Invitation to the nursing program at hfcc...

oguesswhat · Apr 16, 2009

Also...you will not have clinical the first 8 weeks of class. Instead you will have 8 weeks of lab where you will learn everything (taking blood pressure and other vital signs, physical exams, bed baths ect) Then you will have clinicals the last 8 weeks of the semester. 1st semester is the only semester that you will have 2 classes at once. So you will have to make sure to balance the 2. Every semester afterwords you will only have 1 class at a time (usually for 8 weeks each)

In reply to eluska question to mimommy I know that math you need 90% to pass and I believe the first few tests are 30 questions (the last 1 or 2 in only 10 questions...meaning you can only miss one!) The 1st math tests are pretty easy...as time goes on they will get a lot harder. But you always have the module and math book to help out. The pharm test I can't quite remember the grade...maybe 80%? Sorry I don't remember.

Main thing though is relax now...it's a lot harder later. At least you will get the summer off. I got in last winter and christmas break has been my longest vacation as of yet. Do as much as you can now with your kids, husband, boyfriend, or whatever now during the summer. Cause chances are you won't spend as much time with them during classes. And be ok with your gpa taking a hit. I was 4.0 going in but wanted to spend as much time as possible with my boyfriend so I get B's ha. Well off to get ready for my clinicals...only 6 more clinicals left til I am DONE!

eluska_22 · Apr 16, 2009

oguesswhat...Thank you for such a detailed reply...I hope I can pass the math and pharmacology for the 1st time...I wouldnt like to be out of the program because of those tests...We will see for ourselves how everything will go:)...I have another question what are the clinical locations and how is the psych clinical? I heard it is in closed building where you get keys...Thats kind of scary:) Could u also tell me how the clinicals look like, do we work with partners or we get patients and they tell us what to do and if we do it correctly or is it like a group thing? I know I have a lot of question:) Thanks btw for the responses:)

miMOMMYof3 · Apr 16, 2009

i 2nd that 80% on the pharm test.

Psych it depends where your at, yes they are locked units, most places you get a set of keys, but some places only the instructor gets them. In psych you dont wear you smurf uniform you wear dress/casual clothes. Psych can be intresting, but for the most part, I thought it was boring,

Cliniclas are basically everywhere and its the luck of the draw--- what you get, is what you get.

1st semester after you learn your basic nursing skills, you will be in the hospital with your clinical group, but you will have your patient. Things are scary at 1st, you will stand out side of their room and say, wow this is real.... and i dont wanna go in there! (I did, lol).... but dont worry you will learn SO much, SO fast.

any other ???s, feel free....

tonyal · Apr 17, 2009

I'm in 120/126 now, the pharmacology test is not that bad don't psych yourself out over it just go over the material and you should be fine it is 80% to pass. the math test we had 3 classes to prep and my teacher offered anyone having trouble to see her in her office. just pay attention to the rounding rules they give you.the math is 90% to pass. the teacher gave out a bunch of practice handouts, but mine also assigned homework out of the book so you might want to get it when you get your other books.

I have clinicals 2 days a week for about 7hrs a day depending on when the post conf. wraps up. one thiong I will stress DO THE EO's and keep up with your reading. and if you have problems with the first test, get the test for success book it definately helps. and listen to the others when they say dont stress about it yet enjoy your summer the books will be there at the end of august.....good luck.

RN2B73 · Apr 17, 2009

Don't mean to step on anyones toes but you actually only get two chances to pass the pharm, it's 3 for math! The math is very simple, just basic conversions and this is from someone who HATES math...lol! We did lose 3 people because of the pharm and there were many who didn't pass the first test but did the second! Just be sure and study well......good luck!

eluska_22 · Apr 17, 2009

Thanks everyone for the replies...Are these tests taken on a computer? I hate that:)...miMommyof3 Thanks for the info...I feel better about the clinicals...and Im sure I will be freaking out before taking care of that 1st patient:)...1st time is always the toughest:) I think I am ready though after waiting for such a long time! Thanks guys! Wish all of you the best!

tonyal · Apr 17, 2009

they are paper tests

eluska_22 · Apr 17, 2009

What a relieve:) Thanks!

oguesswhat · Apr 17, 2009

Psy is a love hate thing. You will either really really like it or really really hate it. I liked it...it was a nice break and I was really good at it...but I NEVER want to work in psy ha. Clinicals you have your own pts. You start with one and as the semesters go on you get more pts. You do not generally share pts with another student (expcet for like ob or peds...sometimes not always) You can assist eachother (for example if you need to change a pt position or clean them up) but generally you are responsible for your own pt and you have certain things you have to do for them (assessment, meds, bath) but it's up to you to figure out when to do them (you have assigned times for meds...but like who do you give meds to first ect) You will learn how to figure the timing out when you start.

Oh by the way I was absolutly terrified to do psy...however out of all the students in my clinical as a female I had mostly male pts. Where the students who weren't able to go with the flow I guess you could say generally had female pts. It totally depends on the instructor of course but mine was really good with that at least! Some funny things can happen in psy. I had someone think I was someone important and asked to schedule a meeting with me :-p Since they saw me talking with so many people. My boyfriend teases me if I don't like ob (which is what I want to do) I can go be a psy nurse. NEVER! Ha it still is a little terrifying of a thought now. But it is interesting!

rn2b2011 · Apr 17, 2009

Thanks for all the info guys, this is golden. What happens to those of us who take pharm

during the program, how difficult is it to pass the test? Any info would be appreciated.

eluska_22 · Apr 17, 2009

I just a have a last question about the pharm and math exams...Are they timed? Or you take them at your own pace...Thanks...

eluska_22 · Apr 17, 2009

I dont know about the psych clinical...it terifies me...but I think I will do ok...I love spending time with people and talking to make them feel better:)...I want to be either a midwife or a neonatal nurse...So I will be looking forward to the last semester:) Thanks guys!