NVCC Fall 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.

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

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

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?

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

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.

I recently got accepted to NVCC's Nursing Program. I have a couple of questions.

1. Do we really need all of the books on the text book lists? Why are we "required" to buy all of the review books.

2. Most importantly....what color scrubs do we wear?? :)

Thanks and congrats to everyone else who got in!