Howard CC Fall 2011 Evening/Weekend program

U.S.A. Maryland

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Hello everyone! Is there anyone out there starting the Evening Weekend program and Howard Community College this coming fall? Just wondering if we can get a group together to discuss such fun things like uniforms, health forms, supplies, and all that good stuff before our program starts.

Anyone?

Torrey

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Anyone?? Or how about anyone already in the program willing to share their experiences?

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Hey! I'm sorry since I know this does not address your post but I am really curious to know if you were on the waiting list for the evening/weekend program? One of my friends told me that it may be better to apply for it since he was not waitlisted at all for it.

In terms of finding people in your class, I joined a facebook group for Howard CC Nursing, you may be able to contact some people who are members on there and they can tell you about the program since a lot of the alumni are on it. I hope this helps! Best of luck to you.

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Hi pinkcosmo. Unfortunately I did end up on the waitlist even though I applied for the evening program. However, I did apply in the second batch of applications because I did not have all my prereqs completed in time to apply in the first batch of applications. So, if I was able to apply by that first application deadline, I bet I would have gotten in and not have been waitlisted. I ended up being #17 on the waitlist though and by summer of last year, I had moved all the way down to number 1. Unfortunately that wasn't good enough and I needed one more spot to open for me to get in. I was also in county so that may have helped me get a low waitlist number. But, since that one extra spot didn't open, I ended up having to wait the year and I will now be starting in the fall.

To summarize, there are two application deadlines. If you have all of your prereqs completed by the first application deadline, your chances of getting in are much better. If you apply in the second application deadline, like I did, you might get waitlisted but there is a small chance you could slip in as I almost did.

I hope this helps some! Oh, and if you do get waitlisted like I was, the time goes by very quickly!

Oh, and thanks for the tip on finding people on facebook. I will certainly go check this out. :-)

Good luck!

Torrey

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm going into my last semester at HCC ! Feel free to PM with me any questions or concerns. It is a wonderful program.

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Thanks Torrey! This is very helpful. Best of luck to you with starting nursing school- very exciting :)

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I'm going into my last semester at HCC ! Feel free to PM with me any questions or concerns. It is a wonderful program.

Hi NurseLoveJoy! So, you are finishing up school at HCC? Congratulations! I hope to be where you are eventually!

Well, I'm afraid that I really want to pick your brain to know all about your experiences and what to expect. :o Right now, I am super curious about what to expect the first semester and if you have any advice, tips, etc.

Also, I do have one specific question for you. I have about a month until school starts and I am wondering what type of preparations or reviewing I should be doing. One student told me that I should really review my A and P. Do you have any other suggestions of things I could do to get a jumpstart? Or, at least be prepared?

Any thoughts/suggestions at all would be super appreciated!

Torrey

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Specializes in LTC.
Hi NurseLoveJoy! So, you are finishing up school at HCC? Congratulations! I hope to be where you are eventually!

Well, I'm afraid that I really want to pick your brain to know all about your experiences and what to expect. :o Right now, I am super curious about what to expect the first semester and if you have any advice, tips, etc.

Also, I do have one specific question for you. I have about a month until school starts and I am wondering what type of preparations or reviewing I should be doing. One student told me that I should really review my A and P. Do you have any other suggestions of things I could do to get a jumpstart? Or, at least be prepared?

Any thoughts/suggestions at all would be super appreciated!

Torrey

Thanks for congrats ! First let me say that HCC has a wonderful nursing program. I graduated from their LPN program in 2009 and I will be done the RN in Dec They really prepare you for the NCLEX and the working world.

The first semester for some people is the hardest, just do to adjusting to the amt. of time and effort you must put in. There is a great book I used prior to starting called " Test Success for begginning nursing students" Read that book and you should have a great foundation. After the first class you will be able to become a CNA, I strongly encourage you working as a CNA while in school, maybe even if its just per diem, this will also have help you strengthen your skills in school and you will basically have a greater foundation when coming out of school.

Other tips: Relax.:) Please take time for friends and family. Don't be so consumed with school that you don't have a social life. Always read before each class to know what questions to ask the instructor. Going to class with out any background knowledge about a subject will cause you to be totally lost. Form a study group. Your study group will become your lifeline throughout the program. Go to the study circles given by the staff. If you are falling behind don't wait until the last minute to meet with your instructor or tutor. Get help right away before it is too late. After every exam I ALWAYS stay for the exam review and sometimes meet with the instructor. It is important to know what you get wrong on exams and why.

So far as clinical: Arrive on time and prepared. Take initiative. Don't do ANYTHING without the knowledge of the instructor and the patient's nurse. Always remember that patient care comes first and your learning comes second. This mean that if s*&% hits the fan at clinical , please don't take the time to ask the nurse in charge a 1000 questions, be there to help if needed and get clarity later. Sometimes it can be very overwhelming for a nurse to have students especially if the nurse is super busy. Always ask questions by all means but have correct timing as well. Your instructor is also always there for questions.

I actually enjoy nursing school at HCC, the instructors are great and really supportive. Good luck and feel free to ask more questions.

Another person asked me about the schedule for clinical. We don't know our schedule for clinical until 1-2 days before class starts. It sucks because alot of us work and we basically have to plan our life in 7 week increments.

One more important tip: PRay ! I could not have made it through this far without God standing with me all the way. :heartbeat

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Specializes in LTC.

***sorry for the type o's and grammer. Just got off from work so i'm super tired.

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Thanks for congrats ! First let me say that HCC has a wonderful nursing program. I graduated from their LPN program in 2009 and I will be done the RN in Dec They really prepare you for the NCLEX and the working world.

The first semester for some people is the hardest, just do to adjusting to the amt. of time and effort you must put in. There is a great book I used prior to starting called " Test Success for begginning nursing students" Read that book and you should have a great foundation. After the first class you will be able to become a CNA, I strongly encourage you working as a CNA while in school, maybe even if its just per diem, this will also have help you strengthen your skills in school and you will basically have a greater foundation when coming out of school.

Other tips: Relax.:) Please take time for friends and family. Don't be so consumed with school that you don't have a social life. Always read before each class to know what questions to ask the instructor. Going to class with out any background knowledge about a subject will cause you to be totally lost. Form a study group. Your study group will become your lifeline throughout the program. Go to the study circles given by the staff. If you are falling behind don't wait until the last minute to meet with your instructor or tutor. Get help right away before it is too late. After every exam I ALWAYS stay for the exam review and sometimes meet with the instructor. It is important to know what you get wrong on exams and why.

So far as clinical: Arrive on time and prepared. Take initiative. Don't do ANYTHING without the knowledge of the instructor and the patient's nurse. Always remember that patient care comes first and your learning comes second. This mean that if s*&% hits the fan at clinical , please don't take the time to ask the nurse in charge a 1000 questions, be there to help if needed and get clarity later. Sometimes it can be very overwhelming for a nurse to have students especially if the nurse is super busy. Always ask questions by all means but have correct timing as well. Your instructor is also always there for questions.

I actually enjoy nursing school at HCC, the instructors are great and really supportive. Good luck and feel free to ask more questions.

Another person asked me about the schedule for clinical. We don't know our schedule for clinical until 1-2 days before class starts. It sucks because alot of us work and we basically have to plan our life in 7 week increments.

One more important tip: PRay ! I could not have made it through this far without God standing with me all the way. :heartbeat

Wow...what great advice! I didn't realize I could apply as a CNA after the first class. Is this right after the first semester then? Very nice to know! I think that would be a wonderful way to get in the clinical setting and get some experience. I will definately look into that as a possibility.

Also, I think you are so right when it comes to study groups and really getting involved. I will keep this in mind as well. I do have the Test Success book you mentioned! I have just started reading it and so far it is really giving me an idea of the mindset I need to have in order to be successful.

Question - do you know what the e-book package is on the booklist? It says it is required. Are we required to get electronic versions of the books? I'm just not quite sure what it is. There isn't a description on the bookstore website until mid august.

Also, do you have any suggestions for specific areas I should review in anatomy and physiology? I feel that I have forgotten alot of A and P 1 and that worries me a bit.

Thanks so much for your input!

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Specializes in LTC.
Wow...what great advice! I didn't realize I could apply as a CNA after the first class. Is this right after the first semester then? Very nice to know! I think that would be a wonderful way to get in the clinical setting and get some experience. I will definately look into that as a possibility.

Also, I think you are so right when it comes to study groups and really getting involved. I will keep this in mind as well. I do have the Test Success book you mentioned! I have just started reading it and so far it is really giving me an idea of the mindset I need to have in order to be successful.

Question - do you know what the e-book package is on the booklist? It says it is required. Are we required to get electronic versions of the books? I'm just not quite sure what it is. There isn't a description on the bookstore website until mid august.

Also, do you have any suggestions for specific areas I should review in anatomy and physiology? I feel that I have forgotten alot of A and P 1 and that worries me a bit.

Thanks so much for your input!

I'm not sure about the e-book requirements because I don't remember it being a requirement for me back in 2008.

I would brush up on my AP, mainly the functions of the 11 body systems. The heart, kidneys, liver, GI, resp, neuro are some very important systems to review.

Brush up on drug calculations too.

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Perhaps the e-book is just an option. I'll find out more when I go for the 2nd orientation in August. I've just ordered some A and P review workbooks to make sure all of those systems are fresh in my mind. Thanks for the advice!

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