FINALLY! WHEW, Didnt think I would ever get to post this thread! Now where to start... :wink2:
First part of the morning 8-10 we just refreshed on orientation. Introduced ourselves, met the 3 instructors, got some of our books (9 of them), and generally discussed how busy and hectic the next year would be, but also how worth it, it would be as well. 10:00 Break, Then PVR (Practical vocational relationships) This is basically the history of Nursing, the course will cover 10 chapters and only last 2 weeks. (Then Fundamentals will take its place). Starting right off in PVR we had a pretest 25 questions, (they said these were questions that will be on the final exam and they didn't expect us to know do well and it didn't count toward our grade) then we went over the syllabus for this class. On Monday I have to turn in a Profile about myself, Who I am, what brought me to nursing, what I like, how I like to learn, the way I learn best. My hopes and plans for the future 5 and 10 years. I also have to do a 2 Week time Managment paper hour by hour 6 am - 10pm starting with Last Sunday, (said to be creative). Both of these are due the 25th. Also have to read the 1st 4 chapers of the book, with a quiz on Chapt. 1 on Monday and Test on all 4 Chapters on Wed.
12-1 lunch break~~
Next was A&P, You guessed it, another pretest, 50 questions.. I got 30 out of 50 points. (39pts was passing) but on a good note the highest was a 32, lowest was a 17, and it didn't count towards our grade either sooo. Again they said these were questions that would be on our final. ... Quiz on Chapter 1 on Monday, Test on Chapter 1 on Tuesday, along with a quiz on Chapter 2. Test on Chapter 2 on Wed., Test on Chapter 3 on Friday.... So yeah 3 test and 2 quizes next week on A & P alone... Said basically it would be like this all year!
Then we have medmath/pharm.. Same thing pretest didn't count, and don't know my score yet, 25 questions, Quiz over ref. table in front of the book on Monday, and will have a take home quiz on Monday night. and a Pharm take home test on Tues. A test on 1st 3 chapters of Med math on Wednesday. The med math part of this class will last about 8 weeks, and the Pharm will last all year, we will do Pharm as we deal with the need ( cardio drugs when we do Cardio etc.) Which I think is great, will make it much easier to take it all in.
So it will be like 1 subject every 2 hours, for now with lots of quizzes and test. But I am sooooooo excited! 45 students, There is a pretty good mix of ages, most are younger, (early 20s) then maybe 15 above 30 maybe 6 that are around my age 43. 2 males, 3 instructors and 1 director.
The instructors, I think are willing to work with you, if you have problems, you just need to talk to them, they each gave us their private e mails and phone numbers so I thought that was cool. So didn't appear to just be a job for them, They really want us to learn. Anyways gotta go start reading........
I'll try to report again on Monday........ and I look forward to hearing everyone else's stories, and if you have questions that I didn't hit on feel free to ask.
Specializes in hospice, pediatrics, substance abuse.
I'm with you; I sent hubby out for more index cards last night, he couldn't believe I had used that many in one day. I laughed and told him that was just the beginning.....day one. Even though I have a CNA background a lot of these terms are new to me as well, and many of them have changed since I learned them:uhoh3: feel like I'm starting all over again. Oh well, that's probably a good thing as I know how easy it is to get complacent when you think you "know it all" already. See you in class....hopefully Wednesday.
Im sooo scared now, thanks for giving me a glimspe and reminding me I wont have much of a life for the next 12 months but like you said it will be well worth it.:)
Specializes in EMS~ ALS.../...Bartending ~ Psych :).
WOW!
What a week, there is no way that I have time to get on here and post and read post now:crying2: which is somthing that I did all summer!
So far this week, I have had 3 A& P quizes, and 2 A& P test. 3 math test, and 3 math quizes. and 3 PVR test, and this is only Thursday. Have another test in all 3 tomorrow. Started Fundamentals today, and have the PVR Final on Monday. I am hanging with a 90% in A&P, an 85% in PVR, and a 99& in math. Have to have a 78% to pass. So far the test have been 50 questions, with the quizes being 10-25 questions.
I am at a vocational school, and its a "Program" so if you fail once class even with a 77% you fail out of the program and thats it, no retaking next semester or anything..... ITS TOUGH:banghead: The PVR instructor went over tomorrows test word for word this morning and again this afternoon, in hopes those that have low scores in the previous test will pull up their grades, otherwise they will be out of the program.... Im serious, can you believe it, failing out in 2 weeks!
Its going to be a really long year, and I'm tired already:zzzzz
Specializes in EMS~ ALS.../...Bartending ~ Psych :).
We lost our fist student today. 10 days into the program. Poor little girl, didn't pass her PVR, She had a 74% and needed a 78%. I felt so bad for her, but in all honesty she had every chance in the world. The instructor all but gave us the answers to most of the test.
It was certainly an eye opener for alot of the students... I passed with a 90%. Was happy that I passed but at the same time needed a 93% for an A. There was only 1 person that recieved an A, with a 94%. Oh well..... Math final in 2 weeks..... I'll keep you posted!
Otherwise, it is still hectic and fast paced as ever, on Chapter 6 in A&P, Chapter 10 in math, and started Fundamentals yesterday.
Today was my first day of Nursing classes on campus (Yikes). I started other classes on Monday online (A&P, Med Term, and English Comp). Wasn't to bad yet, a lot of just reading the syllabus for each class and we need 80% in each to pass the class. All test need to be 80% or better, math needs to be like 90% and that is based off of 3 test making up 100% of your grade for the semester. If you score below 90% you can just pack up and go home because you will fail the course. So far the material doesn't seem to complicated, just time consuming and lots of reading. So I am off to go read all night long!!
Well we are into our 7th day and tomorrow marks our 5th test not counting todays quiz. We did CPR today, which I was super excited about, but boy was I not expecting it to drag on all day like that!! I had no idea that there were so many aspects to it and towards the end it was about all I could do to keep my eyes open!! We have a test on it tomorrow that we have to pass in order to be certified...I wonder what happens if you fail...aside from not being certified i mean!
Well I'm pretty happy in my class! I know it's just the beginning and I don't want to jinxx myself but so far i'm doing pretty good. The lowest I have gotten on a test so far is a 91% (phew! I was convinced I failed that one! Passing at my school is an 80%) and the highest is a 97% which leaves me at a test average of 95% which I guess makes an even A. Boy the things I would do to get an A+!
I have been a little sad lately though. A few of my good friends in class are in danger of failing out. Although we haven't lost anyone yet (they give you the opportunity to redeem yourself during finals, so no one goes until the beginning of the following course) it is very possible that it may happen. Although I am not nearly smart enough to tutor anyone (i'm just learning this stuff myself!) I think I will suggest starting up a study group for anyone that is interested so that at least we can teach each other and have someone to bounce questions off of. I know my primary concern should be me and making it through, but I like all (well..most!!) of my classmates and really believe that we can help each other make it. Who knows...I may very well need one of them later on at clinicals or something!! I just want to be able to look around next year at graduation and see everyone on the podium with me...then again..I want to be able to look around next year and be on a podium at graduation, PERIOD!! Even if I do have to be there alone! LOL!!
My class seems to be going a bit slower than I am reading about here. They are off to a slow start. We might have a quiz tomorrow, but other than that we have no tests scheduled so far till next Friday. Lots of lectures, a video. Organizing my notes.
Hey I started Monday...have a post about it. We are moving but not quite as fast as some of u all. 8-9 in a week is outrageous...lol. I dont even want to imagine that. I also dont want to jinx myself. We had out first quiz today which I got a 100. Our first major test is tomorrow and Friday in Micro and Anatomy. I am biting my nails, although alot of it is review from taking those classes previously, some of the smallest things can hurt ya. So far this week or better yet these last 2 days not including today I average about 5-6 hours studying and homework. Who knew!?!?:chuckle It is a lot of work and reading and I am working my butt off to stay ahead!! Good Luck to everyone. This year will be a huge test of determination and "sanity":D
Specializes in EMS~ ALS.../...Bartending ~ Psych :).
Hey Everyone.... Boy, I never have time to get on here and post anymore. We have completed another week! YIPEE only 43 more to go! This week, we only had 6 test and 2 quizes. I didn't fail anything.... actually I did pretty well. Fundamentals started, we did blood pressures, pulses, respiration rates, lung sounds, bowel sounds, etc. We also started "medical terminology" this week, we will only have this once a week, a chapter a week which means a test every week, instead of 3 a week.
In A&P we are doing the skeletal system, we lectured it on Friday, and don't have to test on it until Friday, so we actually get a whole week devoted to this chapter! We will have a 150 q test and a Lab where we have to locate, and identify, 60 bones and spelling counts!! I went searching for a holloween skeleton to practice on and couldn't find one, but......My S/O is always pouting that we never spend time together anymore, so I turned him into my skeleton, and wrote all the bone names all over him..... It was fun, and I'm sure it will help me remember, and he got some much needed attention.
All in all I am thinking that NS isn't as "hard" as it is "tough."
The material is well laid out, the system for teaching, what we need to know, when we need to know it is well laid out. The instructors (for the most part) really know what they are doing, and want us to do well. But it is very fast paced, and there is little room for error and getting behind, I honestly couldn't imagine what would happen if I had to miss one single day. I'm not sure that I would ever be able to catch up. I have to totally prioritize what to study when, most days I have more then one test. I am trying to stay ahead 2 chapters in A&P, and math so I don't have any surprises. The long weekend has certainly helped.:wink2: With the exception of eating and sleeping it is litterally 24/7, but I love it!! Go figure!
Oh I forgot to mention.... We get fitted for uniforms on Tuesday. They will be all white, and from what I hear the material is pretty stiff and scratchy..... but, its not about how you feel on the outside, its about how you feel on the inside that counts right? I can't wait, to be looking like a .
Okay, thats my post for the week, I really do want to keep everyone informed on what they might expect, but time is certainly not as abundant as it used to be..... I'll be in touch........
:wink2: Hi all! Well I waited 12mths for this and it's finally here. I start LPN school tomorrow 530pm. I'm sooooo excited. I just wanted to say good luck to all that are starting/and or finishing school. i will post my first day hopefully tomorrow if it's not to late.
i started class on monday the 25th. we got started right away!!! i am taking fundamentals 1, a&p which we are taking the first two weeks to review and learn medical terminology and then nutrition. i had my first test in nutrition on thur. i made a 92. the teacher was upfront with us and said that she hates nutrition and will only teach us what we have to know. i too my fundamentals 1 test on friday. i think i made a 92 on it. she is a little harder and gave questions like the nclex test with scenarios and having two possibly right answers but one being more right. i also took my first of 4 medical terminology test and i think i made a 100 on it. i come up with quirky little ways to remember the words... we will have a test every week in ever subject. it's so hard to divide up my time each night to stude each one.. also, i am in north louisiana so because of hurricane gustav we are out of school until thur. we were already out for labor day so this is going to put us way behind.. please pray for me as i try to cram next week. i hope you all are enjoying school. i have decided that i am not so sure that it is actually hard as it is just soooooo much material to cover and learn in such a short time!!!
caringtouch
90 Posts
I'm with you; I sent hubby out for more index cards last night, he couldn't believe I had used that many in one day. I laughed and told him that was just the beginning.....day one. Even though I have a CNA background a lot of these terms are new to me as well, and many of them have changed since I learned them:uhoh3: feel like I'm starting all over again. Oh well, that's probably a good thing as I know how easy it is to get complacent when you think you "know it all" already. See you in class....hopefully Wednesday.