New student advice?

Editorial Team / Admin · Dec 7, 2015

Hi! My name is Shay and I just FINALLY passed the HESI! Took 4 tries, and I'm so exited because this means I can start the nursing program in the fall of 2016. :)
I'm going to RCGC (formerly Gloucester County College). Anyone else?
I know they're going to send me a packet in March, but I really want to know what to expect before then. I have a lot to plan for..
-Will they kick you out for medical issues? Can they even legally do that?
-Will anything that was on the HESI be incorporated into the curriculum? If so, I'm nervous. Lol.
-Do I have to wear scrubs to class (not including clinicals)? If so, can I wear whatever color I want, or will they assign scrubs to us?
-How many textbooks do we usually have to buy? If you attended THIS program, could you name the books you used?
-What kind of homework assignments can I expect? Papers? Presentations?
-What kind of shoes are required for lab and clinicals?

These questions can be answered by looking at your student handbook and class syllabi. Instructors can change types and requirements of assignments, so hearing what someone has done in the past may not be accurate with current practices.

-What are my chances of catching something during clinicals? I have a toddler and don't want to pass something deadly to her. Can I wear gloves near contagious patients?

Handwashing is the #1 defense against microorganisms. If a patient is in isolation, utilize the appropriate PPE. This should be covered in class/clinical orientation.

-Will they place me in dangerous situations?

While the aim is not to place you in dangerous situations, there are no guarantees. Sometimes, patients or visitors act out. Not necessarily the norm, and if something does happen, remove yourself from the situation and report it immediately to your clinical instructor.

Thank so much in advance!
Let me know if any of you will be in the program with me next year! Or, if you're starting next year in general, follow me on twitter (iShaybie) or add me on facebook (Shay Whitfield)!

One thing you should keep in mind is that nursing instructors participate on this website as well as students. You may want to keep identifying information out of your posts as your instructors can find you and potentially use anything you post in school. There's a story of a nursing student who posted a picture of herself with a placenta on Facebook. It wasn't pretty.

iShaybie, ADN · Dec 7, 2015

Thank you!!! :)

And ohhh okay; I'll make sure to make my profiles private!

Wish me luck:)

Newishnurse1995 · Dec 21, 2015

I was actually a student in that program. Definitely a tough program, and it kicked my butt. They will have an orientation in August and they will explain everything and what is expected of you. If you have medical issues that prevents you to not participate in clinical they may have to kick you out. They require you to get a physical exam if you are accepted into the program. They require you to be immune to Hep B and its three series so you might want to get your titer for that now. A lot of chemistry is involved in nursing. Pay attention to anatomy and physiology too. Yes, you have to wear scrubs to clinicals with the school logo. They will go over your uniform expectations during orientation so don't worry. I bought only one textbook for the first semester and two for the second. I also had to buy a stethoscope, penlight, sphygomomanometer (blood pressure cuff), badge, shoes, and the uniform, and that cost roughly $600. We didn't have homework that was graded. They told us to read certain chapters and complete assignments and bring it to class. It was more to reinforce learning. The only thing they graded were tests. They required all black shoes for clinicals. When you get home take of your scrubs and take a shower lol. And no they wont place you in dangerous situations. They are liable. DONT QUIT! I DID AND I REGRET IT. It will get hard. You will cry. But it is worth it. Don't slack off or get comfortable. I aced the first two tests with flying colors, and then I got lazy. When I saw the bad grades I lost all motivation and here I am now trying to get into another program. I really want to cry because I could have been a nurse at 21. Good luck!

(They also have nursing books in the library. Look at them now if you want.)

iShaybie, ADN · Jan 5, 2016

I was actually a student in that program. Definitely a tough program, and it kicked my butt. They will have an orientation in August and they will explain everything and what is expected of you. If you have medical issues that prevents you to not participate in clinical they may have to kick you out. They require you to get a physical exam if you are accepted into the program. They require you to be immune to Hep B and its three series so you might want to get your titer for that now. A lot of chemistry is involved in nursing. Pay attention to anatomy and physiology too. Yes, you have to wear scrubs to clinicals with the school logo. They will go over your uniform expectations during orientation so don't worry. I bought only one textbook for the first semester and two for the second. I also had to buy a stethoscope, penlight, sphygomomanometer (blood pressure cuff), badge, shoes, and the uniform, and that cost roughly $600. We didn't have homework that was graded. They told us to read certain chapters and complete assignments and bring it to class. It was more to reinforce learning. The only thing they graded were tests. They required all black shoes for clinicals. When you get home take of your scrubs and take a shower lol. And no they wont place you in dangerous situations. They are liable. DONT QUIT! I DID AND I REGRET IT. It will get hard. You will cry. But it is worth it. Don't slack off or get comfortable. I aced the first two tests with flying colors, and then I got lazy. When I saw the bad grades I lost all motivation and here I am now trying to get into another program. I really want to cry because I could have been a nurse at 21. Good luck!
(They also have nursing books in the library. Look at them now if you want.)

Oh my goodness I'm just now seeing this! This helps me SO much, you have no idea!!

Thank you so so much! :) Im trying to save up, but I had no idea how much I'd need, now I do! -- I'm so nervous!

What program are you looking into now? Still in south Jersey areas? Good luck to you too!!

missesa · Jan 7, 2016

I am interested in applying for Fall 2016 and I wanted to know is this a day or evening program. I was accepted to Neumann but I am have second doubts because I am pregnant and due in July. So I think doing an RN program would be best. Also I did all my prerequisites and will only need to do clinicals.

iShaybie, ADN · Jan 7, 2016

I am interested in applying for Fall 2016 and I wanted to know is this a day or evening program. I was accepted to Neumann but I am have second doubts because I am pregnant and due in July. So I think doing an RN program would be best. Also I did all my prerequisites and will only need to do clinicals.

Hi!

It's only a day program.

Congrats on being accepted to Neumann, that's amazing!! Are they only a day program too?

All I need to do is clinicals also!

missesa · Jan 7, 2016

No Neumann is a part time evening program. Thank you, they are expensive and it starts in May.

iShaybie, ADN · Jan 8, 2016

No Neumann is a part time evening program. Thank you, they are expensive and it starts in May.

Oh wow! What's easier for you? Day or night?

Is this your first baby? Congrats by the way!!!

missesa · Jan 8, 2016

I would prefer an evening program to keep my job but I may just work part time once the baby comes and go to school in the day. Yes this is my first one and thank you so much!

iShaybie, ADN · Jan 8, 2016

I would prefer an evening program to keep my job but I may just work part time once the baby comes and go to school in the day. Yes this is my first one and thank you so much!

You're welcome!!! When I first started school after having my baby, daytime was much easier. Mainly because my daughter got cranky at night and only wanted to be with me. I also has much more energy in the day because of the sleeping habits newborns have lol. Luckily this program is only 3 days a week! Did you go to any information sessions?

missesa · Jan 9, 2016

Not yet, I am going to the one in February. Also what days are the clinicals? Is that also in the day and what days are the classes?