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Volunteers CAN count as internal. I think it all depends on how many applicants they have, but it's how I got my foot in the door. There were a-lot of GAPP nurses taken in last year, so I don't know if they're planning on another group just yet. Get to know the clinical educator on your volunteer floor...they will be able to give you the best idea of when another GAPP group will start.

I generally eat my largest meal just before coming to work (about 5pm or so). Most of the time, if I've had a good meal, I can last until about 1 or 1:30 in the morning and take my lunch which is usually a frozen meal or leftovers (basically something mid-sized). Then on my way home, since I'm usually only a little hungry, I either have a slim fast (boost or something along the lines would work too), a juice (like V8 fusion or those naked juices), or possibly munch on some cereal. Sometimes there'll be a snack in there if there's time.

I've seen meds mixed in a syringe like that, but that was during my preceptorship at a pediatric SNF and most of the kids had G tubes. For a kid who's really taking it by mouth, then separate syringes would be better because if halfway through the kid decides they're not going to take any more medicine, you know exactly which meds were not taken.

I'm a new grad who got pretty lucky and got hired right away. I graduated in December (2010) and just started last week at PCH. Granted, I volunteered there, so I kind of had an in. When I originally interviewed, they told me no because the hospital had decided not to include volunteers in the internal hiring, but they either opened more positions or changed their minds. So you CAN get hired right outta school, but it helps to network somehow. Volunteer places, work as a CNA/PCT if you can manage it, make a good impression during clinicals/preceptorship, and just ask around when you're in the hospital who might be a good person to talk to about nursing opportunities.

Started off at 18 as a completely different major at a university. Started my pre-reqs at 20, and did most of them through community college. Started the nursing program at 23. Will graduate at 25 with an associate's RN.

At PC, with the new curriculum, things are just kind of lumped together. There aren't really specific classes like pharmacology or fundamentals. You just start with the more basic skills and fundamentals and advance throughout the semester. I know block 2 focuses on med surg, block 3 I believe is OB and Peds, maybe Psych. Not too sure about block 4. 151 is 10 credit hours. If you take the review course, that's another credit, but still leaves you one short of full time. As far as working goes, I've been able to work 16 hours a week just fine.

Yea, that CD frustrates me quite frequently.

Bio 201 I took during a traditional semester. But Bio 202 I took over 5 weeks.

I took BIO 202 over the summer, and I actually preferred the summer class as opposed to the normal semester format. I felt like the information for the tests was more fresh in my head for tests because there was a test every week instead of it being drawn out during the semester. Yes, the class is a bit difficult, but a little hard work never killed anyone.

If its anything like my program, you will use all the books throughout the program. We are not going to get through our entire fundamentals book this semester because we will be learning from it in future semesters as well. Ask your instructor.

It doesn't bother me at all, especially when it involves something personal like a shower. As a patient, I'd sure appreciate being asked if it was alright. If it gets to the point when everyone is saying no to the nursing students being around, then it might be a problem, but most of them are just fine with it.

They told us in the beginning to expect lower grades than we're used to. The best you can do is hope your normal pattern follows suit in this case. It will probably just take you some time to get used to the style of test.

I can give you answers for the MCCD program only. For the RN program, no. You do not become a CNA after your first semester. There are separate classes you have to take, and I'm sure there's an exam for certification. Just being in the RN program doesn't get you anything but an RN degree after finishing the program and passing NCLEX. Any other certifications and degrees must be separately pursued.

It really varies per school. Try asking about particular schools in your area in the regional forum. I got no choice in my schedule at all. We have a cycle of 2 weeks of lab, then 2 weeks of clinical, etc. On lab weeks I have: Lab Tuesday: 8am-2pm Lecture Thursday: 2pm-6pm On clinical weeks I have: Clinical Tuesday: 6:45am-1:45pm (eek....first one is tomorrow!) Clinical Wednesday: 5:45am-12:45pm Lecture Thursday: 2pm-6pm I'm in my first semester. Things will change each semester.

Maybe she just wanted you to talk to the patients you're working with more to establish a better relationship? If its not affecting your work and your patients aren't complaining that they don't feel informed enough about what you're doing, I don't think you need to worry about it. I'm pretty quiet myself, and some people take it for coldness unfortunately. As long as you're friendly enough to the patients during clinicals I think you should be fine.

My instructors don't give us a study guide or anything. They might hint at things we really need to know though. Then we have the option of taking an additional credit hour pass/fail course that is for review of the previous week's material.

I haven't actually seen ours, but my instructor mentioned its a lamp, symbolizing Florence Nightingale.

First thing, find a school or two you're considering and find out their pre-requisites for the nursing program. Start taking the most basic ones first, like English and math, just in case you change your mind on the major. Then pay attention to which classes have pre-reqs (like science classes usually need to be taken in a certain order). And take the classes that are specific to just one school last if you can.

If you're trying to work a-lot during school too, then no...you probably won't have a life. I work two days a week right now and so far it seems I'll be able to handle that, school, and a social life. But we're only a few weeks in. And I guess it depends on you personally, and how much you need to study.

I am in the traditional program. It was actually my 5th choice. I had accelerated at PC as my 4th. So you don't always get to choose. I waited a year and half to get in though, so I'm not complaining much. Just happy to be in a program finally. Monday and Friday I have no classes, labs, or clinicals. Labs and clinicals interchange every two weeks, so two weeks of lab then two weeks of clinicals. So on the weeks I have lab, my schedule is: Tuesday: Lab 8am-2pm Wednesday: Nothing (study time!) Thursday: Review class (1-1:50...this class was optional), Lecture 2pm-6pm On clinical weeks my schedule is: Tuesday: Clinical 6:45am-1:45pm Wednesday: Clinical 5:45am-12:45pm Thursday: Review 1-1:50, Lecture 2pm-6pm There are about 4 different clinical sites for block 1. Clinical times will vary depending on which location you are going to. Most groups go to only one clinical location, but I'm in the weird group that goes to two each week. The accelerated program does run throughout the summer (I'm sure there is a break or two, but I'm entirely sure). I've heard really good things about Phoenix College on this site before, so it made me happy to get into this school despite it being so far. Keep in mind though that all these things change. The schedule could change each semester. I'm pretty sure they keep it to 3 days a week though throughout the whole program. Clinical times and locations change too. So I can only give you the block one info.

I live in Arizona. I go to Phoenix College (which is under the same community college district as Scottsdale CC). ASU might not be the best route for you. They've just cut their program from what I understand, and its very competitive to get in, which honestly, would not be likely with your GPA. If you take the community college route, plan on waiting 1 1/2 to 2 years on a waiting list after all your pre-reqs are done. You can apply to a program with a hospital chain (Banner) to try to get in a little sooner and have it paid for in exchange for working for them for 3 years after you graduate, but I think this program is pretty competitive and again, the GPA might get in the way (I think that's why I didn't get into their program....my GPA wasn't too great). Good luck with whatever you decide.

I just had my first a couple days ago and got an 85%. It was on the fundamentals, nursing process, a little bit of history, etc. Biggest suggestion would be to do all the practice NCLEX-style questions in your textbook for each chapter if you have them.

I'm in block 1 at Phoenix College. I have no complaints so far (except it being so far from my home). The instructors are all pretty good so far. We meet only 3 days a week, once or twice for lab or clinical and then one for lecture. Traditional program runs during daytime hours (early labs and clinicals) and accelerated runs in the evening hours (later labs and clinicals). I'm not too sure what other info to give. Anything specific you wanted to know?

I took my pre-reqs at Mesa Community College. The only animal parts we worked on were sheep hearts.

I can't imagine taking either 201 or 202 online. I took both in class, and the labs are helpful (at least to me). I don't remember having any essays. Grades were mostly based off tests and lab practicals. And there were no dead cats in either of my classes at MCC.