Montgomery College, Fall 2011, 1st semester students

MomBak2Skool · Jul 21, 2011

Professor Matthews e-mailed me back saying that in regards to the clipboard and designated area for personal belongings, it varies by facility and we will be informed of the facility's rules/regulations by our clinical instructor. As far as the bag, she said we will need something to carry books, supplies, lunch/snack, etc. so I think a bag would definitely be useful. Whether or not we'll have somewhere safe to store it though, again, is up to the facility we get assigned to.

I think I may wait then to get the clipboard. But I'll probably get the nursing bag I wanted to get:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045EJL8O/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=A24XRVET3WP5I5

Nikki, I went with the French Grey Chai Check bag. It's got GREAT reviews and an extra padded compartment for me to store my computer. I think I'm still gonna get that Timex grey/pink watch too (even though I already ordered the frosted digital Nurse Mates one). It's only $12 and it would be great to have a "back-up" watch or something extra if I feel like being colorful one day.

Nikki, I think it doesn't really matter how early you are to registration. As long as you're there by start time, you'll still get to draw from the first lottery. Let's say out of 50 people that are supposed to come to registration that day, only 20 make it there by start time. Then only those 20 people would be able to participate in the first lottery and the #s would be from 1-20 but you would all draw at the same time. If the remaining 30 people come later than start time, they would miss the first lottery and would only get to choose #s between 21-50. I'm pretty positive it's not going to be a first come-first serve type of thing. Just make sure you get there before start time, and you'll have the same chances of getting a low # as anyone else that makes it there before or by start time. At least this is how I understand it's going to work. I could be totally wrong! Lol

mom23boyz · Jul 21, 2011

Hmmm, I guess I understood it to work differently then. They kept stressing how important it was to get there on time so I assumed that meant that the earlier you were there the lower your number. But from the way you put it, it sounds like we still draw from a hat? Do they only do 20 at a time????

MomBak2Skool · Jul 21, 2011

Well, I think if 40 people come on time then they'll do #s 1-40 in a hat, or whatever they make you draw from. I don't think they'll do 20 at a time. But that's how I think it'll work. Hopefully all 50 or 60 don't show up on time! I know that's a horrible thing to say but that will work in favor of the ones that do get there on time!

MomBak2Skool · Jul 21, 2011

Have you ordered your stethoscope yet? Or are you waiting until after registration? Will you get extra forceps, scissors, and penlight(s)/batteries since the kits only give you 1 of each? I'm really curious about what our assignment is going to be...

Lil-Dragon · Jul 21, 2011

Hey girls! Man the air quality is bad! I really think my asthma is coming back...

It sucks we still won't know about the storage and clipboard situation @ clinicals. I'd be PO'd if my stuff gets stolen and from what I've read on this forum, many hospitals have theft issues.

So Nikki, you got the blue watch and Andrea, you got the clear jelly and you'll be getting a second one for back up. I like the backpack that you chose. I got my bag today. I hope it does the job...I put in three of the larger textbooks and there's still room for other stuff.

I remember the ladies telling us to be early. So does this mean getting there 1 1/2 hr early is a stupid idea?

Lil-Dragon · Jul 21, 2011

I haven't ordered my scope or other tools yet...hoping to get it as a gift! I won't hold my breath, though. I'm debating on getting a second set of tools for now, but plan to get another set in the future.

mom23boyz · Jul 21, 2011

I'm still confused how this is going to work on Tuesday with the lottery. There was a total of 112 of us I believe she said. Let's just divide the alphabet evenly and assume 56 come Tuesday. Are they shutting the doors promptly at 1pm for the first round or something? Unless people have complete flexibillity and are completely lackadaisical, I don't understand why people wouldn't be there close to the start time (traffic being the exception). The way I understood it, they were going to give you a number and I thought that was based on who got there on time (which is why they kept emphasizing time). My assumption was that the first in line would get the best number. I'm having a really hard time wrapping my brain around their procedure/system.

Yes Kristian, I got the bluish watch.

Andrea, I do not plan to buy extras of anything, except maybe the penlight (or at least batteries for it if it isn't disposable).

Well I am interviewing someone on Saturday to watch my kids for fall semester. I'm a bit uneasy about her because she lives in Laurel (far from Germantown) and she would be bringing her 1 year old son with her to sit. I thought maybe this would be good for my youngest (having a pal). I asked her if the distance would be an issue and how she would deal with sick kids,as I can't miss class/clinicals. She seemed to have it together. She is young but sounds like she has a really good head on her shoulders, is organized, and reliable. Wish me luck. Of course though, I stalked her on the internet and found her facebook page. It sounds like she has several interviews lined up. :-(

MomBak2Skool · Jul 21, 2011

I think they were emphasizing time because they want everyone to know that if they get there after the doors are closed, they will not be able to draw from that lottery, which would give them an extremely LOW chance of being able to pick their first choice schedule. Whoever gets there before the doors close will have an equal chance as everyone else who gets there before the doors close of picking a good number. So if all 56 people get there before the doors close, I would imagine the lottery #s would be between 1 and 56. Having been there on time, everyone will have the same chances of picking a good number...or a not so good number.

My registration is on Thursday at 8am, so I plan to get there by 7:30.

MomBak2Skool · Jul 21, 2011

Laurel is pretty far from Germantown. But maybe with that new ICC, she can get there faster? Having a playmate could be fun for your younger son; it may help distract him from missing you so much while you're at school. I would try to arrange some kind of back-up plan if you can though; just in case she can't make it for whatever reason someday.

mom23boyz · Jul 21, 2011

She hasn't been hired yet ;-) I just posted the job today. I signed up for their premier membership because they had a 4 hour sale today, 20% off membership fees. I figured since I will know in less than a week, I'd at least float it out there with the warning that my schedule could change. Usually when I post these jobs I get a bunch of responses. She's the only one I've gotten so far :-( I'm beginning to wonder if I should look into day care facilities as well. I was in one as a kid and HATED it. It was horrible. The staff was mean, the kids were bullies, and I felt alone.

MomBak2Skool · Jul 22, 2011

Wow, that was a good deal with a very limited time window lol! Good thing you were able to take advantage of it! It's possible that since it's now summer and a lot of kids are out of school, there aren't as many nannies/sitters looking for jobs for the fall yet. I'm sure you'll get more responses by the end of next week.

Kristian, did you say you are just planning to use your backpack for clinicals? I think I may go ahead and do that too. It's just that things are really starting to add up and I haven't even gotten my uniform(s) yet. Plus, we're going to the beach with my husband's side of the family next weekend and we want a little spending money for that. Then, the following weekend my husband and I are going back to Ocean City with a long-time friend of mine and her husband for the weekend (hubby's and my first time vacationing without our son since getting married!). So we'll want some spending money for that too! My mom said she'd buy me my stethoscope so that's a huge help but I'm just trying to spend as little as possible right now. Maybe for Christmas or something I can ask for the nursing bag...

Lil-Dragon · Jul 22, 2011

Sometimes this site drives me up the wall!! I just lost everything I typed and have to do it all again!

112 students-doesn't that include those on the waiting list? Will they be @ registration? I thought there are still only 88 seats for this fall. It sounds like a regular occurrence each semester that many ppl show up late. I think 1/2 hr. early should be sufficient.

Good luck Nikki. I hope you guys hit it off and it all works out. Laurel isn't too far. The ICC goes to about where Leisure World is. And yes, a back up person for emergency or sick days would be a good plan.

Andrea, I have a messenger bag (what I got today). I think it'll fit what I need for classes. If not, then I'll use my hubby's backpack or my rolly pully, AKA briefcase w/ wheels and use the messenger for clinicals. Things are adding up fast. We still have to pay for classes, uniforms, equipment and additional titers and vacs. AND the ATI stuff.