I decided to create this post because I haven't seen any updated threads that relate to the Fall 2015 applicant pool. I'd love to hear from some of you out there who may have also applied so we can begin communicating with each other any updates, info, thoughts, and feelings as this is such a long and anxious process.
A bit of info about myself, I am currently attending elac, I am done with all my prereqs, this is the second time I am applying. I didn't make the cut last term (spring 2015) because I didn't have the points for speech and political science so I did them over winter, although I still don't think they will count because the grades weren't posted before the deadline! The only thing that i did extra with my time that I had proof for was Volunteering at the County Hospital in the ER, so I'm hoping that counts for something..
I have also applied to LACC, LASC, PCC, Rio Hondo, Citrus, Cerritos, but county is definitely my number 1 choice!
Thank you so much for the advice, I think I am leaning towards county as it seems it will prepare me more. Any reading material you would suggest to prep me for pharmacology or the classes in general, I really want to do well and not become suicidal .
Well pharm you do not start until week 8 or 9... I'd read up on fundamentals stuff like vital signs, health assessment.... The thing in my opinion that sets la county apart from other schools is that they line up pharm with med surg.... So on a Thursday you'll learn about hypertension in med surg and then the following Monday you'll learn about hypertension drugs and so on... There are old syllabi on the LA county website that u can look at and see the readings for the classes. If u want you can read in pharm book about dosage calc... The basic stuff I think it's chapter 14 because you will be having a drug dosage exam in week 2 or 3... You'll be getting a learning module and ampule opportunity to ask questions before the exam!!
Congrats everyone who is going to County. County grad over *here*. The program will be challenging but after being out in the real world and working with people from all over the country, I can say I am better prepared and a hell of a lot more organized than some of my peers. County is a great school!
Hey! I went to pre registration on June 19, It was good, I'm really exited, the'll give you your schedule and the list of books that you need. See you at orientation!
Congrats everyone who is going to County. County grad over *here*. The program will be challenging but after being out in the real world and working with people from all over the country, I can say I am better prepared and a hell of a lot more organized than some of my peers. County is a great school!
So exited to hear from a county grad. May I ask if you worked for county are currently working for them?
I was accepted in to county for this coming fall. My k my concern is my job. Does anyone know how demanding the first semester at county is? I would like some advice.
I was accepted in to county for this coming fall. My k my concern is my job. Does anyone know how demanding the first semester at county is? I would like some advice.
There were plenty of people who worked in first semester and had kids and did fine... It's all about knowing how to manage your time because there are still people who have no job or kids and are still struggling.
Thank you! I've been working full time and going to school full time to get all my general eds and prerequisites done for nursing school. I want to say I'm good at time managing. I hope it all works out well for the first semester. I'm super excited! Nervous but very excited!!! Thank you for the advice!
Congrats to those that got accepted. I am about to start the second semester along with RighteousJenn and I also love the County program. I am actually an LVN who decided to go generic because I also heard the LVN to RN bridge was tough because the teachers and hospital staff expect you to know what you are doing since you are already licensed. I had a few 4th semester friends say that hardly any of the LVN's that started with them in 3rd semester finished with them. At first, I was bummed that I choose to re-take my LVN stuff again, but honestly it was the best decision for ME. I was able to brush up on my skills, get use to their charting,etc.
My advice to those starting the first semester is to get your books NOW and start reading, the library at County has the previous semester syllabus you can take a look at it to know what you will be covering the first few weeks. I'm sure they may switch a couple things around but the beginning of the syllabus should be pretty much the same stuff i.e (aseptic technique, chain of infection, ADL's, going over the all the body systems for physical assessments) Lecture is usually 3-4 hours two days a week and tests and quizzes every other week, some times in the same week, it just depends. Also, memorize your Metric Conversions because not only will you have the Dosage exams every semester but at the end of semester one, you have to pass timed competencies and you will have to check your dosage and math to make sure you are giving the correct medication.
When it comes to clinicals, get there early, even if they say that it starts at 0700. This will give you time to look up new orders, or if your patient is being discharged (it happens alot). Basically, you will be more prepared. One thing I love about County, is that most of the RN's are really helpful and appreciate our help, so utilize them. Make sure you are on time and use your 3 absences and 3 tardies carefully because they are very strict with their attendance policy. Lastly, utilize the skills lab as much as you can, my one complaint about County is that practicing your skills is basically up to you to perfect, you are shown the skill once or twice by the instructor and the rest is up to you.
I am excited to be starting my 2nd semester, as I am sure you all are to start, Feel free to ask me any questions. Hope I get to meet some of you on campus.
I was accepted in to county for this coming fall. My k my concern is my job. Does anyone know how demanding the first semester at county is? I would like some advice.
Well I started the program working full time and I was able to manage fine until we started clinicals, then I had to switch to part-time, working 12-20 hours a week. Mondays is difficult to work on because you have Clinical Prep sheets that sometimes can take all night at first, depending on the labs and medications your patient has, there were times I went to clinicals on Tuesdays with little to no sleep! Then, clinicals is Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 0700-1300. Thursdays, lecture was done by 11am and then no school on fridays. The days that I got the most studying done were Thursday-Sunday. I finished my first semester as an A/B student. So what you need to think about is if you want to just pass with a C (C=RN) then it's totally manageable but if you want better grades, you will definitely want to cut down your hours, at least until you get a better grasp on what you can handle. My Employer was okay with me going from full-time to part-time until I couldn't commit to a set number of hours, mainly because I was driving to my job in Rancho Cucamonga from LAC/USC. Best of Luck with what you decide.
The only thing that i did extra with my time that I had proof for was Volunteering at the County Hospital in the ER, so I'm hoping that counts for something..
righteousjenn
708 Posts
Well pharm you do not start until week 8 or 9... I'd read up on fundamentals stuff like vital signs, health assessment.... The thing in my opinion that sets la county apart from other schools is that they line up pharm with med surg.... So on a Thursday you'll learn about hypertension in med surg and then the following Monday you'll learn about hypertension drugs and so on... There are old syllabi on the LA county website that u can look at and see the readings for the classes. If u want you can read in pharm book about dosage calc... The basic stuff I think it's chapter 14 because you will be having a drug dosage exam in week 2 or 3... You'll be getting a learning module and ampule opportunity to ask questions before the exam!!