My orientation!

[krenee]

I had my nursing school orientation this week. I thought I'd share about it here, since all the "nursing students" in that forum wouldn't have a need to know. Things that surprised me - I didn't realize they would assign us to clinical rotations and we wouldn't have any say in when or where we would go - they use many hospitals in the area, in groups of ten students - my first rotation is REALLY far from here (it'll be an hour and a half commute with the rush hour traffic!) and it starts at 7am. I am SO not a morning person. Oh well. That's only for five weeks and my second rotation isn't as bad, it's not as far but still starting at 7am.

We had to take a math test which surprised me - we already had to have Algebra plus pass the TEAS before applying. It was easy but only 20 questions - if we missed more than 2 we have to take some extra math course.

We need nine books for the first semester, so that'll be expensive! And they already gave us assigned reading for the first two weeks! But the funniest was this sheet with expected outcomes and skills we need to learn - I thought it was for the first semester - no, it's for the first WEEK. Ugh, we have to learn bed baths the first week, and I'm so dreading that. Well, I assume won't have to deal with any real live naked people until we start clinicals (week 5).

So I'm signed up for all my nursing classes! I had my schedule all mapped out but there was a required class they somehow forgot to tell us about - it wasn't on the list at all but it was attached to another class so the system made me sign up for it - some "independent study" thing - and it screwed up my entire schedule. So it was kind of insane, plus the classes were filling up fast because everyone knew what exact time they were opening up the classes for registration. It was stressful, but I'm all signed up.

So lots to do and ORDER - I have to order a uniform (and the link they gave us doesn't work!), a stethoscope, some "skills pack" thing, insurance, and of course all my books. I need to get my student loan worked out, get a physical with vaccinations, and my CPR certification.

Anyway, just thought I'd share!

Kelly

[pogi]

Wow, how overwhelming! I start Aug. 20, but we have not had orientation yet. I'm super nervous about what to expect. Thanks for the information. What kind of math questions were on the test?

[Kare117]

Kelly,

Thanks for sharing. Boy it really give us some insight. I knew it would be alot but the stress must already be starting for you.

Kare

[krenee]

What kind of math questions were on the test?

Like I said, they were really easy - adding, subtracting, multiplying & dividing with fractions, some rounding questions, some conversions from metrics to english but they gave us the conversion factors, and some basic solving for X involving fractions. Oh, and some percentage questions, like converting from decimals and fractions to percentages. I wasn't worried except that there were so few questions, so three stupid mistakes, and I'd have to take that extra math class. So I definitely double checked all my answers!

Kelly

[*Blessed2BaNRS*]

Wow, makes me wonder what my orientation and classes will be like! Mine doesn't start till August 20th, and orientation is the week before, on August 14 &15. I do have my booklist already, and I know that I have to have 18 books, not including 2 for orientation, and that my schedule is class/labs 3x a week from 8:00-5:00, and clinicals 2x a week from 5:30a-5:30p. Luckily, the hospitals are all right here close by me, so that won't be a problem, but I am freaking about the booklist. Only 2 of them are recommended, so 16 are required, all for the first semester!! Good luck to all~

[JoAnnS]

hi.. thank you for the information. school starts 9/6 for me. i have already started getting my shots. cpr is set for end of july. i am somewhat nervous too. i am trying to get information, from other nurses who are already experienced, on books to read over the summer or flash cards.

if anyone out there has some suggestions!.. i sure do appreciate your time.

[amwhit]

Thanks for the info! Wow, that is a lot of books, 9 and 18. Does your required book list include specific reference books.... drug guides and medical dictionaries?

[krenee]

Does your required book list include specific reference books.... drug guides and medical dictionaries?

Mine doesn't . . . it includes textbooks on different aspects of nursing but no reference books. I have a nursing drug handbook that was required for my pharmacology class though (which I'm taking this summer to get it out of the way). LOL I just noticed on the back of my paper that there are 2 more required books and one optional, so that's 13 books total. I really need my student loans to come through so I can start shopping for these!

Kelly

[avatar78]

I had an initial orientation Thursday, and then a full 8 hour orientation in August. They said this year all nursing students will have PDAs, so we won't have to buy the drug and disease reference books. But we will have to buy the programs, so it'll probably work out the same. I like gadgets, so I was glad to hear that.

[*Blessed2BaNRS*]

Hi amwhit,

My booklist does have 1 med. dictionary on it. It is "Stedman's Medical Dictionary for Health Professions and Nursing." That is the only one, and the drug guide they have listed is "Prentice-Hall Nurse's Drug Guide." They do have a Nurs Pocket Guide listed, but it is one of the recommended books. The rest are textbooks that are required.

[lilyellowmama4ya]

Thank you so much for sharing and giving your insight. My accelerated program doesn't start until October, but orientation is next monday for about 8 1/2 hours. I was going to call tomorrow and find some stuff out but you gave me some idea of what we would be doing. Thanks again.

[beckersSN]

wow... my orientation is july 9th and I don't think that date is ever going to get here!! I'm so excited to start now that I've been accepted. I can't wait to see what all I have to get before school starts