Los Medanos for Fall 2011?

want2banurse35 · Jul 22, 2011

I am a health science as well. Fall would have been my last quarter.

It took me a little over two weeks to get everything together.

Caffeinated RN · Jul 23, 2011

I already had all of the immunizations/titers, so the requirements did not take me long at all, since I was able to get in with my PCP for a physical relatively quick, though my PCP's office did not do vision or hearing tests, which my PCP signed off as a "grossly normal" on the exam list. However, because I had the time, I did go to a hearing specialist for the test, and I did pull my optomtery records. I am mentioning all this becuase it may be worth your while to just ask the nursing dept if it is ok to forgo such tests and have your doc simply write it that you are grossly within normal limits. Honestly, while it was cool, I did not need a bunch of fancy-pancy tests to prove that I can hear well, nor was it necessary for my doc to give me a vision test when I already commit to wearing corrective lenses full-time.

The drug/background screening is fast. Once you pay, you can go to the drug site right away, since you can print out your little ticket stub, and they process the drug screen in 2-3 business days. I received my background/drug results in the mail a week after I initiated the process, and I am sure LMC gets it faster through electronic records.

You will have to also complete 3 online orientation for clinicals, which takes roughly an hour each to complete, FYI.

Since we don't start working in the hospitals 'til Week 4 or 5, I am sure that alternatives selected late will have a fair deadline to complete the requirements, so I wouldn't sweat it.

I am excited to meet all of you tomorrow! I can't wait to put faces to names and start feeling like a REAL LMC nursing student!! :yeah:

Caffeinated RN · Jul 23, 2011

Oh, and how could I forget - CPR card! If you don't have one already (BLS for 2 years), sign up NOW - RIGHT THIS SECOND! No joke! Space can fill up fast depending on the time of year.

want2banurse35 · Jul 23, 2011

I was wondering are the textbooks we need for the whole year or only for the semester. If they are for this semester only.... :eek: :eek: :eek:

Caffeinated RN · Jul 23, 2011

I'm thinking it is for the whole 2 years thankfully, which I am basing on the curriculum I received when I orginally got into SJDC in Stockton. Their books are comparable, and they stated that those books would be almost all that were needed for the entire program. So, I expect LMC isn't too different. Or maybe it is just wishful thinking on my part! :rolleyes:

DReinerMBA · Jul 23, 2011

I was wondering are the textbooks we need for the whole year or only for the semester. If they are for this semester only....:eek:

Pretty sure they are for the whole year. Sure hope so! Guess we can

ask the class of 2012 today. See you all there!

want2banurse35 · Jul 23, 2011

See you guys there in a couple of hours....I will be wearing jeans and a red shirt!

want2banurse35 · Jul 24, 2011

It was so nice to finally get to meet everyone today. I look forward to seeing you all again in August!

Also, we have a Facebook if anybody wants to join, you are more than welcome!

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Medanos-RN-class-of-2013/168096523249706?ref=ts

DReinerMBA · Jul 24, 2011

It was nice to finally meet everyone. Enjoyed the conversations with all of you, and it was nice to put the face to the post.

want2banurse35- thanks for posting the photo on Facebook AND for putting up the link. I hope we get more of our class on our Facebook site.

Enjoy the last 3 weeks before the fun really begins!

BCT1 · Jul 24, 2011

Hello everyone. It was great to finally meet you and your families. I'm glad we got to wear name tags, I found that helpful.

I am shopping around for prices right now for books, I was wondering if it would be okay to purchase an older edition? I noticed one edition behind is nearly a $100 in savings. For those of you who have already purchased your books online, did you purchase the ones that are exactly pictured on the handout located inside our nursing packet? And regarding the stethoscopes, where is a good website to purchase one?

DReinerMBA · Jul 25, 2011

Bianca, I would suggest looking at http://www.allheart.com. I have bought a lot of stethoscopes from them and right now they are having a great sale. Also they will engrave on the tubing or bell, which is nice. Another site is http://www.uniformcity.com.

Ilove my Littman Master cardiology but you can get others which are less such as the Littman Classic, Littman Classic SE. I have always found the online uniform stores have much better prices, if you don't mind the online ordering.

Not too sure it would be a good idea to buy older editions.

Caffeinated RN · Jul 25, 2011

I would be hesitant to buy an older edition. I learned through taking my EMT class that some things do change from year to year. The best example I can think of at the moment is how the CPR guidelines keep changing - soon, there is the likelihood that rescue breaths will be eliminated all together in favor of focusing on chest compressions. There are also differing opinions in regards to basic life support treatments, such as controlling bleeding, in determining which methods are best, and this is because research is constantly updating our knowledge. I know I would not want to go into a test thinking that I have a slight disadvantage due to the books I have!