RT2RN

Yes it is partially true, but not bad. You may want to copy some of the receipts, but you do not need to copy everything. I believe that everything that you pay for through the cashiers office, directly or by mailing it in, is entered into the computer and is part of your student records that you can computer access and print from at any time. Receipts that you would need that might fade would be ones from the bookstore since those purchases are not stored on line, and if you need to return anything or use the receipts for taxes--you would be up the creek. The other receipts may fade too.....but it is not a problem. The only receipt that I would make multiple copies of is your malpractice one, which cost us about 16$. You would want to do this because you might need to provide copies of it for your clinicals and it will just save you time later on. Hope this helps.

What Nurses Rule said is true. Once you start the program it is intense. Time off is a real luxury, so if you can relax and go somewhere and enjoy the people in your life it would be good. You will have A LOT less time for social things once school starts. So, if you are able to just kick back, relax, and enjoy the people in your life (and maybe line up something special for the time off between the summer and fall quarters), it would be good-------------but if you feel the need to read, what I mentioned will be relevant. However, whether you study now or not, once the semester starts it is going to be intense. You will discover that by pulling together as a group you all help share the burden, be drawn closer together as a group, and will pass the classes anyway. So, if you can---do try to just enjoy your current freedom.

do you have any advice on how those waiting to start this summer should prepare (looking at nclex books, reviewing anatomy, etc...)? a general review of anatomy couldn't hurt but not specifics (muscles or bones), more on body systems. an nclex book is actually a good idea if it is broken down into sections which teach prior to the questions so that it actually teaches you some salient things that you can build on. (another plus for this would be that you would probably end up buying some of those books later anyway.) if you go that route then topics that i think would be helpful to be familiar with prior to coming into school would be: electrolytes, acid-base balance, and a review of body systems (just a review of components and function not really totally trying to relearn them). looking at disorders of those systems now could also be useful (especially regarding infections & wounds (integumentary), disorders of the heart are big but there are too many to know and a good review of the physiology of the heart would be wise. the kidneys are also massively important so a good review of their anatomy and physiology wouldalso be a good use of your time [go down to nephrons, loop of henle etc]. they will come up a lot because they are related to regulating many things, or being part of it (i.e. body fluid, acid-base balance, body ca, and blood pressure etc [will save you time if you understand the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone now]). another major health issue that comes up every quarter is diabetes, so if you are ambitious you could start looking at now. hope it helps. i will address the other questions later, but have no more time now. i have told my cohort about this thread on allnurses.com, and hopefully tye will provide some more information for you guys too. they are a great group as i am sure yours will be. good luck.

i am in the cohort ahead of you. about 1/3 of us commute similar or greater distances. it isn't bad--the biggest negative about it is the cost of gas, and the potential loss of study time. i live in simi valley. regardless of the time of day, i allow 1 1/2 hours to get to school. i don't think a trip has ever taken more than that, and sometimes it is way less. as far as it being a waste of time, i car pool so we can study (but often we talk which is surprisingly therapeutic--which is valuable considering the pace and pressure of the program). car pooling also cuts down on the cost. if i were single and could find a room mate i would love to live closer, but i don't think i would do so if i were going to live alone. good luck and congratulations. my cohort plans to be available to help you guys along the way. we are trying to make arrangements to be at your orientation and/or meet you somehow as soon as possible so that we can share with you things that might help in your transition, and your future sucess. you really will become a close group as you pull together to get through the experience together

ELM means entry level masters. People who already have a 4 year degree, and who have taken all the nursing prereqs enroll at a graduate level, pick up their RN and their masters in nursing too usually in 2-3 years.

i also got accepted into the program. i too was concerned if there would automatically be a smooth transition into the masters track after the rn. . . if you look at it, it seems like all elm nursing programs require a 3.0. . . .and will let you be off for one quarter, but no more than that. so, csla isn't really any different, its just you have some time to chose the focus of your masters. you should talk with jane, or someone else there to get a better understanding and feel more comfortable with how it works. on their side is the fact that it is a very small class. i believe their pass rate was 100% the last couple of years (but one year one student did not pass on the first try, but did the second time). with a smaller class size it seems like their will be more opportunity to see that we don’t fall through the cracks.

i have gone to the campus a few times. it doesn't look like a great part of town, but not bad either. the parking is very convenient, and there is a metro and/or bus stop right across the street from the building where the nursing classes are located. i really liked the campus--it has a homey feel. it is not plush like ucla, but it is definitely good.

You can take Epi at many different colleges, UCLA pre-req page lists several classes offered at different Cal State schools as possible alternatives. Here is a link if you want to hear the intro to UCLA's epi 100 and see the course outline etc. http://www.ph.ucla.edu/epi/epi10007s.html I have been accepted into the next MECN class too, but am leaning toward CSULA as it seems a better tailored fit for what I want to do.