NCTC ADN Spring 2014

jls0459 · Nov 27, 2013

No problem! If you need anything else, my name is Jenna and I will be at orientation.

If you want to know what to buy, let me know. They will give you a list at orientation, but it is a lot and can be overwhelming to get it all in one week. I strongly advise you get your scrubs now, rather than waiting. They need to be Landau, true red and can't be anything fancy like an empire waist. You will also need one white set (any brand) for clinicals. Your clinical shoes need to be all white, all leather, non skid shoes. I think I have one pair that are Nike and the other pair are Sketchers.

Also, you'll be buying a box of books from the Gainesville bookstore. It is just over $1000, so please plan for that! The good news is, you don't have to buy books each semester!

If you want to talk more about it, let me know and I can tell you other things you need. I had to buy a little bit every week, so I'm sure others will be in the same boat!

HelloWish, ADN, BSN · Nov 29, 2013

I am getting ready to finish my last pre-req next semester! I am excited to apply for the Fall, 2014 ADN program.

Next semester while I take my final pre-req, I am planning to study for the Kaplan. Is there a calculator available to use on the Kaplan entrance exam or should I practice my math without a calculator?

Do you all have any advice or book recommendation for the reading/writing portion?

jls0459 · Nov 29, 2013

You will be given a simple calculator to use for the Kaplan so there is no need to practice without it. I actually used a HESI study guide for the Kaplan. The reading portion is the same as any standardized test. You read the section and answer questions about that section. The writing portion has you put sentences in order, pick which word is out of place and edit punctuation. It is very basic.

I can't really recommend anything for the AP portion, but I can tell you that it is hard. Just take your time with the questions and pick what makes sense. Good luck with your last pre-req and I hope you make it in the Fall!

carolynparks · Dec 1, 2013

Thank you so much for the advice. Any tips on anything including what to buy is all appreciated!

jls0459 · Dec 1, 2013

For scrubs 1st semester you'll need:

2 sets of Landau true red (at least)

1 set of any brand white scrubs, nothing frilly

1 white lab coat that covers your butt

Patches from the book store for each top/coat

For Shoes:

All white, all leather, non-slip shoes for clinical - I suggest more than one pair

All white, above ankle socks for clinical

Any tennis shoes will do for class

You can also buy:

A stethoscope - don't go crazy, I bought mine for $40 and others got theirs for $12

A BP cuff - again, don't go crazy

A planner....get a planner. For real.

A penlight if you don't want to use the otoscope that comes in your skills kit

Now, for books - there will be more specifics about books at orientation. There is a giant box of books for you at the bookstore and it costs just over $1000. I was able to get mine before I went to orientation, but you have to go to Gainesville to get them. You will also need the math book and pharmacology book, both of which I found cheaper online. In addition to those books, you will need a care plan book, a drug guide and a diagnostic testing book. All of this will be explained to you in further detail in orientation, just plan on buying 5-6 extra books outside of what is in your box. You'll be given plenty of time to get them, but it was an expense I wasn't counting on at first.

If you have a specific question, feel free to ask me. You're about to enter into a big family and you'll have tons of resources in a few weeks! I'm happy to help you get started on prepping for school!

ashleyj2011 · Dec 4, 2013

I think this may have been answered somewhere already but I don't remember! Will we ever wear our own "street clothes" to class? Or did I hear that the red scrubs are always worn to class?

Also-do most people bring books to class or just note taking items? Trying to figure out if I need to get a large book bag and what other supplies I'll need!

Thanks!

jls0459 · Dec 5, 2013

You are always in red scrubs when you come to class. The only exception is clinical day when you wear your white scrubs. I suggest you get two sets of red scrubs so you have one set for each day you come to lecture and don't have to worry about laundry.

In my class, most people bring their book and how they take notes just depends on what works best for them. I write on the power point slides, but several people use laptop or ipads/net books or just hand write notes. It helps to have the big Fundamentals book with you thought because we often break off into smaller groups to do the case study assignments from the book. It's not often (yet) that I've needed 3-4 books with me at one time, so I just have a regular backpack. Many students in the higher levels though recommend one of the rolling back packs and you will hear that again in lecture.

You can go ahead and buy general school supply items. You'll need pens, pencils, highlighters, note pads and binders - just like you would for any other classes. You'll have three lecture classes in addition to clinical, so plan to separate that out in whatever way works for you.

ashleyj2011 · Dec 8, 2013

You can go ahead and buy general school supply items. You'll need pens, pencils, highlighters, note pads and binders - just like you would for any other classes. You'll have three lecture classes in addition to clinical, so plan to separate that out in whatever way works for you.

Okay, I know I've had a million questions it seems! Organization with my class materials is HUGE to me. I've found some good ideas here on AN that seem like they'll work out great for me. So I am just curious-for clinical will there be papers, notes, etc that I would need a binder, etc for?

Also-would you say that the notes/materials for the three courses would all fit into one large binder? I'm thinking about 2" or so-one or two of those, I guess depending on how it goes throughout the semester! Lol.

As far as prepping for the classes..... is there anything we should be reviewing? I feel a little nervous because I took A&P in 2012 and micro in 2010. I'm afraid that I have forgotten a good majority of these subjects-especially the micro. :nailbiting:

Also-on the shoes. I've noticed some of the leather shoes have the tiny holes on the top of the foot. Is that acceptable or no? (I tried to post a pic of what I'm talking about below.. but I'm not sure if it's going to show up)

Another thing-some of the Nike ones I've seen have a very light silver outline for the Nike swoosh... will they allow this or is it pretty strict on the total solid white? Nike-View-III-Womens-Walking-Shoe-454122_140_A.jpg?fmt=jpg&qty=85&wid=620&hei=620&bgc=F5F5F5

jls0459 · Dec 9, 2013

Feel free to ask as many questions as you'd like - that is what I'm here for.

You can fit everything into a 3 inch binder. I have a tab for Fundamentals, Skills, Assessment, Clinical and Math. Everything fits and I carry my planner inside my binder. You may not need a tab for math, but I did all of my assignments ahead of time and put them in that folder. You will need something to carry paperwork with you at clinical. Several people have the clipboard that opens up and lets you put paper inside. I find those a bit cumbersome and bought a folding clipboard that fits in my pocket. It keeps my hands free. You won't start clinicals until you are about three weeks in, so you have time to figure that out.

The holes on the top of the white shoes is not going to work. If you drop/spill something on your foot, it is going to go right through those holes and onto your toes. The swoosh is okay - I've even seen people with a pink New Balance outline and it was approved. The majority of the shoe has to be white. I think I bought mine at Shoe Carnival.

Don't freak out about prepping for class. There isn't anything you can really prep for. The best thing I can tell you is to pick your mentor's brain when you get their name at clinical and figure out ways to organize things, study for tests and maybe get some assignments out of the way. Other than that, don't worry about it just yet and focus on getting the supplies you need. You'll have plenty of time to review AP later!

ashleyj2011 · Dec 10, 2013

Feel free to ask as many questions as you'd like - that is what I'm here for.

You might regret saying that once I'm finished asking alllllllll of my questions! Haha. I'm working on a list so I can just ask you all at once :)

BUT-my big issue now is paying for all of these things! I totaled between the kits, supplies, background checks, etc we're looking at $600+ and that is before books! So-what is the most important things to pay and get done first? I've already been fingerprinted. So I am thinking the background check and setting up immunitrax are going to be the next most important things. Background said results would be in 2-4 business days but I want to get it done quick just In case... And immuni from what I've seen in past threads seems like it can take a while.. Is that correct?

How much should I expect to pay for a physical? I called the office where my husband and I usually go, and they said it'd be $140+ Which seemed pretty high to me. I'm going to call around some more on that..

The packet seemed like I could wait until probably early January to order the nursing kit.. And I'm now asking for scrubs & supplies for Christmas, lol.... Sending in some old texts for amazon trade-in credits and going to list some things on eBay... Hahah. Gotta do what's necessary I suppose! :)

jls0459 · Dec 12, 2013

Ask away - I'm not scared!

I think priority #1 would be getting that blue card. That takes quite some time and if you don't have the blue card, you aren't part of the program. Immunitrax can take some time to upload your documents, but so long as you have the records you need by the time class starts, you'll be fine. Fortunately, my physical and shots were covered under my insurance so I only had to pay my copay to get that handled, so I'm not sure what to tell you on that one. The price you were quoted does seem to be a bit much, but I guess it depends on what the doctor is planning to do to you.

Order the skills kit as soon as you can. We had a few, but not many, that waited too long to order theirs and they didn't come in on time. It isn't the end of the world - you can always share with some one else, but you don't want to make it too far without it. The box of books you need to buy is just over $1000 and the extra books you need can be found pretty cheap online. I picked all of my extra books up on either AbeBooks or Amazon and they were all used. The math book is $75 in the bookstore and I got it for $12. The Pharmacology book is $80 and I got it for $1.50 with the disc and everything. So, shop around on your extra books.

You will need the codes in the box though, so you can't really skip out on that.

The good news is that the first semester is the most expensive. This box of book are the books you use for the entire program. Your skills kit is the kit for the entire program. These big purchases will last all four semesters, so from here on out, you are looking at tuition only. That is a major plus, but it can be overwhelming right now. Good luck and I'll be around for the next batch of questions!

ashleyj2011 · Dec 12, 2013

Thank you, Thank you!! Also-I hope finals are going/went well for you!! =)

Okay, so I am a little worried now about the Blue Card thing... I have already done the Group One Background check thing and been fingerprinted. How long does it usually take, and is there anything I can do at this point to speed things up on that?

I did call around and found a place where I can get a physical for $54, so that seems MUCH closer to what I was expecting on that. The only shot I'm not sure of is the Tdap, but I am pretty certain I received that one last summer when I started working at the nursing home..going to call them today to find out on that.. Also I will have to get the TB tests because I only have had one of those in the last year.

Which book kit did you order? I saw that there's three different options, one said 'access' one was 'electronic' and I don't remember the other, but it was three different price tiers. I was thinking I'd get the second one which is around $850 or so, but I can get more info from the bookstore on those options..

Okay, on to my long list of questions..

1. Extra books: Will we have assignments come directly from the books? Reason I ask.. I have a pharm book that I used this summer for a DCCCD pharm class. Also, I have the 9th ed. of the same dose calc book (we are supposed to have 10th ed. for Sp'14). If I could get away with using the books I already have-- that'd be wonderful! If not-I will definitely check out AbeBooks, I have never even heard of them. I am not toooo terribly concerned with the book kit at the store, as my fin aid will cover that one..

2. Printers: I have seen a lot of discussion on AN about how much nusring students print. Is this true with nctc? I believe that nctc does allow a certain amount of pages to be printed each semester that is included as part of our fees, correct? If so-do the printers on campus print in color? The printer I currently have at home is not so great, so I might need to look at buying new one if we can't print on campus.

3. Stethoscope: I have one that I received as part of my kit from my CNA course. Would this suffice for first semester?

4. BP cuff: I already have one that I purchased at walmart. Is this good enough or should I look at something better?

5. Scissors: I thought I saw something about this on one of the older nctc forums... do we still need these? If so, what should I be looking for? I will probably purchase online if possible.

6. Kit: might I just ask what all comes in this nursing kit that costs $190 ?!?! LOL.

7: Other random questions: Sooo how was your first semester? What are clinicals like in 1st sem? I think I was told that they're mostly at a nursing home? What all skills will we be learning in first sem? As you can see I'm pretty excited!

Also, I saw that you live in Lewisville and wanted to mention that I do too! :) Is the drive terrible? Hoping I can find a group to carpool with!

Can I ask where you work? Are they flexible with your school schedule? I am looking for a place to work at the beginning of the year... my current job is a temp position that probably isn't going to renew after Dec 31. I have my CNA so I can def try to find work using that... And also have CPhT...I do have a PRN spot at a nursing home right now as a CNA, but I would really like to get a pharm spot since it pays more than CNA... gotta pay those bills somehow!

Thanks again for all of your help and advice!!! I really do appreciate it!