Hillsborough Community College Fall 2010

I have a regular electronic digital watch that does not have hands at all :-)

It does not matter as long as you have seconds there. All you need is to check the pulse for 30 sec. To some people, the second hand is helpful. For me, a watch with military time is a better option.

My advice--don't worry too much about accessories. It does not really matter. Read Fundamentals of Nursing. It's been only a month and we already finished the whole book (1500 pages) and started with MedSurg. We had to read 250-300 pages each week or more. I read ahead (600 pages before the program started) and that's why I survived. On our last test there were no As at all and only 12 Bs out of 36 people.

hey guys, I'm applying for fall 2011 semester. so how's classes so far? I have one question about the mailling application. I was thinking of mailling my application and put a track number in there. i dnt want to drive 3 hrs and a half just to drop my appliaction. so what u think i should do? I'm going in with a 3.66 GPA

u can mail your application but put a SASE in there for Millie Flores at Dale Mabry to mail you back that she received it. I would also follow up because they are notorious for not admitting you if all of your docs 'were not received' on time.

Hi NewGoalRN,

I noticed you are finishing your first semester at HCC. How did it go for you?

I'm applying for Fall 2011 and am trying to figure out what I should be reviewing/studying in the next several months to help me in my first semester. Any tips/suggestions?

Actually, I'm finishing up my second semester.

This is what I suggest that you do:

Get all the errands, doctor's appointments, etc out of the way, med refills, shopping etc

Clear an area for you to do your studies

Organize your books, study area at home- I can't study in chaos

***Read the first 6 chapters of the Math book with emphasis on the first 4 to 5 chapters. Work all of the problems. Refresh the metric system as most if all your calculations will be masged on grams, mgs, ug (nanograms) etc, I use the ratio proportion method which I found easier. Familiarize yourself with a method for drug calc. Some use differential analysis but I found that to be cumbersome and not as easy as RP.

I would tell you scan over the first 4 chapters of potter and Perry but some classes start in the middle.I would suggest you email your instructor and ask what chapters she will be lecturing on first.

If you have your DVD, view how to wash hands, PPE, vital signs, how to make bed (occupied and unoccupied), how to give a bed bath, how to take blood pressure.

You will be in the lab for the first 2-3 weeks then you will go to your clinical site. Basically, you will take vital signs, make bed, bed bath etc. Later on in the semester,you will learn how to insert foleys, assist in wound care, etc

Viewing the DVD and matching it with the instructions in Potter and reviewing your math will put you ahead and take off some of the anxiety. It did for me. They do not teach math and the review that we got was about 30mins. I was glad that I had done chpts 1-7 2xs before class started so it was just a review for me when I had to study fo r the test.

Reviewing the dvd skills mentioned and scanning the same skills in Potter will give you a leg up so when you get to lab clinicals, u would have already familiarize yourself and it won't be so new.

Hope this helps.

p.s Most students say that NP1 was harder than NP2. I tend to agree. The most challenging area was fluid and electrolytes and perhaps cardio. Many people in NP2 tape their lectures with permission. That seemed to help audio learners so you may want to ask your teacher about this. I use a couple of NCLEX books that I study out of inaddition to powerpoints and that has helped me enormously as I got an A in NP2 and going into Kaplan, I'm doing really well.

Hope this helps- feel free to ask more questions.

@SLA211

I'm sorry. I see that you said Fall 2011. I thought that you were beginning the program Spring 2011.

For your case, just continue to take your pre-reqs. If you have time, you can pick up a med terminology book and teach yourself. There's no need to take the course. Lifespan-Dev Psyc is also a class that if you have time I would reccommend that you take.

Math

Constantly review the metric systme. This will help you.

Chemistry

If you have time, I would take a chem class CHE 1045- it is needed for a BSN and it will help you wiht Fluid &Electrolytes and just knowing your element/chemical names ie. Potassiuo K+, Sodium NA etc

Pay attention to Respiratory/CArdio in AP2- don't blow those systems off. When you assess your patients, everytime you will assess lung/heart sounds. YOu will see alot of pneumonia, asthma, respiratory ailments, bronchitus, etc in the hospital so if you understand these systems, it willhelp you.

You may want to familiarize yourself with normal lab values for potassium, calcium, HG, HCT, sodium etc, you will see that all the time but it's not a big deal if you don't know them now.

There are lots of helpful youtube clips on the net on how to make a bed, how to do an assessment (good idea to watch a c ouple- not to study but to befamiliar with), how to give a bed bath, how to take vital signs etc.

Most importantly don't stess and try to make As and Bs as the program is competitive to get admitted.

I really appreciate all your help, and I'll make sure to "pay it forward" to others next application period!!! One more question...does it have to be that 7th edition Potter & Perry book....the 6th is much cheaper (however, I don't want to waste money on an older edition if I have to have the new one).

I have the 6th Edition Potter & Perry and I was fine. None of the chapters were missing. I've used it for 2smesters and I have done extremely well in my classes. The information is the same - the only difference seems to be a few more pictures here and there.

Again, none of my chapters were missing.

Thanks NewGoalRN! First of all, congrats on finishing NP2, you're half way through!!!

This information is exactly what I was looking for...something to ease the stress of the first semester! Great tips on getting "my life" organized before hand too, I hadn't thought about getting all the maintenance stuff like doctors appts out of the way.

I'm actually done with my pre-reqs and since HCC requires you have them done prior to applying, we all have a semester to sit and wait anxiously to hear if we are in. I want to use that time wisely and get ahead of the game. I had heard the math was tough and these tips are exactly what I was looking for to prepare myself.

I have a few more questions for you:

1) What math book do you recommend or which one is being used now. I can pick up a used copy cheap and no worries if they update it before I start classes as I'm sure it won't be that different and if I have to buy a new book, the extra money will be worth it as I'm VERY rusty on my math skills!

2) I thought Lifespan-Dev Psyc could only be taken by nursing students? It would be great to get this out of the way if I can.

3) CHM 1045 is a great tip, do you suggest this over Lifespan-Dev Psyc? Seems like it may help more in my first semester, but I look to you for your thoughts on this. I believe they are both required for USF's BSN or RN-MSN program, which I'm planning on going into after HCC.

4) I looked up USF's requirements and they only listed CHM XXXX, have you heard directly from them that 1045 is acceptable? I know my A&P I and II from HCC will not be acceptable and I'll have to take the 2000 level courses later, which is frustrating when time is so important and I can only take one course a semester while working full-time.

5) I was also considering taking a CNA course and getting that license prior b/c it would help me with the bed making, bathing, etc. Plus, I can then use it to get a part time nurse tech position somewhere after my first semester so I can start getting experience and making connections. What do you think of this; helpful or waste of time?

Thank you so much for all your help and insight! I feel so much better knowing that I have a plan developing to make good use of my last 7-8 months of freedom. :)

1) what math book do you recommend or which one is being used now. i can pick up a used copy cheap and no worries if they update it before i start classes as i'm sure it won't be that different and if i have to buy a new book, the extra money will be worth it as i'm very rusty on my math skills!

clinical calculations by kee and marshall 6th edition (or at least recent) read and work all problems

chap 1-7. it is simple algebra, but people get themselves in trouble on this by not taking it seriously. it is your very first test...and you want to bank all the points you can, up front!

2) i thought lifespan-dev psyc could only be taken by nursing students? it would be great to get this out of the way if i can.

much easier out of the two classes you are considering...

3) chm 1045 is a great tip, do you suggest this over lifespan-dev psyc? seems like it may help more in my first semester, but i look to you for your thoughts on this. i believe they are both required for usf's bsn or rn-msn program, which i'm planning on going into after hcc.

much tougher choice of classes compared to the dev. psych...if you can knock it out, do it!

4) i looked up usf's requirements and they only listed chm xxxx, have you heard directly from them that 1045 is acceptable? i know my a&p i and ii from hcc will not be acceptable and i'll have to take the 2000 level courses later, which is frustrating when time is so important and i can only take one course a semester while working full-time.

5) i was also considering taking a cna course and getting that license prior b/c it would help me with the bed making, bathing, etc. plus, i can then use it to get a part time nurse tech position somewhere after my first semester so i can start getting experience and making connections. what do you think of this; helpful or waste of time?

it will be a definite advantage to have some hospital experience and get your foot in the door as a cna. most hospitals require one year of nursing school before they will hire you as a nurse tech.

thank you so much for all your help and insight! i feel so much better knowing that i have a plan developing to make good use of my last 7-8 months of freedom. :)

make sure you read ahead in potter & perry...assessment chapter, medication administration, definitely fluids & electrolytes...also (and this is key!!) get an n-clex study book and start learning about "nclex-style questions". every exam you will take in nursing school will be in this style...and it is very different!!

Thank you Nickdost!

I looked on USF's site and they require a higher level Life Span class so I may try to go with CHM 1045 since I don't want to take any other courses that I'll have to end up repeating later.

And thanks for the tip on the NCLEX style questions. I have read on here that it is a real skill that has to be learned and there is nothing I hate more then to get a test question wrong because I wasn't reading the question right or understood the context in which it is presented.

I'm going to order the math book online tonight and get started this holiday break.

What term are you in or are you finished now?

You're welcome!! I finished NP 1 yesterday! I am glad to help, as there were many that have helped ME through this crazy but worthwhile process! Good luck and if you have any other questions, I will now be on here more often (until Jan. 10th) of course!! :)

Congratulations on finishing NP1!!! NOW, enjoy the holidays!

I ordered the books you mentioned this morning. Also looked into signing up for a chemistry course and wonder why CHM 1045 was suggested by NewGoalRN instead of Chemistry for Health Sciences (CHM 1032). Seems like CHM 1032 would be more of what I would need to be able to apply towards NP1 and if USF will take any CHM course when why not 1032? Any thoughts?

Are you planning on transferring to USF and doing the BSN or RN to MSN program?