Portland Community College Fall 2017

This is a great idea! Thanks for starting this thread. I am so excited to meet everyone and begin this journey in September. I just posted this in another thread so thought I would copy/paste here in case anyone has info: I have a supplies question for everyone starting school this fall. Since it's National Nurse's Week many of the stores (online as well as physical) are offering some pretty great deals. I am trying to decide between the Littmann Classic II S.E. and the Littmann Classic III. This is a different model than the very expensive Cardiology III. The price difference between these 2 is only about $10 at most. From what I can tell the Classic III has a bit better sound quality, a longer warranty and the tubing doesn't stain. Does anyone have experience or know of anyone with experience with these models and can offer some suggestions. I've also heard it's worth the money to get both the head and tubing engraved as these instruments sometimes "walk off" or are accidentally misplaced. Just curious if anyone out there has any thoughts

Hey all, just thought I might start a wall for us to collaborate and talk about what to expect come fall. Also asking basic questions if needed! Super excited to start and cannot wait to meet everyone in June.

I went through the nursing program with a classic II SE. It has done fine for me, and for the med/surg units you are probably going to be on, I hear heart, lung, and bowel sounds adequately for an assessment. Adventitious sounds can be heard well, too. I'm in the NICU for practicum and I haven't even used my stethoscope as there are Littman neonatal stethoscopes provided in each room, so I miss "mine" that I have used and worn proudly for most of the last 2 years :)

I'm asking for a cardiology IV as a gift from my parents because I really want to work with adults and eventually peds ICU, but the classic II SE did just great for me! It hasn't broken or worn down for me either.

Thank you so much for your response. I'm going to order the classic III as it's equivalent to the classic II S.E. but has the peds diaphragm as well as the adult. I feel like it's a great option to have as I have no clue where I will ultimately end up. Found it online for basically the same price as the classic II so figured why not?!? Congrats on almost being done with the program- what an accomplishment! I'm so excited for fall quarter to start!

What other supplies did you need? I already have navy scrubs and white shoes and am told PCC students wear navy and the shoes are a personal choice as far as color. So having these supplies on hand already is great!

Anything you recommend doing over summer to prepare for fall quarter?

Thanks for all your help!

I went through the nursing program with a classic II SE. It has done fine for me, and for the med/surg units you are probably going to be on, I hear heart, lung, and bowel sounds adequately for an assessment. Adventitious sounds can be heard well, too. I'm in the NICU for practicum and I haven't even used my stethoscope as there are Littman neonatal stethoscopes provided in each room, so I miss "mine" that I have used and worn proudly for most of the last 2 years :)

I'm asking for a cardiology IV as a gift from my parents because I really want to work with adults and eventually peds ICU, but the classic II SE did just great for me! It hasn't broken or worn down for me either.

Thank you so much for your response. I'm going to order the classic III as it's equivalent to the classic II S.E. but has the peds diaphragm as well as the adult. I feel like it's a great option to have as I have no clue where I will ultimately end up. Found it online for basically the same price as the classic II so figured why not?!? Congrats on almost being done with the program- what an accomplishment! I'm so excited for fall quarter to start!

What other supplies did you need? I already have navy scrubs and white shoes and am told PCC students wear navy and the shoes are a personal choice as far as color. So having these supplies on hand already is great!

Anything you recommend doing over summer to prepare for fall quarter?

Thanks for all your help!

Starting nursing school is exciting! I know I bought my stethoscope as soon as I turned in my deposit. Made it feel real and sink in :)

Compression stockings are good to have because clinicals will wear you down with all the long hours!

I have this fold-up clipboard that I've used. It's lovely! Amazon.com : WhiteCoat Clipboard- Black - Nursing Edition : Office Products

I wish I had this but sometimes I wish I had a good penlight! The ones on the unit weren't bright enough or lasted long enough, lol.

I only recently started doing this, but I have a little pocket notebook that I write new terms and procedures into. Then when I need to look something up and have written it down, it's in my notebook. Also a handy thing because I used a number of pages for reference ranges for labs, vital signs, and whatnot. Kind of wish I did this as soon as clinicals began.

If you can, get the texts on kindle for PC/MAC. Or share an e-text with someone. My books hardly left my study space unless lecture absolutely wanted us to bring it. Even then, I wish I had the bigger texts available on my computer. Nursing textbooks are back breaking!!! I bought the books we needed for 2nd year (they update the list, only a few more) on kindle for PC and it is so much easier to search or click for certain chapters.

I didn't really prepare for class before school began. Just know that nursing school is a different kind of beast. You're going to use a lot of critical thinking skills. Exams aren't so cut and dry like they were for our pre-requisites. I think PCC does a good job at helping us hone our critical thinking, but it's always good to get into that mindset.

Thank you so much! Beyond helpful information. I'm assuming at the June orientation we get an idea of an exact supply list as well as what we can expect as far as our schedule? There's an orientation in September shortly before fall quarter begins but I'm hoping we know this info more towards the June timeline so we can prepare. I found a great scrub store in Clackamas that has a discount for PCC students so bought my stethoscope from them. I'm hoping the information I received was correct - any scrubs are fine as long as they are solid navy both top and bottom and shoes can be either white or black?

Starting nursing school is exciting! I know I bought my stethoscope as soon as I turned in my deposit. Made it feel real and sink in :)

Compression stockings are good to have because clinicals will wear you down with all the long hours!

I have this fold-up clipboard that I've used. It's lovely! Amazon.com : WhiteCoat Clipboard- Black - Nursing Edition : Office Products

I wish I had this but sometimes I wish I had a good penlight! The ones on the unit weren't bright enough or lasted long enough, lol.

I only recently started doing this, but I have a little pocket notebook that I write new terms and procedures into. Then when I need to look something up and have written it down, it's in my notebook. Also a handy thing because I used a number of pages for reference ranges for labs, vital signs, and whatnot. Kind of wish I did this as soon as clinicals began.

If you can, get the texts on kindle for PC/MAC. Or share an e-text with someone. My books hardly left my study space unless lecture absolutely wanted us to bring it. Even then, I wish I had the bigger texts available on my computer. Nursing textbooks are back breaking!!! I bought the books we needed for 2nd year (they update the list, only a few more) on kindle for PC and it is so much easier to search or click for certain chapters.

I didn't really prepare for class before school began. Just know that nursing school is a different kind of beast. You're going to use a lot of critical thinking skills. Exams aren't so cut and dry like they were for our pre-requisites. I think PCC does a good job at helping us hone our critical thinking, but it's always good to get into that mindset.

Thank you so much! Beyond helpful information. I'm assuming at the June orientation we get an idea of an exact supply list as well as what we can expect as far as our schedule? There's an orientation in September shortly before fall quarter begins but I'm hoping we know this info more towards the June timeline so we can prepare. I found a great scrub store in Clackamas that has a discount for PCC students so bought my stethoscope from them. I'm hoping the information I received was correct - any scrubs are fine as long as they are solid navy both top and bottom and shoes can be either white or black?

They give you an idea of what your schedule could be like in June, yes. Typically during first year, you'll have Fundamentals of Nursing on Mondays/Wednesdays. If you're taking Pathophysiology, you'll probably have that on Tuesdays. You have a four hour lab scheduled on Mon, Tues, or Wed. There's usually two tracks for lectures, A and B. One will have classes in the morning, so that allows you to choose an afternoon lab, the other is usually in the afternoon, so you can have lab in the AM. Whatever you can make work based on the nursing program's registration day (which is different from the rest of the college). Your clinicals will be on any day from Thursday to Saturday. Some had them all Saturday, I had mine Thursdays & Fridays. It'll be a busy time, so be mindful of that :)

I think you'll be able to register for classes sometime in August.

And awesome! I think I got a discount for scrubs too, can't remember. They told us to get white shoes for our cohort, but depending on your clinical instructor, some can be lenient. I wore tennies, then white crocs I could easily clean, and now I'm wearing black danskos for practicum and boy am I relieved (my feet are too). I did everything they told us to so I don't get in trouble during the first year (lol).

Anyway, relax! You got into nursing school. Enjoy this time before you basically have to put your life on hold for two years (or three, if you're doing OHSU or Linfield after). Although, we just had a panel of graduates who said OHSU is a ton easier than the things we had to do at PCC Either way, nursing school becomes your life and you'll experience a rollercoaster of ups and downs. If anything, brush up on your physiology!

kcheck5 (or any current PCC students) just curious as to what we can expect once Fall quarter starts? What are the classes like? Are tests similar to A&P as far as memorizing loads of information or is it more critical thinking? During clinical/labs is it similar to taking the CNA license test or is it more like focusing on assessing our skill? I'm super excited yet super nervous! Thanks for all your help!

Just 2 more days until orientation! I'm so excited- I can't wait to get more information about what is in store for us these next two years and meet some fellow cohort members. See you all there!

Personally, I felt like the material during the first year of the program was easier than A&P. You don't need to know all those very specific details. However, what makes it tough is that you will have 3 types of classes during that year (Fundamentals, pathophysiology, and pharmacology). You will also have to write APA papers and do clinical hours. It's more about managing your time effectively. Study groups help out a lot too.

Do you know if they are picky about the color of the stethoscope?

I don't think so, it's more of a personal preference. I purchased the Littmann Classic III and got plum. I've talked to others who say that having a unique color helps your stethoscope from gaining "legs"!