mcs1505

Yes, Keep us posted :)

If you already have a bachelors, why don't you try an accelerated program? U of Cincy has one that gets you your MSN in two years. I would assume you could fall out after 1 year with your BSN. It's worth looking into. I moved to FL to attend UFs 1 year accelerated BSN program. I did find that financial aid is slim to none for second bachelors seekers.

While I agree that new grads need to realize that they are indeed at the bottom of the totem pole, there is a difference between entitlement and pursuing your dream job. When I entered my program I knew I wanted a position in a Pediatric ER in Ohio. After I take the NCLEX I'll be starting my job at Cincy Children's ER and I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I found a hospital that had a program specifically for new grads in the ER and I worked hard to get it. I really never thought I would get it, but for some reason I did. When established nurses ask me if I have a job lined up and where it is, they act like I've committed some sort of crime for already having a job, let alone having one in a double-specialty. Many have let me know, in no uncertain terms, that they think I will fail. Gee, thanks. I don't feel entitled to the job, I feel blessed. I didn't complain about my salary; it might not be the highest I've seen, but I am absolutely thrilled to have it. I'll be on a flex schedule (which basically means I'm their b**** until I get off orientation) and I'm perfectly fine with that, as I see it not only as working my way up, but as providing me with the opportunity to try all the different shifts to find what works best for me. What I'm trying to say is that there is nothing wrong with wanting something extreme and trying to get it. There's also nothing wrong with being dissappointed if you don't get it. Desire =/= entitlement. Also, to anyone who is really desperate: try the military or try looking out of state. Nearly everyone in my program (60 people) has a job, and we still don't graduate until June 19th. It is possible, you just might have to be a little flexible.

So does Cincinnati Childrens in Ohio: they offered me a job in the ER as soon as I pass NCLEX. I came from Florida to get it. I just kept calling and asking what I needed to do. Then I traveled up there to interview.

When we got the box they explained that the ebooks were just electronic copies of the book. And they were all on one CD together. The access code is completely different than the ebook. The code just gives you access to a section of evolve's website that contains some review material and a couple quizzes that are part of your grade (but that you can take as many times as it takes to get 100%). If you buy the textbook new they usually come with an access code. If not, or if you pick up a used book, you can buy the access codes for like 60 bucks from half.com (make sure the access code is the most current edition, even if you got an old book).

You don't need any of the ebooks. They are EXACTLY the same as the text, only on a CD. So basically you are buying two of each book when you buy the box. Ridiculous? Yes. The only way this works is if there are two of you willing to split the price of the box and one gets the texts and one gets the ebooks....at least that's all I can think of. Health assessment: yes. I don't remember using the access code though... Pharm: not sure. You guys have a different professor than us. All we needed was a drug guide. Skills: Yes. And the code. Nursing diagnosis: You could probably get away with sharing this one. I managed to always "forget" to bring mine, even though I owned it, because who wants to haul that book around?? It was the only book we had to bring to class, other than the drug guide. Concepts: I don't remember this book...but if it is for Essentials of Nursing it may be one of the books that you "need" but I never used. I hope that helps. I base "need" on whether they assigned readings from the book and the material then actually ended up on the test. But the Patho book is NOT needed (even according to the prof) and I'm glad they didn't put it in the box...though it's odd that the box is still the same price even without that huge book...

Sorry Ty (and anyone else) but the books (and scrubs) are taken.

You'll need at least one pair of white scrubs (two for the fall since you'll have two days of clinicals back to back). As for colored scrubs to wear to lab: I know a couple girls who only owned two pairs of colored scrubs as well. I personally had 3 pairs of whites and like 20 sets of colored scrubs...but I'm a clothes horse.

In addition to what you have already, I'd say you need: Physical Assessment, the Clinicals Skills & Techniques books, and the Med-Surg manual because they do assign readings from those books and test over the readings. Sometimes it's not covered in class. My advice is to buy athletic/running shoes from any shoe store. They only have to be "mostly white" with a back. It's more important that they are comfortable than that they look "nurse-y." Most of the nurses on the units where you have clinicals wear running shoes.

I saw a couple people mentioning buying books: I was planning on selling mine to the used bookstore but if you can get them in the next couple days (before Wednesday afternoon), send me a PM and we can set something up. I'm pretty flexible on price. You can see them and make an offer. I still have all the summer books, as well as the med-surg book and research book for the fall and the Peds/OB book for the spring. (And you don't have to want them all, obviously) I also have a lot of small-medium scrubs and a pair of size 7 white shoes I'm giving away for free.

http://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Comprehensive-NCLEX-RN%C2%AE-Examination-Nclex-Rn/dp/141603708X/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1240632306&sr=8-1 Saunders Comprehensive Review for the NCLEX-RN® Examination Make sure it has the CD it comes with. That CD is worth it's weight in gold (in the opinion of someone who just passed HESI).

Hey guys, I'm not sure if any of you care or anything, but they sent out the emails about the football ticket lottery today and I just wanted to encourage you to enter. I didn't because I didn't like football and thought I wouldn't have the money but a lot of the nursing students went together and I wish I could have gone with them. Something to think about :)

I don't know about ya'lls program of course, but this year we had like 8 guys I think. I would think they'd probably try and admit about the same number if possible...

FYI, there is a fee associated with paying online via ISIS with a credit card. I recommend sending a check if you want to do it before you actually get on campus.

Yes, you get the whole week off :-D Whether or not you feel like you can travel is an individual decision. I went home to the panhandle, and I also went to NY the first weekend of June, so it's possible. Lots of people did travel, so it's entirely possible. You have a couple papers and projects but if you work ahead and efficiently you have plenty of time to yourself over breaks. Also, for anyone who is interested: I had some scrubs (white and otherwise) donated to me when I started the program. Clearly I never want to wear white scrubs ever again ;-) so if anyone is in the G-ville area feel free to PM me and we can set up a meet place. I have some colored tops and bottoms too that I don't want anymore that I'd be willing to give away. After all, they were given to me. I just ask you pass them on to the next class if they're still in good shape. They're mostly smalls (the whites are a small) but some of the patterned tops could easily be mediums.

Yes, mine are running shoes. Just no holes. Yes and no. Yes, if you are new to UF then your UF GPA is brand new (unfortunately). But also no, you still have your overall cumulative GPA that averages all your grades from all the undergraduate colleges you ever attended. I'm still not sure how they work those 6 graduate credits in there...I know they count toward your UF nursing GPA but I'm not sure about the cum GPA.

We had 60 get into our program but several (15?) seats came from grant money given to the VA in Gainesville which partners with UF's college of nursing.

Yes! No need to ruin perfectly good tops or going through a bazillion patches by sewing them on to all your scrubs. Hey, side note since you already graduated: was HESI as bad as they made it out to be? They're telling us all that we only have to get 900/1600 but then that "almost everyone fails the first time" and we're finding it hard to believe that.

No. Mine are New Balance running shoes. A lot of us just have sneakers. I think they said they were ok if they didn't have holes as long as there was a back. It comes down to whether or not that little strap is going to keep your shoes on if you have to run for the code cart. A lot of us bring laptops. I think more and more as the semester has gone on and Senioritis has gotten worse. :-P Outlets are a problem in most of the rooms so you wind up having to get there early to claim your spot. None of the professors have said anything, though Nealis (our Peds prof) once walked all the way to the back of the room an stood by me so she could see our laptops (half of them were watching movies and I think she caught on). I don't know what I would do without my laptop. It's been threatening to die for the last month and I'm going crazy. It's so nice to bring up the powerpoints they post online and then type right into them. Or be able to google something they mention in class that you don't understand (especially for Weber in the fall *hint hint*). Or take your practice NCLEX tests when you get uber bored in the spring...

I'm moving to Cinci this summer to start work and I'm desperate to find a place to live. I've tried all the websites but not really sure where the good areas are. I'm trying to find a halfway point between downtown (where I'll be working) and the Newtown/Plainville area (where my roommate works). We were hoping for Kenwood and would looooooove a townhouse but the ones we looked at have waitlists (which we are on). So basically I was wondering if anyone knew of any Kenwood-esque places (other than Hyde Park). Thanks in advance!

Wow I totally missed the "and/or shoes" last time. So sorry. I wear running shoes. I bought official nursing shoes but they hurt my feet after a few hours. The "white shoes" rule can be bent a little: mine are white and silver with a little light blue and no one has ever said anything. As long as they are mostly white and HAVE A BACK (that's the biggest thing) you'll probably be fine. Oh, and no Crocs with the holes in the top. Big no-no. You want to be able to run in them if need be, and not be able to spill anything on your actual feet. A lot of people love Danskos. I've never tried them. I want to get MBTs after I graduate. Again, there are a lot of different threads about this. To sum up: white or mostly white, with a back, no holes in the top, that you can stand in for at least 8 hours straight. That's all.

True, I forgot about the codes. However, if you buy the books new on Amazon they should come with the codes. If you buy them used just ask if the codes are intact. Sometimes it's even worth it to just pay the $60 if you get a good enough deal on a book. It was the Essentials book that had the codes. Any scrubs can be worn on labs days. When you don't have lab you can wear whatever you want. I love my Littman Master Classic. A lot of people got the Classic SE IIs, and a few have the lightweights. You definitely can't go wrong with the Cardiology III. My suggestion is to go to a scrub store and ask to try them out. If you don't know what you're listening for you can always buy a cheaper one now and wait until later for a better one. If you do a search on the threads you'll find TONS of threads on which stethoscope is the best. You have to weigh how well you can hear with it against how much it costs and how heavy it will be around your neck (unless you carry it in a holster or pocket like I do).

You do not need the patho book, Derrico even told us that on the first day of class. I started the reading for the frst day, didn't finish it and never opened the book again. I got an A. The rest is personal preference. Some students read the books, some didn't, and both group's grades ran the gamut. I would say to get the drug reference (though you can find all that info on Shands website), the NCLEX review book (though you don't necessarily need the one they tell you to get, it is a good one), and the main texts for Essentials and Comm & HA. Those are only ones I used, but you may also like to have the supplemental books for Essentials. And the APA manual if you're not comfortable using APA (though the Alachua public library has copies available that I just went in and used) However, you don't need to have any of them the first day. I would have been fine had I just waited until after orientation and bought them at Amazon. And that's exactly why so many of us bought it. But it also had books that were basically useless, the profs never referred to (including the massive and expensive patho book), and digital copies of all the books (which I don't think anyone used at all). It was a huge waste of money I could have spent on a better stethoscope or scrubs. Oh, and on the scrubs front: There's a scrub shop on University Ave just west of 34th St which gives a discount to UF students who bring their badges, AND during nurses week (May 6-12) they have an even bigger discount (I think it was 30% off?). It was a great time to get scrubs and shoes. Just FYI. You will need white scrubs for clinicals the first two semesters and other scrubs to wear to class on days that you have lab.

They're just as required as class, if not more so: they're your labs. For Comm & HA you'll be learning different assessment techniques and every 2-3 weeks you'll go in and perform your assessment on your partner for a faculty member and get checked off. It might sound scary, but they're really easy and the faculty are super nice about it and you have a lot of practice time. In Essentials you learn how to use different equipment: using the patient lifts, dropping an NG tube, monitoring chest tubes, caring for colostomies, giving injections, inserting foleys, changing dressings etc. You only get checked off for those three times (the last three I listed). I don't know about ya'lls orientation but for us it was the Friday before classes started and probably lasted a full school day (8-3ish) but I don't really remember. They provide a really nice lunch though :) They told us about how the program would run, introduced us to our professors for the summer, told us it would end before we knew it, brought in some ABSN students who were in their last semester to prove that we would still be alive a year later, warned us that summer was the hardest, talked a little about HESI and a lot about grad school. Taught us about the wireless access, E-Learning, financial aid the dress code, equipment we need for clinicals etc. Typical orientation. You should definitely go: I still hang out with the girls I met that day. But don't let them pressure you into buying a ginormous box of books for $600. You don't need 1/2 the stuff that's in there, I could've saved like $400 by not buying that box.

FYI... Derrico is AH-MAZING. Go to his review sessions. Use his tutors. All his test Qs for Patho come from the notes, most come from the notes for Comm&HA too, so GO TO CLASS. (This may seem like a no-brainer but you'd be surprised). The first patho test is the worst, but they get easier. Irving is great too. Super nice. Meet with her during office hours if you have any questions about your grades. Know your APA for her papers and cite cite cite. Sutton is wonderful in clinicals, but talk to her outside of class to know what's on the tests. And don't expect to get many/any points back. She loves pulling Qs from the assigned readings in the book. Be prepared to learn all about her mother-in-law ;-P Honestly, I love them all. The others didn't teach last summer so I don't know anything about them.