Preparing for Applying for Nursing Program?

Fortunately for me my mom keeps everything, so I have my shot records. However, I still have to have some shots. I guess a vaccine clinic is set up at the campus prior to the start of the program and gives any of the shots one needs. It is expensive though, almost $500 if you need them all if I remember correctly. For some of the vaccines you can pay to test for antibodies to prove that you've had them. This could save some $ or cost you more if the antibodies aren't there.

I am going to CCSN right now. I couldn't find some of my records on immunization, so I had a blood titer drawn from my physician. I don't really know how expense it is because I have insurance and only needed a co-pay. I did need to get an MMR and Hep B series which I did through the health district (my Dr.'s office was only able to give me the tetorifice booster and the TB test). It was about $60-$100 per injection at the health district, but everything was accepted no problem by my advisor at CCSN

Okay, so I was looking at all the requirments for applying and once you're accepted. For CCSN at least, the shots and stuff is what has got me. Does anyone know how we can find out if we've had all the shots? I mean it's been years since I've had shots like Mumps, and all that. Can't remember if I got all the Hep B shots..I do remember getting a shot after I had my daughter in 1995, I wanna say it was the Rubella shot! I remember having a TB test, that was awhile ago too. I think when I applied for my health card. I am trying to apply for the Spring program, so I wonder if starting all that now would be a good idea? Anyone else taken care of this and applying?

I go to UNLV, however I am sure the requirements are generally the same for all nursing schools. UNLV students are given a list of things they need to do before starting the program -- usually a month in advance. You need to do drug testing, background check, TB test, update immunizations, Varicella titer, BLS certification, and the list goes on. My point is that even though its a great deal of stuff to get done, I would wait until you are formally accepted and given all the paperwork to go with specific requirements. It seems like a tedious list, but it has taken me just over 3 weeks to finish my entire list of things needed to get done before entering the program. It probably wouldn't hurt to make sure your immunizations are up-to-date, but it would be pointless to do your TB test because they need to be current results when you enter the program. You could also probably get a head start and do your BLS for Healthcare Providers.

Thank you everyone, i'm gonna check into everything and go from there. I'm sure my mom got me all my shots, but I'm sure she didn't keep my records of it. Gonna make sure I keep my kids. Ugh @ the thought of having to get immunizations. *sigh*

You might want to try calling the Nurses Office in your High School. They usually keep records of all you vaccinations, and keep them for many many years. If you have had it, it would probably be in those records... if not, the titer

I'm almost done with the program, and they have adjusted a few things in the time I've been there. Here is what I can remember off hand for the current requirements...

1. Varicella (chicken pox), proof of immunity (titer), or proof of vaccination. If you remember having the chix pox, get the titer.

2. TB test. Must start with a two step series. That means you get the TB injection (just like at the health dept), have it read within 2 days, then immediately repeat it, which I believe has to be read within 3 days (but don't take my word for the time). After that, you must have it done every year, but only the one step (one shot) UNLESS you have gone even one day past when you had it done the previous year....then you have to do the 2 step.

2. 2 MMR's in your lifetime or proof of immunity (titer)

3. Tetorifice within the last 10 years.

4. Proof of health insurance every semester.

5. Proof of Healthcare provider level BLS which MUST be done in a course approved by the American Heart Association. If you get it done at the Red Cross, you'll be doing the class again. A lot of people made this mistake.

I volunteered at St. Rose and they will give you all your injections or draw your titers for free as an incentive for you to volunteer. One 4 hour shift a week is all they require. It was actually fun.

There are other things you have to do, but not much more I can list that you can do before your acceptance packet with all the instructions comes.

desertrain...i had an email that you posted here wanting to know about volunteering at st. rose, but the post isn't showing up. hmmm

i called the hospital and talked to denise, who manages the volunteers. super nice lady! they do a background check, etc, so it takes a few weeks to even be able to start. i mainly stayed at the front lobby info desk. i helped wheel people to the er, or wheelchaired discharged patients out to the pick-up area. i delivered food trays occasionally, you go to different floors to pick up specimens to be brought to the lab, showed people how to get places, etc. you work a 4 hour shift, once a week. you receive a $4 food voucher for every shift you work, which covers your meal. it gave me a place to make contacts, and through those contacts i landed a nurse apprentice position there. love it! there are lots of young and mature that volunteer. lots of students too!

hi, who do you call to volunteer at St Rose..

I sent you a pm. I didn't think it would be good to post names/numbers.

H, thanks I got it

desertrain...i had an email that you posted here wanting to know about volunteering at st. rose, but the post isn't showing up. hmmm

i called the hospital and talked to denise, who manages the volunteers. super nice lady! they do a background check, etc, so it takes a few weeks to even be able to start. i mainly stayed at the front lobby info desk. i helped wheel people to the er, or wheelchaired discharged patients out to the pick-up area. i delivered food trays occasionally, you go to different floors to pick up specimens to be brought to the lab, showed people how to get places, etc. you work a 4 hour shift, once a week. you receive a $4 food voucher for every shift you work, which covers your meal. it gave me a place to make contacts, and through those contacts i landed a nurse apprentice position there. love it! there are lots of young and mature that volunteer. lots of students too!

woogy,

i did post something on here and in the pre-nursing board on that day and then they did some updates and low and behold, my posts disappear? but yes i did inquire about that. which st. rose did you volunteer at, if you don't mind me asking. i just finished a cna program and unfortunately, as much as i would like to, i just can't contribute to a contracted, employed job right now as i *hopefully* will start the adn program at ccsn this fall and would rather not work through it, let alone commit to a job and then have to tell them that i quit, you know what i mean? but i really just want to stay in the setting as i already miss being around my residents from my clinical. do you think volunteering would be a good route for me in my case? oh and how much interaction do you get with the patients. i really would like to spend time with patients rather than do paperwork, i'm sure as an rn i'll have enough paperwork. right now i just want to offer my presence lol. thanks for the info!

There isn't much patient interaction, other than escorting them from their room to the door and passing out a few meal trays. The positive is that you can meet people in the departments that may help you with getting a nursing apprentice position after 1st semester! Good luck on acceptance!!!!