sfinn

She's the only teacher who teaches the Psych rotation, correct? So I will definitely be having her again.

Hello! She's definitely one of the tougher teachers, but it's not that bad if you understand exactly what she wants from you. I know that sounds stupid, like you should be a mind reader or something, but it's true. As far as the reading, it does help a lot and supplements what she goes over in class. She states that she can and will test you on things that are in the book that she never goes over in class. I read the book maybe about 20% of the time and still passed so it isn't a necessity, but if I had to do it over again I would definitely read. It makes everything much clearer. Don't get tied up on ridiculous details though. Mainly, she wants you to understand the gist of what nursing is about, which for a level 1 student is safety. She will say over and over that when all else fails, try thinking of which answer is safest for the patient. Some of her questions honestly seem like they come out of nowhere, but it improves your test taking skills. As stated above, PAY ATTENTION. Read what she is asking you. You may think you understand it, but read it again. There will be numerous times that one small word or abbreviation will change what she is asking you. I can't tell you the number of times that I got a stupid question wrong because I didn't answer what was asked, I answered what I thought was asked. I don't agree with what everyone says about essentially giving up your life for nursing school. Sometimes our outside lives keep us sane. It is entirely possible to work full time, go out with your friends, and still do pretty well in nursing school :) That being said...also realize I'm only in level 2. My strategies may have got me through level one, but it doesn't mean that I'll pass level 2 or that my ways will work for you. I wish you the best of luck and feel free to contact me if you need any further advice!

Level 1 books are good reference books, but in all honestly the only book that I opened on a regular basis was for basic concepts. I'm not in the majority though, a lot of people did use their books. Try to get an older edition though...they're all the same.

I definitely agree...all that they tell you about saying goodbye to your family and all that stuff isn't true. I still go out and still have fun while holding down pretty much a full time job. Relax and have fun with it.

I agree, definitely start reading the book ahead of time. Especially the Fundamentals of Nursing book. The other two classes arent that bad reading wise, but I think we had to read like close to 30 chapters for the first test in Basics. I would offer notes, but I don't take them lol. I'm not all that organized of a student. haha Kevin...I wonder which teacher you're talking about? Who would make a test like that? All kidding aside though, it definitely is a lot of work. Don't forget to relax and have fun though because I would have went crazy this first semester if I took everything seriously. If anyone has any questions feel free to IM me or email me at Kokopelli8885 or [email protected] Good luck!

Congrats everyone! And if you need any help with anything feel free to contact me!

Good luck guys!

Umm lol she is kinda on the scary side, but in a good way? If that makes any sense. She's a good teacher, she definitely explains anything and everything that you'll need to know. I like her... Where are you for validation?

Isabella! Hey! Yeah we've had validations for handwashing, transfers, vital signs, gowns gloves and mask, and this week we have IV, IVPB, and Meds. We also have our first Concepts test on Wed, our first Assess test next Wed, and we took our PCME test. I'm afraid that I'm going to fail injections for something stupid. haha my teacher scares the crap out of me sometimes. For clinical I'm in Palisades, where are you?

I have Dr. Skuka. She's pretty good as well, I like her. GLN4RN, the HESI gave you 4 hours to take it. It might be A1 lol I'm not sure I know that its the same test either way I just get the name mixed up. Four hours seems like a short time, but I honestly think that I was done in less than 2. There was also the personality and learning styles, but thats not graded at all. They probably dropped the AP part of the test, because its kind of unfair to test people on it when their allowed to take it later on. For the math there was a computer calculator to use. And the reading comprehension wasn't difficult. Just pay attention and make sure to answer what they are actually asking you. Good luck!

No problem! haha I get this on my phone so this is what I do instead of work. Yeah it is a competitive program definitely, but you have to take into account that I believe this is the first year that they used the test so not everyone did as well as expected. When you get closer to the lower 80's though theres a LOT more competition. Anyway, yeah taking those two classes together right now will definitely help. Pay attention and you'll do fine. As for the Vocab, I thought that it was ridiculously simple. If anything, get their study guide and go over the words that they give. Then again, I'm a giant book nerd lol so maybe thats why. Also, are you taking AP at Bergen? If so, who do you have?

Hey! The HESI A1 really was not all that bad. The hardest parts for me were the science portions, but I also did not take A&P when I took the test. I am only now taking A&P. Honestly for those three subjects I would just review basically the basics of each subject. Go over your notes from your old classes. I've always been bad at Bio and Chem (mostly because I don't pay attention in class because it bores the crap outta me) and I still got over an 80 on those sections. Also, on the A&P I got like a 72 without ever haven taken the class so don't worry too much, it's not impossibly hard. The cut off was probably around low eighties? They don't tell us...but I know there's one or two in the class who got in the low 80's. I never took the Accuplacer, so I can't help ya there. As far as my professors? I think their overall wonderful. Very knowledgeable. One of my teachers is kinda confusing in lecture, but she knows what shes talking about when it comes to clinical application. They are all tought but kind. I think that their very knowledgable and definitely want you to succeed. If you have any other questions don't hesitate to ask! Good luck!

Hey Isabella! Yeah we had validations this week, I failed a simple one because of nerves and something really simple, but we got to do it immediately the next day so no harm was done. Now I know I need to calm down before validations. I'm only worried about the math test, because our teacher seemed a little unsure of what was going on it. I don't think it will be terribly hard though. As far as our other two techers, they are tough but I like them. I need a tough teacher or I'll never learn anything. It is a bit overwhelming, but I'm hanging on so far. Good luck everyone!

Sorry, was at work till midnight last night and didn't have time to answer. haha waking up this early is definately not my thing. Anyway, yeah luckily I read a lot of this because they told us to in orientation. So far I'm caught up, but I haven't done some of tomorrow's chapters yet. I'm not sure I'll have them finished on time either, but I'm going to try. I only have like two left. I haven't remembered everything...it's kind of like in my brain somewhere, but it's by no means memorized. For now I just take notes, I generally try to understand it or memorize it for the test so she tells us what we need to know and its more focused. As for the math, It's not my strongest subject, but so far its not that bad. My main problem is that I have to memorize the conversions. I can of course do it if I look at the conversions, but I don't have all of them memorized yet.

I was under the impression that its supposed to be read for the day its listed on. Is that how you took it? Btw my name is Stephanie, sorry I didn't introduce myself!

My way of studing is to just take one small thing at a time. So far I've read all the stuff that was supposedly due the 3rd, and I'm slowly working my way through what is due for this week. I read and take my own notes, and then eventually integrate whatever the teacher emphasizes.

Oh Gosh I forgot that she told us to read those chapters! So it's soooo many chapters to read! Sometimes though rate my professors is misleading, you have to realize that some people don't do well because they are lazy and then choose to blame the teacher. So as you said, I think a lot of it is what you make of it. I'm hoping that I can catch up with all the reading this weekend so that I can focus on the classes properly...

They seemed alright...I mean she did seem a little testy, but I like to give the benefit of the doubt and assume that their busy with first day of school stuff. haha but honestly, I could really care less about their personalities as long as they grade fairly. So I guess I'll have to wait to see how that happens... Is it me or is the calender for Phys Assess and Basic Concepts sort of mixed up and confusing?

Fisherman, I was in section 3 as well! I agree about the Pharm teacher, I'm hoping that today she was just a little off because it was the first day. I've already started some of the reading, just because between these classes and my anatomy class I need to keep up. Good luck!

I think I have a lot of homework! haha no but it was okay. It seems like a lot of work, but at least it seems interesting. All my professors actually seemed really nice. What about you? How was your first day?

Wow. I don't even think I'm going to print all of that out...I probably will just save it as a file and open it as needed. I'm always around a computer so I can't really justify printing 150 pages lol. As for the books, that makes me want to wait to buy the books. I'm not going to waste money on books if they're just going to change them...

haha Yeah we start on Thursday. And Jenn that's awesome, I'm glad that I'll sorta know someone in my classes.

We were told about our orientation in our acceptance letter, orientation was less than a month before classes actually start. Also, we start Sept. 3 and they told us to expect clinicals to being late Sept, early Oct. Hope that helps!

I don't think that we met any of your teachers at orientation, did we? I think that it's kinda good that they cluster the teachers like this though, so that you have all the same teachers for everything. I feel like maybe it will help us form closer relationships with them. Btw I ordered a relatively cheaper stethoscope, since your friend said its fine for what we use it for. Thanks for that advice!

I used one for my Psych degree and no teacher ever had a problem with it. There was always several students using one as well. I'll be honest, I surfed the web more than doing my actual work, which is a don't. If you're not going to use it for work I don't advise bringing it. I know I personally have the attention span of a fly and the computer doesn't help that. :) But, since you graduated school early you probably pay attention easily.