Fall 2019 Lonestar Hopefuls

Nij13 · May 7, 2019

15 minutes ago, Mamadetermined said:
I think It depends on the professor. I was just required 2, the karch focus on nursing pharm, and the med math book by buccholz. Total from amazon i think i paid like 65 or something.

Yea for our classes they put up the book list but i think it duplicated some of them because it’s like 8 things but it’s Pharmacology and the nursing process, drug guide, dosage calculation

kvida92 · May 8, 2019

8 hours ago, Sunhei said:
Any tips or advice you can give for the program? Do you get any breaks at all? How many professors teach you? What is the dress code for cyfair? Do you like the program? What was your score to get in?
Hehe sorry for all the questions, cyfair is my first choice and I want to know everything ? Thanks!

Lol I'll try to answer everything. I'm also answering @xxariscole question from above on Cyfairs schedule.

So schedules vary from semester to semester. There is no set schedule unfortunately so you guys kinda just gotta work with what they give you.

Basically, hospitals around the city prefer to work with BSN programs over ADN programs for clinical sites. So our administrators and instructors are VERY serious about their reputation with these hospitals. I have spoken to other nursing students from BSN programs around the city and they agree that Lonestar Cyfair is a lot more strict than their program. Our instructor told us that they have to be because if we aren't professional and the students aren't on top of their A game, they won't want us back at their clinical sites.

With that being said, our schedule works around the hospital schedule.

First semester, at Cyfair, you have fundamentals, skills, and health assessment. No clinicals yet. My schedule was Monday health assessment lecture from 9-12pm; Tuesday health assessment lab from 8-12pm; Wednesday skills lab from 8:30-1:30pm; Friday fundamentals lecture from 1-4pm. (I think I'm missing something but I can't remember? )

There are other things you have to attend though. We have hospital orientations, lab practicums, etc etc. So you absolutely HAVE to be flexible with your schedule. Second semester, we start our clinicals. Other Lonestar schools start their clinicals the first semester I think. I honestly like that we started second semester because we know all of our skills and how to give an assessment by then. The other programs haven't learned all their skills yet so they can't exactly perform all their skills at clinical, should opportunity arise.

Second semester: Monday lecture from 8-2pm. (Medsurg from 8-12 and mental health from 12-2pm.) Clinicals are on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 6:30-3:30pm. But you get assigned to one of those days. Mine was on Tuesday. Then, clinical for mental health is seperate in two different groups: first eight weeks and second eight weeks. I was in the second eight week group. I had mental health clinical from 6:30-6:30pm on Saturdays.

Like I said, you absolutely have to be flexible because we have Simulation days, Virtual simulation days, orientation days, etc etc.

As for advice and tips: if you have a job, go part time or quit. The first semester is all or nothing. If you don't pass, you can't move on and you have to reapply. After the first semester, if you failed, they give you one retake but that's IF they have enough space in the next cohort and if they let you. Nursing school takes up a LOT time. Many of my classmates have chosen to quit their jobs or only work 8-12 hours a week.

Make sure you keep up with your s***. Lol. There is no room for error. We have lost many students because they were late to clinical, or absent for class, or because they forgot to turn in an assignment, etc etc. Cyfair is very strict so make sure you know what you need to get done and do it on time. You can't miss more than one clinical and attendance is mandatory to lecture and lab. You get one absence per semester per lab and clinical and anything after that, you're out of the program.

Our dress code is all black scrubs with white shoes. You can wear a white long sleeve underneath if you have visible tattoos or if you're cold.

Buy your books online and save them. Especially the health assessment, skills book, and dosage calculations book. You will refer back to them.

Any other questions? Sorry this got really long! Lol

Nancyface23 · May 8, 2019

23 minutes ago, kvida92 said:

@kvida92 Thank you for taking the time to write all of that out! Very helpful info, especially about the tattoos. I have a wrist tattoo so I know now to take it very seriously even though I get hot easily but I guess I’ll just have to deal with it lol.

Also what about makeup? As far as fake lashes and stuff are they ok with that?

Also, do you have kids or do you know somebody that does? I know theres a lot of people that have kids in the program but I’m wondering do they leave them at daycare? Or how does it work with the schedule being so flexible? It’s my first baby so I don’t even know about daycares lol

Cimmi2021 · May 8, 2019

10 hours ago, Izzystout said:
Does anyone know if we have to have a certain stethoscope? I've heard of programs where you had to have a black one.

I’m repeating question in hopes that someone who knows can answer ?

kvida92 · May 8, 2019

26 minutes ago, Nancyface23 said:
@kvida92 Thank you for taking the time to write all of that out! Very helpful info, especially about the tattoos. I have a wrist tattoo so I know now to take it very seriously even though I get hot easily but I guess I’ll just have to deal with it lol.
Also what about makeup? As far as fake lashes and stuff are they ok with that?
Also, do you have kids or do you know somebody that does? I know theres a lot of people that have kids in the program but I’m wondering do they leave them at daycare? Or how does it work with the schedule being so flexible? It’s my first baby so I don’t even know about daycares lol

How big is your wrist tattoo? Your watch might be able to cover it. We are required to wear a watch with a second hand and a stethoscope to clinical. Since someone asked on here, you don't need a specific colored stethoscope or brand etc. Only requirement is that your stethoscope has a bell and a diaphragm. You don't need a super fancy one. I bought one for $70 on Amazon. There are some that are $200-250. Not even doctors use those expensive ones lol only cardiologists so don't worry about those. They even sell some at the bookstore for $30.

Make up is allowed at clinical but no fake lashes or artificial nails. Your nails have to be trimmed and no nail polish.

I actually have a baby! Lol I started the program when she was 6 months. She's now 15 months. About half of my classmates have kids. I'll admit that it's very difficult. My mother moved in with me to care for the baby while I'm in school. My husband and in laws help a lot too. My friends who have kiddos in school and day care have a lot of help too from their support systems. I would say, make sure you have a support system and that their is someone with a flexible schedule to help you. Things come up that you might need to change your schedule. For example, our schedule this semester was supposed to be totally different but they changed it on us the first day of class. Lots of classmates had to talk with their baby sitters and daycares about the changes.

West7714 · May 8, 2019

22 minutes ago, Cimmi2021 said:
I’m repeating question in hopes that someone who knows can answer ?

You can purchase any stethoscope you like

Sunhei · May 8, 2019

1 hour ago, kvida92 said:
Lol I'll try to answer everything. I'm also answering @xxariscole question from above on Cyfairs schedule.
So schedules vary from semester to semester. There is no set schedule unfortunately so you guys kinda just gotta work with what they give you.
Basically, hospitals around the city prefer to work with BSN programs over ADN programs for clinical sites. So our administrators and instructors are VERY serious about their reputation with these hospitals. I have spoken to other nursing students from BSN programs around the city and they agree that Lonestar Cyfair is a lot more strict than their program. Our instructor told us that they have to be because if we aren't professional and the students aren't on top of their A game, they won't want us back at their clinical sites.
With that being said, our schedule works around the hospital schedule.
First semester, at Cyfair, you have fundamentals, skills, and health assessment. No clinicals yet. My schedule was Monday health assessment lecture from 9-12pm; Tuesday health assessment lab from 8-12pm; Wednesday skills lab from 8:30-1:30pm; Friday fundamentals lecture from 1-4pm. (I think I'm missing something but I can't remember? )
There are other things you have to attend though. We have hospital orientations, lab practicums, etc etc. So you absolutely HAVE to be flexible with your schedule. Second semester, we start our clinicals. Other Lonestar schools start their clinicals the first semester I think. I honestly like that we started second semester because we know all of our skills and how to give an assessment by then. The other programs haven't learned all their skills yet so they can't exactly perform all their skills at clinical, should opportunity arise.
Second semester: Monday lecture from 8-2pm. (Medsurg from 8-12 and mental health from 12-2pm.) Clinicals are on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 6:30-3:30pm. But you get assigned to one of those days. Mine was on Tuesday. Then, clinical for mental health is seperate in two different groups: first eight weeks and second eight weeks. I was in the second eight week group. I had mental health clinical from 6:30-6:30pm on Saturdays.
Like I said, you absolutely have to be flexible because we have Simulation days, Virtual simulation days, orientation days, etc etc.
As for advice and tips: if you have a job, go part time or quit. The first semester is all or nothing. If you don't pass, you can't move on and you have to reapply. After the first semester, if you failed, they give you one retake but that's IF they have enough space in the next cohort and if they let you. Nursing school takes up a LOT time. Many of my classmates have chosen to quit their jobs or only work 8-12 hours a week.
Make sure you keep up with your s***. Lol. There is no room for error. We have lost many students because they were late to clinical, or absent for class, or because they forgot to turn in an assignment, etc etc. Cyfair is very strict so make sure you know what you need to get done and do it on time. You can't miss more than one clinical and attendance is mandatory to lecture and lab. You get one absence per semester per lab and clinical and anything after that, you're out of the program.
Our dress code is all black scrubs with white shoes. You can wear a white long sleeve underneath if you have visible tattoos or if you're cold.
Buy your books online and save them. Especially the health assessment, skills book, and dosage calculations book. You will refer back to them.
Any other questions? Sorry this got really long! Lol

omg thank you so much! This was so informative.

Sarahillz · May 8, 2019

Just now, Sunhei said:
omg thank you so much! This was so informative.

1 hour ago, kvida92 said:
Lol I'll try to answer everything. I'm also answering @xxariscole question from above on Cyfairs schedule.
So schedules vary from semester to semester. There is no set schedule unfortunately so you guys kinda just gotta work with what they give you.
Basically, hospitals around the city prefer to work with BSN programs over ADN programs for clinical sites. So our administrators and instructors are VERY serious about their reputation with these hospitals. I have spoken to other nursing students from BSN programs around the city and they agree that Lonestar Cyfair is a lot more strict than their program. Our instructor told us that they have to be because if we aren't professional and the students aren't on top of their A game, they won't want us back at their clinical sites.
With that being said, our schedule works around the hospital schedule.
First semester, at Cyfair, you have fundamentals, skills, and health assessment. No clinicals yet. My schedule was Monday health assessment lecture from 9-12pm; Tuesday health assessment lab from 8-12pm; Wednesday skills lab from 8:30-1:30pm; Friday fundamentals lecture from 1-4pm. (I think I'm missing something but I can't remember? )
There are other things you have to attend though. We have hospital orientations, lab practicums, etc etc. So you absolutely HAVE to be flexible with your schedule. Second semester, we start our clinicals. Other Lonestar schools start their clinicals the first semester I think. I honestly like that we started second semester because we know all of our skills and how to give an assessment by then. The other programs haven't learned all their skills yet so they can't exactly perform all their skills at clinical, should opportunity arise.
Second semester: Monday lecture from 8-2pm. (Medsurg from 8-12 and mental health from 12-2pm.) Clinicals are on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 6:30-3:30pm. But you get assigned to one of those days. Mine was on Tuesday. Then, clinical for mental health is seperate in two different groups: first eight weeks and second eight weeks. I was in the second eight week group. I had mental health clinical from 6:30-6:30pm on Saturdays.
Like I said, you absolutely have to be flexible because we have Simulation days, Virtual simulation days, orientation days, etc etc.
As for advice and tips: if you have a job, go part time or quit. The first semester is all or nothing. If you don't pass, you can't move on and you have to reapply. After the first semester, if you failed, they give you one retake but that's IF they have enough space in the next cohort and if they let you. Nursing school takes up a LOT time. Many of my classmates have chosen to quit their jobs or only work 8-12 hours a week.
Make sure you keep up with your s***. Lol. There is no room for error. We have lost many students because they were late to clinical, or absent for class, or because they forgot to turn in an assignment, etc etc. Cyfair is very strict so make sure you know what you need to get done and do it on time. You can't miss more than one clinical and attendance is mandatory to lecture and lab. You get one absence per semester per lab and clinical and anything after that, you're out of the program.
Our dress code is all black scrubs with white shoes. You can wear a white long sleeve underneath if you have visible tattoos or if you're cold.
Buy your books online and save them. Especially the health assessment, skills book, and dosage calculations book. You will refer back to them.
Any other questions? Sorry this got really long! Lol

Students who have quit or plan on quitting their jobs, do y’all just plan on receiving student loans or have money saved up. I’ve been stressing on how to manage school and work. I plan on working part time cause you know bills don’t stop.

Halflores20 · May 8, 2019

16 minutes ago, kvida92 said:
How big is your wrist tattoo? Your watch might be able to cover it. We are required to wear a watch with a second hand and a stethoscope to clinical. Since someone asked on here, you don't need a specific colored stethoscope or brand etc. Only requirement is that your stethoscope has a bell and a diaphragm. You don't need a super fancy one. I bought one for $70 on Amazon. There are some that are $200-250. Not even doctors use those expensive ones lol only cardiologists so don't worry about those. They even sell some at the bookstore for $30.
Make up is allowed at clinical but no fake lashes or artificial nails. Your nails have to be trimmed and no nail polish.
I actually have a baby! Lol I started the program when she was 6 months. She's now 15 months. About half of my classmates have kids. I'll admit that it's very difficult. My mother moved in with me to care for the baby while I'm in school. My husband and in laws help a lot too. My friends who have kiddos in school and day care have a lot of help too from their support systems. I would say, make sure you have a support system and that their is someone with a flexible schedule to help you. Things come up that you might need to change your schedule. For example, our schedule this semester was supposed to be totally different but they changed it on us the first day of class. Lots of classmates had to talk with their baby sitters and daycares about the changes.

This makes me feel a lot better because I have a 2 month old and a 2 1/2yr old lol

Sunhei · May 8, 2019

1 minute ago, Sarahillz said:
Students who have quit or plan on quitting their jobs, do y’all just plan on receiving student loans or have money saved up. I’ve been stressing on how to manage school and work. I plan on working part time cause you know bills don’t stop.

I'm hoping financial aid will pull through and help me a bit. I'll take out loans if I have to. I also have my fiance to help me with expenses if needed.

ZulyMC · May 8, 2019

I don’t have kids or car payment which is good. Boyfriend pays rent, I pay groceries, my car insurance, phone, internet, gas, utilities. Even if my boyfriend pays rent I still have like $1K+ a month of bills... trying to see what I can do... any opinions? Are there any banks that you take take loans and pay it after you graduate, mainly for living expenses (I do not qualify for financial aid so that’s out of the picture). I WILL be working full time in between semesters, summer time, winter break, etc.

Sarahillz · May 8, 2019

23 minutes ago, BlisseyRN2b said:
I don’t have kids or car payment which is good. Boyfriend pays rent, I pay groceries, my car insurance, phone, internet, gas, utilities. Even if my boyfriend pays rent I still have like $1K+ a month of bills... trying to see what I can do... any opinions? Are there any banks that you take take loans and pay it after you graduate, mainly for living expenses (I do not qualify for financial aid so that’s out of the picture). I WILL be working full time in between semesters, summer time, winter break, etc.

Why don’t you qualify for financial aid?