GCC students??

GlendaleStudent · May 23, 2005

So..........if I wanted to take a phlebotomy course on Thursday nights that would be impossible? I'd really like to take it.......

I guess that depends on when you are planning to take it. If it is during clinicals, I would say definitely NO...you will be too busy starting your care plan. If it is during the lecture, I think it would be doable, but then you still have your pathophysiology to do, so you will not have much free time. Is there any way you can take it now?

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · May 26, 2005

............doesn't look doable Glendale Student. I think it would interfere way too much with clinical prep. Also, right now I am scheduled to work a full day on Thursday so I won't get off work until 4:30. I am thinking now that may have to change as well. :uhoh3: Hmmm. Just when you think you have it all planned out.... :rolleyes:

Well, guess I'll give nursing school its shot first and then if that doesn't work out maybe phlebotomy and lab work. It is all a big experiment for me after all!:rotfl:

Good Luck in your clinicals. I hope they get easier for you..the careplans too. I got my books yesterday and just looking at them was enough to make me want to drop out. Yikes!:stone I still need a few more that were on backorder.

Wow, I hope I can do this. The eebie-jeebies are setting in. Do those sound familiar?? :coollook:

GlendaleStudent · May 26, 2005

............doesn't look doable Glendale Student. I think it would interfere way too much with clinical prep. Also, right now I am scheduled to work a full day on Thursday so I won't get off work until 4:30. I am thinking now that may have to change as well. Hmmm. Just when you think you have it all planned out....
Well, guess I'll give nursing school its shot first and then if that doesn't work out maybe phlebotomy and lab work. It is all a big experiment for me after all!:rotfl:
Good Luck in your clinicals. I hope they get easier for you..the careplans too. I got my books yesterday and just looking at them was enough to make me want to drop out. Yikes!:stone I still need a few more that were on backorder.
Wow, I hope I can do this. The eebie-jeebies are setting in. Do those sound familiar??

You can do this!! You will be anxious about all of your first tests (everyone in my class was). I think the biggest mistake that most students make is that they don't study enough. If you study, you will do well. Clinicals are getting better...thanks for the encouragement. :)

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · May 27, 2005

You are too sweet, Glendale Student! Thank you so much for the vote of confidence!

I think I am just plum out of questions now. :rotfl: Can you imagine???:)

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Jun 1, 2005

I have the reading assignment for the first day of class and was wondering....do you think I should take specific notes on that material? Did you? I am afraid I won't do something right and get yelled at the first day of class!:chuckle Oh jeez, I am already scared!!:stone

Should I stop freaking out until orientation?? :rotfl:

Hoozdo, ADN · Jun 1, 2005

I have the reading assignment for the first day of class and was wondering....do you think I should take specific notes on that material? Did you? I am afraid I won't do something right and get yelled at the first day of class!:chuckle Oh jeez, I am already scared!!:stone
Should I stop freaking out until orientation?? :rotfl:

Aww, don't freak out now, wait till you get the grades from your first tests :rotfl: I didn't go to Glendale for block 1 and block 2 - I went to Maricopa Skill Center for nurse assisting, block1 and block 2 while finishing up prereqs at night at Glednale and Rio.

I can tell you in block 3 the first tests blew me away. First of all we had 3 tests in 3 different classes in one week. For me that means I don't excel on any test, I am just mediocre on all 3. I also found that you don't get taught all the info you need to know to be successful on tests. Besides reading and highlighting stuff I needed more. The reading assignments are horrendous so it is difficult to retain EVERYTHING I read even with highlighting.

My advice for block 1 and 2 is to get an LPN NCLEX book - I like Saunders the best. You can use that to help study for tests. Also, I found that if I outlined the course from the syllabus that is popped my test grades to an A. That is a LOT of work, but I found it necessary to go from a very low C to A's on test. If you know what is on the syllabus by detail you will do well on the tests.

OK, enjoy the rest of summer till orientation.

Lu Ann

GlendaleStudent · Jun 1, 2005

I have the reading assignment for the first day of class and was wondering....do you think I should take specific notes on that material? Did you? I am afraid I won't do something right and get yelled at the first day of class!:chuckle Oh jeez, I am already scared!!:stone
Should I stop freaking out until orientation?? :rotfl:

The first few tests are scary because you don't know what to expect. The testing is a little different and I'm told that the questions come from NCLEX...critical thinking questions. So, getting a NCLEX book might not be a bad idea (like LuAnn suggested). One of the girls in my class did write outlines from the book and she did very well in the class. I didn't have time to do all of that. I work 40 hours a week, so it was hard just for me to get all the reading done.

For process, if you have a good understanding of the pathophysiology, you will do well. The questions are more situational. For example, "If a patient comes to the ER with these signs and symptoms.......what is the best thing for you to do?" All of the answers might be a good answer, but they are looking for the best answer.

For the Assessment class, I studied alot from the study guide and I think that helped me the most in this class.

The pharmacy class starts out the easiest, but the last 2 tests get harder. I don't think anyone flunked Pharm.

Don't freak out!!! You're gonna be fine.:)

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Jun 3, 2005

I will get that NCLEX book.

Wondering too........when I did CNA clinicals, the instructor urged us to work in the healthcare field as CNA's because she told us that once you get into nursing school you are "expected to know the skills and won't be retaught". She told us not to get rusty, that if we did, we would literally drown in nursing school.:stone

I have since gotten "rusty" and don't work in patient care. Is there any review at all?:chair:

:)

Hoozdo, ADN · Jun 5, 2005

I will get that NCLEX book.
Wondering too........when I did CNA clinicals, the instructor urged us to work in the healthcare field as CNA's because she told us that once you get into nursing school you are "expected to know the skills and won't be retaught". She told us not to get rusty, that if we did, we would literally drown in nursing school.:stone
I have since gotten "rusty" and don't work in patient care. Is there any review at all?:chair:
I wouldn't worry about it. You probably remember the basics - how to make a bed with a pt in it, how to properly lift a pt with a gait belt, pt safety, etc. I never worked as a CNA and never intended to. I also have an LPN and never have worked as one - I just went straight through school. I must admit that I would have been more secure in my skills in block 3 if I had worked as a LPN. I was going to this summer but my mom has severe health problems and has been in ICU and vent hospital for a month - getting my own clinical time right there!
Lu Ann

GlendaleStudent · Jun 6, 2005

I will get that NCLEX book.
Wondering too........when I did CNA clinicals, the instructor urged us to work in the healthcare field as CNA's because she told us that once you get into nursing school you are "expected to know the skills and won't be retaught". She told us not to get rusty, that if we did, we would literally drown in nursing school.:stone
I have since gotten "rusty" and don't work in patient care. Is there any review at all?:chair:
:)

No, there is not a review for the CNA skills and you are expected to know. At school there is a lab that you can practice taking blood pressure, and other vitals. I wouldn't worry about it too much. You can practice right before clinicals if you feel you are rusty. I don't work in a hospital and I do think that I'm a little slower at doing things than some of the students that work in a hospital setting, but I don't think that you are going to "drown."

Curious1alwys, BSN, RN · Jun 11, 2005

Glendale Student and Luann.........do you guys work in healthcare now? If so, did going to nursing school help you get your job?

Hoozdo, ADN · Jun 11, 2005

Glendale Student and Luann.........do you guys work in healthcare now? If so, did going to nursing school help you get your job?

I don't work in healthcare or anything right now - just going to school full time. I don't think I would have had time to work in block 3, though some students did and barely managed to pass!

Actually most of my experience comes from being a patient! I had a liver transplant 11/99 and have been through extensive health problems with my parents. Right now, my Mom had surgery to reverse a colostomy on 5/5 - developed MRSA pnuemonia, was in ICU 2 weeks on a vent, a specialty vent hospital for 3 weeks, and just yesterday got transferred to a skilled nursing facility for physical rehab.

As far as a job, I think you can get by being a CNA in block 1 and block 2 if you want. After block 2 you could work as an LPN once you take the NCLEX. I have my LPN but have never had time to work as one - I just got it because I could :chuckle Jobs are kind of limited as LPNs, there are mostly used in long term care facilities. Most hospitals don't hire LPNs but there are some opportunities.

I can tell you that nursing school is much easier if you have some experience in the health care field. Gee, wait till you start doing nursing care plans - I never knew nurses HAD CARE PLANS when I started! Most of my class didn't know either. You will be spending lots of time doing care plans - not part of your question but I thought I would throw it in. Just give a yell when you need help :)

Lu Ann