Hillsborough Community College Spring 2009

NewGoalRN · Apr 6, 2009

So, how much lab time is required? Is it per week, per month or per semester and who keeps track of it? How would that work for people attending the evening/weekend program who work? Would we have to come in, I am assuming, on off lecture days or/and is the lab openned on Sunday.

How is pharmacy taught? Also, did you find that taking Chemistry would help you in your classes?

Thanks for all the information.

NewGoalRN · Apr 6, 2009

thank you so much Roman18. I didn't see your previous post so forgive me for asking the same questions twice.

One question that I would like answered if you can, how much lab time is required? I get from your post that it is x amount and that you have to have it done by a certain time. Is this correct?

Does anyone know if Southshore is still on or Jan openning in 2010 and if so, is it weekend/evenings or just day program?

Roman813 · Apr 7, 2009

HCC Lab hours. I can't remember how many first semster nursing lab hours were required... I am thinking 15? And the computer lab hours were 5 or 10. These are PER YOUR FIRST SEMESTER. Your nursing instructor will have a sign in sheet in the labs. You will also keep track of your hours and hand in a log sheet. The computer hours are pretty much on the honor system. Same with the nursing lab hours, except you can't do those hours unless an RN is covering the lab. No lab hours are not available on Sunday. You will have to make the hours any way you can, regardless if you are a day or evening student. So if you set aside two hours a week you should have them complete before Thanksgiving. These are minimum requirements. Believe me, some of the skills videos you will want to watch several times, especially if your learning style is audio-visual, rather than just reading. After your first test, you may find yourself in the computer lab doing dozens and dozens of NCLEX style questions. It will all come into focus about week four. Toward the very end of the semester there was a shortage of RNs to proctor in the lab. SO, the point is, get them done early. Of course, this can all change a little from semester to semester. The bottom line is: Plan ahead. (There were no independent lab hours required in NP II, nor in NP III, at least for me.)

Roman813 · Apr 7, 2009

Pharmacology is integrated throughout the curriculum. As of now, you do not need a separate class. I never had chemistry, but it would of course, be beneficial. They used to teach a course called something like, "Chemistry for Health Care Professionals." Maybe they still do. So take it this summer if you don't have anything else to do. Will it help you think like an RN? Probably not. Will it make you do better in the HCC RN program? Probably not, UNLESS you forgot all your A&P.

At any rate, you don't need to master the periodic table to do well, but you need to know something about pH, acid and base. Review the A&P information on pH, acid and base. There are plenty of books to help you get through that, so don't sweat it. I'm not taking anything that might bring my GPA down before grad school.

If you are accepted in the program, spend the time between now and when you start working on things I mentioned in previous posts. Hope this helps.

NewGoalRN · Apr 7, 2009

Thank you so much, it does help. This program seems very lenient compared to others regarding lab time. Other schools have a required 4hr min per week lab time to practice skills/view videos etc.

In addition, most other programs have the pharm as a separate 2hr credit course so I am relieved.

I will be taking Chem this summer. I have the Potter and Perry book so i'll start to read the first 5 chapters. I've also begun watching the youtube videos on health assessments . I plan to review AP in the fall.

Thanks again.

booke24, CNA · Apr 7, 2009

well, i got my TEAS book so it is time for me to begin practicing! I hope it works! I need to get in somewhere to start school!

2011nurse · Apr 9, 2009

Roman813

Thank you so much for all of the helpful information/tips/etc. I am beginning to feel less nervous about starting this whole thing. This is a huge step we are all taking, and I know that we all want to be as ready as we can for this. Thanks for giving us an inside view. :)

-Jacquie

2011nurse · Apr 9, 2009

Roman813

Thank you so much for all of the helpful information/tips/etc. I am beginning to feel less nervous about starting this whole thing. This is a huge step we are all taking, and I know that we all want to be as ready as we can for this. Thanks for giving us an inside view. :)

-Jacquie

minichilli85 · Apr 9, 2009

for anyone that has started the program is there any hints that you can give as far as what to start looking over like instance the drug calculations for clinicals.

Roman813 · Apr 9, 2009

Read this HCC post all the way through. Get the book sold in the book store at HCC/Dale Mabry, and master chapters 1-8, (Clinical Calculations by Kee and Marshall, 5th edition, Elsevier/Saunders publishing.) You can buy a used book. This book was not required in Spring 2008, but recommended. You could use others.

Practice, practice. You may have to review your fractions. Learn the conversions among the apothecary, household, and metric systems. Learn the abbreviations common to prescriptions, also in the above mentioned book. Each instructor is different; some may do a math review before the calculations test, others may not. At any rate, find a math whiz and make friends. Overstudy for this quiz, and you will be glad. --Roman813

minichilli85 · Apr 23, 2009

Has anyone starting the program in august, been able to find out the books we are really going to be using

Fourhundred27 · May 23, 2009

Hey NewGoalRN!!!

I got my acceptance letter today (May 23)! Can you believe it? :roll