Current Rivier Nursing students or starting nursing at Rivier this Fall 2010?

Published

Hello,

Is there anyone who has been accepted into Rivier for the fall of 2010? It's a 2 year program to get your RN (we start clinicals this Sept), and then the 3rd year/senior year = capstone, and you can start working because you will have already passed the NCLEX.

Or

Is there anyone who is currently in the nursing program (sophmore, junior, or senior) who would like to share their experiences or offer advice?

Thanks so much!!!

Leila

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there! Yes, I just got accepted to the Associate evening program! Has anyone been in the program that can share their experiences? Also, what are the job prospects for nurses with an associates?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi,

I too was accepted into the Associate evening program and will be starting clinicals this fall! Have you already registered for class yet? I decided to do my clinical on Saturday.

:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have not registered for classes yet. I haven't fully decided if I am going there or not. What kind of financial aid have people gotten? I am worried about finances!!!

Are all the clinicals on the weekends? When does the semester officially start? Sorry about all the questions!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have been accepted into the Riv AS night program, I've applied for FAFSA and I will be calling into Admitions today in hopes to set up a tentative schedule and what will be required financially. Hope to see you all there :o)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'll be doing the evening ADN program as well! I'll be doing clinical on Sat, and theory/lab Mon and Wed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hi all, i am graduating from riviers ADN program this saturday. shoot any questions my way!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Congrats on your upcoming graduation! How was the program in general; professors, classes, clinicals, etc?

I'm starting Nursing 101 this fall and wanted to get a head start on material and was wondering what I should focus on? I've heard about the dreaded math test that is given; is it as difficult as everyone says it is? What can I do to prepare?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi there,

The program: I really enjoyed it. The instructors are fabulous but have their own little quirks. I do wish they had some younger instructors as I believe some of the older women are very stuck in their ways. One major suggestion is to start studying for comprehensive exams NOW. Don't wait until senior year to begin reviewing for the HESI and NCLEX. HESI is a new requirement that is killing a lot of us! It is like the NCLEX but required to receive your degree. As far as 101, ask tons of questions, get very involved!

My top suggestion to you is to STAY POSITIVE. You will feel burnt out and drained but you'll make it, so don't make yourself miserable when you're stressed!

Classes: 101 is a good time honestly. 102 is considered the "weeding out semester." Definitely be very consistent in studying and meet with professors- all of them are very welcoming to study sessions with their students. And sit in front! The lecture hall for 101 is large.

Clinicals- 101 will feel overwhelming and terrifying. However, the instructors are AMAZING. ASK QUESTIONS! Utilize instructors a lot as sometimes nurses aren't as open. You will pass meds in 101 but not right away so look online for popular hospital meds and start making "med cards" now with class, purpose, cautionary info, need to know info. These will be precious to you for every class and clinical!

The math test- Just study the Clinical Calculations book and you'll be absolutely fine. If you don't pass the first time, you get another chance so no worries! The grade does not impact your class grade as it is a pass/fail so do not fret over it! But you will have a math exam at the beginning of every semester and they get more difficult. They are required before you can pass meds in clinical, but clinical for 101 doesn't start right away anyways. Do a lot of practice questions and know your conversions, esp mcg-mg-g and tsp,tbsp,oz, etc.

I saved a bunch of material so if you want a headstart I can tell you to focus on: nursing history, providing personal hygiene, law in nursing, cultural competence, chain of infection, contact/droplet/airborne precautions and communication methods for exam 1. From there youll go into (not in order) meds, fluid and electrolytes, nutrition, care of surgical patient, hospice care, death and dying, sleep/rest cognitive pattern, mgmt of exercise...

i would say KNOW your nutrition, fluid and electrolytes and imbalances most importantly for your future studies.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for the tips!!! I'm going to be starting in the Fall, evening program, and I was hoping to get ahead this summer on studying. Good luck in your future!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

If I may piggy back off of this topic, is there anyone that has gone through this program and knows a bit of the schedule? I've tried to contact advisors to find out what is expected but they are saying that each instructor is different.

I wanted to know if I was going to need to take extra time from work to get to clinical site the day prior to clinical to get patient info, or if skills check would be scheduled outside a regular class time.

I work full time, I will be leaving work early a half hour on Mon, Tues and Wed nights and on Thursday I'll have to leave work around 2 or 2:30 to get to clinicals depending on where they are.

thanks :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi, yes you do have to go to the clinical site the evening before your scheduled clinical day to prepare for your patient. This was consistent for every clinical rotation that I had besides the final rotation, at which point you are expected to be functioning on a more independent level. I know that clinical hours do change, you may end up with a two 7-3pm shifts or you may end up with one 12 hour or weekend shift. There is quite a bit of work to be done in preparing for clinicals in the early part of the program, but eases up as you get acclimated to the program and what is expected of you. I will say this upfront, the program is very rigorous and is not for the faint at heart. The instructors are all wonderful, highly competent nurses who truly care about their students. But they also expect you to conduct yourself in an appropriate manner and give it your all. I loved the program - the instructors are some of the best around and I truly learned so much from each and every one of them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion