Oakland Community College nursing program

Where is the nursing program at OCC? Highland Lakes or Southfield?

The RN nursing program is located in Highland Lakes, and the LPN program is located in Southfield. Although I heard some classes for LPN are in highland lakes (not sure though).

Hi

I'm a first year at OCC too. I just had my first lecture yesterday. About prep points, for my instructor we can only put two questions per page. The answers need to be ABOVE AND BEYOND what the question is asking. Fun huh? I think she freaked out the whole class, if someone asked her a question she looked at you like you were a complete idiot. But then after the break she completely changed her attitude. She was laughing and making jokes. Maybe she wanted to see if anyone wouldn't come back from break:rotfl: Well, good luck to you. I have a feeling it's going to be a long semester:p

[Q

UOTE=RNKate]So what do you think so far?...

So far I passes both my quiz and my skills checkoff. I have a quiz tomorrow in lab and a test next Monday in lecture. Today I just found out we had to do our APA paper by the second in clinical So that means I have to get started on that right away. I think I will start on it this weekend, or at least do the questions for the interview. But other than that I love it. I'm just a little anxious on what the first test in lecture will be like and is it as hard as everyone says it is?

Well so far things are going good, a ton of work though. I've read on this site from many people to keep organized. That's what I've been doing so far. I look at my calendar where I have written down when every prep point is due, when every quiz is, and when we have checkoffs. I look at it everyday and try to see what I can work on to scratch off the list. Luckily I'm not working right now so I can study all the time. I think after this semester I'm going to try get a job as a nurse aide or PCA or something. We'll see. How are things going with you?

I know what you mean about the prep points. They do take a long time to do, especially when we have them for theory and lab. But I think the whole point is so we have an idea about what the lecture will be about. I had my checkoff yesterday and I had to watch a video today on medical asepsis b/c I forgot to take off my gloves btwn positioning the bed pan and giving the pt the call light. Things are going really fast, but I kinda expected that. My cousin graduated from the program a year and half ago so she gave me a few tips. Have you tried getting a mentor? Maybe a second yr student, I know they had a sign up sheet at the orientation. Maybe you can go to the welcome luncheon and try to get some tips there. I totally understand how you feel about the stress. Hopefully when clinicals start and we start doing the skills on actual patients, maybe things will seem better to you. Just try to hang in there and take one day at a time. I know its easier said than done, but don't give up yet. Take care

Sorry this is going to be ranty...

To be honest... I'm not liking it at all so far... I like the instructors, but the program is just so unorganized. It seems like no one has any idea how, when, or what we're doing. I have to re-do my checkoff for something *I* think is unfair... long story (I ended up bawlingh my eyes out and wanted to drop all my classes). I'm just really discouraged right now. I think that most of our assignments (mostly prep points) are just a waste of time... I mean they take forever to do and I don't think I gain anything from them except another 3-4 hours of homework. I just wish I could take that time to study more instead of mindlessly having to search out answers to prep questions. I guess I just wish that there was more emphasis on learning (like studying) than on doing "paperwork." Maybe that's just me though...

Honestly, this program is nothing like I thought it would be... I'm really second-guessing my career choice and I don't know if I want to do this anymore. Maybe it's the stress talking... I've wanted to be a nurse ever since I was little and now I don't know anymore... It's sad really... I just hope it gets better, soon.

I know it' s a bit much, and this is just the beginning. I wouldn't give up so soon just yet. We have just started and have not been tested yet. I think once we have our test we will know what to expect from our instructors.

And yes, those prep points are off the hook I think I spend at least 4-5 hours doing them, but my I talked to my mentor before the program started and she told me to work ahead and that's what I did. Maybe that's why it hasn't really hit me hard yet. Although it still is an ample amount of studying, practicing and focusing required in this program.

I feel the prep points helps me study although they are annoying because I skim through the chapter while doing the prep points and read what is needed to be read for the question and answer, instead of reading first. Then on the weekend before my test, I will re-read the chapter and answer the objectives of the chapter and this hopefully will help me on the test.

Just remember we are in this together, and this will soon come to past and we wil be greatly rewarded! :balloons: :biggringi

I agree about the prep points. They do seem like busy work and take FOREVER to finish. But hey, we have no choice in the matter. They do help when it comes to the tests. Usually whatever is in the prep points is a good indication of things to come on the test.

Things will get better. Like they always say nothing comes for free. Nursing is a very rewarding career, but you have to endure school and all of its BS to feel the rewards. Don't give up yet, it is too soon. You will start to feel the rewards when it comes to dealing with the patients during clinicals.

Hang in there. By the way, I signed up to be a mentor but did not receive any students to mentor. So if any of you are interested or even just have some questions PM me and I will give you my e-mail and number.

I agree about the prep points. They do seem like busy work and take FOREVER to finish. But hey, we have no choice in the matter. They do help when it comes to the tests. Usually whatever is in the prep points is a good indication of things to come on the test.

Things will get better. Like they always say nothing comes for free. Nursing is a very rewarding career, but you have to endure school and all of its BS to feel the rewards. Don't give up yet, it is too soon. You will start to feel the rewards when it comes to dealing with the patients during clinicals.

Hang in there. By the way, I signed up to be a mentor but did not receive any students to mentor. So if any of you are interested or even just have some questions PM me and I will give you my e-mail and number.

Because you are a mentor, are you a second-year student? If so, can you tell me a few pointers on what to actually spend most of my time studying for the lecture tests,ex. prep points, objectives, outlines, powerpoints, chapters out of book,? I am pretty sure most questions will come out of a little bit of everything but I am just curious that maybe you had a better idea than me. Thanks

Yes, I am a second year student. Each instructor tests differently, so the only way to really know is to go by previous tests.

Some universal pointers: the prep points usually cover alot of the info that will be on the test; alot (but not all) of the instructors go directly by their powerpoints. However, everything from the outline and the chapters are fair game.

One thing that helped me with the tests was to get a nclex review book. As you go through different topics in theory, go through the same subjects in the review book. This helps me alot.