Gateway LPN Fast Track

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 29, 2011

Marlene,

How many people in your class would you say had prior experience in healthcare?

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 30, 2011

Has anyone tried registering? I just got the email that said the information was wrong on the registration sheet. Then I went online to try to register, and it said the course was full. I also don't understand why it says the course meets from 12-4:30. I thought the evening course met from 5-9pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Does anyone else know what is going on?

pinaytoh · Mar 30, 2011

I received that email too.. :nurse:

I just called registration, they told me...we have to register in person..it may be a good idea to print that email, since it is totally different from what was sent to us..

Has anyone know if 11 credits is considered full time? for financial aid purposes...:)

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 30, 2011

I think 12 credits is considered full time, but I could be wrong.

I also had a question regarding the critical reading requirement or CRE 101 for anyone who is going to do the LPN to RN route through Maricopa Colleges. Do you know what test we need to take in order to waive the requirement? Are you exempt from that requirement if you already have a bachelors degree? I thought I remember meeting with the advisor and them saying that we did not have to take CRE 101 if you already had a degree, and that the requirement was waived. Did anyone else take a test or have the requirement waived?

I just spoke with the director of the FTPN program, and she said that there was a mistake, and to just go ahead and change it. I was also concerned because the time on the website said Monday. She said that the course is just a placeholder, and they will go by the times they sent us in the mail. She said there would be minor changes to some of the dates, but that it will be on Tuesday and Thursday from 5-9. She did say that they were looking at changing a couple of the lab dates though, but nothing major.

inspiredRN10 · Mar 30, 2011

Miteacher you are right, I was told that the CRE edit is waived if you have a degree already. And I didn't get the email you guys are talking about? Are you both in the night program, maybe that's why. Im still waiting to see about the other programs befores I register. Im so relieved I can wait until August! But we have to do it in person right?

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 31, 2011

inspiredRN10

Yes, I am in the night program, so maybe that's why you didn't get the email. She said that they will follow the schedule they sent out except for a couple lab dates that may be changed, so that's good to hear.

Thanks for answering my question. I tried emailing the advisor twice, and never received a response. I just want to be sure that I have everything in order.

mitenz · Mar 31, 2011

miteacher,

yes...you can wear the croc style shoes for clinicals as long as they do not have all the holes in them. There is another brand that is similiar to crocs that are very comfortable too and cheaper...the are called Anywear's.....

I wouldn't stress too much about failing...think positive and do your best...I would say at least half of our class, maybe just slightly over had previous healthcare experience before entering the FTPN program. The first few weeks of the program are going to be knowledge based exams....after that it is all NCLEX style questions for your tests. So if you want to do something between now and then, study the NCLEX test taking strategies.....get those down and you will have a much easier time. I wish everyone luck who got into the program...it really is a wonderful program!!!

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 31, 2011

miteacher,
yes...you can wear the croc style shoes for clinicals as long as they do not have all the holes in them. There is another brand that is similiar to crocs that are very comfortable too and cheaper...the are called Anywear's.....
I wouldn't stress too much about failing...think positive and do your best...I would say at least half of our class, maybe just slightly over had previous healthcare experience before entering the FTPN program. The first few weeks of the program are going to be knowledge based exams....after that it is all NCLEX style questions for your tests. So if you want to do something between now and then, study the NCLEX test taking strategies.....get those down and you will have a much easier time. I wish everyone luck who got into the program...it really is a wonderful program!!!

Mitenz,

Thank you for answering my questions. What type of healthcare experience did most people have?

mitenz · Mar 31, 2011

miteacher,

The experience ranged from front office, CNA's/PCT's, medical assistants, billing/insurance to people who have Master's degrees in health care admin and acupuncture......but honestly......those degree's/experiences aren't why they are passing....they know the information presented each week and have learned how to answer the NCLEX questions....We had some classmates that had health care degrees and they didn't pass first semester....it all comes down to what you put into your studies and learning how to answer NCLEX....

You are so welcome for the information...any more questions, just post them...we can try and answer them the best we can....

pinaytoh · Mar 31, 2011

@ Mitenz,

do you think it's okay if i buy used books from last semester...

thank you..

miteacher, ADN, MSN · Mar 31, 2011

I was also wondering about books. Do the used ones still allow you to use the online features?

mitenz · Mar 31, 2011

miteacher,

You can buy used books which is fine. You will however have to purchase codes from Evolve for the online case studies...I can't remember the exact price but it somewhere around $20-30. They will give you information on how to do that in class. The one thing you will not get if you buy used books is the online/downloadable versions of your books onto a laptop/netbook. I did that and it was a blessing as I didn't have to carry all those books around. But if you don't mind bringing all your books...it is no big deal. You will also need to buy the "nurses tote" in the bookstore....it is around $100 and it has all the supplies you need for your labs. I have heard from many people that bought used books that they wish they would have just bought the book box. In that box you get the Foundations of Nursing book, lab values book, drug handbook, Pharmacology, Saunders NCLEX book, a collection of dvds/cd's on procedure demonstration, certificates for evolve for online case studies and codes to download books onto your laptop/netbook. It's an investment...but you will always have those resources during your education/career. You will always have access to the online versions of the books for life...and updated versions of them. So I guess I would weigh out the pro's and con's and make the best decision for you. Good luck =)