Dutchess community college

I graduated from DCC in December 2006.

Since you start clinicals in January I take it you're an evening student like I was...

I think it's an excellent school, but it is also incredibly difficult. Just be very prepared to devote a lot of time to studying. Keep up with the reading and don't let yourself fall behind or you'll be in trouble. The test questions are very different once you start the clinicals. They're not all strict memorization like the ones you have in A&P or Microbiology, they're more about critical thinking. There's a book called Test Success: Test Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students by Barbara Vitale and Patricia Nugent that is really helpful. Also, get an NCLEX review book early on and use it in addition to the text book to learn the material. My favorite is Saunder's Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN, it's large blue softcover book. It comes with a CD-Rom with lots of practice questions. The NCLEX book is more helpful starting the second semester.

If you have any other questions let me know.

Good luck!!:)