Microbiology/Human Disease Hillsborough Community College Summer 2008

CariLiz · Apr 22, 2008

Noelleynn

Hey there. Good luck on your Socio class this summer...it'll be a breeze. :wink2:

Let me clarify the hours....for daytime if I can. The three days a week "vary" due to the fact that every semester your class times change(for daytime). For instance, this semester I will be going T & W from 1230-330 for class......lab TBA and then you pick which day you want to do clinicals either Thur or Fri. However, next semester I may be going to class Mon and Tues 830-1130 + lab and then Wed clinicals. I hope that makes sense. As far as I know, the night times do stay the same 5pm-8pm I believe.

Although a friend of mine that got accepted and starts this summer stated that they switch the days on them...like it initially was T & Th but then at the last min switched to M & Wed. Clinicals are the same at 10 hours a day on Sat. Therefore, if you work you may want to give your boss and heads up, just in case something like that happens. :uhoh3:

I hope that helps and alleviates some of your nervousness. :wink2: Have a good day.

Cari

noellelynn · Apr 22, 2008

Yes it does. I believe as you said, the evening times remain the same 5-8, but the days vary. So you are just starting your first semester of nursing school right? Or have you already completed some? What clinical will you have first do you know? And at what hospital? Do they try to place you at a hospital near your home if they can? Also, do you know if any of the clinical will be in NICU? Some hospitals allow new graduates to enter into NICU even if they have no experience, right? But with some sort of orientation for so long? Do you know any who has signed on a contract with a hospital for a certain length of time to be reimbursed for school? Does that happen anywhere around the Tampa/Clearwater area to your knowledge? And just your personal opinon how do you feel about that? I think it'd be great to get some money back from school, but at the same time I'm not sure how I feel about being "locked in" to one hospital for 2 years or so. When you sign on like that, they can place you in any dept. right? You dont necessarily have a choice of where you work right? I'd also be afraid that they could restrict the shift you could work too. Holidays, weekends, nights, whatever they wanted. Almost like they owned you for those 2 years. Just wondering your thoughts on it, or if you have known anyone that's done it and what their experience was with it. Thanks again and you also have a wonderful day!:wink2:

compassionate1 · Apr 22, 2008

Good questions Noellelynn. Thanks for getting the info

CariLiz · Apr 22, 2008

Noellelynn

To answer your questions....here goes nothing.

Yes, Aug will be my first semester. I have not completed any nursing classes beside the pre-reqs and then the Chemistry and Nutrition I am finishing up currently. I do have training from CNA(years ago) and I have experience as a medical laboratory technician..but hat is it.

I do not know what clinicals specifically will be first as I do not attend Orientation until the 24 & 25 of June. I'm sure I will know a lot more then.

If any time, I would think the NICU clinicals would be during the third semester. Not positive on that though. The hospitals that HCC says you could be do your clinicals at are:

St. Joseph's

Tampa General

University Community Hospital

James Haley VA Hospital

South Florida Baptist

Lakeland Regional Medical Center

Brandon Hospital

and others-------OTHERS???. Like where else? I have NOOOO idea. LOL.

And from what they say, you don't get to pick in choose, you have to go to all of them at different times.

Regarding coming in to the NICU department as a new grad, I'm unsure of, I know what a lot people say is they get a job at the hospital doing secretary work there last semester or two that way their foot is in the door so to speak.

I have heard of the programs that you are referring to, where you sign a contract for 2 years and they will pay such and such of your tuition. I will be honest, that has never interested me for two reasons.

#1. Hubby is military and we could move at any time therefore I do not want to be committed to something I could possibly not fulfill.

#2. Like you, I would feel as though I'm always getting the short end of the stick, whereas, I would be stuck with the holidays as you stated.

Sometimes to get the specialty you want, that's what people do. I know in my case getting into OB right away is probably going to be tough too. Though I'm still undecided, I may look for a RN job in government service after I graduate. Especially because we want to go back overseas. So we will see.

BTW, is your full name Noellelynn or is that long for something? It's beautiful.....I always have to check myself to make sure I'm spelling it correct. Sorry I couldn't be of more help...hopefully I'll know more come the end of June.

Cari

noellelynn · Apr 22, 2008

compassionate1:

are you currently taking prereqs at HCC? or are you already in the nursing program there? What area of nursing are you most interested in getting into?

noellelynn · Apr 22, 2008

Cari-

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it greatly! Sorry for so many questions, I never realize how many I've actually asked you consecutively, untill I look back and read the post! Noelle is my first name, middle name is Lynn. I wasn't very creative with my login name, what can I say!? :yawn:

So you were a CNA years ago? What made you decide you'd rather go to nursing school than continue as a CNA? I thought about CNA school myself, just to at least get out of the job I have now, and then go to nursing school while working as a CNA. But it seems like even that training will take some time and more importantly, I have bills to pay that require me to stay at my current job. I just can't wait to start nursing school and feel like I'm starting towards a job that will mean a lot to me. I just can't wait. I dislike my job so much it's almost depressing some days...well a lot of days. If only I would have made the decision to pursue nursing school years ago then it would have been so much easier...but I figure it will only get harder the more I wait...and there's no time like the present right!?

compassionate1 · Apr 22, 2008

Noelleynn: I am taking the pre-regs right now. I am finishing up Micro this week. I have only taken that and English. This summer I am taking math & Nutrition. Unfortinatly, I did bad on the math portion of the entrance exam so I have to take three math classes just to get the math pre-reg, ugh... Anyway I am basically taking a math and another class every semester until next spring, then I can finally take Anatomy 1 & 2. I am still a little undecided about what "field" of nursing I want to be in. I have thought about Hospice, I volunteer with them and have found it very rewarding. I have also thought about the E.R. I will have to do the eveing program because I have to work. :uhoh3:

Unzie · Apr 22, 2008

I have 1 week of Micro left at the PC campus, (Dr Tran). I would get into a study group soon as we had many peeps fail the first test. Everyone will pass but only about 10-15% will get an A. Thanks for the info on the GPA and slots CariLiz. I want to apply for the Fall 09 term in PC and I should be OK with my current GPA. Only have AP II left to go!

noellelynn · Apr 24, 2008

compassionate1~

what campus are you taking most of your classes at? what campus do you plan to apply to for the nursing program? also when do you plan to apply..i know you said you will be taking prereqs till next spring, but i wasnt sure what semester you were shooting for to apply to nursing school. i'm applying to the evening program at dale mabry..but i won't be applying untill probably june 2009. (for the january 2010 start at dale mabry) it sounds so far away, jan. 2010...but unfortunately i have 4 prereqs to take and can only take one class at a time on campus because of work. you said that you are also working...are you currently working in the healthcare field? hope that's not too personal, just interested to see what everyone else is up to-seeing if anyone is in the same situation as me. is this a second career for you or first time going to college? hope you're having a good week! :nuke:

CariLiz · Apr 24, 2008

Noelleynn~

First off, no need to apologize for the questions. I'm happy to help out if I can. Very pretty name......BTW, I wasn't very creative either. As Cari is my first name and Elizabeth my second. :lol2:

Yes, Oh My Gosh, I got my CNA years ago when I was 19-20(showing my age here), then I joined the military to start my career. After being a medical laboratory technician, I met my husband and we started a family, I chose to get out of the military and put my career on hold to be a SAHM. I always knew my heart was in nursing, but my first dream was to be a wonderful mom. Then a fantastic friend pushed me to go back to college. With a understanding husband, i was able to be a mom and go to school in the evening and finally pursue my dream. Sorry, that was really long.

Being a CNA, confirmed my aspiration on wanting to be a nurse yet I wanted my job to be a little more rewarding. In addition, as I'm sure you know the pay isn't that great!

I've thought about that too....why didn't I just get the ball rolling years ago?? BUT, what you have to remember is you are doing it now!!!! And two years from now, you'll be saying wow I'm so glad I gave it my all and I could have put it off for another fiver years....but I DIDN'T!!!! So kudos you! And there is definitely NO Time Like the Present! :yeah:

Unzie~ GL with your last week of Micro! I'll be celebrating next weekend after finishing Chemistry .....as I'm sure you will be too! And GL with your APII....do you know where/who you are taking it with? You're welcome for the GPA info!!! If you have a 3.45 GPA or better I would say you are in!

Good night :sleep:

Cari

Unzie · Apr 24, 2008

I have AP II this fall at Brandon, Teacher TBA. I to was in the military, and started my nusing degree many moons ago...Desert Strom, Kosov and numerous other thing kept getting in the way though! I CLEP'ed 6 credits of math in the 80's but that is the 1 thing HCC would not take so I'm taking math this summer. Just got my grade and am happy to say I got A's in both lecture and lab so I don't have to take the finals! Yea!

compassionate1 · Apr 25, 2008

Noelleynn: I am taking all of my classes at Dale Mabry. I am applying at the same time you are, for the evening also. I am taking two classes a semester, it will take me so long because I have to take 3 math classes to get the math credit. I did horrible on the math portion of the placement test. I am also taking the three other credits we need, (the one's you have to take while in the program) Nutrition, English II & maybe a History, that way I can concentrate on nursing classes. I work full time right now and will have to do the same even when I'm in the nursing program. This will be a second career for me as well, I am really looking forward to it.