hello! i just joined this lovely and informative site after lurking for a few weeks. i'm planning to apply for the program after this fall semester. (need to finish a&pII and college algebra).
who else?! :)
edit: can someone walk me through the application process? i know it's pretty easy, but i like knowing 100%! i'm not sure if an adviser would help me much. i know you need high school transcripts, an hcc application and a nursing application. then you just gather all the papers (including money?) in like a.... manila envelope and mail away? or can you electronically send your high school transcripts to them? thank you.
That's awesome news Kman!! Just look for Tenille (hence the Tebyrd :))
You're absolutely right about these nerves that we're building. I always have a fear of failure no matter what I'm attempting to do but this time around it's different. I truly feel like nursing is a calling for me so I don't expect to fail, but I expect to not be prepared for all of the effort and energy and dedication that's going to be needed to succeed in this program. Plus the fact that my four year old son is going to start seeing mommy a whole lot less just puts my tummy in knots
Hey ladies! The CPR class was fun. The instructor was quite humorous and that helped a bunch. And I got to meet Kman :). Orientation's almost here:yeah:!
Tebryd: Know exactly how you are feeling. Mine is five, and it's hard enough right now just taking a couple classes, and working on the weekends . Hoping to cut down on hours at work though, to make up for it.
Can you give me info on the cpr class you just took? I took a course less than a year ago, but I don't think it will suffice for the nursing program requirements.
We will all have to be each others support group, I have a 17 month old and I to am not really looking forward to the time I will be missing with her, but I keep telling myself to take it one semester at a time and that she to will benefit in the long run from this change!
For the calc test you are allowed to use a BASIC calculator (add, subtract, multiply, divide, square root), our professor provided us with calculators in NP 1. In NP 2 we can use our own, but they have to be basic ones as well.
For the clinical calculations book, I worked out of version 5 for both my NP 1 and NP 2 tests (they are on version 6 now), and I passed them both. There are minor differences that did not interfere with my test grade in any way. I purchased the older edition on ebay for like 5 bucks because the newer one came in the box. Honestly, I have not even opened the newer one yet. The older edition has been working fine.
Good luck with the math!!
This is true. I just finished NP1 and got an A grade. I did not purchase the bundle. I got the Math prior edition from either Amazon or Biblio.com for around $6 studied up to chapter 7 2xs and got close to 98s in all of my math exams. Some of the students failed the first test because they waited for the last minute to study and they did not pay attention to non-mathematical questions that were to be asked like how to mix insulin, how to put in ear/eye drops etc that all the info were in the first 7 chapters of the book.
I got the 6th edition Potter and Perry and Lewis Medsurge on line for around $8 each and I was able to study just fine. I did not use the study guides although I got the P&P guide for around $5. Some people used the guides but their scores weren't any better than folks who didn't.
The best advice I can give is to say to review the math book two times and actually do the problems, do purchase a NCLEX test review book with RATIONALEs and maybe review the assessment chapter and the fluids and electrolytes chapter as that is the area where people did the worse on the tests. It may not make that much sense to you now but if you could just scan review those chapters, u would be in good shape as the info would not be as foreign to you the 2nd time you see it.
Watch the skills dvd on how to wash hands, how to make bed, how to give a bed bath, how to glove, etc as the first 2 times we met for clinicals at school before going to the hospital those areas are covered.
I said all this to say if money is an issue or/and u don't get financial aid, you can get by by purchasing prior editions on line and not getting the bundle. The main books were:
Potter & Perry
Med Surge Lewis
Marshall & Kees Math Book
Psych Book
The yellow power point book was a waste of money- u really don't need that book as the teacher gave us her slides on line at hawknet campus cruiser
Invest in a decent pair of shoes- I paid $60 for my shoes at the uniform store at University Mall- HCC students get 10% discount. Many students had cheap shoes/tennis and complained about their feet
I got my scrubs at Walmart for $12 tops and $12 bottom- no different than the expensive ones- yes the material was cheaper but once ironed, it looked really smart and neat. I also got my lab coat for $12 at the walmart on Dale Mabry by the school
Hope this helps
p.s the first test was about 9 or 11 chapters so be prepared- it was mostly stuff in the boxes in P&P to pay attention to.
Wow, this was EXTREMELY helpful NewGoal. I have a few more questions for you if you don't mind answering.
1. Did you review the Clinical Calculations book prior to starting class? If so, at what point did you begin your review (trying to pace myself while not sacrificing my last few "free months)
2. The DVD that you mentioned, does it come with one of the books?
3. Which campus do you attend?
4. Are all NCLEX review books created equal?
P.S. Thank you for being so helpful! I can't say enough positive things about this thread (or allnurses in general).
Wow, this was EXTREMELY helpful NewGoal. I have a few more questions for you if you don't mind answering.
1. Did you review the Clinical Calculations book prior to starting class? If so, at what point did you begin your review (trying to pace myself while not sacrificing my last few "free months)
2. The DVD that you mentioned, does it come with one of the books?
3. Which campus do you attend?
4. Are all NCLEX review books created equal?
P.S. Thank you for being so helpful! I can't say enough positive things about this thread (or allnurses in general).
Ask away! This site helped me much before I started the nursing program and when I did my prereqs!
1. I reviewed the math during the summer before the semester I started. I did the first 4 chapters and did all the questions for each chapter without looking at the answerd for the first 4 chapters. Then about 2 wks later I did it again for the first 4 chapters- then I did 5-7 twice. Then right before class started I scanned again. I typed up a cheap sheet with the metric conversions- KNOW THEM especially from gram to kilogram to milligram- these are used most often. We didnt have to know much re grains just 1 conversion- i'll post that later. Practice doing the med calc- i used the D/H X V method- most simple way
2. The DVDs come in the bundle but a friend from my pre-req days loan me the dvd as you get 2- 1 for the pc and one for tv so if you can borrow it from someone or if u get the bundle- watch before class- they make u watch it before clinicals so u would be ahead
3. Dale Mabry nights/evening
4. No, all NCLEX books are not created equal. Saunders is good as well as Prentice-Hall- make sur to get one with rationales- this explains why the answer is right and why the others are wrong- once u read these, u will always remember the reason- makes no sense just to get a book with just the answer and no reason why it was correct.
What campus will u be attending?
p.s clarification- Fluids & Electrolytes was the most challenging topic for most students
Assessment wasn't hard but it is 100pages in the book and you will do assessments all through clinicals so it's good to get a jump
Youtube assessments and watch how a head to toe assessment is done.
The first math test about 5-7 people failed. I thought it was easy but then I prepared- if you know how to do the D/H X V method- very easy
Desired dosage divided by meds on hand x delivery i.e tablets or X or the solution- u have to see it in the book but every easy
We lost about 5-6 people from our class of 37 that I know off- about 2-3 people were on the edge and weren't sure if they were going to make it so that number could increase. I work fulltime and have a family so it can be done. It's all in how u answer the questions which is why having a good NCLEX study test book as an additional study aid is helpful.
There is almost always 2 answers that look right.YOu can almost always eliminate the 2 wrong answers. Most answers in NP1 has to do with assessment. However, once u can prioritize ABC you will be on your way. Most of the time, the questions have clues to the answers,
Good luck and if you have any other questions let me know. Psych test was easy.
Re clinical site- if you are at DM campus, imo, UHC hospital is better for clinicals over St Joes and UH Carrollwood- UHC Fletcher allows you to do more- St Joes is more restrictive and Carrollwood is a small hospital
Thanks for posting all of this information for us "newbies". I also have a few questions I'd like to ask you, if you don't mind answering.
1. What was orientation like and what was covered when you went? Is there anything in particular we need to bring or do we just show up?
2. Scrubs: I know the pants have to be white and the tops a burgandy-type color, but are we allowed to buy these anywhere and where do we buy the patches that have to be sewn on? Do you wear the scrubs to both clinicals and class or just clinicals?
3. What brand of shoes did you buy?
4. How are clinicals and what did you get to do? How is the day broken up? What time did you have to report in the morning?
5. Are classes mostly lecture or are they more hands-on?
6. How do you like the program and how much time to you estimate you spend studying each week?
It's great to hear from someone who has completed their first semester - thanks again for any tips you can give us.
Thanks for posting all of this information for us "newbies". I also have a few questions I'd like to ask you, if you don't mind answering.
1. What was orientation like and what was covered when you went? Is there anything in particular we need to bring or do we just show up?
Orientation was long and 2 days- firs day we sat in the auditorium- had to sign in, we got a packet - forrms to fill out re releases, got the immunization/health packet etc- Rise Sandrowizc spoke- said 'don't get pregnant' lol, had some other speakers, some guy went over some nclex style questions to give people an idea what the tests questions would be like, break for lunch etc got out about an hour early- 2nd day- boring again, members of SNA spoke, then spilt into groups in various classrooms and did some games, exercises, paper planning , goal talking etc these were led by some of the instructors- got out about an hour early again,- bring a copy of your CPR- both sides- they like u to have already done your background check by orientation time- bring lunch or buy lunch, pen/pencil and that's it- i always bring frozen drinks,water etc as cafeteria is too expensive and u can always get ice in a cup
2. Scrubs: I know the pants have to be white and the tops a burgandy-type color, but are we allowed to buy these anywhere and where do we buy the patches that have to be sewn on? Do you wear the scrubs to both clinicals and class or just clinicals?
Can be bought anywhere- the bookstore sells the burgundy polo shirts but they were around $19.99- most people wore the scrub shirts- got mine for $12 at walmart on Dale Mabry and pants (white) and Jacke(white) but can also be burgundy.- Patches are bought at the bookstore $2.50 each- I sewed mine on myself but most took them to the mall (University) and had they stitched professionally- think it was $5 a patch- uniforn only work at clinicals- regular clothes at class
3. What brand of shoes did you buy?
Don'[t remember but will check when i get home- got them from Life Uniform store at University mall- swear by them as I tried tennis- can'd do them at all
4. How are clinicals and what did you get to do? How is the day broken up? What time did you have to report in the morning?
Clinicals were on Sat -6:30-4pm- we met in the cafeteria- got our floor and nurse assignments-and pre-lecture from the teacher as to what she wanted us to concentrate on- We met at either 2:30 or 3Pm for post conference with the teacher where we usually talked about our day and the teacher would try to match up lecture to our experience- i had a vERY,VERY good clinical experience- i'd say better than the other 2 groups- clinicals were groups of 12 at each of the 3 hospitals
we would listen to the nurse going off duty give report to the nurse coming on duty- usually the nurse has 6 patients- based on what we were studying, we would try to get a patient who had similar issues- first 2 wks of clinicals were at shcool-learned how to take vitals
how to mix insulin
learned about wound care
how to make bed
how to give bed bath full/partial
did some work out of the book that came in the packet- did not purchase the bundle so I shared
2nd week, took math exam
either 3rd or 4th week start at hospital- first 2wks at hospital shadowed PCT and did their basic work after that worked with a nurse- got to pull meds out of Pixis machine wiht either teacher or nurse- had to write up cards with the drugs your assigned patiet was taking (at least 3) i.e contraindications, usage, indications, etc, patient teaching when giving out meds, passing meds-
taking vitals(temp, blood pressure, pulse ox), assisting to bath, charting, giving injections, accuchecks, once in a while helping PCT to clean pt if they defecate, had to do 2 care plans for the semester based on pt so had to copy chart and transfer info to care plan, assessments(full i.e checking for several pulses, looking at pupils, ears, nostrils, inside mouth, listening for lung/chest sounds (VERY IMP) for post conference then assessments in the charts etc. if a patient dies, we got to do morgue care i.e prep the dead person for the morgue etc. we also got a tour of the hospital the week before we started our official clinicals. If I think of anything else, I'll let u know or ask
5. Are classes mostly lecture or are they more hands-on?
Tues/Wed 5-8- all lecture with 1 15min break- hands on are at clinicals or the first 3 sat at clinicals at school- use the maniquins or each other
6. How do you like the program and how much time to you estimate you spend studying each week?
Love the program- love, love, love my instructor- I listened well in class- didn't take much notes- others did- i used nclex book- honestly i work full time- u will never have timet o read all the material when test ate 7-9 chapters unless u don't work- pay attention to boxes- pay attention to what teacher says is important- i have family members who are nurses or students so iknew what to expect- i'd say try to read a chapter at least 1x- i never had time to read 2xs- i started a week to a week and a ahalf before a test to review- i scanned when i studied for the test, read the highlighted portions, reviewed the boxed info in p&P etc I didn't do study groups- some did and it worked for them but for me, my time was limited as i work fulll time so I studied on my own.
If you take the advice I'mgiving you here, u should be fine- review the math chpts 1-7 twice and do the problems- it's easy- know the metric system, know the method above for med calc, read/scan the assessment, fluid & electrolyte chapter, review dvd for handwashing,how to glove, how to make bed, how to give bath etc u have 3mths before Fall class- use the time wisely- that is alot of time
Oh, u have to do 5 computer hrs and 10 lab hours- don't wait to do lab hours- start early
It's great to hear from someone who has completed their first semester - thanks again for any tips you can give us.
:) NewGoal RN....THANK YOU!!! It is AWESOME that you are taking the time to answer all of these questions! You obviously remember not long ago when you were getting ready to start YOUR journey!! You are obviously juggling quite a bit...you should be very proud!
I will be in the Dale Mabry DAY program...what have you heard about it in general?
I got some good advice early on, and have been studying the Math, NCLEX, and have begun P&P... I want to limit the impact of the program on my family as much as I can, so getting ahead is critical!
Thanks, again, for all the information and I know that we will have a few more questions for you soon!!
. Hoping to cut down on hours at work though, to make up for it.
tebyrd0020
200 Posts
That's awesome news Kman!! Just look for Tenille (hence the Tebyrd :))
You're absolutely right about these nerves that we're building. I always have a fear of failure no matter what I'm attempting to do but this time around it's different. I truly feel like nursing is a calling for me so I don't expect to fail, but I expect to not be prepared for all of the effort and energy and dedication that's going to be needed to succeed in this program. Plus the fact that my four year old son is going to start seeing mommy a whole lot less just puts my tummy in knots