Information on Coulmbia State Community College

Sazola..

I would wait to have it all done because there are time frames that must be met.

As far as costs, I've heard that the clinics in Walgreens/Kroger/CVS are cost effective. My insurance paid for all of mine (surprising, but they did).

Good luck!

Josh

Hi guys! I'm starting at the Franklin campus in the fall and had a couple of questions... first is where do we get our uniforms? And what exactly are we required to wear? I saw the handbook but it is pretty vague. I also saw we need goggles, do we need any other equipment?

Also, when it comes to books, what of the non-required items listed do we really need? I want anything that will be helpful, but don't want to waste money.

Thanks for any help!

chichi--

i'm almost certain you've rsvp'd for the meet & greet--we're looking forward to meeting you. as far as your questions:

there is no specific store that you must use, but you may want to wait until your official orientation before buying your uniform. the first 4-5 weeks of your clinical will be in our lab at school (unless something has changed in the last year, which i highly doubt). the biggest thing about the uniform is that neither part may be remotely similar to scrubs and it must be completely white. it was explained to us that the shirt must button or zip. in order to not be considered scrubs, the pants should have elastic band or button waist. white leather shoes that completely cover your entire foot and white socks that cover above the ankle (yes, they check...lol). white lab coat.

be sure to always wear your watch and make sure you always have clear, trimmed nails--they also check this for the first couple weeks.

as far as equipment: bandage scissors, stethoscope, pen light, goggles (which i don't think i've ever used because the hospital supplies the disposables, but you may want to have them just in case).

as far as books...i just pulled up the whole list for nursing 1--oh dear, do they think you're made of money? lol if it says required, you must get it. you will use the med surge (lewis) book all the way through, so take care of it. the fundamentals (kozier) book will be your main book during 1st semester, and is also very useful once you're writing your own care plans. (don't sell these books back!)

of the recommended: nursing care plans by gulanick is great, i have it. i bought mine from amazon for $15 as opposed to paying $45 at school. mosby's medical dictionary--i bought it from barnes and noble for less than the school bookstore. if i were you, i would probably wait on buying the care plans book until you've covered this in class. there are tons of books out there designed to help you write a care plan and all of them are different. in the lab, there is a shelf of reference books that you can use and flip through to see what you might like before you buy.

i hope this information helps! i believe you have my email in case you need anything else.

josh

Thanks so much, this helps SO MUCH! And yes, I will be at the meet and greet.

Thanks for the book advice... I am finding even the required books online for less than at the bookstore.

Wow, those uniforms sound very attractive... haha, guess I better get a watch and new socks too!

Chiara

yep, most of the time you can find books online cheaper .

however...the fundamentals book by kozier comes with a 5-disc package as well as access to mynursinglab--which you definitely need. i would encourage you to buy kozier from school so you don't have to go back and buy what wasn't included with the book if you bought online.

we're looking forward to the meet & greet! see ya then.

josh

I agree with TN Student. I found all of my required textbooks at barnes and noble alot cheaper. I even bought my fundamentals book from the publisher at a lower price. I went to www.mypearsonstore.com and typed in the ISBN# and it had all 3 cd's plus the nursing lab. I haven't opened it yet until I go to the bookstore at the school and make sure it is exactly the same. I would think it is the same because of the ISBN#.

I also ordered my lab coat, 2 white tops, pen light, stethoscope, and scissors from www.allheart.com. I found that their prices were very reasonable. I did not order pants because I like to see how long they will be. I am between an average and petite so I never know how long pants will come on me.

Anyway, I cannot wait to meet everyone on the 15th! I am so excited about starting this program and scared at the same time. I started doubting myself this summer. I think it is because of all the down time I have had this summer that allows my mind to wonder. LOL!

Hey guys - It was great meeting everyone Saturday!

Quick question about uniforms if anyone can help me out... I found some white pants that are very comfortable, but they do have half a drawstring waist... the back has an elastic waistband and the front closes with a drawstring.

Will these be OK or no?

Thanks!

I was accepted for the Spring 2010 semester in the Nursing Program. I had a question about the clinical part. I am supposed to sign up for NUR1118, it is a two part class. They have 4 classes with 10 people each. 8-12 am is the first part and the second part is either 1-3pm or 3-5pm depending upon which you take. The description of the class says clinical so I suppose the class might be held off campus? I'm going to attend the Franklin Campus and was curious where the off site locations were and if it would be possible to get back to campus in time for a micro class that begins at 12:20pm and ends at 2:55pm. Thanks for any help. I have to register for classes tomorrow and would hate to sign up, not be able to take the class, and have a big 3 hour gap in my schedule.

Sazola..

As far as costs, I've heard that the clinics in Walgreens/Kroger/CVS are cost effective. My insurance paid for all of mine (surprising, but they did).

Good luck!

Josh

Thanks. I had the physical done at the Williamson County Health Department # 615-794-1542. It cost $52 (based upon income and # of people in the family), but they forgot to charge me the tetorifice shot. I also have to go back for a second TB test, so I'm sure they will charge something for that. I made the appointment about a month in adavance as they are usually busy.

I still have to do the background check and the drug screen, but the doc that gave me the physical signed off on the drug screen so I think I can take it at any lab, not 100% sure yet.

I was accepted for the Spring 2010 semester in the Nursing Program. I had a question about the clinical part. I am supposed to sign up for NUR1118, it is a two part class. They have 4 classes with 10 people each. 8-12 am is the first part and the second part is either 1-3pm or 3-5pm depending upon which you take. The description of the class says clinical so I suppose the class might be held off campus? I'm going to attend the Franklin Campus and was curious where the off site locations were and if it would be possible to get back to campus in time for a micro class that begins at 12:20pm and ends at 2:55pm. Thanks for any help. I have to register for classes tomorrow and would hate to sign up, not be able to take the class, and have a big 3 hour gap in my schedule.

First of all, the clinicals first start off at the school to get you acquainted with your basic skills. This lasts for about 3-4 weeks. After that you will go to NHC-Cool Springs for a few weeks and then go to Williamson Medical Center for the remainder of your clinical weeks. The 8-12 is your clinical time at the site such as NHC-Cool Springs and Williamson Medical Center. The 1-3 is your lab time that is required with the clinical. This is where you will do your checkoffs of your skills. Also, I suggest taking Micro during the summer. Micro is hard enough alone much less with the nursing courses added on. Also, there is a practice lab that is not required, but I higher recommend that you attend it. On top of that, you will have patient pickup the day before your clinical day which will take you a few hours to complete your first time. After that, it should get better.

I know that all this sounds overwelling, but it really isn't as bad as it seems. Also, I wanted to make sure that you are getting a 10 panel drug test. I don't understand why your doctor would need to sign off on the drug testing. I did mine together with the background check thru verified credentials. I picked the one for both on the nursing web site, then did everything that I was supposed to on the website. I did have to call verified credentials about the drug testing as far as where it was and my reference number. The lab was Lab Corp over by the airport in Nashville.

Anyway, let me know if you need any other info. I will try to answer it if I can.

I wanted to take micro during the spring because the three first semester nursing classes are only 8 credit hours. If I take BIO2030 (micro) that gets me to 12 hours. I can then take a break this summer because last summer I took A&P I and II and psy206. Since I'll have all my classes finished except nursing, the second semester will only be 9 credit hours, third semester will be 11, and the fourth semester 11. I think a reduced # of hours is best for the second semester because of pharmacology. From what I have heard it is a difficult class.

However, from what it sounds like you think that 8 credit hours might be too much to handle in the first semster...

I did not realize I was assigned a clinical time when I wrote the above posts. I saw 4 clinical times offered and assumed I could choose. That is not the case, I was assigned a specific one which makes it impossible to take any of the 2030 classes offered thing Spring. Unless I dual enroll somewhere I won't be taking micro until the Summer, because I won't take it in the Fall with pharmacology. Thanks for the help.

One more question. Are there any used stores in Nashville area that sell used uniforms or equipment? Do I need a watch with second hand or is a digital watch with the seconds in numeral form okay?