Just got accepted! What are my next steps? (Sheridan College)

[Pokerhauntus]

Did anyone else get an acceptance to the May 2016 RPN program today? I see on their webpage that I need to complete a:

• Criminal Record Check
• Record of Immunization
• CPR Level D & Standard First Aid Certificate

Should I start on those requirements right now?

[loriangel14, RN]

I would start after Christmas. Things like your CPR will expire so don't get it too early. Police checks can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks depending on where you are so see to it by February or so. I would do the immunization a ASAP because that's where you can run into glitches and delays. Good luck.

[jrigby]

Hey! I started last May at sheridan and you won't need your clinical requirements done until you start your first placement which is soon after the midterm, I believe it was week 9, so in July. I wouldn't get it too soon because you need to get a criminal record check every 6 months, so I would get it in May, CPR you need every year and first aid every two years, so you could get that in the spring. No rush on getting things done, they will explain it all when you start in May but you for sure do not need it all before you start :) Good luck and have fun!

Also for immunizations they do them at the health clinic here, you will get an appointment made for you a couple weeks after you start and they do it all there and they are the ones you must get a green slip from to say you have passed all the health requirements. You will need to bring proof of all immunizations to your appointment with them and if you are missing any they will do them ALL there!

[Pokerhauntus]

No way! I've been trying to find people who are in the same program but have had little luck (through other forum sites and Facebook).

Realistically, I don't need to do the police check and the CPR certificate until after I start the program?

I'm a bit concerned about the immunization record because we've lost contact with our family doctor 7 years ago and ever since then I've been going to walk-in clinics.. do I need to provide the immunization record prior to starting the program?

How are you liking it so far? Are you finding any specific subjects difficult? Do you know where I can find study notes for the courses I will be doing in my first semester as I would really love to start reviewing now! :)

Sorry for the overwhelming amount of questions but thanks so much for your response I've been trying everywhere to find someone who is in the same program :)

[wanderlustnurse88, RN]

If you don't have your immunizations they may be able to do blood work (titres) to determine if you have been immunized already. I had records of my immunizations but my school (McMaster) still wanted the titre levels. I had to get a booster shot of one of them (rubella maybe). It just takes time to go through the process so you may want to start early. They won't expire, although you will probably have to get a tb skin test every year of the program.

[jrigby]

Yea don't get the police check until you start. The CPR you could get anytime in the spring cause u wanna make sure you have time and days that work for you when the course is offered, you need first aid too, so it's a two day course.

do you live in Ontario/peel region or something? Your school should have a record and they automatically get it sent to sheridan when you start. But u don't need proof of immunization until after you start the program, week 3 I think.

They ru go through the whole process with you for immunization once you start at the health clinic and you have 10 weeks into the program until you need it so don't stress now!! Also, they do take mandatory blood work for I believe, hep b and chicken pox!

First semster is really weirdly easy, idk where you could get course notes because all of the notes are posted on your corse website on the first day of classes. But I wouldn't worry about your first semster classes, they're a breeze. Unless you have a hard time with math, then study dosage calculations, that's the entire course, it's online and you need 90% to pass, but if you're normally okay with math it's okay! Second semster is brutally hard and you'll wonder what on earth happened, it's like a million times harder than first semster but then third semster gets easy again so once you get to second semster just work hard and you'll be fine.

if you have any other questions just let me know! I absolutely love nursing

[Pokerhauntus]

Hey Jrigby! How are you finding the fast-track program so far? Are there any courses that you recommend I study before starting the program besides dosages (I struggle with math and chemistry). My boyfriends cousin gave me a bunch of nursing books including:

- Pharmacology for Nursing Care

- Diagnostic & Laboratory Test Reference

- Essentials of Nursing Research

- Writing Matters

- Clinical Calculations

- Medical Surgical Nursing

- Chronic Illness

[costa233]

I am also starting the rpn program in May at sheridan

[Pokerhauntus]

Nice! Have you started on getting your CPR certification?

For some reason when I got onto AccessSheridan account and go to MyStudentCenter it says that my application is still conditional even though I finished all of the requirements. Is it like that for you as well?

[costa233]

Yes all that matters is the end line of your application status. Firm Admit or something like that which probably changed to accept firm already.

[costa233]

I already have my cpr cert which is going to be expired by august 2016.

[costa233]

Have you been enrolled in any classes yet?