Lehman's Fall 2014 Nursing Program

XF548 · Jun 5, 2014

Wow you have great scores.

Prerequisites GPA: 3.7

HESI: 88

I can't wait until next week comes.

den621 · Jun 13, 2014

I applied for the accelerated program for fall 2014 but I didnt make cut. I only got accepted to the generic two years. I graduated Stony Brook 7years ago and now decided I want a career change. My grades are not as good as you guys. I spoke to the department and supposely the letters are going out today if not monday 6/16. Hope you all get accepted.

Destin293 · Jun 14, 2014

Good luck everyone -- I remember the anticipation from last year waiting for the letter (last year they were sent out on 6/13). And den621, don't feel too disappointed about not getting into the accelerated program, it may be a blessing in disguise. I'm in the accelerated program now and in hindsight, I wish I went into the generic program. Yes, it is an extra year, but your first semester will be pretty much the same as the accelerated students (except you don't take pharmacology until the spring). While accelerated students are taking HIN 269 and doing their psychiatric clinical rotation squeezed into 3 weeks during intersession, you're enjoying your winter break with family and friends. When the accelerated students are cramming their 15 week med/surg clinical into the first 7 weeks of the spring and ped's/maternity into the second 7 weeks of the spring, and having two 12 hour clinical days back to back on top of 2 other classes, you get to take your time to actually study the material for the full 15 weeks and take the time to absorb the information versus just memorizing. When the accelerated students are taking med/surg 2 all summer long on top of 2 remaining theory classes, you're gaining valuable work experience at an internship (just be sure to apply to as many internships as humanly possible to increase your chances). And what does that internship lead to after graduation? A job. Accelerated students are sitting around talking to each other wondering if and when we will ever get hired.

So, as disappointing as it may seem, you're actually setting yourself up for great success by being in the generic program.

den621 · Jun 16, 2014

Destin923, thanks for your input. Im 29 and going back for another degree so I dont want to be too old when I take my nclex and become an RN. But I guess it has its good and its bad. The downside is that its an extra year but I get to find a part time job at an healthcare facility. I would get some experience since i have none at all in the healthcare industry. Been in financial world for past 7 years. Any suggestions you might have? Which hospital(s) would clinicals be taken at? Thanks

XF548 · Jun 16, 2014

Hi den621, have you got your letter yet? I didn't receive anything yet. And how did you find out yor acceptance?

den621 · Jun 16, 2014

i did not get my get my acceptance letter yet. I called and spoke to undergraduated Nursing Director and she told me over the phone. But I still dont think I am accepted until I receive the letter. Hopefully it will come in this week

ahreeol · Jun 19, 2014

Hey guys, sorry for not being as active on here since i posted this thread.

I received my letter today! Jun 19th, 2014.

I was accept to the program. I plan on going next week to pick up my admission packet and to register for classes.

I truly hope you all were accepted to the program as well!

Destin293 · Jun 20, 2014

den621, I understand where you're coming from in regard to the age, but rest assured, you will meet a lot of students your age in the program. I'm 31 and felt the same way when I was starting, then I realized most students were close to my age. In my original clinical group, our ages were 23, 23, 28, 29, 30, 30, 30, 31, 37, and 42. In the other accelerated group, they ranged from 24 - 52 with a lot of people falling in the 28 - 30 range. In the generic program, yes, there are a few more younger students, but also a lot of older students in their late 20's, 30's, and 40's. We're all in the same boat together, so don't feel alone =)

As far as suggestions go, healthcare experience is good if can lead to a job after graduation. That seems to be one of the biggest challenges for us. Start looking at internships early and get your letters from clinical instructors early in order to apply (some programs are selective, so apply to a lot).

As for general advice, get your process recording and care plan started EARLY. You have 1/2 the semester for the process recording and almost a full semester for the care plan, but start it early...those 2 things are beasts and it will take a lot of time. Be prepared to end up doing a lot of group work. Patho. will probably require a group presentation and maybe 300. Once you start taking the other 3 credit nursing courses, you start doing nothing but group projects and papers (in addition to your care plans). It seems like all we do at this point is write and put together powerpoint presentations.

If you can still take HIN 269 (they might have it in session 2), do it. It will clear up your schedule for the fall and you won't have to take it during intersession.

Buy the HESI books for each clinical to use for practice and start doing the questions from the start. It gets you used to NCLEX style questions.

You have to do a skills checklist for each clinical. You have all semester to get it done, but I highly suggest going to the lab and get it done as soon as possible. The lab hours are listed on the door (it's in the T3 building across from the computer lab) and they have a hard time actually being open, so take advantage every moment you can.

Do learn how to do a good physical assessment. You have to do simulations each semester and they expect you to know all the basics -- if you can blow them away by a great physical assessment, you're good.

Clinical sites depend on the group you're in. Your fundamentals clinical is in Long Term Care (nursing home). The only 3 places I know for sure are Bronx VA, Morningside, and Hewbrew Home. I'm not sure about what the other locations are. When you get into psych, med/surg, ped's/maternity/community, it's St. Lukes (psych only), NCB, Bronx Lebanon, Bronx VA, Jacobi, St. Barnabas, and Montefiore. Where you go depends on where they place you.

Good luck and feel free to ask any another questions!

ahreeol · Jun 20, 2014

Destin293,

You seem to be highly insightful with everything. Thank you for shedding much light to us "newbies." I do myself have a few questions about this upcoming semester that i wouldn't mind asking you. From what everyone tells me the main course that poses an issue with everyone their first semester is nur 301. Was that the case for you? Is the course truly taxing and hard? I hear the professor teaching that course isn't really good at all.

Also, is the dosage calculation exam we have to take before starting our first semester hard? Do you know what we have to score to pass?

Any help/advice is truly appreciated!

Destin293 · Jun 21, 2014

Yes, 301 is the main course – it’s introduction to nursing practice (A.K.A. Fundamentals). It’s the class that goes hand-in-hand with your clinical. When you’re actually going through it, it seems difficult, but once you move on to other clinical rotations, you realize how easy that class actually is. What makes it so challenging is it’s your first exposure to nursing style classes and NCLEX style questions. In all the pre-req. classes it was about memorizing the information and spitting it back. For example, a pre-req class question would be: “What is a pressure ulcer?”…a nursing class question would be, “What do you do to prevent and treat a pressure ulcer?”

Anyway, the class is all about patient safety, therapeutic communication, how to react to certain situations, and how to prioritize care. It’s pretty much stuff like, “Your patient is having shortness of breath, what do you first?” The answer would be “raise the head of the bed”. It will also cover a lot of what normal vital signs are, orthostatic hypotension, fall prevention, how to prevent pressure ulcers, independent/dependent/collaborative nursing actions, etc.

As for the professor, she’s pretty good. Her tests can be tricky, but she’s very thorough with the information and has review classes. She dominates the mode of thinking in the nursing department, though. Her doctoral thesis was on the “developing nurses thinking” so you’ll be using the DNT model A LOT. She’s also on the board for NANDA, so she LOVES her NANDA diagnoses. She’s a very unique person in that you will never meet anyone that has as much passion for nursing as she does – it’s wild. But overall, the class is not that challenging if you do the reading and pay attention. I do know of a couple people that failed, but for the most part, everyone will pass.

For the dosage calculation test, you need to score a 100%...but don’t worry, EVERYONE scores a 100%. Even if you miss every question, it will be handed back to you until you answer every question correctly. You also won’t have 2 days of orientation – you will only be there for 1 day.

ahreeol · Jun 22, 2014

Thank you so much Destin293! you have been incredibly helpful. I really appreciate your thorough responses each and every time! :)