FSCJ/FCCJ Fall 2011 Hopefuls

greeneyedgrl · Mar 28, 2011

FYi...beginning Fall 2011, FSCJ will equalize the # of admissions into the RN program to 144 students per term instead of Fall-168, Spring-144, and Summer-96.

Sounds like good news for summer hopefuls but not so good for fall...

greeneyedgrl · Mar 29, 2011

I'm a little worried since they changed from 168 seats to 144. Do you think 212.8 points is still enought to get in? I want n/w but will take days.

FutureRN022 · Mar 30, 2011

212 pts is def still a great score and pretty much a guaranteed acceptance. You have nothing to worry about. :)

greeneyedgrl · Mar 30, 2011

212 pts is def still a great score and pretty much a guaranteed acceptance. You have nothing to worry about. :)

Thanks. Im so nervous but that makes me feel a little better.

NJCheyla · Apr 1, 2011

I have taken the NAT twice and the second time got 99 points. I used this website http://cfcc.edu/learninglab/PSB/PSB.htm and a book from downtown campus library and it helped me a lot. I improved 10 points.

Thank you so much!!! I have been looking all over the internet for a site like this! I am forever indebted to you!! My first time will be in a month or so and I am so anxious.

-NJ

cb4ever07 · Apr 6, 2011

I am in the program now, first term. It is brutal and I am so thankful it is almost over!! I just wanted to give yall some info as to scores and what not. The lowest accepted score for Spring Term was like 194, fall of 2010 was 197. It is very competitive, but don't give up. Doing well on the NAT can really boost your score!! I got accepted with 220 points and that was without Micro. Once you do get into the program be prepared! You have to spend a lot of money up front, around 1500-2000 bucks. That is for books, uniforms, equipment, etc.. And make sure you read the assigned chapters before the first day of class! You will have about an hour of going over the syllabus, but then you jump right into it. Stay ahead of the game, because if you fall behind you will play hell trying to catch back up. The first 2 weeks there are 26 chapters to read between the 4 classes!! Make sure you use the Evolve website!! It is a life saver! Register all of your books on the evolve website for their free resources! Before every test go to those resources and do the practice N-CLEX questions for each chapter, it will help you tremendously on the exams!! I wish you all good luck, and remember, don't give up!! You will make friendships that will last forever! This will be your second family! Good Luck!!!

NJCheyla · Apr 6, 2011

Hi cb4ever07,

Thanks for the info. I have several questions if you don't mind...

Are you in the days or n/w?

How much time per day/wk do you spend studying/completing assignments?

How much time are you away from home in class/clinicals?

I want to be as ready as possible for my new schedule..especially where my kids are concerned.

Thanks a bunch!

-NJ

P.S. congrats on being accepted and pulling thru the first semester

greeneyedgrl · Apr 6, 2011

I am in the program now, first term. It is brutal and I am so thankful it is almost over!! I just wanted to give yall some info as to scores and what not. The lowest accepted score for Spring Term was like 194, fall of 2010 was 197. It is very competitive, but don't give up. Doing well on the NAT can really boost your score!! I got accepted with 220 points and that was without Micro. Once you do get into the program be prepared! You have to spend a lot of money up front, around 1500-2000 bucks. That is for books, uniforms, equipment, etc.. And make sure you read the assigned chapters before the first day of class! You will have about an hour of going over the syllabus, but then you jump right into it. Stay ahead of the game, because if you fall behind you will play hell trying to catch back up. The first 2 weeks there are 26 chapters to read between the 4 classes!! Make sure you use the Evolve website!! It is a life saver! Register all of your books on the evolve website for their free resources! Before every test go to those resources and do the practice N-CLEX questions for each chapter, it will help you tremendously on the exams!! I wish you all good luck, and remember, don't give up!! You will make friendships that will last forever! This will be your second family! Good Luck!!!

Did you have fin aid or did you have to pay for everything?

greeneyedgrl · Apr 6, 2011

I am in the program now, first term. It is brutal and I am so thankful it is almost over!! I just wanted to give yall some info as to scores and what not. The lowest accepted score for Spring Term was like 194, fall of 2010 was 197. It is very competitive, but don't give up. Doing well on the NAT can really boost your score!! I got accepted with 220 points and that was without Micro. Once you do get into the program be prepared! You have to spend a lot of money up front, around 1500-2000 bucks. That is for books, uniforms, equipment, etc.. And make sure you read the assigned chapters before the first day of class! You will have about an hour of going over the syllabus, but then you jump right into it. Stay ahead of the game, because if you fall behind you will play hell trying to catch back up. The first 2 weeks there are 26 chapters to read between the 4 classes!! Make sure you use the Evolve website!! It is a life saver! Register all of your books on the evolve website for their free resources! Before every test go to those resources and do the practice N-CLEX questions for each chapter, it will help you tremendously on the exams!! I wish you all good luck, and remember, don't give up!! You will make friendships that will last forever! This will be your second family! Good Luck!!!

Im a Fall 2011 hopeful (212pts) and want to start getting some of the things I will need in advance so I can research the best prices. Can you tell me what we need for the first term? I'd really appreciate any help on this...

cb4ever07 · Apr 7, 2011

I am in days, I go to class Tuesday from 7-1:30 for techniques/clinicals, Wednesday is my long day, I have Concepts from 9-12 and then Health Assessment from 1-4, which of course has to fall on my sons early release day! Then I have class on Thursday from 9-12 for Pharmacology. I will say that you will feel like a neglectful parent because if you are not in class you will be studying. I spend all of my free time with my nose in a book or writing down notes, etc.. I will give you all some great advice though, FORM A STUDY GROUP WEEK ONE!! Find some friends that take good notes and don't mind divvying up chapter objectives. This will save you so much time! We unfortunately didn't start this until the Techniques Final, which is week 9, but it is a great idea! Especially for someone who works or has children, or both! You cannot get through nursing school alone!! Make friends, keep them, study together! I do have financial aid, but it only covered tuition and books, I had to pay for all the equipment and uniforms out of pocket. If you can buy stuff used do it, When it comes to your stethoscope go to allheart.com and use coupon code 1112 to get 10 bucks off purchases of 25 or more. Get the best stethoscope right out the gate because you will regret it if you don't. And have it engraved for protection!! Ok, now as for the list of things you will need, be prepared, this is a long list!!

Physical Exam (has to be dated within lik 2-3 months of when you start the program)

Student Health Certificate signed by you (form will be in acceptance packet)

Copy of Current D.L.

Recent picture (has to be passport photo, go to wal-greens $8.99/2)

Current CPR card, (has to be American Heart Association professional health care worker with AED-hands on class)

PPD screening (for TB) has to also be within 2-3 months of beginning program

You have to provide titers for MMR, Varicella, and Hep B (or you can sign a declination form for the Hep B, the form will be in the acceptance packet)

You have to get TDAP shot and a Flu Shot

You will also be required to obtain a background check, fingerprinting, and drug screen (all the info as to where to get everything and the prices will be in the acceptance packet)

Now on to equipment:

all white uniform from Meridys (you can buy the shirt used through the FNSA on campus and white scrib pants from anywhere!)

Blue Polo from Florida Specialty

White leather or leather-like shoes (nursemates.com)

Khaki pants

white lab coat from meridys (optional, I have never used one!)

Skills Kit, don't remember the name of the place that sells them but they are around 91 bucks

Stehoscope

BP cuff

Pocket protector (white) sold in the FSCJ bookstore

FSCJ Name tag (sold from Meridys)

wristwatch with second hand (cute ones on nursemates.com or allheart.com)

Clipboard with pocket to put care plans in while in the hospital

and a WEEKLY PLANNER!! There is so much going on you will have to write everything down in a calendar so you won't forget to do something!!

All total for the shots, background check, uniforms, equipment, etc... I spent about 800-900 out of pocket.

Hope this helped :-)

cb4ever07 · Apr 7, 2011

Oh, and every Monday you will have a test!! EVERY MONDAY! The only day that you won't have a test is if the college is closed. Some days you will have 2 tests on the same day!! In the beginning it isn't that bad with 2 tests on the same day because the second test is usually a math test. You very first 2 tests will be Dosage Cal #1 and Medical Terminology, pretty easy tests. It gets difficult when you have a Health Assessment Test and a Pharmacology test on the same day!!

greeneyedgrl · Apr 7, 2011

I am in days, I go to class Tuesday from 7-1:30 for techniques/clinicals, Wednesday is my long day, I have Concepts from 9-12 and then Health Assessment from 1-4, which of course has to fall on my sons early release day! Then I have class on Thursday from 9-12 for Pharmacology. I will say that you will feel like a neglectful parent because if you are not in class you will be studying. I spend all of my free time with my nose in a book or writing down notes, etc.. I will give you all some great advice though, FORM A STUDY GROUP WEEK ONE!! Find some friends that take good notes and don't mind divvying up chapter objectives. This will save you so much time! We unfortunately didn't start this until the Techniques Final, which is week 9, but it is a great idea! Especially for someone who works or has children, or both! You cannot get through nursing school alone!! Make friends, keep them, study together! I do have financial aid, but it only covered tuition and books, I had to pay for all the equipment and uniforms out of pocket. If you can buy stuff used do it, When it comes to your stethoscope go to allheart.com and use coupon code 1112 to get 10 bucks off purchases of 25 or more. Get the best stethoscope right out the gate because you will regret it if you don't. And have it engraved for protection!! Ok, now as for the list of things you will need, be prepared, this is a long list!!
Physical Exam (has to be dated within lik 2-3 months of when you start the program)
Student Health Certificate signed by you (form will be in acceptance packet)
Copy of Current D.L.
Recent picture (has to be passport photo, go to wal-greens $8.99/2)
Current CPR card, (has to be American Heart Association professional health care worker with AED-hands on class)
PPD screening (for TB) has to also be within 2-3 months of beginning program
You have to provide titers for MMR, Varicella, and Hep B (or you can sign a declination form for the Hep B, the form will be in the acceptance packet)
You have to get TDAP shot and a Flu Shot
You will also be required to obtain a background check, fingerprinting, and drug screen (all the info as to where to get everything and the prices will be in the acceptance packet)
Now on to equipment:
all white uniform from Meridys (you can buy the shirt used through the FNSA on campus and white scrib pants from anywhere!)
Blue Polo from Florida Specialty
White leather or leather-like shoes (nursemates.com)
Khaki pants
white lab coat from meridys (optional, I have never used one!)
Skills Kit, don't remember the name of the place that sells them but they are around 91 bucks
Stehoscope
BP cuff
Pocket protector (white) sold in the FSCJ bookstore
FSCJ Name tag (sold from Meridys)
wristwatch with second hand (cute ones on nursemates.com or allheart.com)
Clipboard with pocket to put care plans in while in the hospital
and a WEEKLY PLANNER!! There is so much going on you will have to write everything down in a calendar so you won't forget to do something!!
All total for the shots, background check, uniforms, equipment, etc... I spent about 800-900 out of pocket.
Hope this helped :-)

You are awesome! Thanks so much for all this info. It helps to know what to expect. I have 3 kids under the age of four and my middle child is autistic so my days are already hectic...can't imagine how its going to be when school starts.