Miami Dade College

U.S.A. Florida

Published

hi, i wanted to know are there any mdc students who know any information on the nursing program. i have all my requirements and all i need is chemistry. i am trying to apply to the accelerated program and would like to know if anyone here can give me a guide on my chances of getting in. any info will be greatly appreciated!:smiletea:

Specializes in Operating Room.
DO NOT RENT THEM!! I REPEAT...DO NOT RENT THE BOOKS!!! You end up paying more for the rental than you would for a used book and you have to end up giving it back! Makes no sense! Here's on tip I found, once you've gotten your classes...call or email the professor and ask them if they are a stickler for the exact edition of the book or would a prior edition be just as good. I, to date have not had a professor say "no...it has to be the current one..." on the contrary, I've had some even recommend the prior edition for cost savings. On the average, I've been able to get used books on the internet for about 50% or more less than the bookstore and prior editions for 90% less than the current edition. Keep in mind that the publishers sometimes just change the front cover picture and move around some chapters and bingo...new edition. Try this website....directtextbooks.com. I've been able to find the best price comparison PLUS they provide alternate searches for other editions of the books. Hope this helps but again...DO NOT GO THE ROUTE OF RENTAL, YOU'RE TOTALLY THROWING YOUR MONEY AWAY THERE!!

I agree with using an old edition. We used the 11th edition lippincott med-surg book during my program and there is really no difference from the 10th edition. The information is the same.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Sorry but I rented them @ that Chegg website with NO problem what so ever. The return shipping is free..no strings.. The ONLY book that I bought NEW was the anatomy (@ mdc bookstore). My SPC1026 I rented with no issues. My coworker who goes to BCC used the same website as me..she's 20 yrs old, and her mom is actually my office manager..they were all greatful that I had found the website one day at working surfing amazon etc looking for cheap text books. She rented her college algebra book from there. Did you have a bad experience?

How long can you keep the book once you've rented it? We used the same med-surg book for med-surg one and two. I had med-surg 1 from Jan-May and then had med-surg two from Aug-Nov. Can you keep the books for that long? If so, renting may prove to be beneficial once I go back for my BSN.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
I was also wondering something about the summer semester course offerings. I'm taking prereqs at MDC and, to date, there is no course information for the summer semester listed on the website. Do you know if they offer any of the following: A&P II w/ lab, Micro, of Chemistry?

Yes, they should offer all those classes in the summer. Classes in the summer semester can be taken in 12 week or in two 6 week increments. From personal experience I would not suggest taking courses that you feel weak in over the summer because the semester is 12 wks vs 16-17 weeks in the Spring and Fall semesters. If you must get your classes done by the end of the summer, I would suggest taking the harder courses for 12 weeks. I was not good at chemistry and chose to take it in 6 weeks. BIG MISTAKE! I began the course failing, but ended up with a B because I went to a tutor and I always reviewed my tests after they were graded to see where I went wrong. By doing this I was able to redeem myself, but if you can't commit to seeing a tutor because of work and other classes, I would suggest doing chemistry in a 12 week course so you have more time to study.

Keep in mind that your science grades will be taken into consideration when applying for the nursing program. Try to maintain a 3.5 GPA amongst your science courses if you can. I had an overall GPA of 3.25 when I got accepted into the program, but believe that my science GPA got me into the program.

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That website has a FAQs page. It answers questions on how long you can keep them, and on getting extentions etc...

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Specializes in New Graduate Nurse.

BTW....as for the initial outlay for book in nursing school. Yes..almost $1000. But, there are a bunch of reference books (i.e. drug guides, lab guide, procedure guide, care plan guides) included that you will need throughout the time you are in school. When I started they had bundled a lot of these books. The bundle price was about $150 cheaper than going out and buying all these books individually on the internet. Believe me...I tried getting by cheaper. You will get the book list at orientation....go price the books at the book store...then compare with prices online.

As for the books for nursing school...you definitely don't want to rent. you want to be able to highlight...underline...etc..etc. Besides..these are books you are going to continue to need. Don't skimp...it will come back to bight you.

Also, you have to lay out some cash for equipment and uniforms....its not cheap.

good luck!!!

akspudus

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regarding the renting of texts, i did not mean nursing text books....im not in the program yet. i rented my books for speech, and math =)

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Thanks, Nips. That is really helpful and I spoke with my brother-in-law who is a doctor in Miami Shores and he had almost the exact same response as you.

I still don't know if I quite understand the difference between the 12 week program and the 2 six week increments. Do they not amount to the same in the end or are the courses offered during the six weeks ONLY taken for six weeks?

If I'm taking A&P I and Nutrition during the spring semester of 09, what would you recommend taking during the summer? I guess it seems logical to take A&PII right after A&P I, no? Would you recommend taking micro, chem together? definitely not together? one before the other? which one before the other? I realize everyone will probably have varying opinions but seeing as I'm so new at this, I really do welcome any and all advice.

Thanks so much and best of luck to everyone who is out there studying!

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Specializes in Operating Room.
thanks, nips. that is really helpful and i spoke with my brother-in-law who is a doctor in miami shores and he had almost the exact same response as you.

i still don't know if i quite understand the difference between the 12 week program and the 2 six week increments. do they not amount to the same in the end or are the courses offered during the six weeks only taken for six weeks?

well i took classes last summer and did two classes in the first six week period and two more classes in the second six week period. summer classes can be taken to span the entire 12 weeks (meaning you take 1-2 classes for 12 weeks) or you can opt to do more classes by taking 1-2 classes per 6 week term. the 6 week terms are broken down into summer-term a and summer-term b. for example, last year i took a nurisng skills update class (only required for non nurses that bridge) and an ethics class during term a and then i took chemistry and chemistry lab during term b. i was able to knock out 4 classes during the summer. it was an excellent way to play catch up. however, don't bog yourself down with classes to the point where you can't commit to all of them because you risk making lower grades thus lowering your gpa.

if i'm taking a&p i and nutrition during the spring semester of 09, what would you recommend taking during the summer? i guess it seems logical to take a&pii right after a&p i, no? would you recommend taking micro, chem together? definitely not together? one before the other? which one before the other? i realize everyone will probably have varying opinions but seeing as i'm so new at this, i really do welcome any and all advice.

i personally would not take two science courses together during the 12 week term, but i would split them between summer-term a and b. i think it would be a good idea to take a&p ii w/lab during term a and then doing micro during term b. if you are not good with math, i would suggest taking chemistry and chemistry lab alone because from my past experience, i had to devote a lot of time to it. i was very fortunate that i only had to worry about chemistry.

thanks so much and best of luck to everyone who is out there studying!

i hope this helps, please let me know if i was clear enough w/my explanation.

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Now I get it. it makes sense to focus completely on each individual science course especially since i have the time to spread them out over the course of several semesters. Did you feel you got a full grasp on the subjects after only 6 weeks worth of material?

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Now I get it. it makes sense to focus completely on each individual science course especially since i have the time to spread them out over the course of several semesters. Did you feel you got a full grasp on the subjects after only 6 weeks worth of material?

I was able to retain a lot of what I learned because many of the same concepts are repeated throughout the pre-reqs and in the nursing program. For instance, chemistry and nutrition are linked in some ways and human growth and development, another pre-req, is seen in pediatric nursing and nursing throughout the life span. So although you might sit in a class for 6 weeks, you will definately continue to use what you have learned well beyond the that.

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Was there a waiting list for the MDC nursing program? I have all my prerequisites and I'm thinking about applying for the nursing program (currently I'm a dietetics major but considering nursing) I want to know if there's a crazy 2-3 year waiting list or is that just a rumor?? Please help I'm soooo anxious to know! thanks!

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