My orientation!

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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

we don't have any type of orientation until the first week of class.... yikes!

i did meet with my advisor to schedule my classes - which worked out exactly how i had hoped. a book list sure would be nice so i could spread the cost out over the rest of the summer and have time to find the best deals.

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I already had one orientation in which we were fitted for uniforms, picked class schedule and found out everything we had to have done (physical, drug screening, background check, cpr certification ect) before our second orientation on Aug 15. During that orientation we will have classes on blood borne pathogens infectious diseases ect to satisfy clinical requirements for the local hopitals. We also find out more about the program. Its literally an all day thing from 8am to 8pm. Then classes start on Aug 20th. Its all really exciting but scary at the same time!!

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Well we had ours and it sounds similar. My schedule was already chosen for me. I go Mon-Thurs. I was shocked by my clinical hours though; 7:15 am - 9:15 pm.:uhoh3: Talk about torture!

Then we have to buy our books... early. I have 7 chapters to read already. The books I have to buy for the Fall semester total over $900 not including the $245/ credit hour and the stethoscope, shoes, scrubs I have yet to buy.

Oh get this... we have to BUY the SYLLABUS at the book store for $20/ class! What??? I've never heard of that!!!:angryfire

And they made us sign a form saying that we cannot work more than 20 hours/ weeks!:trout:

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wow... that sounds scary! I wonder what mine is going to be like. I can't believe that you have to pay $20 for the syllabus!! that is ridiculous!

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Thanks for sharing. School starts 9/4/07 for me but orientation is 7/16. Can't wait!!!!!

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Specializes in M/S/Ortho/Bari/ED.

Hi newbies!

I am excited for you all and congrats on your new careers. As a new graduate and "survivor" of nursing school please let me give you some honest advice. Please do not take this as a negative or be afraid by this, use it to your advantage to make your experience the best it can be.

Get used to everything you have mentioned, because this is EXACTLY what nursing school is like and it will remain that way for the duration of your program. You will always have things thrown at you last minute and you will be expected to adapt. Anything perceived as "whining" will not help you. Make friends fast, as they will be the strength and humor that sees you through. NS can be a very rewarding experience if you are well organized, well-prepared and stay on top of things. Get a calendar or organizer now and write down all of your tests and commitments, it was a life-saver for me. Get a lecture recorder, if allowed, you'll be surprised by how much you don't hear the first time. Don't let anything that is thrown at you surprise you, because just when you think you have been given all you can juggle, you will be given one more thing, and you have to decide now that this is what you want and nothing will get in your way.

Be prepared now to buy more books and supplies than you ever thought you would have to get, and probably extra books of your own that you will buy to help you get through.

You will do bedbaths your first week and you Will probably see naked people. Get used to it quick because you will quickly start getting more complicated patients, even if it is to change linens and empty foleys. The instructors are looking to see if you can handle it.

And as far as the MATH is concerned, be forewarned now that Nursing Drug Calculations are taken very seriously and it is standard practice to only let you miss two questions on the test. There is NO sympathy in this field for not being able to do nursing math. It's not hard, you just have to be prepared. AT my school, if you failed the test on the second attempt, you failed the entire course and potentially could be kicked out. It did happen to some.

Do not assume that 7:00 is early. It's not. I had clinicals that started at 6:00 and if you get there exactly at 7:00 you will be considered late. Plan ahead for traffic, tests, and all of the extra independent time that is not on the course listings, because nursing school does not accept excuses when you have a bad day. They can't. We are responsible for people's lives. I'm not being mean, I'm telling you what you will hear.

Again, please do not take this as a Negative or being harsh, I only want you guys to understand and be prepared. NS was the biggest challenge of my life, but I don't regret a single minute of it. I love what I do and I learned more about myself in those 2 years than ever before. I hope you will too!

Good luck to you all, I know you will do great!

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Anjann,

I just want to thank you for your bluntness. I didnt take it as you being harsh but just realistic. Im scared to death of how hard it is going to be and quite honestly having people like and husband and family tell me not to worry only makes it worse because they dont have a clue. So for my part any honest opinion about what nursing school is really like is much appreciated!

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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

I feel your pain. Our program started out with a bang too. We are off for a week next week in between semesters. Do we get a break :nono: We have to do drug cards and we have to read our next set of units. Welcome to Nursing School. It moves very quickly, so do NOT get behind in reading.

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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.

how are you gettint your cpr certification and how long does the class last?

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I know I have to take a CPR course for a professional rescuer. They offer it at the REd Cross and lasts from 8am to 5pm. You can put in Red Cross in your search engine and once it brings up the home page their is a section at the top to put in you zip code so you can search for the location nearest you. My location had its own web page that lists the class days offered and times. Hope this helps!!!:uhoh3:

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In NY the Red Cross cert is good for one year, while the American Heart Assn is good for 2, so it could be worth finding the AHA course if it's in your area.

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Anjann,

I really appreciated your post on the realities and hardships of NS. I work with ER nurses at my job, and they've been in the business for years. They've told me so many things that have helped me out but your few paragraphs summed it all up in a nutshell for me. Thanks so much.

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