NVCC Fall 2008

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 20, 2008

Better news for you 1st yr students. One can log on to blackboard and see the Fall 2008 class schedule (mind you there could still be changes to it) Log onto https://nvcc.my.vccs.edu/jsp/home.jsp, then click on VCCS SIS89: Student Information System then top right Class Search/Browse Catalog. Ensure you select 2008 FALL. top right blank line, put in NUR, then on line right below put in 111, and viola the NUR 111 fal lschedule comes up!

AND looks like a better deal for you. It appears they have combined CLS and lecture all into one class, the one you have on Monday, 1300-1730!! (ours was only 3 hrs then one had CLS another day) There is one on Friday,but thats for the accelerated program.

CLN = your clinicals, otherwords hospital

LAb is 3 hours,but I belive for us that was only the first 5 weeks. In those first 5 weeks we had NO clinicals. Once clinicals started, lab was shortened.

REGISTRATION DAY:

In your basket you should have LEC (lecture), CLN and a LAB. Those 3 will all be in your basket, before you hit the final submit button. If you only have 2 out of the 3 it will give you a big red X. One can have thier desired classes in the basket al ready to go, so when they take the lock off, you can quickly get ur classes, and believe me,the desired class times go fast, like less than a minute!! You can practise now selecting your classes, but it wont actually accept them. One wants a GREEN check mark, Ensure you do al lthe steps, there are 3 or 4 steps to sign up for the class. Some do not do all the steps, thus dont get the classes which they thought they did.

For your clinical, at orientation you will get a list that states what clinical your in, so when ur registering,ensure you select that class, otherwise you will get the big red X!!! Registering isnt that hard, but as you can imagine the majority of the students will be waiting by their computers for the lock to come off, so one has to be ready! As well ensure you have NO holds on your account. A simple overdue book, puts a hold on your account!! Back on the VCCS SIS8.9 homepage, top LEFT is STUDENT CENTER, click on that, and on that page, top right it states HOLDS, it just say "no holds" I got screwed as I had not updated my Greencard information with the school, so I was not a happy camper back in June,lol but it worked out. If ya have any questions about staff, PM me or Krenee. Hope I didnt confuse anyone, its really not that bad. And one can switch clinicals, but YOU have to find someone to switch with. They will explain that at orientation. On the 2nd floor, near the lab is a 1St yr student board, you can post your clinical switches their. Ensure your doing that math study package! I'm sure that those that have spent time on it, will find the exam very easy. Double check your work and READ the INSTRUCTIONS!!!!!!!! cheers

FA to CRNA2b · Jul 20, 2008

More tidbits of info:
One can buy those medical clipboards. Not a must have, but they have lots of information on them, that one can look over during downtime on clinicals. Yes ur busy,but their are quiet times. Plus always good to keep some blank pages to keep notes on. Just dont put clients name on it, don't want a HIPPA infraction. Plus it has a calculator at the top of it. If ya goto EBAY and type in Medical clipboard, pr clipboard calculator,you will find a few. plus there is a list they will hand out at orientation, and its on their. Again, not a must have, and to be honest, not many students had them. I liked to put other documents on them,such as the currents week power point slides, so if i did have some down time, looked over them, so it came in handy. http://www.standris.com/medical_clipboard.cfm
Enough for tonight,lol Cheers

I respectfully disagree about the clipboard. It was the single biggest waste of money. I think mine cost $29.99? The clipboard was a flimsy plastic that had a weak clip and the information rubbed off with handling. I suggest a sturdy .99 cent board (one of those hard, brown ones) and just xerox and laminate the info. You need a separate calculator anyway for exams, if your school even allows them.

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 20, 2008

I respectfully disagree about the clipboard. It was the single biggest waste of money. I think mine cost $29.99? The clipboard was a flimsy plastic that had a weak clip and the information rubbed off with handling. I suggest a sturdy .99 cent board (one of those hard, brown ones) and just xerox and laminate the info. You need a separate calculator anyway for exams, if your school even allows them.

For exams, the school will hand out a calculator, you can't use your own!

Like I said most of the students dont have the clipboard. The one I have isnt flimsy at all, very sturdy, and I paid a whopping $10 on ebay for it,lol But yes a sturdy brown clipboard is more than suffice, especially if ya purchase one of those pocket guides. So easy to forget certain values, and thats where that pocket guide helps

FA to CRNA2b · Jul 20, 2008

Two things helped me a lot while I was in NS.

1. A high-quality digital recorder. I listened to lectures constantly if I wasn't reading.

2. Having my husband connect my laptop to the TV so I can read while lying down flat. I went to GMU and many of our books were available in full-text on CDs. It was so helpful to be able to continue studying when I was dead tired. I would lie down like a slug and read through chapters or powerpoints.

One more thing...

I think it's a good idea to plan on studying for the NCLEX immediately after graduation with the intention of sitting for it very soon. Many of my friends placed extra (let me spell that bigger--EXXXXTRA) stress on themselves by taking a bit too much time. You will most likely be burnt out after school but it gets harder the longer you wait.

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 20, 2008

Two things helped me a lot while I was in NS.
1. A high-quality digital recorder. I listened to lectures constantly if I wasn't reading.
2. Having my husband connect my laptop to the TV so I can read while lying down flat. I went to GMU and many of our books were available in full-text on CDs. It was so helpful to be able to continue studying when I was dead tired. I would lie down like a slug and read through chapters or powerpoints.
One more thing...
I think it's a good idea to plan on studying for the NCLEX immediately after graduation with the intention of sitting for it very soon. Many of my friends placed extra (let me spell that bigger--EXXXXTRA) stress on themselves by taking a bit too much time. You will most likely be burnt out after school but it gets harder the longer you wait.

Great point on the recorder. I have one and record the lectures, BUT I have yet to actually listen to it at home,lol They post all powerpoint slides up on blackboard, so print them off and take them to class to follow along.

And I believe the first opportunity one has to write the NCLEX is sometime in JULY, at least thats what i was told for the group that graduated this year, so should be more than enough time to study for it after graduation.

I should be studying now,lol so easy to procrastinate.

FA to CRNA2b · Jul 20, 2008

It's amazing how much you realize you missed in class when you listen to the recordings. I liked to play the lectures while driving to and from school.

I printed all my powerpoints too, and I typed all my notes on them.

For NCLEX, I didn't buy any books. There are so many in the library, including Saunders 4th and Kaplan.

One more tip, hehehe....

Many of us went on interviews during spring break of our final year and got jobs that March. By graduation time (May), many of the premo positions are taken (ICU, OR, ER). So, interview early--before you graduate!

calledtodo · Jul 21, 2008

I got accepted into the the program for this fall. Congrats to all that did. :yeah:

Spring2010 · Jul 21, 2008

Yea I know. I found it strange too, that they wouldn't tell me where I stand on the waiting list. I figured I'd just wait until I hear something from them next week hopefully and go from there.

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 21, 2008

Thats sucks that they can't at least tell you if your in the top 10, 20! Guess one just has to go on, and assume you did not get accepting, and if they cal land say ur in, great!! Maybe one could arrange a meeting with the 1st yr dean and see what one can do to improve their chances for next year. Keep in mind that it is the 1st yr NVCC has been competitive and hopefully things will change for the better in the new process. Best of luck

naide88 · Jul 21, 2008

I just realized there is also a LIBRARY ORIENTATION at the end of the Math Diagnostic packet that we have to go to too...I just saw it yesterday!

Geez!

I signed up for the one on August 7th because I work 2nd shift and hopefully I will be able to attend...

I've been at NOVA for 2 years and have attended like 3 library orientations for different classes but oh well... :\

If anyone else has missed it here is the link to sign up: http://www.nvcc.edu/medical/meclibrary

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Do we have to multiply and divide the decimals the way it is in the guide - by writing it out or can we just use the calculator and put the answer in?

naide88 · Jul 21, 2008

Oh, also, where can I get a tape recorder?

Flames9_RN, BSN, RN, EMT-B · Jul 21, 2008

For the library orientation, they had an ONLINE option for us as well. waist of time in my opinion,lol But I guess they do tell you some good research info.

I have a Sony ICD-P520 recorder and it works very well. Seen a few other students with them. I usually sit 2 or 3 rows back and keep it at my desk, and it picks up the professor great. Bestbuy or circuit city, walmart. Check out Ebay!

With regard to math, READ THE INSTRUCTIONS to what they want. They may or may not want you to show ur work. .75 is written as 0.75 and 0.750 is actually 0.75. One requires that zero prior to the decimal, but NEVER a trailing zero! And usually we round off to TWO decimal places, ie 0.767 is 0.77 They will go over that at orientation. But please read the instructions.