OCC program

when your letter of acceptance arrives it will come with the normal letter and a letter for the accelerated program (if offered) you will most likely need a 4.0gpa to get into any accelerated program offered, since last year all 30 people accepted had a 4.0gpa. I think you have until sometime in april to respond.

its hard to say how hard the program is. for everyone the program is different. some people really struggled with the lab and others with the theory and still others couldnt hack the clinicals.

i can tell you this much. if you only took one class at a time for your prereq's it's going to be very difficult. your first semester starts out slow but picks up speed very fast.

the clinicals for most of us were the best part, this is when you actually get to put to use what you've been studying for the first 5 weeks. In week 6 you go to your extended care facility and it will be an experience you'll never forget.

the hospital on the other hand is really cool, always busy and a lot of work.

the waiting will make you crazy now but enjoy the free time you have left cause in Sept the heavy work begins (of course I didnt count pharmacology that starts in May, but its pretty easy)

Good Luck

.... an experience you'll never forget.

the hospital on the other hand is really cool, always busy and a lot of work.

the waiting will make you crazy now but enjoy the free time you have left cause in Sept the heavy work begins (of course I didnt count pharmacology that starts in May, but its pretty easy)

Good Luck

Whosurdaddy: YOu said pharm is pretty easy. So how do you compare it with A&P? maybe Chem?

I'm starting my program on Jan 11th... so nervous and excited too. Look at my schedule and it is scary when I start foundation of nursing with off campus clinical. I don't know how much I can work to earn money to pay for my tuition.

I normally takes 4-5 classes a semester (12 or more credits). I've maintained 3.7 each semester so far since 2006 when I first started!

well its a little harder than A&P and Chem. Pharm was mostly about drugs and their effects on the body. i remember there was alot about ACE inhibitors. there is only 1 test on calculations so memorizing formulas isnt important or anything like that. like i said its really about side effects and drug uses. i have to say it almost luls you into a false sense of security because its nothing like foundations.

i worked all through foundations and even working midnights (allowed for me to work and attend school) it was really tough to get things done for school. i only work about 15hrs a week and it does effect your grade. there just isnt enough time in the week for studying and everything else you have to do for foundations. the worse thing is for the first 5 weeks foundations seems to go by really easily also then you hit the nursing home and bam everything starts piling on.

since youve taken a full time course of work then it shoudnt overwhelm you too much cause it really is like taking 3 classes all at once.

you are going to attend a lecture on how to get a good grade in nursing school. whatever you did to get your 3.7 gpa, stick with it, cause they are going to suggest that you do it their way and i tried it and it really screwed me up. it wasnt till i went back to my tried and true method of studying that my grade went back up

Good Luck Jaaaey77

why does things get harder when you attended the nursing home?

before your nursing home visit you only have to concentrate on theory and lab classess. once you get into the ECF (nursing home) you have a nursing care plan to write (this is a very time consuming several day process of writing out a care plan for your patient)and your gerentology paper is due the second day of ECF. the paper isnt a big deal cause you can write that in advance, but its still a 3-4 page paper you have to write and score a 40 out of 45 on if you dont then you have to re-write it again. Dont forget that while all of this is going on you still have the Lab portion of class that keeps rolling along. Lab has quizzes every week and checkoffs that you must pass in order to be allowed to do them in the ECF and hospital. The checkoffs are only worth 4 points but every time you fail (and you will at least once cause everyone does) you lose a point. doesnt sound like a big deal but the grading system makes every single point count. oh and then there are the NSA meetings you can attend to earn bonus points that just happen to fall on the same days you have theory tests.

happy to go into a much detail as anyone wants. so ask any question you have

Just out of curiosity, for those who found Foundations of Nursing especially difficult or challenging, did you work as a nursing assistant/aide before nursing school (or in any direct-care capacity)?

I know of one registered nurse who was an aide for over a decade before going to nursing school. As a result, nursing school clinicals in the first semester were especially easy for her.

Anyone else have this experience?

TIA!

we had a lot of CNA's and EMT's in my class who all found the clinical rotation easy. exp pays off. fundamentals clinicals are really basic becuase you only do the most basic stuff. you cant pass meds, or treat anything on your own. most of clinicals are spent doing vitals, ambulating, assisting in daily living activites, etc....

do you get an outline for what is going to be on the tests?

only for the final do you get a study guide. the other tests your on your own. my class and a couple of my friends classess the order of how to study went like this. power points first, anything said in class second and the book third. dont know if that how it is for all prof's but it seems like it.

Hi whosurdaddy!

You offered to answer detailed questions so I thought I'd ask. I've applied to OCC program for the fall 2010. Missed it last year...had 3.74 and gpa was 3.77. Anyway, I've been to the info sessions etc but what I really appreciate are the details that you share. Here is my concern. I'm an older student with 2 kids and although we've been told you be the days in lab and theory etc., can you tell me more specifically what a week is like for you? When do classes start? 7 am, 8 am??? When do you finish for the day 4pm 5 pm? How many hours do you spend in lab...all day? I'm just trying to figure out what kind of childcare arrangements I'm going to need etc. Will I be able to have dinner with my kids? Will I ever have free time with family? How many hours are you studying at home etc. I really appreciate your help if you have time to answer questions.....and congrats for getting into the program!!!

Hi Anne36......I got your private message and I really appreciate your comments. I don't know how to use this site very well and can't seem to get a response directly back to you. I am unable to send you a private message back and I couldn't find any other way to respond. Anyway, I hope this message gets to you eventually because I appreciate your feedback and best wishes in your program!!! Browniemix

Thanks browniemix. Mabye my inbox is full, I will go check.