waterchickvick

Of the people in our class who I have talked to, about 90% are still working full-time. I'm not sure how much longer we will be able to keep it up, but I have a mortgage and bills to pay, so quitting work is not an option. The key to managing the workload in the classes is staying up with the reading and, in the case of pharmacology, the audio files. If you have the opportunity to do so, I would highly recommend you take pathophysiology before you are accepted into the nursing program. It is listed as a biology class, not a nursing class so it is open to anyone who has the pre reqs...you do not have to be a nursing student to take it. I took patho last semester and am so glad I did. The last I heard, not only will the program still be around in 2012, but TWU is hoping to double the class size of the weekend program. Best of luck! Vicki

Don't get bogged down by the patho book! Read my posts #40 and #42 above to Chiro. You will not be expected to know everything in the book. Even the chapter summaries at the end of each chapter can get too detailed for what you will need to know for the exams. I did like the practice tests in the workbook. At the very least, the practice tests give you an idea of how the questions are structured because the exam questions come from the author's test bank. Dr* hand-picks the questions, too, so she picks mainly those things she has covered in her notes. Seriously, if you only study the notes and you understand what is contained in them you will get a B with no problem. Remember that everyone else in the class is in the same boat! That's why Dr* gives you 5 tests and curves each one to an average score of 80. Don't freak out yet, we haven't even started!!!:)

Hi waterchickvick, thank you for your post concerning patho. I have another a quick question about patho. I am following Dr. ********** notes as I am reading the textbook. Her notes seem to be a overview of the chapter and they leave a lot of the details out. I find I am spending A LOT of time filling in the blanks in the notes she is leaving out. Does she expect us to know all the little details for the test? You're right, Dr. ********** does leave some HUGE gaps in her patho notes based on the book. For the most part, she does not expect you to know all the minute details of sections she doesn't cover. She hardly touches on chemical reactions, hormonal interactions, etc. that can get really specific and detailed in the textbook. I would suggest you read the material, but don't get caught up in it. I did the same thing for the first test, taking my own notes from the textbook to supplement the provided notes. It seriously took hours and I really didn't do that much better on the first test than the others. Dr. ******** will also say that you should already know your A&P and that she won't be testing you on that. Ummm...wrong. She will test you on A&P, so be sure you know the system overview chapters. There is as much on A&P as there is the mechanism of disease. Geez, is it 3 weeks and counting already? Everybody get the CPR emails Dr. ******* has sent out? I feel like I'm forgetting something. I guess I'll find out soon! Vicki

Questions are fact based...no real analysis. 100 questions per test with a 2 hour time limit. I bet if you put an hour a day into studying you'd get an A. I just wasn't that motivated last semester! If I had been able to use my book on the tests, I probably would have gotten an A. So, if she gives the same test in class and online and you use your book online...I'd say you have a decent shot at an A.

I've had a couple people contact me since I took patho in the Fall asking what to study, how to study and what the tests are like. I figured I'd just put a posting out there rather than cutting and pasting the same response to everyone. First off, I got a B in the class. Honestly, I didn't really apply myself. If you are considering sitting in on the lecture that Dr. ***** offered up, I wouldn't bother. She posts the notes that she reads word for word to the class during lecture. I have very, very few notes that I took to supplement her provided lecture notes. I am old school and like the face to face, but it was a waste of time and gas for me to go to class and be read to. In terms of what and how to study, there's really no good answer. Dr. ***** will preach to you that the study guide will be your best friend. Um...not so much. It is good for the summary and practice tests (answers are provided in the back). I don't think I cracked the textbook for the last two tests. I read every word of every chapter, did the practice tests and the works for the first test and got a 90...with the curve. It just wasn't worth the time and effort I put into it. Dr. ***** chooses questions from the textbook author's test bank. She will post a "review" on blackboard before each test; her directed review is laughable. After the first one, I didn't pay attention at all. It doesn't seem like there is any rhyme or reason to the question selection. There was at least 1 question on every test that I thought to myself "I have never seen or heard of that..." Tests are multiple choice with very few matching questions. Dr. ***** curves every test. She curves so that the average grade is about an 80. Don't let that fool you. I think the best non-curve grade over 5 tests in our class was an 85. 5 chapters per test is a lot of material. By the 3rd test, I was basically studying the lecture notes, reading the chapter summaries in the study guide and taking the study guide practice tests. About a third of the class dropped after the 3rd test. It is nice because Dr. ***** will give you 3 tests before the drop date. You'll definitely know how you're doint by that point. I bet there were no more than 5 As in the class, so it is possible if you want to put forth that kind of effort. I was absolutely fine with a B. I hope this gives some insight. If you have any other questions, post 'em up!

The sheet they gave us at orientation didn't have the ISBN numbers, so it was helpful to those of us who were there, too. Thanks chococat17! Not to take sides or anything, but check www.barnesandnoble.com. I'm not sure how long it lasts, but everyone gets the 40% member discount. The pharm textbook is cheaper and the pharm workbook is the same price. The Assessment books are sold separately, but come out cheaper in the end. Didn't look at shipping as that may be a factor since Amazon was running free shipping. Anyone know how much they are running at Majors? Their website doesn't list books. I haven't checked prices on software anywhere else yet. By the way, chococat17, they should just take your last three posts and make them part of the orientation packet. They'd save about an hour! How novel, a list of everything we need before January 22. You're a GENIUS!!!

a little more info for those taking care of immunizations through tarrant county. tb skin test is $20. varicella titer is $41. cash or check only. the main campus only gives adult immunizations for immigration purposes. you will have to go to one of the branch locations for anything besides tb. check the website jakktwo posted...it has service locations and contact info. definately call before you go. they have a set number of immunizations the individual locations can provide each day. i got my tb skin test done but had to go back for the varicella titer because they had reached their daily quota. on the tb skin test, you will get a "shot" then have to return about 2 days later to have it read. be prepared to wait.

Hey Chiro...sorry for the long post but didn't spend any time trying to figure out if I could attach a word file. Below is the syllabus for Fall Patho with McArthur at the Dallas Center. Dr. McArthur mentioned in class this week that she will allow both the current (5th) and yet unreleased (6th) editions of the McCance textbook for the Spring class. I will try to remember and bring my 5th edition to orientation if anyone is interested. Fall 2009 Monday 8:30-11:30 Room 219 BIOLOGY 4344.30 Pathophysiology Instructor: Dr. M.C. McArthur Office: 273 Parkland Campus Telephone: 214 689-6620; email [email protected] Course Text: McCance, Kathryn L., and Huether, Sue E., Pathophysiology, Fifth Edition C.V. Mosby Co., St. Louis Missouri, 2006. ISBN 978-0-323-03507-1. Workbook: McCance, Kathryn L., and Huether, Sue E., Pathophysiology, Fifth edition Elservier Mosby Co., St Louis, Missouri, 2006. ISBN 978-0-323-03623-8. Date Chapter Subject Aug 31 14, 15 Structure and Function of the Neurologic Systems Pain, Temperature Regulation, Sleep and Sensory Sept14 16, 17, 18 Concepts of Neurologic Dysfunction Neurobiology of Schizophrenia, Mood and Anxiety Disorders Sept 21 Exam I (Covering: Unit V, Chapters 14-18) 20 Mechanisms of Hormonal Regulation Sept 28 21, 22 Alterations of Hormonal Regulation Structure and Function of the Reproductive System Oct 5 23, 24 Alterations of the Reproductive System Sexually Transmitted Infections Oct 12 Exam II (Covering: Units VI & VII, Chapters 20-24) 25 Structure and Function of Hematologic System Oct 19 26, 27 Alterations of Red Blood Cells, Alterations of leukocyte, Lymphoid and Hemostatic Function Oct 26 29, 30 Structure and Function of Cardiovascular and Lymphatic System Alterations of Cardiovascular Function Nov 2 Exam III (Covering: Units VII & IX, Chapters 25, 26, 27, 29, 30) 32 Structure and Function of the Pulmonary System Nov 9 33, 34 Alterations in Pulmonary Function, Alterations of Pulmonary Function in Children Nov 16 35, 36 Structure and Function of Renal and Urologic System, Alterations of Renal and Urinary Tract Nov 23 Exam IV (Covering Units X & XI, Chapters 32-36) 38 Structure and Function of the Digestive System Nov 30 39, 41 Alterations of Digestive Function Structure and Function of Muscular System Dec 8 42 Alterations of Musculoskeletal Function Dec 12 Exam V (Covering: Units XII & XIII, Chapters 38,39,41,42) Course Description: Biology 4344 is intended for students majoring in Nursing or Biology. It has as prerequisites eight hours of anatomy and physiology. This course involves the basic study of physiological systems in health and disease. Lecture notes are available on Blackboard and are free to download once you are registered for the class. Material covered on exams will be taken from the text, lecture notes and class discussion. Class attendance is strongly recommended. Primary Objectives: - To introduce students to the changes that disease can cause in the various human systems. - To prepare nursing students for further more detailed studies as they move on into their clinical courses. - To provide an understanding of the overall pathological process emphasizing both the cause and effect of these physiologic cellular changes. Grading System: There will be five exams during the semester. Each exam will be worth 100 points and will determine one fifth of the grade. The fifth exam is not cumulative. There are no extra credit options. A = 90 or above B = 80-89 C = 70-79 D = 60-69 F = 59 or below Absence from exams will be handled according to the College of Nursing guidelines (see page 3 of syllabus). No one will be permitted to take the exam if they are more than 15 minutes late arriving at the scheduled exam time. Grades will be posted on Blackboard a day or so after the exam date. The exam will be available for review at the next class period. If the student does not attend the class during which the exam is reviewed, only a grade will be given out at a later date. The last day to drop a class or withdraw from the Fall Semester is Thursday November 5th at 5 PM.

Plasma... I'm taking patho at the Dallas center on Mondays with McArthur. Over the hump, only 2 tests left!

I have experience with the facility from a patient perspective. My father was treated by one of the founding partners for several years. The fact that I am 40 years old and decided to pursue a second degree in nursing partly because of the care he received from the entire staff should speak volumes. Their (relatively) new facility on Magnolia is amazing. I don't have one bad thing to say about the Center. Good luck!

Hi all. Thanks to whoever started the weekend program thread! I'm taking patho now and have talked to some of the people in the traditional program. Sounds like we've got our work cut out for us. Glad I'll at least have patho out of the way! Congrats to all of us that were accepted. I think this will be a great venue for us to share whatever information we come across. Looking forward to meeting everyone in December...