North Lake/El Centro - Fall '06!

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Congrats to all of us that were accepted to the nursing program at either campus for Fall '06!!!!

:balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons: :balloons:

I'm going to be at the NLC campus! See you in June for orientation!

Also, congrats for making it to the next semester to all new 2nd - 4th semester NLC/ECC student nurses & congrats to the graduates! :balloons:

Good luck to everyone!

Specializes in ante/postpartum, baby RN.
Well, with them working on the ecampus servers, the nursing class isn't showing up anymore. I don't like that at all. lol

I had to go to econnect...just to make sure that I'm still enrolled!!!

I did the same. :roll

Katie

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Specializes in ante/postpartum, baby RN.
KATIE......How many people just bring a laptop with their evolve books loaded? I got a new laptop & I'm thinking about saving my back. :)

For that matter, what books did you bring with you to lecture?

Well...hmmm...so.....

I usually didn't bring any books to lectures. But there were many classmates of mine who did bring books so I would borrow them.

I would bring books when I had extra time to spend in the library to study. Otherwise I would just bring lots of paper to take notes and extra battery for my recorder.

I have seen one or two people using laptops though. If you use the evolve books on your laptop would you be able to install them on other computer at home?

Katie

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Probably not, but my laptop is all I use.

I'm glad I'm not the only one that checked econnect. :lol2:

Well...hmmm...so.....

I usually didn't bring any books to lectures. But there were many classmates of mine who did bring books so I would borrow them.

I would bring books when I had extra time to spend in the library to study. Otherwise I would just bring lots of paper to take notes and extra battery for my recorder.

I have seen one or two people using laptops though. If you use the evolve books on your laptop would you be able to install them on other computer at home?

Katie

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Specializes in OR Internship starting in Jan!!.

Oh, it was sugary sweet ;)

If I were in your shoes, I'd be nervous -- is it always this unorganized? Heh!

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Its' time to pull up your bootstraps, and get ready to run! As a fairly recent grad of El Centro (Dec 2004), and a very late in life student (38 when I started), I totally understand the anxiety and frustrations you're feeling right now. I hope you guys won't consider me an intruder, but I do have a couple of suggestions that might help from someone who has been there, done that.

1) Yes, everything is disorganized....get used to it and deal....I wish I could tell you different, but that's the way it is....One of the most difficult things for me once school started was realizing that I was no longer in control of my life and to roll with the flow...don't be surprised if your schedules completely change during the first couple of weeks...it happens, you'll survive.

2) If you have kiddos....freeze dinners now! Learn to meal plan! And resign yourself to the fact that peanut butter is protein and they/you will live on it if needed.

3) Purchase yourself a small pocket calendar....carry said calendar with you EVERYWHERE! Keep all your labs, clinical days, patient picking days, tests and assignments in there...along with dates from real life so that you don't get double booked.

4) If at all possible for El Centro students....ride the train! Parking is terribly costly and you can use the train time to do some last minute preparation for class. The only days I didn't ride the train were if I was testing, because I didn't want to have to wait for the train if I'd failed the test and felt awful. Thankfully didn't happen, but I was prepared either way!

5) READ the text BEFORE lecture....then you'll have an idea of what's being discussed, especially during first semester as it all seems like greek. I literally took apart my books, chapter by chapter, punched holes in them and only took the chapters to class that we were going over...that way, I was prepared, and my back didn't break from the books!

6) Take advantage of free lab time. Those check off's get everyone so stressed out, every extra minute of practice makes you feel that much more competent. When we did physical assessment, I made my family lay on the couch and they had my check off form and I assessed them....it really does help!

7) From reading this thread, it sounds like you guys have hooked up pretty well....find yourself a study group...usually 8-10 people who are equally committed (don't be afraid to uninvite the slackers, they'll bring you down). I graduated with a study group who hooked up in first semester and finished together.....we are like family to each other, even now!

8) As hard as it is, keep in mind that if you don't take care of yourself, you can't take care of others....plan a weekly date with your spouse/significant other and don't cancel it...you need to decompress every once in a while. I had a 4 hour block of time on my calendar that was set aside for dh/family once a week...it kept all of us sane!

YOU CAN DO THIS! Nurses that graduate from El Centro and Northlake are very strong clinically and make great co-workers! I knew from the time I entered that I wanted to do Neonatal ICU, and no matter what anyone said (even my instructors), I was determined. I interviewed with every NICU in the Dallas area and chose Parkland to start my career....I finished their 4 months of preceptorship and have been on my own for about 18 months now, and I can't imagine myself anywhere else....it's crazy, but no two days are the same!

I hope you don't feel that I've intruded here, I just wanted to cheer you guys on a bit. Take care all of you and stick together!

Jamie

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

TERRIFIC suggestions Jaime!!!!

I would also sugget the following

http://www.supersuppers.com

http://www.endnote.com (student version gets you the software at halfprice)

Make a standing "Date Night" as often as you can for you and your spouse/SO, and a "mom/kid" appointment for something special every so often too - even if it's 2 hours to play cards or paint toenails or just listen to music together and dance around the house and be silly. Those things will do as much good for your sanity (and maybe more) as the extra hour or two you could have spent studying and stressing over the next quiz.

Don't be afraid to teach your kids how to run the washer, the dryer, assign them jobs and praise them for their efforts - even if they don't do it exactly the way you wish they would. I had a manual - brief step by step instructions - one page for instance was "How to clean the bathroom". It told the kids (and spouse) what to use and what to be careful with and how to get the bathroom disinfected and shiny! This way it got done somewhat like *I* would have done it had I had time.

Make time to take care of yourself - eat well, keep healthy snacks and treats around, make appointments for exercise, and once in awhile - indulge in a little chocolate or a special treat that you love.

ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS eat a little protein and a little complex carb before you go in to take an exam! Your brain needs fuel to operate at peak efficiency!

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Specializes in ante/postpartum, baby RN.

Thanks Jamie and Gauge, great tips. :)

Katie

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Finallyat40, we don't feel like you're intruding, and welcome the advice! :)

Thank you, and thank you gauge14iv for the great advice. (Please, feel free to jump in any time to give pointers.) :D

I'm still trying to decide whether or not to debind my books, just bring my laptop with my books loaded on it, or both.

I purchased my handbook & skills pac today....NLC still doesn't have the syllabus available to purchase. So, I'll go by there Friday before the SNA get-together to see if they have it then, plus go check the last minute details on the bullitn in the T building.

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Specializes in ICU, ER, HH, NICU, now FNP.

I would probably take the laptop the first day and see how it all shakes out...

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Jamie and Gauge - You are awesome for giving us your input!!! I know I need any advice anyone can give me so thanks for taking the time to tell us what it is going to be like:uhoh3: .

Now my biggest issue is childcare for after school for 2 of my kids. My oldest is 12 and is in middle school so I should beat her home most days; however, my 10 and 7 year olds get home at 3:20 and 3:45 and I'm not quite comfortable with them coming home alone yet. With the screwy schedule and those "mandatory" seminars that pop up I almost feel that I need to pay the big bucks and enroll them in after school daycare. I originally thought I could have them stay with a friend a few afternoons a week but I don't want to have to do that everyday. At least if they are in daycare I will have peace of mind that if I am running late or have unexpected things come up that they will be taken care. Luckily my husband is taking the morning shift to get them to school - all I have to try to find is after school care!

Anyone else with young kids while on this journey? What have you decided to do about childcare?

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Hello!!!

I'm not a nursing student, but I have a few questions about North Lake/El Centro AD program...

My boyfriend is applying for Spring 2007... I was wondering what the stats were like for other applicants. I've heard the minimum pre-requisite GPA was like 4.0..., and how many support classes do you need?

He does have a 4.0 pre-requisite GPA, but he has only 13 hours of support classes with 3.2 GPA. Does he have a chance of getting in?!?

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Specializes in Operating Room.

Hi RxGracie, and welcome to All Nurses.com. :)

For Spring '06, it was 4.0 on the pre-reqs, 6 credits of support courses completed with a GPA of 2.5 was the lowest accepted.

For Fall '06, the lowest was a 3.77 on the pre-reqs, 13 credits of support courses completed with a GPA of 3.77 was the lowest accepted.

So really, yes he does have a chance, but it all depends on who applies with him.

Good luck to him. :)

Hello!!!

I'm not a nursing student, but I have a few questions about North Lake/El Centro AD program...

My boyfriend is applying for Spring 2007... I was wondering what the stats were like for other applicants. I've heard the minimum pre-requisite GPA was like 4.0..., and how many support classes do you need?

He does have a 4.0 pre-requisite GPA, but he has only 13 hours of support classes with 3.2 GPA. Does he have a chance of getting in?!?

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