MC3 students

Hi. I also go To Montgomery Community College (PA). I just finished A&P II and start Microbiology and Eng 101 in 2 weeks. Are you already in the actual nursing program or are you still taking your pre-reqs?

I am entering my 3rd semester of the nursing clinicals. Finally!! it has been a long road for me. When I graduate in August 2007, it will be 4 years working on this degree. I am a mom of 3 and work part-time so I know I have a lot to be proud of. Feel free to keep my user name and you can email me about questions as they arrive as you progress.

Congratulations to you! You must be very proud. I also have 3 kids. I am working full time now but know that I will have to cut back once I start the actual nursing program. I am waiting to see if I got into the Abington (Dixon) Nursing Program because they have a night/weekend program. Decision letters go out on 1/15/07 so wish me luck. I am doing really well with my pre-req classes but did not realize how much studying I needed to do just to get the A & Bs. It is so stressful and tiring because, like you, when you work and have kids there is really no time to study but late at night which takes away from getting any type of decent sleep. I am really afraid because I know that the nursing classes are going to be even harder. I am concerned about cutting back on my working too because we really need the $$ (just moved out of Philadelphia last year and mortgage has almost tripled) but know I will have to. How many hours do you feel that is feasible to work with schooling and childrens extracuricular activities and still be able to keep some kind of sanity?

Cathy

Cathy?!?!? get out my name is Kathy there are so many of us around. I work between 32-56 hrs every two weeks. I found working weekends really help. The nursing stuff is harder however what I found is that there is so much reading so if your a good reader that should come easier to you than it is to me. At MC3 we have something besides classroom time called seminar it is a 1 hr class that really has you looking at case studies and you talk about it in a group. It is important to put effort into them - however they don't hold a lot of weight when it comes to the final grade. Tests are huge when it comes to the grades, that is where I would put my time in. Also even before you get into the nursing program I would (if you can) buy the Saunder's NCLEX book. IT IS AWESOME. You could start reading the chapters and it would give you a good foundation.

You will do fine, for me financies were tight before I started and when I told my hubby I had to go to part-time, he almost had a cow, however that was almost 3 years ago and for us I know that school is right for me and the family and I believe God works everything out if it's right for you.

One important thing someone told me is "take one day at a time"

Keep in touch and let me know where you start your classes.

Kathy

Congrats to all who have made it in the nursing program at MCCC!!!! It has indeed been a long road...... I am starting my 2nd clinicle semester and hope to graduate in Dec. 07. For those who are just starting, don't let the work overwhelm you. Take it one step at a time and do not procrastinate because it will show in your work and grades!!! (I learned the hard way after my first test ) One more thing, I have found that reading the chapters assigned actually help:idea: , some classmates of mine thought they could just skip the reading and depend strictly on the lectures (unfortunately they are not moving onto the the next sem.) For those who have surpassed the second sem., how is it compared to the first? I have heard that it is definitely more of a challenge because lectures do not necessarily coincide with your clinicle experience. But, I am looking forward to peds. rather than working with the elderly. Also, is there a term paper like the first. Any advice would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks

First and formost...I have to tell you not to listen to others telling you how bad NUR 112 is...don't get me wrong it's not a walk in the park however looking back, I let it psych me out A LOT !! Peds was ok, not my field so I was not challenged however you getting into it this time of year..you will be busier. The OR rotation was fun...don't be scared, it is a teaching hospital they know you are there to observe and ask questions. They were very nice to me when I was there. The OB clinic was a bit out of sync with my rotation, if you can sign up after you had at least one day in the OB clinical setting you will get more out of the clinic experience.

As for the paper...not as overwhelming it is a critical thinking paper. You need to have the topic approved by your clinical instructor and depending on who you have she will help you pick out your topic and since she has so many articles she loans them to you to use. Don't put it off however don't get too worked up over it. Seminar was not as interesting this time either (NUR 211 is when it becomes helpful). Keep active in there though and do all that is assigned, it can save your grade.

Also, unless they changed it the final is worth 25% of your grade, just keep that in mind.

All in all...I am glad I am past it you will do fine I am sure...I agree with your post about the reading. I didn't do as much last semester and I could have higher grades in the test if I did. It's a new goal in this coming semester.

Keep in touch and best wishes !!

Kathy

Helloooo fellow MONTCO students! :welcome:

I' m currently in the Nursing program at Montgomery Community College & as shocked as I am right now, I will graduate this May :monkeydance:

I have three children as well, and I work less hrs than Kathy. 15-20 biweekly & as each semester progresses I work less & less. I have gone straight through the program & have found it to be a fabulous experience. Enjoy each moment! Soon it will be all over; for me the count down has started.....117 days left.

Advise?? Do your readings! Ask questions & form a study group. I couldn't have passed any of the tests if I didn't read the assigned chapters. Granted, I didn't read page by page, I highlighted key points, looked up meanings of terminology I was unsure of & utilized the internet as a resource as well.

Use your journals to ask questions that you're too embarrassed to ask during class ( I hate the feeling of asking a question I feel I should know the answer to!). So I use my journals for just those questions. The instructors have been wonderful and are there to support & guide you to the right path. You would be surprised at that fact if you stop listening to everyone's horror stories. I think that Nursing students love to share "war" stories of the "enemy" and "evil" instructor! I've had many of the instructors others warned me about & have had a great relationships with each of them. They are there to support you, you're failure is a reflection of their teaching skills. That's how I see it.

Well, all this positive stuff! It has been a challenge as well. I have a very demanding family & I still work. I think that if you manage your time well, take your vitamins, exercise (that's for the me time) & focus on your goals, you will enjoy nursing school as much as I have.

In 211 Seminars become intense. I loved it because it was similar to a clinical experience. It's worth 20% of your final grade & they test you on the material that was covered in seminar. So be wise & take your time with seminar. Don't take it as lightly as your 111 & 112 seminar.

If you have any specific questions I will be happy and honored to assist you. I will be on campus this Wednesday in the lab going over skills. I'm quitting my job in February so if any one needs any help with skills, I'll be happy to meet you there.

Congrats to all who have made it in the nursing program at MCCC!!!! It has indeed been a long road...... I am starting my 2nd clinicle semester and hope to graduate in Dec. 07. For those who are just starting, don't let the work overwhelm you. Take it one step at a time and do not procrastinate because it will show in your work and grades!!! (I learned the hard way after my first test ) One more thing, I have found that reading the chapters assigned actually help:idea: , some classmates of mine thought they could just skip the reading and depend strictly on the lectures (unfortunately they are not moving onto the the next sem.) For those who have surpassed the second sem., how is it compared to the first? I have heard that it is definitely more of a challenge because lectures do not necessarily coincide with your clinicle experience. But, I am looking forward to peds. rather than working with the elderly. Also, is there a term paper like the first. Any advice would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks

there isn't a big term paper in 112. As far as the readings not coinciding with the clinical experience....well that's true but not a big deal! The hardest part of 112 is getting organized with your READINGS! You're using four textbooks; Peds, Maternity, Med/Surg & Fundamentals. If you can get organized with that aspect you'll do fine. Don't allow yourself to get overwhelmed, believe me its easy to do so in this semester.

If you're married with children, you'll probably cry this semester! It feels as though there is not enough time to do it. But.....during those moments, take two steps back, look at how far you've come along, take a deep breath, breath out & keep moving forward! You're half way there. :balloons: So celebrate that success.

Funny - after having a baby you forget the pain I too forgot about the crying....mostly from my husband. I just gently reminded him of the paycheck that is coming....don't forget to take time for your family through that or any semester. It can help keep the sanity. Plus: you don't want to teach your kids to totally shut you out when they have something big going on.

Thanks Kathy!

I am going to go out this weekend and get the NCLEX guide. It's comforting to know that you were able to manage a decent workload along with going to school. I know once I tell my bosses (Doctors) that I am going to Nursing School they will phase me out. Therefore, I am staying there full time as long as possible until I am done with these pre-requisites. Do you work in the Medical field now or is it some other type of work? I know if I get into Abington Nursing School that they can place me in the hospital part time. . I am a Medical Assistant / Biller already so I may go this route when the time comes (if I am accepted -- letters go out next week - the waiting is killing me. :uhoh21: ).

I heard it's really hard to get into Montco's program as well. Did you have a hard time getting in? I wish they had an evening/weekend program?

Went to the bookstore today to get my textbooks for next semester.Guess I will take a look at them.

Good Luck to all!

Cathy

Hi are there any Montgomery County Community College (PA) Nursing students out there? If so I started a thread for us. Questions, good ideas that were helpful, helpful study habits, and clean language venting accepted here

I was a student at MCCC for three years. I am not in the school any longer and I am awaiting a letter from Dixon and LaSalle for their programs. I was not happy in MCCC. The advise I can give is in Nuring 212 and 213 they ask you to do an portfolio to submit for a grade. You need recommadation letters from instuctor and you need to present work from every semester. So save papers, journals, med sheets, and flow sheets that you get good grades on. Ask for recommadation letters from your clinical and/or instuctor at the end of the semester and you will be prepared in 212 and 213. Most students are running around during this time trying to find and or obtain this items.

I Hope all the best. I found this to be a good place for information on nursing issues.