Xyra, at Indy we were told to bring the "Skills checklists to accompany Taylor's Fundamentals book" to Lab, but that we didn't have to bring the big Fundamentals book itself. For me, I have Fund. lecture preceding Fund. lab so I will end up bringing the textbook to Lab anyway. I don't think we have to bring our "Calculation of Drug Dosages" book since that is all self study at home, but I will probably just throw it in my backpack anyway.
At Indy we don't have Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills as a book, but we did have to get the Taylor's Video Guide to Clinical nursing Skills set of CD-ROMs.
I think the medical dictionary is just for home reference, and probably the lab tests ref. and drug guide would be good to have at clinicals once that starts.
Xyra, at Indy we were told to bring the "Skills checklists to accompany Taylor's Fundamentals book" to Lab, but that we didn't have to bring the big Fundamentals book itself. For me, I have Fund. lecture preceding Fund. lab so I will end up bringing the textbook to Lab anyway. I don't think we have to bring our "Calculation of Drug Dosages" book since that is all self study at home, but I will probably just throw it in my backpack anyway.
At Indy we don't have Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills as a book, but we did have to get the Taylor's Video Guide to Clinical nursing Skills set of CD-ROMs.
I think the medical dictionary is just for home reference, and probably the lab tests ref. and drug guide would be good to have at clinicals once that starts.
Thank you for responding! I think I'll bring my Fundamentals book for the first day and then see if we actually need it. I will definitely be leaving the medical reference books at home though. Thursdays are going to be a handful for me as far as bookwise. I have Fundamentals class then Pharmacology right after. For some reason, I'm paranoid about leaving any books in my car even if it is locked.
Ironing: I despise ironing but I did iron my uniform just a bit. Tight, starched creases aren't necessary (at least I didnt do that) but wrinkles are not going to be acceptable. They want you to look professional.
Indy Dress code for LAB (when in uniform) : Make sure your uniform is clean and not wrinkled. I would suggest buying a tide pen and keeping it in your backpack just in case you need it. It came in handy for many ppl last semester. Make sure your hair is up or off your neck, dont' have your bangs hanging down over your eyes. one ring set only on one hand, no long or fake fingernails or nail polish, no necklaces. one small earring set only (like diamonds or studs, etc). don't wear part of your uniform. it's all or nothing. Don't wear your scrub pants with some diff top (in hopes of changing your top later. that won't fly).
Pharm: I suggest taking your Pharmacology book every week to class and highlighting in it. It will come in handy to do so (did for me anyway). It helps to highlight or mark things she says. She will mention particular drugs, sections, or boxes in the book that you will need to know. I heard you may be using a diff pharm book than we had so it might be different. you will want to undoutedly READ YOUR CHAPTERS for Pharm b/c you will be tested over book material as well as Powerpoint material and discussion material.
All Classes: I would suggest printing off your powerpoints and putting them in a binder for all classes and bringing with you, once you have access to them. I think the first week they usually print them off for you since you don't usually have access.
Lab: Definitely bring your lab skills checkoff book with you. We needed that every week. Our instructors would sign our book as we completed skills. You will have to bring printed items off to class each week so make sure you bring the necessary materials.
Fundamentals: I didn't bring my big giant fundamentals book to class unless specified. If you need to bring a certain book to class, the instructors were really good about informing you of what you will need to bring.
Advice: you are going to have a lot of assigments and quizzes. I would suggest you using a datebook or something where you write down your due dates. You're going to be having in-class assignments, tests, papers, online quizzes and it's easy to miss assignments if you aren't on the ball. ALSO, if you have any questions about anything, ASK YOUR INSTRUCTORS! they want you to succeed. they want you to be excellent nurses. If you don't understand a concept, they are all willing to take time out to help you. Check blackboard often!!!!!! You may need to bring a certain book or certain printed items to class.
Book Editions: I am sure that if you bought your book in the "bundle" box, you are going to be fine. Everyone is going to have the same book. The small lab values book, and drug guide book is mainly for clinicals. I don't remember having to bring it to any class, but I could be wrong.
Grades: below 75% is failing. It's a tough grading scale. Try to get over the "A" thing. honestly. Do your best but do not get hung up on the A thing. Of course you want to get all A's, we all do. But just don't be too hard on yourself if you don't get straight A's. Getting all A's is completely doable. many ppl still have a 4.0. My point is to not put too much pressure on yourself.
Friends: Look around your class the first day. You are going to be seeing these ppl as often (if not more) than you will be seeing your own family. You will be with these ppl 4x a week for months. They will understand what you are feeling and what you are going through. I suggest making friends early b/c by the end of the semester you are going to end up being friends with them all anyway. They will be your nursing family. At least, that was the case with my class....at least, that was the case w/ my group of 30. I have made lifelong friends already, and you will too.
Attendance: You will be learning a lot of info really quickly. Try not to miss class b/c you will miss out on a lot of info. Pop quizzes happen often, and a missed pop quiz cannot be made up. Pop quizzes are unannounced.
Good Luck everyone! If you start feeling stressed, don't let it get the best of you. Take it one day at a time, one assignment at a time- if you feel as if you are getting overwelmed. You can do it. You will succeed.
You guys have to wear uniforms to lab??? Wow, in Bloomington we were allowed to wear whatever we wanted to lab, and I'm very grateful for that!
One piece of very random advice - my Med Surg teacher suggested that at the end of the semester, we take all of our notes and powerpoints from class and make separate binders for them. Like a Cardio binder, a GI binder, and Endocrinology binder, etc and then when we move on to subsequent Med Surg classes, since we will be building on the stuff we've already learned, just add it to the binder that already exists. She said this is really good for studying for the NCLEX also.
I did always bring my drug guide to clinical, but also to Pharmacology class. Sometimes we would have group projects like packets to work on, and it was nice to be able to look up stuff in the drug book as well as in the text book.
I agree with what IndyIvy said about making friends in your classes. I had an exceptionally awesome group of people in my classes and we managed to make it through a whole semester with no drama or in-fighting or anything. I really am very grateful to have met all of them and I really miss them since I haven't seen most of them for 3 weeks!
Probably my biggest piece of advice, other than GET A ROLLING BACKPACK, is to just take things one day and one week at a time. Don't get ahead of yourself because you will freak yourself out if you do. I LOVE planning ahead, but I had to learn to take things one day at a time, and once I got used to this, my life was a lot easier. Oh, and back up your homework and study guides somewhere safe! I typed out huge 10-15 page study guides for every test and then saved them on my computer and on Google Docs also, just in case something happened. If you don't want to mess with Google Docs (you should check it out though because it's AWESOME!) just email everything to yourself so you have another copy. It really came in handy when studying for finals!
Okay guys almost here!!!!!! I just got my books and scrubs because my funding was cooky and because of the snow school was closed. Anyways..two questions..#1--am I the only one at Madison? I do not remember and wanted to see if anyone was in my Fundamentals Monday--9 am. #2--I am an alternate and because of that did not get to go to orientation--so what do I have to lug in there for Fundamentals? So glad I bought the book bag with the wheels!
THIS IS REALLY HAPPENING!!!! I AM SO NERVOUS AND EXCITED AND WELL..EMOTIONAL!
Thank you so much IndyIvy and Lennon for your tips and advice!!! I will try to pay it forward and go back to the board for the Fall '10 hopefuls to tell them stuff after getting through this semester.
I've been having a really hard time finding shoes that meet the requirements AND are comfortable on my feet. I can't afford Danskos or anything over $50-60, really.
I really like them but I'm not sure if the teeny holes in the sides would be considered an "infection risk"?? I found some other shoes too, but all of them have small logos or soles that aren't completely white...
I didn't think the soles had to be totally white! That never even crossed my mind! I looked at the ones I got again, and when I bought them I wasn't thinking about the soles, or even the shoestring "loops" that have grey on them. . . now I'm wondering if these would be acceptable. What does anyone think? I have until Thursday to get shoes once and for all since we don't have to wear the uniform on the first day of lab.
I certainly don't want to get marked down, whatever they called it, for shoes. I'm also paranoid about my hair now. It's just below chin length and above the collar, but I don't know if it is 'well controlled' enough (wording from the handbook).
I was thinking the exact same thing about my hair! It's growing out, but not yet long enough to put in a ponytail. What does "well-controlled" mean? Like...a can of hairspray?
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Xyra, at Indy we were told to bring the "Skills checklists to accompany Taylor's Fundamentals book" to Lab, but that we didn't have to bring the big Fundamentals book itself. For me, I have Fund. lecture preceding Fund. lab so I will end up bringing the textbook to Lab anyway. I don't think we have to bring our "Calculation of Drug Dosages" book since that is all self study at home, but I will probably just throw it in my backpack anyway.
At Indy we don't have Taylor's Clinical Nursing Skills as a book, but we did have to get the Taylor's Video Guide to Clinical nursing Skills set of CD-ROMs.
I think the medical dictionary is just for home reference, and probably the lab tests ref. and drug guide would be good to have at clinicals once that starts.