hillsborough community college SPRING 2015

Min of 15 hrs each semester I believe

It's 15-20 lab hours a semester. It's not too bad if you keep up with it. I'm not sure I would recommend taking extra classes during any semester of nursing. You guys will have 2 summers off since you are starting in spring so if you need to take extra classes I would recommend doing it then. Semester 1 of nursing is very busy because you are learning a bunch of new concepts and a whole other way of thinking. What I mean by that is for your test questions all 4 answers you are given may be correct, however one of them is the most correct. It definitely takes some getting used to and some people struggle with this concept all the way through nursing school. Semester 2 is where you get to learn all the cool stuff. IV's, all injections (you learn about these some in NP1), NG tubes, catheters as well as a lot of the chronic medical conditions. This was my favorite semester. Semester 3 is crazy busy. You have half of the semester for OB, the other half for Pediatrics and then thrown in there you also have metal health once a week as well as 4-5 weeks where you have double clinicals (1 mental health and 1 ob/peds). It seems like you have a test every week. A lot of my classmates liked this semester because it seems that you ladies like OB and Pediatrics. I was not a fan, but I did enjoy mental health. During one of our clinicals for mental health I was asked "Are you my guardian angel?" lol Semester 4 is really hit or miss. A lot of the learning is done on your own, but you are expected to learn a lot of different acute conditions. 10 weeks of the class you have regular clinicals and regular class. Then regular class is done and you move on to your preceptorships "leadership". Half of the class will be assigned the first 3 weeks and then second of the of the class will be assigned the last 3 weeks. During this time you complete 72 hours of preceptorship where you are expected to be the nurse and manage patients on your own (with the supervision of a nurse at the hospital) I LOVED this as you get to use everything you learned. I was very fortunate and allowed to do mine in the ICU, but I know most students do their preceptorships on med/surg floors.

Also, as for community service, that will vary each semester and each campus. For SouthShore you were given pretty specific guidelines on what you were expected to do each semester. Semester 1 we worked with the elderly, semester 2 we worked with the poor/homeless, semester 3 you do a project at a daycare and semester 4 we got to do pretty much whatever we wanted. Obviously this could have changed, but just to give you an idea.

HCC is linking with USF for the BSN program. There is a lot if things still up in the air but we will be allowed to take BSN classes instead of waiting I until nursing is over. I am in Miami right now so I didn't bring my notes. It's a great opportunity and highly recommended. I think we would only take one class during NP1 and then maybe take some during summer. Then that way when we graduate its easier for us to get jobs because most facilities want you to have your BSN. So we can technically say I'm part of USF 's BSN program and we have proof that we are taking the program. I hope that makes sense. It's almost like an advancement through the BSN program. BSN program can be taken online or at campus. I hope that makes sense. Our fall 2014 class will be the first to try this. The other semesters we won't do the BSN classes due to the severity in the NP program.

That sounds like a great opportunity! I can tell you that unless you HAVE your BSN Tampa General and Florida Hospital won't even look at your resume as a new graduate. (Unless you already work there). I have a Bachelor's in Business as well as my ASN and I'm enrolled in the State College of Florida BSN program and none of that matters without having a BSN. My suggestion would be to get a part-time PCT position at a hospital you want to work at. If you do this it will make getting a job after you graduate much easier! :)

Yes! They did say that at orientation and I have my RMA and NCPT so a PCT is right up my alley!

Leap..I also have a question for you. The professors said we need to have read many chapters before class even starts. The book package is about $600 if I'm not mistaken. We don't get financial aid until 14 days after the semester starts...does this make any sense to you?

Financial Aid is always messed up. You will eventually get your money, but it seems to vary every semester. The reading depends on your campus. At SouthShore we were told to enjoy our summer and be ready to work hard once class started. We were assigned no reading during summer. As for what I would recommend, if you are going to do anything then work on Med Calc. Find the med calc book that will come in the book bundle and buy the previous version of it. You should be able to get it dirt cheap (Like $5) and all the stuff is the exact same. This will give you a nice leg up when class starts. Personally I had no problems with med calc, but I know a lot of my class had problems. It's fairly basic math and conversions, but you need to memorize the conversion ratios and find a way that works for you when it comes to converting stuff.

As for the book package, that is an interesting decision. Mind you this is only my experience, but we never used the fundamental workbook and only used the med surg workbook a few times. I never used the meg surg or fundamental pocket guide. You may be able to save money going outside of buying the book packet, but that is something that will be different to each person depending on what books you want. I HIGHLY advise making sure you get the digital and regular books for both fundamentals and med surg. I like reading an actual book so I had the books at home and then I had the digital books on my tablet. It's sooooo nice not to have to lug those heavy ass books to class every day. The books were on my tablet so I had that and my notebook during class. :) Also, you will need to get a nursing diagnoses book. (I don't think this comes in the packet). You can also get a Drug Guide and again, it's nice to have access to this on a tablet and/or phone to use in class and clinical.

Leap..I also have a question for you. The professors said we need to have read many chapters before class even starts. The book package is about $600 if I'm not mistaken. We don't get financial aid until 14 days after the semester starts...does this make any sense to you?

hey again! the red barn near dale mabry has the nursing books availabable NOW if your interested. unlike hcc all you have to do is show your award letter and you instantly have your books. on ly downside is they may have a waiting list since this is a popular and cheaper spot to get the book package. I did it last semester and got the last one available and it was two days after orientation.

That sounds like a great opportunity! I can tell you that unless you HAVE your BSN Tampa General and Florida Hospital won't even look at your resume as a new graduate. (Unless you already work there). I have a Bachelor's in Business as well as my ASN and I'm enrolled in the State College of Florida BSN program and none of that matters without having a BSN. My suggestion would be to get a part-time PCT position at a hospital you want to work at. If you do this it will make getting a job after you graduate much easier! :)

Thank you so much for the information. Since you are so good at explaining all the insider stuff:), I have to ask... Is is easy to get a PCT part time job at the hospital?? I would love to work with children, or infants. Do you know how much you get paid?? Thank you again!!!