Downstate Accelerated/Class of 2011

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Hello,

Looking for anyone else who has been accepted to the 1 year program (15 month) at SUNY Downstate. Entering June 3rd 2010 :).

mid-March

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cool, thanks! i guess i still have a shot;)

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

If you can order your textbooks and start reading now, you'll have a headstart. Just start reading the OB and Pharm books cover to cover--you'll never have a chance to do that over the summer.

Oh, and don't stress about group work. Really, do the minimum you can to cover the criteria. We all went over the top, and then we had to sit through each other's loooooong presentations. Be nice to your classmates, keep it short and sweet.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.
Oh yes, DONT BUY the nursing tote, its like $68 and YOU WILL NEVER USE IT!

Also, you can get away without the uniform top as well (which was like $36). Just buy a regular white scrub top and put the nursing school patch on it--your instructors won't know the diff. (Not all clinical instructors insist on uniforms, and you dont' need to wear them to labs.)

If you do choose to buy the uniform top, get the men's version--it zips down the front rather than the back, and is way more comfortable and better looking.

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Thanks ChayaN-

That's really helpful. Could you give us the name/author of the textbooks you used or are using for those classes? Are they required texts, or can you use any updated pharmacology text? I would love to get a head start on that reading as I know I will be totally overwhelmed this summer when it's dumped on us. Do you know if they use the same text from year to year?

Thanks!

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

I have no idea if they'll be sticking with the same textbooks. For patho, you do not need the textbook at all. The one that is officially listed for the class wasn't very well written IMO. You could probably get away with reading any patho or pharm textbook as long as it isn't too out of date. As I said there is no time to do all the reading in the short summer semester. If you do a search of last year's downstate thread, all the books are listed. I'll try to find it.

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Specializes in Pediatric Pulmonology and Allergy.

here's the list that someone posted on last year's thread (my comments in red):

https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/suny-downstate-summer-373646-page4.html#post3576386

ok, here is the list of books. i didn't copy the entire titles with edition and publishe but i did copy the title and isbn #'s. if you go online just type the isbn # on the amazon search box or ebay/half.com, etc....

- health assessment in nursing, 9780781762403-

- applying nursing process - a tool for critical thinking 9780781774086--get an older text

- leading & managing in nursing 0323039006

the 8th habit 9780684846651--second year text

the new leadership challenge: creating the future of nursing 9780803620452--second year text

- understanding patophysiology 9780323049900

study guide 9780323049894--you don't need this book. just get any patho book. this isn't a particularly good one, imo.

- foundation of psychiatry & mental health 9781416000884

manual 1416029168--second year text

- nursing today, transition and trends 1416056726--def can use an older edition, but get the 5th, not the 4th.

- clinical drug therapy: rationals for nursing practice 9780781777698

study guide 9780781782487

- nursing as educator: principles of teaching and learning 9780763746438--def can use an older edition

- maternal newborn nursing & woman's health across life span 9780132208734

study guide 0132324415

**community health & nursing 9780781765846--get the newer edition. the older edition is missing a lot of info and the page numbers are very different as well.

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ChayaN- thanks for posting all of that info about the text books. As for the pharmacology class, did people buy those pre-made flashcards to help them do all of the memorization? I am going to be travelling for a little while before school starts and I am wondering if this might be a helpful way to get a head start. If so, do you have any recommendations for those, or is it pretty standard information, and any version will do? OR, is it easiest to study straight from that text book?

Thanks again for all of your help.

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I'm in the current class and looking to sell my uniform tops and tote bag.

I have two women's tops, both XS (which are pretty baggy and long so they probably fit ppl who are up to 5'6" in height, maybe even taller). Not all of my clinical instructors required that we use them so my uniforms haven't really seen much wear and tear, but there are some instructors that require that they be worn and with the patch on the left side. One uniform has the school patch sewn on, but I got away with not sewing the other one on (but I still have it and can pass it on with the uniform.) The womens' uniforms are style 1002 on page three on this link:

http://www.meridys.com/images/stories/brochure_final_web.pdf You can't order directly from this site, you can only order through the school which is probably $36 for one top if it's the same as last year. If you're able to go to the bookstore, you can ask to try on a sample to see which size is a good fit. The uniform pants are just white pants, so they don't look any different from white scrub pants you can get elsewhere for a lot cheaper. If you're interested I'll sell you my gently used tops. Two for the price of one.

Downstate will probably tell you it's mandatory to buy the tote bag. You really don't have to buy it since we never actually used it, but if you're like me and always feel like you need to be prepared with the supplies since they were "required" by the school, I can sell you that as well.

If you're interested in any of these, send me a message and we'll meet sometime when you start the program.

Also, if you're curious about the dormitory here on campus definitely feel free to ask! If you have time, you can also visit the residence halls and they might be able to take you on a tour of the place. Don't know if they'll let you see a typical room, but you'll get to see common living spaces at the very least. You'll at least get a feel for the place. Yes, it's quite expensive but very convenient at times. But it's also suffocating b/c you might feel like you're never away from school. Many students end up leaving for the weekend so it's quiet, but there are still enough ppl who stick around so it's not completely dead. The dorm is a great way to meet ppl in other programs since the Accelerated BSN students don't really get a chance to meet other students outside of the Accelerated BSN program. The College of Nursing doesn't really have socials where you get to meet nursing graduate students or other students in the College of Medicine, or Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant programs. I am glad that living in the dorm put me in touch with ppl from other programs but there are definitely a lot of other drawbacks. Let me know if you have questions.

Good luck and welcome to Downstate! Enjoy the rest of your free time as much as you can!!!

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Hey ChayaN thanks for the welcome :).. I actually had a really important question.. I live on the Bronx/Yonkers border and it would take me a little less than 2 hours commute one way each day.. my parents want me to board over there but to be honest I don't want to.. how are the schedules for classes every day like earliest times and days and what not.. i would love to hear back from you.. thanks in advance!

nyxbabygirl

I just realized you were asking about the dorms. I don't know if you've already decided on the dorms or not. I'm currently in the dorms and while I think it's very convenient, I also don't know that it is completely necessary. There are ppl who commute from the Bronx and Long Island. I don't know how long it takes them to get to school/clinicals but somehow they made it work. Some students drive and I think the only drawback is that finding parking around the school can be very difficult.

The dorm can be expensive but if you have the cheapest type of room and have a roommate, your rent will be only ~$550 I think. There are students who choose that option b/c they end up going to their parents' homes during the weekends.

The dorms are certainly convenient but the majority of the Accelerated BSN students found other ways to make commuting happen. There are only 5 out of 58 acc BSN students who live in the dorms. The majority of the dorm residents are 1st year med students, but there are also OT, PT, PA students and medical residents who live here as well.

Feel free to ask if you have any other questions. I'll try my best to answer them. Good luck!

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I'm interested in the tote. How can i contact you?

Thanks!

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chaya,

your replies and suggestions have been wonderful (as usual)!

i would just like to add, that two of my clinical professors did have a problem with me wearing a white scrub top, even with the downstate patch sewed on. so getting at least one uniform top might be a good idea. female or male top, i guess that it depends on a person. i would still choose the female one, even though a patient last week though i was a catholic “sister”… :eek: do not dare get the school's pants! they look horrible, tapered at the bottom and absolutely shapeless. any pair of white scrub bottoms will be just fine...

if tanguera discouraged any one of you (i personally think she should stop all the whining and negativity, because that's all she's done since the beginning of the program), do not let it get to you!

first, know the best method by which you learn. it is physically impossible for a professor to teach you all the info you need to know. so don't expect to be spoon fed, it is not high school. you need to read on your own, but hey, we are all “adult learners”, right?

second, organize your time wisely, especially in the first summer. yes, it will be hard, but if you organize everything in advance, you will be less stressed.

third, make friends! and this one is very important! you will be learning, laughing, helping each other, making group project and studying together for 15 months, and having people who know what exactly you're going through is crucial.

fourth, be proactive! in a clinical, there are 10 students and only one instructor. she can't be there holding each hand. and that's where you need good people skills. be nice and respectful to the nurses, and they will teach you more than the instructor! yes, some of them might have an attitude, but don't let it get to you. there will be many things to obsess over, but instead spend your time learning! you can bring books and powerpoints with you to clinicals and study. in fact, in the beginning of the program i bought this book, and it has been very useful: “nursing diagnosis handbook” by ackley and ladwig (8th edition), it had saved my behind through many nursing care plans.

fifth, don’t have extremely high expectations and demands. again, you will be less stressed if you don’t, and you’ll have a better time.

and finally, no matter what they tell you do not get the *******’ tote, especially if you are on a budget! i opened it for the first time a month ago, when i needed gauze to clean my puppy’s ears… :rolleyes:

i would like to welcome you guys! if you have any questions you are welcome to pm me or stop any us in the hallway… there will probably be a group from our class who you will meet during the orientation, and they will answer any of your questions or concerns.

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