MDC Fall 2011 - PART TIME Program

[fem]

Hi Everyone,

So far it appears like I've only been accepted into the part-time RN program at MDC.edu (Miami Dade College) for August 2011 (Fall 2011).

There is another LONG thread for MDC Fall 2011, but it isn't specific to the part-time program. I'm not sure if other students who have been accepted to the part-time program will start collaborating, but if they do, this might be one good place to start!

Sincerely,

Fem

P.S. Well, it has taken me 3 (three) tries to create a new discussion thread. I'm hoping this is in the proper place & location. I'm hoping I get some students post here. Collaboration is a wonderful thing.

[MiaNur]

Just got my syllabus from Ponce this morning. The following books are on the required list, but I would wait to see what she says during 1st day. It does say to read Chapter 34 before class. Apparently, she wants us to read that week's assigned chapter before each class. Also, I was wrong about who had sent the email before. Apparently it was GONZALEZ,BARBARA,V. My advice: read CH 34 of fundies (all about asepsis) before tomorrow night and read chapters 9, 10 and 12 of the jarvis book before Saturday.

Doenges, M., Moorhouse, M. (2010). Nurses Pocket Guide: Nursing Diagnoses and Interventions. 12th ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Doenges, M., Moorhouse, M. (2008). Application of the Nursing Process and Nursing Diagnosis: An Interactive Text for Diagnostic Reasoning. 5th ed. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Faculty. Associate degree nursing curriculum (2001). Miami: MDC

Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G. (2007). Fundamentals of Nursing (7th ed.). St. Louis: Mosby

Elsevier.

Smeltzer, S.C., Bare, B.G., (2010). Brunner and Suddarths Textbook of Medical Surgical

Nursing (12th ed). Lippincott, Philadelphia.

Tabers Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary 21st ed. (2009). Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

Van Leeuwen, Poelhuis,-Leth, D., & Bladh, M. (2011). Davis’ Comprehensive

Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications (3rd ed.).

Philadelphia: F.A. Davis.

[NRSGRL4583]

Hi MiaNur, I got the same Ponce email. Im only confused by the med-surg book requirement. I didnt buy it bc the bookstore told me not to until January. I guess Ill bring this up with her tomorrow. Thanks for the heads up about the Barbara Gonzalez email, I have not recieved it yet. Time to start reading away...

[MiaNur]

Getting super excited about tonight! Got an email from Gonzalez this morning that says the following (incase you have not received it):

I will be your professor for Adult Health Assessment, reference #663618 and #663646 beginning Saturday, August 27, 2011. In the next few days, I will email you the syllabus, other course materials you will be needing, and a room number once available. If you have any questions, my contact information is below.

[fem]

Glad to see some familiar faces at Fundamentals class Tue night 6/23!

I had thought I was going to meet others who blog here... but alas, maybe we didn't have the same professor?????

Anyone who is in the process of downloading, installing the following books to their computer / portable device... please let me know:

a) Tabers medical encyclopedia

b) Davis' comprehensive handbook of labaroatory diagnostic tests with nursing implications (4th ed)

c) Drug guide for nurses

I'd love to brainstorm with you on how to accomplish this task.

[fem]

this is a test

[fem]

Ok. I can see all us part-timers are busy studying.

I notice that some of the younger part-timers are preferring facebook.

So, I'm back to studying.

I wonder if this blog will "die out"?!

[Phaint]

Hey guys, just thought I'd drop by and see how the programs going for you all.

[fem]

Hi Phaint,

Most of the part-timers are working full-time and going to RN school (almost full-time). It is not an easy road. Some people have the luxury of going to RN school full-time and not working. (ah... the life!)

The part-time schedule varies. The 1st semester has 4 classes. Which is only 1 less than the full-timers. The difference is that one of our 4 classes crosses over into Semester 2. But we also pick up a new class starting semester 2. Either way... this semester will be much harder than next semester (best I can tell).

Look on MDC's website for details of what classes are which semester.

I think many students are having a tough time. Others are at the head of the class... for example...

one student is one semester shy of being an LPN.

one student is a paramedic

one or two students are physical therapists,

etc.

I'm sure I'm not 100% accurate on this... but the point is that people with prior experience in the medical field outshine those of us who do not have any medical background.

Some full-timers I know are MA's (medical assistants).

The REQUIRED textbook list given at orientation was a joke.

It was designed for full-timers + Only 1 of my professors is using the textbook EDITION that was on the required list. 3 of my professors are using older editions. Wish I'd had the syllabus up front so I'd saved more money.

Bookstore isn't crazy about refunding $.

BEST TIP: Find a student "ahead" of you willing to give you some tips, advice, & guidance. And be sure when it is your turn that you help someone "behind" you.

Gotta try to find some sleep (if I can).

[fem]

Phaint,

Any specific questions I can try to answer for you?

I suspect most part-timers are not going to have time to blog. One lady in our class is trying to get a "facebook" group going. I think she has 15 students doing that. Maybe I join in? Not sure... we'll see.

Having contact information for fellow classmates is helpful.

The same "facebook" lady was smart... she passed around a list...most everyone put their email addresses...

then if you were trying to find a "study buddy" or in my case, someone to practice with... you could mass

email to find that one person out of 50 that could practice at the same time/date you could.

If you do mass emails. It is smart to put something in the SUBJECT LINE of the email to save the recipients time.

Ex: If you have Prof.Smith-READ THIS

Ex: If you can practice lab skills on Tue 9-12p READ THIS

I wouldn't even open the email if it didn't pertain to me.... saves VALUABLE TIME.

Tue & Th night classes have all 50 students in it.

The Saturday classes are typically broken down into groups of 10, so different professors.

Saturday schedule = 3 hour class - 1 hour break - 3 hour class

1=Fundamentals Lecture - is all scantron-type test. But not the typical testing. Make sure you do "testing strategies for beginning nursing students" before starting RN school.

2=Fundamentals Skills lab is "hands-on" - no lecture type tests... it is all "demonstrate your skills" test.

3=Physical Exam & Health Assessment - 80% "demonstrated your skills" test, 20% grade based on other.

4=Pharmacology / Math 1 - bring a pencil or 5 pencils! calculate your butt off. Know your conversions.

There is a bit of flexibility among classes.. meaning that my full-time friend's professor for Physical Exam & Health Assessment isn't really "testing" them... they are just standing up in front of class & demonstrating their skill. But she has an EZ professor (rated 4.0 on ratemyprofessors.com). All my professors are rated fairly hard.

IE 2.5, 3.0 & 3.2

I'd be thrilled if I had an easier professor = less stress. But at least my prof's seem to be smart & kind. No jerk professors... thank god.

[fem]

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK LIST GIVEN AT ORIENTATION (a month before RN school starts): Try to avoid feeling the urge to cough up the big bucks and buying everything on the required list. This complete list was geared towards full-timers. I didn't need to buy Med-Surg books til January (enough expenses now!) Many students said they never even looked at the "curriculum" (on the required textbook list),so I didn't buy it. If I were to to it over again, I'd try to buy older edition textbooks for cheap IN ADVANCE OF DAY 1 CLASSES, then get the syllabus, then decide if I felt it necessary to pay big bucks for the new editions from the bookstore. I'd get the accompanying workbooks, too. One has been very helpful. Another required.

My big mistake was buying the "set of 3 books"

Taber's medical dictionary

Davis's drug guide

Lab Diagnostic Tests book

It was in a sealed package and said, "included CD so you can have the books on your computer, phone, or portable device". What a joke!!! There were only 100 drugs on the CD. And the Lab Diagnostic book was internet based (so you can only use it if you have wifi or internet phone)

I would have been smarter to go ahead and buy/download these 3 books from the internet directly onto my portable device (ie Iphone, or other smartphone, or Ipod Touch 3rd generation).

itunes ... (cooperates with skyscape --- see skyscape.com)

there are other websites that offer the 3 books (see unboundmedicine.com, for example).

Having these items on a portable device makes CLINICALS easier. (I'm told).

Certainly you can run to the Nurses station & compete with real nurses doing their job for access to the info...

or carry 3 heavy books with you on the hospital floor (Hahahahaha!) So, I'm not saying this is your only option... but consider electronic portable device for these 3 books.

I've been using 2 of these books on a daily basis. So many new terms to know. If you don't look them up, you don't understand what you are reading.

NOT ON "REQUIRED LIST" but you REALLY NEED IT!!!!

Stethoscope,

BP cuff

Watch with second hand

WATCH:

Ok, what you really need is the following,

waterproof watch

military time

second hand (to take vitals exam - 30 second count x 2 = pulse)

large face with contrast to easily read the dial & second hand

(white color watch looks nice)

When you find this watch... LET ME KNOW!!! LOL.

One student ahead of me laughed when I said I needed a second hand watch. I said, well, I've heard it is hard to count the pulse (1,2,3,4...) while watching a digital watch showing (23, 24, 25, 26...) not to mention trying to do it while a professor is monitoring / testing you. Yep, get the second hand watch til you get some practice & comfort level.

I thought, OK, so I get a digital watch with 24 hour time and a lapel watch for the second hand to do pulse. This idea didn't work too well. Because you have to discreetly (without "patient" knowing it) count the respirations right after doing the pulse. Only way I can figure out hot to do it is with a wrist watch.

OK, probably TMI (too much info).

Ciao.

[Phaint]

wow thanks for all that info fem :) sounds exciting, I can't wait. You can't choose your professor I assume then, it's just random? Any idea what days/time your clinicals would be?

[fem]

No, the schedules AND PROFESSORS are assigned. No options.

I just kept checking my schedule online to see when I could print it.

When I saw it, I printed it. But beware, there were changes...

so print again the day you go to class. (room numbers, professors, etc).

One WHOLE class waited and waited outside a door for the professor to show

to the room number assigned. An hour & a half later, the professor calls one

of the waiting students and says, "where are you?" The professor didn't think once that it was strange that ALL of her students weren't in her classroom???

You would think she would have walked down, around & looked for a big group of students waiting. Then again, if it was me, I would have gone to Security (the only resource available on Saturdays for this type of problem) and tried to resolve the problem. Anyway... mistakes happen. The class lost half (1.5 hours of a 3 hour class) of their demonstration time. I felt badly for them.

One student tried to get an override into one of my professors classes.

He said he was unsuccessful.

CLINICAL DAYS

Part-time Clinicals will be on Saturday (it is a long, busy day).

I'm told the hospitals are busier during the weekends.

So the full-timers have a slower weekday clinical.

Our first semester clinical is a nursing home not the hospital.

When we get to Med-Surg (3rd semester) the clinical is the hospital setting.