2011nurse

Finished exam in 1 hour, 75 questions, just got the good pop-up!! Thank you all!! :) :) :) :) RN hopefully :) :) :) :)

Good luck!! I am signing off now and I will be back after it's all over. We can do it!! :)

Thank you all sooo much for the words, thoughts, and prayers. I know we all can do this. Best of luck to all of us taking the exam this week. Prayers will be said for all of us. Thanks for everything. :)

Hello :) I am taking my NCLEX RN tomorrow at 2pm and I would love some words of encouragement, if anyone has any. I have been studying, praying, meditating, and trying to stay calm all week, and it really is hitting me today. I know I can do this. Please help me retain my sanity through tomorrow afternoon so I can kick butt on this test!!! Thanks!! :redpinkhe

I would love to hear any opinions/suggestions on clipboards, stethoscopes, etc... Do you guys carry a clipboard for clinicals? With or without a calculator? What brand stethoscope do you suggest? Did you have it engraved? I purchased a Littman lightweight II SE. It has worked great. It isn't the top of the line of the Littmans, but I hear great heart and lung sounds on it, and it isn't heavy like some other stethoscopes. I got it through Amazon. They are down to $44.96. There may be a better/newer model out now, not sure. I did not have it engraved. I never carried a clipboard in clincals personally; however, a few students did. I also never had a calculator on the floor. I usually only carried: small spiral notebook (one of those really tiny ones), 2 pens, pencil, bandage scissors, wound measurement srip (given to us in the skils lab the first week of class), and then I would stock up on alcohol pads, "remove" bandage remover pads, and tape from the floor. I also would carry the patient summary given to us on our patient at the beginning of the shift (1-2 page printout). Oh, I also got a black sharpie on a keyring and attached it to my badge holder, to label dressings when they were done. I would also bring my drug guide and stash it somewhere on the floor or in the chart rack to look up meds. Also...any current Dale Mabry morning program people: Do you have clinicals on Wednesday, then classs on Thurs. and Fri?? That is what they have planned for us, and I wonder how hard it is to be in clinical ALL DAY Wed., then have to be ready for class the next morning. Obviously it would just mean that you have to prepare farther in advance, but just wanted to get a feel for how difficult that is... I did have clinicals on Wednesday for NP1 and honesty, it wasn't bad at all. I would start my reading 1 week ahead. I would read after class on Thursday and Friday for the following week's lecture. I was never behind that way and I would not have to do any reading/studying the night of clinicals. The first few clinical days were physically rough if you have never worked on the floor and on your feet all day, but it is not bad at all. I actually liked getting my clinical day "over with" so I could focus on class for the rest of the week. :) Hope this helps!! It is great you are asking questions now because it can be overwhelming those first few weeks. Good luck and I am happy to give any advice and answer any questions you may have.

Sure no problem. I know how hard it is to find good looking and comfy scrubs. A lot of us started out with the basic, scratchy cherokee ones and are now trying to find more comfy and stylish ones. I will start my final year of the program with some better scrubs, wooho!! :) I definitely think it is worth the time and money to find ones that fit well and are comfortable. I have been through easily two different pairs of pants that either shrunk or were too saggy by the end of the day, and tops that were like wearing a box with sleeves. NO fun to do clinicals in something so uncomfortable!! Good luck!!!

I also would avoid any contrast color stitching. I did manage to find a great and soft Dickies top recently that is more stylish than the usual cherokee boxy cut top. You can also wear the Karlie Koi white pants because they are all white with no contrast stitching. I think the Lindsey Koi pants do not have contrast stitching either. Hope this helps!!

I know that if the color is not "port wine", they will have a problem with it. I too love Koi; however, the closest they have to port wine is the color you mentioned, and it is not the correct color. I even had my last clinical instructor in NP2 state that they have a problem with people wearing the wrong shade of port wine. I would stick with cherokee workwear or dickies. Koi just isn't close enough. Sorry

For those wondering about the CPR class. I just finished up NP2, and last year when I was waiting for orientation like all of you, I went ahead and took the CPR class. Most of the students at orientation already had completed the CPR class prior to orientation as well. They will take a copy of your CPR card at orientation if you have it (make a copy prior to going to orientation, both sides of the card). If you do not have it, they ask you turn it in with all of the other paperwork (physical, immunizations, etc.) that is due before classes start. They made us take CPR for health care professionals. I go to DM campus, but I actually took my CPR course at South Florida Baptist Hospital in Plant City. It was a great course, the instructor was great, and she was to the point, and did not keep us any longer than we had to be there. If you google South Florida Baptist Hospital and look under the classes tab, it lists the upcoming classes. Good luck to all and have a great summer!!

For the calc test you are allowed to use a BASIC calculator (add, subtract, multiply, divide, square root), our professor provided us with calculators in NP 1. In NP 2 we can use our own, but they have to be basic ones as well. For the clinical calculations book, I worked out of version 5 for both my NP 1 and NP 2 tests (they are on version 6 now), and I passed them both. There are minor differences that did not interfere with my test grade in any way. I purchased the older edition on ebay for like 5 bucks because the newer one came in the box. Honestly, I have not even opened the newer one yet. The older edition has been working fine. Good luck with the math!!

Hello :) Just to calm some fears for those who are alternates. I think you still have a good chance of getting in. I started the program, Fall 2009, and at my orientation, there were 8 people who had accepted their admission to the program, but did not show up for orientation, so they were automatically out of the program. I would hope/think that they offered those seats to additional alternates. I also know that some do accept their seat and still are not sure if they are attending HCC, so they may also back out before orientation. Keep up hope!! I know it is stressful waiting to see if you got in and not knowing what to expect in regards to the program, ALL SUMMER, but once it starts, you will have so much to do, time will fly so fast. I would recommend working on the clinical calculations book, the first 8 chapters, if you have time. As far as reading Potter and Perry, it is hard to really know what to read, as they don't go through the book in order. I would practice NCLEX, even if you don't know the material, it will help you get an idea of the question style, which is very different from regular test questions. Good luck to all and if anyone has any questions, feel free to ask!!

If they don't accept it, then take the CLEP exam for the course, if it is offered. That sould satisfy them. :)

Hello :) I am currently an HCC nursing student and I wanted to let you all know who are applying for Fall 2010, that last year, the application deadline was January 15th, the committee met early March, and I received my acceptance letter by the end of March. From what it sounds like, they tend to move more quickly for the Fall applicants, so you should know by the end of March/early April, if you have been accepted. Orientation was in June, and we were in communication with our professors for NP1 by the end of June/early July regarding our clinical locations, reading/skills for Fall. It goes by very fast. My recommendation is, sit tight. It was hard to get ANY info out of anyone as far as finding out if I was accepted. There are no "tricks" or hints in hawknet that I know of. Just check the mail every day from mid-March on, and hope for the best!! :) The program is intense, but very good, and the reputation of HCC nurses is great out there at the clinical sites and from other nurses/nurse managers that I have spoken to. Good luck to everyone, the journey is worth it!!

Hello, I am currently in the Dale Mabry day program. I know that instructors do switch from day/night and also campuses. We have an instructor from Plant City nights, for our day section for this semester at Dale Mabry. I would apply where you want to be and hope that you get placed there. I wanted Dale Mabry days and I got Dale Mabry days. I do know that some people do switch at orientation and also after the first semester. I think we lost about 10 people over the course of our first semester, so some spaces opened up. I think the advantage of going to Dale Mabry is that more of the clinical sites are closer to this campus than Plant City. Anyways, whatever you decide, good luck!! :) My first semester instructor was tough, but really great. You will do well if you really want to, no matter who the instructor is.

I do not find this topic offensive at all. Honestly, I don't think anyone of us, patients included, would want to be surrounded by heavy body odor; however, I think the appropriate way to handle this situation is to remove yourself from it. In a classroom setting, sit on the opposite side of the room. If that doesn't work, then practice what they tell you on the floor about putting some peppermit oil/vicks under your nose, or something to that effect. I do not think it is appropriate to tell a peer to wear deoderant or to bring it to their attention. If your instructor feels this person's body odor is interfering with clinicals, I am sure your instructor will tell him. I had a similar situation at my orientation. A man came in, and his odor was incredible. I hated doing this, but I told him that the seat next to me was taken because I could not tolerate it. I don't think that is rude at all. It is my choice to be around him and I chose not to. Thanks for posting this interesting topic. I am sure we can all learn something from each other's viewpoints. :)

I would wait until after orientation. Everyone waited to buy the books because they were not in the bookstore yet. Also, there were some edition changes from the previous semester, so there is a possibility you may have different editions than us. I would not get anything except the calculations book if you want to start early on the math. As I mentioned, it is in the box though, so if you buy the books at the bookstore in the package they sell them in, you will have two copies. I would get an older edition if you can find one really cheap so you don't have to buy it twice at full price. Once you know who your instructor is, maybe you can follow up with them about the book list and confirm what is needed if you want to buy them early. Hope this helps!! No problem answering questions. I remember what it was like to be in your shoes and wanting advice/info!! So ask away. :)

Yep, Joyce LeFever Key is one of the authors. Clinical Calculations: With Applications to General and Specialty Areas by Joyce LeFever Kee, Sally M. Marshall

Hello :) That does not include tuition. Tuition was about $1000. So $1800 total so far. The clinical calcations book does come in the box; however, I purchased an older edition, 5th edition on ebay for like 6 bucks with shipping and studied out of that and passed with no problem, so you could do that if you aren't able to buy the box yet.

Hello :) Cost of first semester so far... about $800 including books and supplies for clinicals. We do have to purchase one more book for the psych component of the class, but they have not told us what the book is yet. I saved some money by buying some of the supplemental required books from borders and barnes and noble with discount coupons. The only thing I purchased from the bookstore was the box of main textbooks they package together which was about $520. My advice, sign up for every coupon program from borders, barnes and noble, and uniform city. Those coupons go a long way!!

Hello, Contrats to all of you that have been accepted or are alternates!! I am currently in NP1, Dale Mabry, day program. Re the CPR card/registration thing. I am pretty sure they mean do not register for classes. For our grop we were not even able to register until the end of the first day of orientation, when they unlocked all of the NP1 class seats. As far as the CPR card, they told us to bring it to orientation, but not everyone had it, and they let us turn it in by the first day of class. Bring a photocopy of it, both sides, as they do not photocopy it for you. The program is tough, start doing the Clinical Calculations book, chapters 1-8 now as they DO NOT cover any of this at all in class. You have to teach yourself the nursing math. Reading averages about 5-7 chapters a week with clinical skills too. We have had the calculations test, many did not do well, and our first book material test, awaiting results on that one. Good luck to you all!!!! :)

Hello, I did not receive any letters from HCC before my acceptance. I am not sure why they are sending these letters out, perhaps to include the Ruskin campus as a choice now?? I am sorry, but I do not think this letter is an indication if you are going to be accepted, but hopefully I am wrong. There is another thread going about the 2010 Spring class under the Florida nurses forum. Good luck!! :) -Jacquie

I chose in this order: St Joes, UCH Carrollwood, Town & Country, Memorial. UCH was for Carrollwood Town & Country looks like it is west of HCC Memorial looks like it is in Hyde Park area I googled the last two as I had never heard of them. Hope this helps!! :)

Fall 2009, Dale Mabry, morning (9-12am) class here. I too, purchased my scrubs, patches, and am pricing out shoes and the Clinical Calculations book, so I can get started on the math. Our instructor e-mailed on Campus Cruiser already to ask about clincial preferences!! We had St. Joes, UCH, Memorial, and Town & Country to choose from. :) I am so excited!! -Jacquie

I got the campus that I wanted for Fall 2009. So, all is good. :) No mix-ups for me. Orientation was exhausting, I agree. I am excited to start!! Will work on getting scrubs and shoes soon. I see a lot of student nurses at the hospital I work at, with all leather, white, Nike Shox. Going to start working on the clinical calculations soon, to be ready for fall. Good luck to all Spring 2010 applicants!!!

Roman813 Thank you so much for all of the helpful information/tips/etc. I am beginning to feel less nervous about starting this whole thing. This is a huge step we are all taking, and I know that we all want to be as ready as we can for this. Thanks for giving us an inside view. :) -Jacquie