NCTC ADN Fall 2012

U.S.A. Texas

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Anyone applying for the Fall 2012 semester at North Central Texas College for the ADN program? I went up to Gainesville yesterday and applied! I'm pretty excited because I didn't realize until mid-March that I would qualify prerequisite-wise to apply for any programs for Fall, so it was a pleasant surprise. :)

Zweielles, thank you so much for the response! I know you have to be extremely busy, so I appreciate you taking the time to tell about your nursing school experience :)

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Hey I am curious about books from all of you experienced nursing students:) What are your thoughts on ebooks? Also, are the "suggested" books really needed? I just priced the books and was shocked how much first semester will cost.

Thanks for any help you can provide!!

Sarah

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Hey I am curious about books from all of you experienced nursing students:) What are your thoughts on ebooks? Also, are the "suggested" books really needed? I just priced the books and was shocked how much first semester will cost.

Thanks for any help you can provide!!

Sarah

The books listed for us on the bookstore website were a package for the entire 4 semesters. Not sure if that's changed this semester (was about $800-$1000 total for us). I went ahead and purchased the book package from the bookstore. It was expensive but I'm mostly set for the rest of the program. I also didn't miss out on any of the little extras, like access codes to software or online resources. The book package comes with software called Pageburst that allows you to download all of the books onto your computer, smart phone, tablet, etc. I am one of those people who needs to study from a paper book. It is a LOT of reading, and my eyes get tired staring at a screen. It's nice to have my books on my iPhone though, in case I find a minute to study and don't have my big paper book.

Buying e-books and used books is definitely an option, but you will still have to purchase access codes separately from the bookstore. :/ I don't think you can get Pageburst unless you buy the package (but I may be wrong on this). Drug books, care plan books, and a few others are purchased separately regardless so you can choose your preference (we have also used all of these this semester).

Ultimately it's up to how you study best and possibly your financial situation. I hope my novel of a reply helps! :)

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Thanks! My plan was to but the 800-900 package in bookstore but purchase the extras somewhere else. That's good to know that it comes with both ebook and book, that way I can play around with both.While I have you, lol. What shoes do most people wear? My family would like to buy some of my stuff for Christmas but I have no idea what to tell them...

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks for the info on the books, Zweiells! I was looking at books too and knew they would be pricey, but whoa! It is comforting to know that we're using them for each semester.

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Y'all are welcome!

As far as shoes go, most people found all white sneakers somewhere. I personally have a pair of Nurse Mates because I found some on clearance and couldn't find regular sneakers in all white that didn't have a fabric tongue.

Just make sure whatever white shoes you buy are not mesh or absorbable fabric on the outside at all! Leather/pleather/rubber/plastic are a lot easier to clean body fluids off of!

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

What about scrubs? Like the style and exact colors? I have family members who want to buy me scrubs for Christmas and I'd love to get a head start, too. And is there any requirement for stethoscopes? Thanks so much for all the info.

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Scrubs for class are Landau brand in True Red only. There are two different style tops that I've seen and a few styles of pants. Scrubs Xpress in Denton carries these. Clinical scrubs are any brand in white. The white scrubs have to be plain, no empire waist, no eyelet fabric, no button up, no girly style basically. I just got the same style of scrub top I have in the red and found a different brand of pants with a cargo pocket for my clinical scrubs.

I prefer scrub pants with a bit of a flared leg and combination drawstring and elastic waistband (elastic in back, drawstring in front). These kind of scrub pants are special order at Scrubs Xpress for the landau true red but were worth the short wait!

Stethoscope must have a bell and diaphragm and needs to be for adults (no pedi steth). Don't spend a ton of money on a Littman because you think you need one. I got a decent one at orientation for $25.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Thanks for that information! I appreciate it so much. =)

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

I had a question about the first semester labs. Do you guys use all the lab time or are they more like A&P labs where you do the work and can leave when you finish? They're 2 hours and 50 minutes long so I was just wondering.

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I had a question about the first semester labs. Do you guys use all the lab time or are they more like A&P labs where you do the work and can leave when you finish? They're 2 hours and 50 minutes long so I was just wondering.

We usually use all the time. The state and accrediting body require a certain number of hours of classroom time. There's always a skill or assessment to practice, though, and sometimes lecture will go longer than an hour, especially if it's a test day.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Awesome! I do better either by myself or with structure. Good to know!

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