receipt, are we to bring the handbook, do you remember, and i think they said they would be selling stuff there is there anything you suggest we but at orientation, sorry if you can remember all that from when you went, or anyone else that knows?

Do not print out the handbook. A digital copy on your phone/tablet/computer will suffice. They have changed it multiple times since I started and you will be wasting enough paper soon enough. Bring the drug test receipt, pen and paper for notes, any paperwork that they have given you thus far and cash for snacks because the Student Nurses Association will be selling goodies. You will have an opportunity to purchase stethoscopes and white uniforms but it's not required that you purchase them at orientation. Stethoscopes can be purchased anywhere and can be any model/brand/color as long as it has both a bell and a diaphragm. Your white pants can be purchased anywhere and the more pockets, the better. I would recommend drawstring over elastic waist because you will be carrying around lots of junk and they may fall a bit. White tops with the school patch must be purchased through Campus Club (more info at orientation). Keep an eye out on the CSN Facebook pages for students looking to sell/give away their uniforms. One more thing about uniforms, you need regular scrubs of any style/color for lab and certain clinical sites. Also start looking for all white shoes. Once you all get your supply list post it here and I will let you know what's good/what you must have/what you can do without. If I have a minute I will compile a list of supplies myself and hopefully it will help you get a good start.

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sorry anything you suggest we buy at orientation, I think they said they would have medical supplies?

They may be selling pen lights and other junk like that but I would buy on Amazon. The only things that you SHOULD buy at orientation are the goodies that SNA will be selling. The money benefits all of us!

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You are just too awesome!!!! Thank you for all the info.!!!!!!

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List of supplies that I have found useful. This list is not all inclusive and I may have forgotten some. I will reply with more tidbits that I find useful.

-required: stethoscope (I have a Littman Classic II SE with my full name engraved on the bell) it has served me well and will continue to serve me well for a long time) I paid about $65 for mine on medisave.com

-BP cuff. My first semester clinical site did not have them for patients (strange, I know - all other sites after that had electronic ones. I'm not sure if I know how to take a manual BP anymore) they are also helpful to practice at home. Listening to that is an art and takes practice. Some instructors require them and some don't. I have one for clinical (dirty) and one for home (clean). Patients are nasty buggers and I don't want to spread anything home.

-required: pen light (I got a pack of like 6 from Amazon and if I lose one or the battery dies it's no biggie and I have spares. I paid under $10 for them). The ones that turn on with the pocket clip are better in my opinion than a button/twist that can be left on accidentally.

-required: goggles for lab/clinical again from Amazon.

-required: good black pens for clinical/lab. No other colors are allowed.

-highlighters. Lots of them.

-colorful pens for your own notes. Not required but I have a gigantic pen addiction. It's bad :/

-required: simple calculator (+-*/% and square root only). You cannot use scientific, graphing or cell phone calculators on exams. I have a little white Sharp one that I got at Target for like $5. It's like my good luck charm for math.

-tote bag for clinical gear that does not get touched outside of clinical. As stated above, patients are dirty buggers.

-required: white tops with patch from campus club uniform. I have 2 and it's helpful for when I have to go the day before for preclinical.

-required: white cargo drawstring pants with lots of pockets for clinical. I regret getting the elastic back/drawstring front because they fall in the back.

-skin color undies/bra for under whites especially if you have dark skin!!! White undies will make your back side light up like a christmas tree under the whites.

-skin color undershirts for under clinical top. The ladies tops are button front and you can see into the button area. You don't want to give the patients a show. Cover your stuff up.

-plastic clipboard for clinical that opens up for stashing paperwork (HIPAA!)

-I like paper planners so I can plan my weeks accordingly but if you prefer electronic that will help as well.

-required: bandage scissors for clinical.

-required: black permanent marker for clinical

-required: any color/style scrubs for lab.

-required:white shoes for clinical. I have dr. scholls sneakers from Amazon with inserts. I have foot issues and my feet feel nice in them. They're a little dorky but whatever.

-any color shoes for lab (you can wear white but I hate wearing white).

-extra name tags from either the bookstore or a trophy store. I keep one in my purse, backpack, car and my friends car that I carpool with. You do not want to be caught in clinical/lab without it.

-a good strong backpack. I like my roller one (Jansport Driver 8) and it has served me well. The books are damn heavy and I'm getting old and don't like to schlep that much.

-textbooks: you DO NOT have to purchase the bundle for $800 from the bookstore. They will give you a booklist and you can buy them new or used anywhere. I would not recommend buying old editions though. It gets confusing. I do like the platform that they use for ebooks which is only available with the bundle but they are not necessary.

-laser printer (I got my Samsung one at fry's for $40. It prints like 20 pages/min and the toner doesn't smear when you highlight like an inkjet. They cartridges are pricey ($70) but they print like 2000 sheets. I think I've used like 3 in 4 semesters. And I print everything.

-decent laptop and/or tablet. You will be writing lots of papers and it helps to be able to cart it around. This is not required though. I have an Acer 12" netbook and an iPad and I bring either one to school. Both are very helpful. I'm also a nerd with a shopping problem so yeah...

-lots of alcoholic/caffeinated beverages of your choice.

-required: family and friends that are loving and understanding of you being a crazy nursing student.

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I was only given a stapled "Alternate" paper and a single sheet "Alternate" paper. Lots of people are talking about all these packets that they are going through. Did they not give me the required paperwork or did the other alternates get the same two papers?

Thanks a lot for your tips, lists, etc, Christina. It's been a huge help already for many of us.

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the packets everyone is talking about is the handbook and training items from the nursing website. at the signing they asked us to read over the packets online and sign the acknowledgment sheet stating we read it and bring it in to the first orientation. check your paperwork, you should be required to do it too ?

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My packet that I signed for had an acceptance letter and a letter acknowledging that I will be at the orientations or lose my spot. I actually got a bigger packet at orientation with all sorts of info about vaccines/textbooks/ rules and such.

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