How Long is/was Your First Semester Hours?

SaltySarcasticSally, LPN, RN · Dec 1, 2016

I'm in a LPN to RN bridge so mine is a bit different but we are 4 hours of class and 8 hours of clinical each week, 50% is online though and that is an additional 10ish hours depending on subject matter.

JJL618, RN · Dec 1, 2016

It's been pure fundamentals (the basics) with an emphasis on geriatrics for us. So each we get the taught the basics and concepts of whatever the topic may be, such as physical assessment, cognitive problems, musculoskeletal, neurological, GI disorders, urinary tract, sensory issues, diabetes, medical asepsis, wound care, and the various meds that go with.
It's a wide variety of material and there is a lot of it, especially in the beginning, but so far it isn't anything like the horror stories I've been told. Just make sure you listen during lecture, understand the concepts, learn the vocab, and you should be fine.

Very helpful. Thank you! Since I won't be starting until at least next August, and I don't have any pre-reqs I have to take, what can I start studying now to be somewhat prepared for when/if I get into the program next Fall? Any good online tutorials or anything I can start looking over?

Ilargia99, LVN, RN · Dec 1, 2016

Very helpful. Thank you! Since I won't be starting until at least next August, and I don't have any pre-reqs I have to take, what can I start studying now to be somewhat prepared for when/if I get into the program next Fall? Any good online tutorials or anything I can start looking over?

You can you up videos on YouTube to give you a better idea of what things are like. You should work on developing good critical thinking skills as that is crucial to your success, start studying common meds in the elderly and mid life adults, and learn the vocabulary.

A lot of people struggle with pharm and vocab so it's a good idea to get a head start on it. Don't spend a lot of time studying though, there will be plenty of that when school starts. Enjoy your free time!

chloebonnie · Dec 2, 2016

during my first semester we had 8 hours of clinical in a long term care facility/weekly

Shookclays, ASN, BSN, CNA, RN · Dec 7, 2016

during my first semester we had 8 hours of clinical in a long term care facility/weekly

What about skills/lecture?

mindofmidwifery, ADN · Dec 8, 2016

I also start in January :) My fundamentals class is Monday 8a-12p (lecture/seminar), Tuesday 7a-11a (clinical) and Wednesday 12p-2p (lab). I also have pharmacology online and a sort of STNA course Tuesdays 12p-4p.

umbdude, MSN, APRN · Dec 8, 2016

It's been a couple years so I don't remember exactly. My first semester had the most credits (16 credits, 4 classes). I think I went on campus twice a week (long day) and clinical once a week. There were many labs as well. In terms going back and forth campus it was the busiest semester, but it's also the easiest.

LovelyInPink · Dec 9, 2016

I start the nursing program in January and have classes Mondays/Wednesdays 12:30-3:30 and Tuesdays/Thursdays 9:00-3:30 for the first 7 weeks and then the second 7 weeks Mondays/Wednesdays 8:15-4:15. I have Fridays off.

Ilargia99, LVN, RN · Dec 9, 2016

I forgot to mention the skills that we have checked off on. They've included vital signs, CNA stuff/activities of daily living, IM & subQ shots, enemas & suppositories, eye & ear meds, oral meds, physical assessment, catheter insertion & removal, specimen collection, etc.

There could be more but I've been at clinical all day and my brain is fried.

Idiosyncratic, BSN, RN · Dec 11, 2016

First 8 weeks:

Monday - 8am-11am lecture, 1-4pm lab

Tuesday - 8am-11am lecture

Wednesday - 9-12pm lab, 1-4pm lab

Last 8 weeks:

Monday - 8am-11am lecture

Tuesday - 8am-11am lecture

Wedensday - 9-12 lab

Thursday - 6am-4pm clinical

It's been wonderful. :dead:

Edit: Also, we had check offs which took an hour, and there were four of them. We had a head to toe assessment, which also took an hour. Plus we had 3 hours of open lab we had to do. I THINK that's it.