For Current Anne Arundel CC Nursing Students

U.S.A. Maryland

Published

I am currently awaiting AACC's decision regarding NS admission, but in the mean time I am trying to get ready

as if I were already accepted. My question to any/all current students is: what do you wish you

had done/someone had told you PRIOR to your first term of NS.

It seems to me after browsing old threads that you don't use all the textbooks that they list for

you, so which ones are mandatory and which can leave out?

Also, did you find out which books you will need during the orientation over the summer? I'd like to

try and start getting the necessary textbooks now.

How many of you read ahead in your books and if you did, did you find it helpful?

And one last question, besides books, what other materials do you need to purchase that first

term of NS? Will you need uniforms, shoes, PDAs, scrubs, stethoscopes.

I want to try an get an idea of how much extraneous money I will need to have.

Thank you so much ahead of time for all the advice!

Specializes in Telemetry.

Congratulations on getting in! That's the first big hurdle. :)

As far as shoes go for the program, they didn't allow us to wear crocs but we were allowed to wear danskos (all white ones). The rule is they have to be all leather and all white, so I just wore nike tennis shoes.

Most people in my class wore dickies scrub pants...in my opinion they are the most comfortable, but not the most non transparent. Urbane scrubs seem to be a little thicker but the material is not as soft. As far as tops go, you can get anything that is all white...it doesn't have to be boring and generic so if you find one you like with embroidery or lace or whatever you can wear that. I bought 3 full sets of scrubs since clinicals vary from 1 to 3 days a week and I didn't want to be doing laundry all the time.

I think that transferring just prior to the final semester would be quite difficult just because all schools are different and it doesn't give you a lot of time to acclimate and catch up if need be. I transferred after the first semester and it took me a least an entire semester to figure out how things work and catch up on topics that they had covered that my school did not. I think it just depends on the school. Luckily AACC is a great school that is very thorough so chances are you would be ahead of the game.

Good luck to you and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask! I can let you know which prof's clinical group is most desirable, as well as clinical sites that may be better than others etc etc. Take care! :)

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akmegs2, ANYTHING you'd like to share with me would be much appreciated! If you don't want to write it all on here you could PM me.

I just like to know things beforehand so I feel confident!

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Congratulations to all who are starting Nursing School in the Fall!

I just graduated from AACC in May, and really am thankful that I chose that program. Employers all over the state value AACC grads, and will hire us before grads of other programs.

My advice:

Enjoy your summer. While it is great to want to get a jump start on reading, its difficult to absorb any of the information until it is put into perspective by the accompanying lectures.

When you go to orientation, you will get a list of necessary books. Start searching online for used book prices. I use www.gettextbooks.com. I saved a ton of money by not buying bookstore items. Just watch your ISBN numbers and make sure associated discs are included.

Invest in the "Reviews and Rationales" books. They are great both for course content and for NCLEX review.

On day one, you will be given ATI books...a lot of them. Don't put them in a pile and forget about them. These books are fantastic resources. They give important information in 2 pages versus 100 pages from the text book.

Even if you are not traditionally a person who likes to study in a group, start entertaining that idea. Choose people who are motivated and have like-minded goals. You will find that in the first semester your study group will change; don't be afraid to ask certain individuals to leave your study group if they are disruptive or too social.

With studying, don't kill yourself. Allow time for yourself and for your family. If you are stressed and unhappy, you will not retain the information you are studying anyway. Use the multimedia approach to studying, find what works for you. Coloring, teaching, singing, dancing, mnemonics, rhymes, songs, tactile activities, games, etc...incorporate all of your senses into course content, and it will be etched into your memory. Involve your kids, your spouse, your pets...they will enjoy the attention, you will be spending quality time, and most importantly, the information will sink into your brain.

Review anatomy and physiology material...it is imperative to know how things are supposed to work. If you can recognize when a system isn't doing what it is meant to do, you have already won half of the battle.

Pay close attention to the clues that the instructors give during lecture. They are very good at highlighting the important information. Notice subtle coughs, underlining, warnings of, "you will see this again..", they go out of their way to point you in the right direction. Volumes of text books have been written about renal failure, but there is no way for you to memorize all of that information, and it is unnecessary. Isolate the important stuff and focus on that. Streamline the process.

Remember that the professors are not the enemy. It is not you against them. Every single one of them is dedicated to helping you succeed. If you need help, ask. I did not encounter one instructor who was unwilling to go the extra mile for a student.

This summer, focus on getting the health records, background check, etc....don't buy much until you get more information. You won't need scrubs until halfway through the first semester, so don't run out and buy a ton now. With scrubs, make sure they have ample pockets, are comfortable, and that they meet the specifications given.

Relax. Breathe. You are getting ready to embark on a life-changing process. It is what you make it. You will have classmates who freak out, who lock themselves away to study, and who are unhappy for 2 solid years. You have the ability to choose your attitude and approach.

If you need any information, just let me know.

Daria

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akmegs2, thank you for the message you sent me. For some reason I can't PM so I can't write you back but I just want you to know how awesome I think it is that you were willing to go that out of your way to write me that! Thank you so much!

Daria, thank you for all the advice you gave, too!

You both are great resources!

Do you happen to have any books you want to get off your hands from nursing school?? We had orientation yesterday and now know the books we need to get. Let me know! ;)

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Unfortunately, because the books that you purchase now are used the entire 2 years, they now require the newest edition (mine are out of date for you). I do however have probably 35 NCLEX question books, and the reviews and rationales books, that I will pass on once I take the NCLEX next Thursday! I will keep you posted on the giveaways.

Daria

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Daria,

How did your NCLEX exam go? And thank you again for all the advice. AACC grads/upper classmen have been GREAT! :)

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NCLEX was a definite experience. No matter how much you think you have prepared, you walk out feeling as if you just wasted your life in nursing school. The upside is that I passed with 75 questions.

I have been working as an RN since June 21.

So tell me who is interested in NCLEX books, and reviews and rationales books?

I am so ready to clear out my office space.

Daria

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Daria,

I'll take whatever review books you want to give away. I just bought a bunch used, but I'm sure my classmates (2nd semester) would appreciate whatever we can share between us.

I'll try to send you a PM w/my home email.

Thanks!

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Daria, any books that you think I might benefit from this first semester of classes that someone else hasn't already claimed would be great. I don't have any review books as it is, so anything is better than nothing.

And congratulations on your passing score and working as an RN since the 21st. That is awesome!

Anyway, I'll meet you wherever is easiest for you and I might be able to pick your brain a little bit more when we do meet!

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I have a Question for those of you who been in the program..... in clinicals what do you have to wear your uniform or any scurbs or just plain clothes ???

Thank you!

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They're very strict about the uniform for clinicals. Very strict. All white. White/Nude undergarments. White socks and shoes. No exposed tattoo's or peircing - other than one single earing in each ear. Clean shave or neatly trimmed beard - if you're male.

No...people have been disciplined for not taking the uniform policy seriously and showing up with a colored tank or undershirt; or wrinkled sloppy looking scrubs.

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Wow. This is awesome information on this thread. Good luck to all and I know it's been a while since this has been started. I was wondering how everyone was doing now that the semester is over or almost over?

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