Gateway LPN Fast Track

TinkRN8 · May 18, 2009

I got my letter today....I got accepted into the afternoon program....!!!!! I am so excited!!! I just kept staring at the letter in disbelief, and it took a few seconds for it to register....LOL.

I am registered to take the advanced CNA class (patient care tech) and it starts tomorrow. I am now wondering if I should drop that and take physiology instead? The PCT class covers catheters, phlebotomy, glucose sticks and suctioning. So, any advice as to which would be best prep for the nursing program?

TinkRN8 · May 18, 2009

Me again!!So, I was wondering, for the advanced placement, are you able to just apply as long as it is within the 6 months? Or do you still have to take the HESI-PN first? I already have all my pre-req's & co-req's done, so not worried about that. The advanced placement app is a little confusing on what is required to go into block 3.

Future L&D RN · May 19, 2009

I also applied for Fall 09 start date, and just got my acceptance letter on the 15th! I was shocked. I did not think I would start until next Spring.

I want to assume that after completion of the LPN program we will still have to take the HESI exit exam for placement into block 3 or 4.

AZMOMO2 · May 20, 2009

me again!!so, i was wondering, for the advanced placement, are you able to just apply as long as it is within the 6 months?yes or do you still have to take the hesi-pn first? yes you have to take hesi still too. i already have all my pre-req's & co-req's done, so not worried about that. good!..the advanced placement app is a little confusing on what is required to go into block 3.

talk to the nursing advisor about your plans to make sure you have everything you need. you have to take the hesi and score the 800 but other than that... you just have to pass block 1 & 2.

congrats on getting in! i am in the day program... block 2 in aug!

AZMOMO2 · May 20, 2009

i also applied for fall 09 start date, and just got my acceptance letter on the 15th! i was shocked. i did not think i would start until next spring.
i want to assume that after completion of the lpn program we will still have to take the hesi exit exam for placement into block 3 or 4.

you are right!

congrats! :yeah:

AZMOMO2 · May 20, 2009

I got my letter today....I got accepted into the afternoon program....!!!!! I am so excited!!! I just kept staring at the letter in disbelief, and it took a few seconds for it to register....LOL.
I am registered to take the advanced CNA class (patient care tech) and it starts tomorrow. I am now wondering if I should drop that and take physiology instead? The PCT class covers catheters, phlebotomy, glucose sticks and suctioning. So, any advice as to which would be best prep for the nursing program?

Physiology as in A&P?

You'll be wasting your time with the PCT as the "skills" section is just Pass or Fail, and you won't fail. You get plenty of practice with Foley and glucose sticks in labs and clinicals. Phlebotomy and suctioning is in Block 2.

I recommend getting started on the NCLEX -PN questions, reading up on the fundamentals like vocab and abbreviations, the nursing process and nursing history. This will save you time and help boost your grade in the beginning when you have a working knowledge already. Oh and get an Assessments Made Easy book and a book on Nursing Careplans and NANDA and start working on it!

Be prepared to jump RIGHT in on day 1 and you will be tested on what you learn at Orientation, so be prepared! :typing

Future L&D RN · May 20, 2009

i wish orientation was more than one day before class started. one day to prepare does not feel like enough time to get all the supplies we'll need.

azmomo2: thank you for the advice on what to start looking through to get ahead. i will definitely look into getting the books you suggested this summer. :wink2:

TinkRN8 · May 20, 2009

Physiology as in A&P?
You'll be wasting your time with the PCT as the "skills" section is just Pass or Fail, and you won't fail. You get plenty of practice with Foley and glucose sticks in labs and clinicals. Phlebotomy and suctioning is in Block 2.
I recommend getting started on the NCLEX -PN questions, reading up on the fundamentals like vocab and abbreviations, the nursing process and nursing history. This will save you time and help boost your grade in the beginning when you have a working knowledge already. Oh and get an Assessments Made Easy book and a book on Nursing Careplans and NANDA and start working on it!
Be prepared to jump RIGHT in on day 1 and you will be tested on what you learn at Orientation, so be prepared! :typing

Thanks so much for the advice! I ended up dropping the PCT course. I figured I could apply that $265 toward the LPN tuition. I was thinking that I would not have anything to study between now and August, but I am going to get those books and get a head start! This is the first time in 3 yrs I haven't had a class or two going, so I am a little antsy and not knowing what to do with myself...LOL!

I too wish we had more than one day between orientation and when classes start. I will totally be stressing out getting books, uniforms, etc. Luckily I have a lot of supply type stuff and shoes from my CNA course (stethoscope, sphygomomanometer, etc).

Again thanks for sharing, it is greatly appreciated. Any more thoughts or wisdom, please don't hesitate to post! :yeah:

AZMOMO2 · May 21, 2009

We barely saw the second semester PN students and I sure had a lot of questions as a newbee I wish I could have asked... so any way I can help.

It was crazy, stressful and fun all rolled into one. Can't wait for Aug for classes to start again!

TinkRN8 · May 21, 2009

We barely saw the second semester PN students and I sure had a lot of questions as a newbee I wish I could have asked... so any way I can help.
It was crazy, stressful and fun all rolled into one. Can't wait for Aug for classes to start again!

Hope all went well with finals! I am sure you are glad to have that over with. I did order some books through Amazon (assessment, nanda, careplan, NCLEX, plus a couple of others that I saw recommended in another thread).

You may know, or if anyone else knows, I know I have been accepted. My letter says we will get all our info, books, etc at orientation. So, am I already registered for class or do I need to do that? When do I pay? I know books and uniforms will be paid for later, when we get them. But, what about classes/labs? Just not sure how that works.

So, what clinicals do you do second semester? Is it LTC again?

Thanks again!

AZMOMO2 · May 21, 2009

you may know, or if anyone else knows, i know i have been accepted. my letter says we will get all our info, books, etc at orientation.

so, am i already registered for class or do i need to do that? did you get an add/ drop form with your letter? if you did you need to go and register and pay for your class before class starts so that you aren't dropped. if you are using financial aide you just need to get a waiver so they set aside your fees until your funds post. if you didn't get an add/drop form email j.

i know books and uniforms will be paid for later, when we get them. you can get your books and lab kit usually the day of orientation, go to the book store and tell them what program you are in and they will help you get everything you need. $500 i think i paid. you'll get information on the uniforms at orientation and you don't need them right away so don't worry about it, they come in in plenty of time for sim day.

but, what about classes/labs? just not sure how that works. what do you mean exactly?

so, what clinicals do you do second semester? is it ltc again? no its the hospital this semester except for peds, then its hacienda.

TinkRN8 · May 21, 2009

Thanks! I didn't get an add/drop form, just the acceptance letter and preliminary schedule for the semester. I will email her today. Definately don't want to get dropped! That would be very very bad. Hospital should be "fun" and interesting. I just can't wait to get started!