chaya,
your replies and suggestions have been wonderful (as usual)!
i would just like to add, that two of my clinical professors did have a problem with me wearing a white scrub top, even with the downstate patch sewed on. so getting at least one uniform top might be a good idea. female or male top, i guess that it depends on a person. i would still choose the female one, even though a patient last week though i was a catholic “sister”… do not dare get the school's pants! they look horrible, tapered at the bottom and absolutely shapeless. any pair of white scrub bottoms will be just fine...
if tanguera discouraged any one of you (i personally think she should stop all the whining and negativity, because that's all she's done since the beginning of the program), do not let it get to you!
first, know the best method by which you learn. it is physically impossible for a professor to teach you all the info you need to know. so don't expect to be spoon fed, it is not high school. you need to read on your own, but hey, we are all “adult learners”, right?
second, organize your time wisely, especially in the first summer. yes, it will be hard, but if you organize everything in advance, you will be less stressed.
third, make friends! and this one is very important! you will be learning, laughing, helping each other, making group project and studying together for 15 months, and having people who know what exactly you're going through is crucial.
fourth, be proactive! in a clinical, there are 10 students and only one instructor. she can't be there holding each hand. and that's where you need good people skills. be nice and respectful to the nurses, and they will teach you more than the instructor! yes, some of them might have an attitude, but don't let it get to you. there will be many things to obsess over, but instead spend your time learning! you can bring books and powerpoints with you to clinicals and study. in fact, in the beginning of the program i bought this book, and it has been very useful: “nursing diagnosis handbook” by ackley and ladwig (8th edition), it had saved my behind through many nursing care plans.
fifth, don’t have extremely high expectations and demands. again, you will be less stressed if you don’t, and you’ll have a better time.
and finally, no matter what they tell you do not get the *******’ tote, especially if you are on a budget! i opened it for the first time a month ago, when i needed gauze to clean my puppy’s ears…
i would like to welcome you guys! if you have any questions you are welcome to pm me or stop any us in the hallway… there will probably be a group from our class who you will meet during the orientation, and they will answer any of your questions or concerns.
