Veruka

I worked psych for 2 1/2 years (1st job out of school), and was displaced to a med-surg floor. In my opinion, the psych background definitely helped!! Patients rarely come in with one problem, and alot of them have some psych issues. You can use your therapeutic communication skills (alot of patients just want to talk.), your "BS detector" skills, and your CPI skills (for those little old ladies that sundown! ) I feel extremely well rounded after only being an RN for 4 years because I feel I am able to relate to "both" sides. :) Getting the MS skills under your belt is the best thing! Once you master that, you can go anywhere! And who knows? Maybe it will be psych! :) One thing I find kinda funny.....Anytime there is a "difficult" patient, or a "Crazy person"- he/she usually becomes my patient! LOL!! Good luck!!

Go for it! I took 233 (at HFCC) in the summer, and it was fine. Believe me, it's much better than taking them WITH the nursing program (which is when I had to take 234). You can do it! Good luck!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!! You will love HFCC & you will hate HFCC at the same time (lol), but it's all worth it! :)

Here is my schedule: Monday: 12-1:30 supplemental. It is an optional class, but very worth it to help you with the material. Tuesday: lecture 9-12 Wednesday: lecture 9-12 Thursday: clinical 6:45 - 2:30 Friday: clinical 6:45-2:30 Saturday & Sunday: I study/try to have a life. Like oguesswhat said- you don't get a choice. I could have very well gotten clinicals on Tuesday & Wednesday in the afternoons, or even Saturday/Sunday. Often you don't find out until 1-2 weeks before classes start where your clinicals are. Oh yeah.... 2nd year tests are every other Monday from 12-2 no matter what section you are in.

yes, i go to hfcc. jg, if those are the initials of your name, trust me, it is not you. see, at hfcc we have a lottery system. at the end of first year you are given a list of sections (dates & times of lectures/clinicals), then you rank your preference. when you turn it into the nursing office you get a "lottery" number. when everyone has turned theirs in, they draw a number & thus the lottery begins. you get whatever section your lottery number falls to, according to your preferences. some get their first choice, some don't. this year, you are right- i got lucky. there have been times when i wasn't so lucky, but ya know what? i went to my assigned class! there are only so many seats, and it just isn't fair if people that are registered for that class have to get whatever seats are left. yes, i know people want to "share the love" with (moderator edit) - because she really is awesome (last year i wasn't so sure. this year- love her!), but it's the simple principle of following the rules. i have raised this with the instructor, and she is aware of the many complaints (trust me, it's not just me), and promises that it will not get out of hand, and that "her" people will always have seats and handouts. guess that's all i can ask for. like i said earlier, i was just ranting. if everyone was able to switch their section because they did not like their instructor, then nursing school would be a complete ***********! i believe they have the lottery for a reason.

Ok, I just need to get this off my chest. I was lucky enough to get the section I wanted with a great instructor, through the lottery this year (as well as the other 25-30 people or so that are there, too). However, there are several people that seem to think the rules don't apply to them, and because they "don't like their teacher" or like mine "better" seem to think it's okay to come to a section in which they are not registered for. That's fine, whatever. BUT here is what I would like to say to those people: 1. Sit in the back and leave seat choices available to the people that "belong" there. You get what's left- not us! 2. Don't BRAG that you are there and receiving our handouts- which you are passing on to all your friends-as well as the handouts from "your" section! 3. In fact, just shut up altogether, because, frankly, I am sick of listening to my recorded lectures with your voice on there (usually spouting off wrong information anyway). If you weren't there, I wouldn't have to hear you on my recorder. 4. Don't save seats for each other, and quit giving me funny looks when I sit in "your" seat. I belong there- you don't. Ok, I am stepping off my soap box for now. It just makes me mad. I follow the rules, and so many people don't. So next semester, can I just switch sections if I don't like my teacher?????

Umm... so is that why you just joined on September 2nd?

Read the book, read the book, read the book. Then after you read it three times, go over your instructor's power points. This is what I got out of my lectures so far..... Diabetes 1: remember MUST be treated with insulin. The pancreas can not produce insulin because the beta cells have been DESTROYED, therefore they can not be stimulated because there is nothing to stimulate. Know why they have been destroyed. Now what KIND of insulin? Depends.... so KNOW the different types: regular, NPH, Lantus, etc..... We need to know when they peak especially. Know risk factors and age before this person can be diagnosed. Know that D1 can lead to DKA, and know what signs & symptoms to look for and how you would treat that. Also know that Metformin is the ONLY oral agent you can use with D1 (it's also used with D2 as well). Know what the classification is of the drug, how it works, and SEs. Diabetes 2: Beta cells are not DESTROYED, only damaged, so insulin and/or orals STIMULATE them to produce insulin. Can be treated with orals or insulin or sometimes just diet/exercise. Know risk factors as to why this person was diagnosed. Know food Exchanges - you can probably even go online to look this info up. Know that this person is at risk for HHNK and the signs for that & how you would treat it. This person is usually diagnosed AFTER the age of 35 whereas the Diabetes type 1 person can be diagnosed as a child, but before age 35. Know the different tests on how to monitor blood sugar. Blood glucose monitoring, OGTT, A1C........ How do you treat hypoglycemia? 6-8 (I think) lifesavers & some OJ, then re-check sugar in 15 minutes. If it's stabilized, eat a pbj sandwich & some milk; if not, more lifesavers & check again in 15 minutes. What section are you in?? I hope this helps. This is what I got from the 2 lectures and it seems to be sticking. Remember, just break it down and you will get it.

Noooooo! Last year, diet coke kept me going!!!!! :)

according to dean (dean's initials removed by moderator). at one of the meetings, the accelerated program was dropped due to a "greater than 50%" failure rate.

Read again. It clearly says misdemeanors are included. Depends on the degree of the theft. From what I gather, it would be 5 years. "5 years: Any other misdemeanor involving assault, fraud, or theft."

Well, 3 of my friends just got jobs there and they JUST graduated. They won't have their license until they take the NCLEX, so for now they are graduate nurses (not interns).

I would DEFINITELY call the recruiter! I applied for a job and called a week later. She had it in her file that she had already called me for an interview & was awaiting my return call. SHE NEVER CALLED IN THE FIRST PLACE! So, yes-- call! I ended up getting the job, too! Good luck!

Also there is one by Lehne they will make you reference for your drug cards.

hmmmm...... (initials of instructor removed by moderator) perhaps??? :)

How can they make this mandatory? I mean, you already graduated, right? It's not like they can call the State of Michigan and not have you take the NCLEX. So are they just "saying" it's mandatory to scare people or what? How are they enforcing this? Guess I want to know for next year...... :)

Oh, you are lucky (for the days)!! I wish I could show you the the second year "offerings" - just awful! If I get nights or weekends I will need a hardship! yeah, I went to that Saturday tutoring. She was okay. She likes to get off track & talk alot. Personally, I would take supplemental on Mondays & study on Saturdays. Sometimes I think Dean H is just so overwhelmed she doesn't know WHAT she is saying! LOL!

Unfortunately, they are NOT aware that the weekend program isn't working. They are so not aware that they are adding MORE weekend clinicals, and the chances of you getting a clinical on the weekend versus a weekday is GREATER. We just had our meeting for 2nd year yesterday. Chaos at best. The Dean was RAVING about this weekend thing and how well it is working. Something does need to be done. With that said.......hfmf, you will get back in the program quicker than you think. I mean, the time will go fast. More than likely, you will have to take PATHO, right? So there is your fall. And before you know it, Winter is among us. Take your 8 week 155 class first, then enjoy your time off while the rest of the people are in psych. I re-took 155. It's not a death sentence. There is no one standing next to you with a t-shirt that says "I'm with stupid" - but I thought ALL of those things when I didn't make it. Cry, vent, get angry, and then get over it. THIS WILL BE A GOOD THING for you, I promise. You will get back in there next year and kick some serious butt! Everyone in the class will try to be your friend because they will want to know what was on this test, etc....... just ignore that. Read a little bit over the summer. Try to figure out what didn't click. It WILL click when you go back!! GOOD LUCK!!! Oh yeah- and the 5 credit D falls off when you get your 5 credit A!!!!!

No, it is "recommended" that you take patho to re-mediate for 155, but not mandatory. My GPA did not fall below 3.5, so I did not have to take it. Plus, it would have been pointless- my baby was born in October. I was just wondering if it would help with 221/222.

Well, actually, I just got an extern job, so I kinda wanted to NOT take it. I am just scared because I had to re-take 155. Granted, I was pregnant & on the 2 day schedule, but I am trying to do everything to not "fail" again (even though we all know a 78.5 in "real life" is not failing. lol!). So, I think I will drop it. Critical care will probably benefit me wayyy more in 2nd year any ways. Thanks, you guys! :)

Hi guys (and gals)- quick question: Do you think I need to take patho if I have already completed first year? I know to transfer for BSN I will eventually need that, but I will not be doing that right away. So, do you think it will be a waste of time or no? I AM taking critical care, but I thought if I took that, too, it would be even MORE help. Then again, having spring off will be nice.......

Agree!! Also, test 4: VERY easy! Keep going! You can still do this!!

CONGRATULATIONS! Ahhh, the cakewalk! I do remember, and I am so glad you have learned and grown, etc.... Enjoy the walk- all of you! You deserve it! I'll be a year behind you! :)

You know, I had to re-take 155, and I thought it was the absolute end of the world at the time, but it ended up being the best thing for me! I actually UNDERSTOOD the material this time around, and got a great grade! So, if you do have to re-take it, it is NOT the end of the world! You'll just be that much ahead next year! And believe me, the year goes by FAST! Also, sidenote: my instructor last year (PS) told the class that people that "squeak by" in 155 often end up failing 221. So, don't give up. Mybrowneyedgirl is right - test 3 & 4: not bad. Keep at it, and whatever is meant to be will be.

I took A&P 2 with my nursing classes 1st semester (I started in fall). It is doable, but not advisable. I managed to get B's in all of them (I was also a 4.0 going in), but if I took the A&P alone I would have gotten an A. Get them out of the way ASAP. :)