GCU Summer 2012

[NurseKeisha]

Hello,

My name is Keisha and I am currently taking the prereqs for GCU's summer 2012 program. Is anyone else thinking about applying?

My first choice is the program at St Joe's.

[johnnyarei]

Stoofanie - I work full-time too. Unfortunately I can't afford to work part-time right now. Hopefully in the future I will be able to. I am going to be working Wed, Sat, and Sun when school starts. I'm just so excited!!!

NurseKeisha - I am sorry that you didn't make it into the program. Please, don't give up!

Lizzyru - Do you have all of these books? I will definitely look on Amazon.com to price the books and order them. Thank you so much!!!!

[Lizzyru]

Another little tip... go on vacation, do things you've been wanting to do BEFORE the first day of your class. Life changes drastically once you start your program! Hard, definitely but also very rewarding!

If you are anxious and want to know what to expect, as in how your exams are going to look like, just type in 'Nclex questions' and google... almost all of your exam questions will be asked in that Nclex question forms. It is assumed that you already know the disease process, the facts, and lab values... so the questions will come at you, for example "You are taking care of a patient with..... what would be your priority nursing intervention?" type of things. And all the answers are right.. but which one the four questions is the most critical. Let me know if I can help you in any way. Cohorts above you will be a great help in giving you tips. If you have a chance to sign up to have a mentor, I highly recommend it.

[johnnyarei]

Lizzyru - What kind of stethoscope did you end up buying?

[Lizzyru]

johnnyarei, yup, I have all these books.. and more. I love books! And Amazon is a great place to buy them from vs. school bookstore. From what I've heard, you can sign up for Amazon prime with your my.gcu.edu email account and get the 2 day shipping for free. I hope that's still the case for you guys! I have an amazon prime account.. so I didn't utilize the student one but why not take an advantage of it if you can. :)

[johnnyarei]

How do you sign up for a mentor?

[Stoofanie]

Thank you so much Lizzyru for all your book information! Do you know where to buy them cheapest? I'll look at amazon too and try and get them before school starts so I can periodically spend extra money on books. I've heard the first semester is the most expensive; I'm also curious to the stethoscope question. Do they prefer a specific one?

[Stoofanie]

Is it sad my "vacation" will probably be working for college and studying to ensure I don't get left behind in the program?! haha! A mentor sounds awesome; are they just nursing students from higher levels?

[Lizzyru]

I have a Littmann Classic II S. E. It's a really decent one but I am still having a hard time hearing clearly.. so I may go up to master cardiology. The only problem is that a stethoscope can sometimes grow legs and walk away when you least expect it to. Our classmate lost his Littmann last week at Mayo.. so you just never know! Don't leave it out unless you are wearing it or put it back in your bag. Doctors are notorious for 'borrowing' it and walking away without even realize he borrowed it from someone.

[Stoofanie]

So...keep it attached to us at all times! How much did yours end up costing? and where did you get yorus?

[Lizzyru]

I bought my Littmann a few years back somewhere between $45-50 on ebay.

[Lizzyru]

Stoofanie, I bought all my books from amazon, and yes the first level is the most expensive because you do buy these reference books in addition to your textbooks. When you get your book list, let me know which edition they are - my books are all in maticulous condition and I will be happy to part with some that we will no longer need. I can ask my classmates if they want to part with theirs as well if you like.. so just PM me when you get your book list. :)

As for a mentor program, they are students from a cohort or two ahead of you that can hold your hand and walk you through the hoops sort of speak. Some mentors are more involved than others but I think it's been really helpful for me to have someone you can talk to that has been through what you are going through. Plus, my mentor has been super encouraging and that is something you will need a lot of especially during your first level. :)

[johnnyarei]

I would like to get the Master Cardiology stethoscope. It's so expensive though. Not to mention, I will be SOOO upset if it just "walks off"! Who knows....maybe someone in my family will be nice and get me one as a gift :-)