BusyMomRN

Hey there, welcome to the VA! I am a recent hire and completed orientation at my facility (Augusta, GA) in January this year. My first 4 days were faciility orientation and the hours were from 8-4:30 (a day or two it was little earlier). The dress was also business-casual or scrubs. The HR at my facility is awful, too, must be a national thing....so sad.

8s would be better for my patients, my family, and me :)

Congratulations!!

ORSmurf, congratulations on getting full-time position and finding a new "happy place"! t.adamson, I hope your move is going well, the life of a military spouse isn't easy but it can be rich in friends and new experiences.

JNP72388, the all navy Cherokee navy set would be great, and I totally agree that the sheet was confusing. I can guarantee that OM has had many calls in reference to the wording :) About the stethoscopes, I have a Littman (paid $70ish)nand really like it but the brand you get is a personal preference. I bought mine based on the quality and also the earpieces were very comfortable which was a priority for me as well (some earpieces are very painful!) The patch placement wasn't super specific but since I'm a military dependent, I just took it on base and asked the ladies in the alteration department to sew it on. Some people sewed it, some ironed it, a few pinned it, and at least one put velcro on a patch so she could switch it between tops. The lady sewed my patches about 2 inches from the top of the shoulder seam and centered on the front/back seam. I don't know if I worded that well but I hope you get my point :)

Hey guys :) Shoes should be white, but some trim color is acceptable (jillibeeg-your shoes will be fine). Lots of students wear running shoes, some have danskos, nurse mates, etc (whatever you have make sure they are comfortable and remember leather is easier to keep clean :) ). In the later semesters you might be able to get away with more color, depending on your clinical instructor but I wouldn't push it right now. Badges are available at the bookstore and I think they are about $5 apiece. If you have the money now, get 4 badges, 3 for scrub tops and one for lab coat (you'll have clinical 2xweek and Sim once a week so if you have 3 you won't have to wash clothes till the weekend). We all got the lab coats like doctors and you don't have to get it at the bookstore. I like Hartley's Uniforms on Druid Park ave (off of Walton Way right before 15th Street if you are in Augusta) because you can try it on, they will order your size/style if it's not there, and though they aren't cheap there is a student discount. Most uniform stores will carry lab coats. I recommend going to a store over ordering from a book because you can try it on and find a good fit. Coats can cost $20-$40 and think mine was $30. The only thing that's the same about our coats is the color and most are mid-thigh length, (you don't have to get the same brand/style). If you haven't started immunizations, start now. It takes forever to get all the hep Bs done and you have to be in the process of getting immunizations before they will clear you for registration. I didn't buy a medical terminology book, just used the recommended site. In fact, most of us just printed off the pages and made a med terminology folder, you can make flashcards from there if you like that study style. The test was from the words on the site. I bought the calculation book that they recommended (I posted that a page of two earlier). Learn the metric conversions if you don't know them already. That test was way easier than I thought it would be and didn't have any crazy scenarios. You will have calculations on every test you take, usually just 2-4 but they are good practice. For patho prep, look over your A&P books if you still have them. You just want to have a good general understanding. I have to say that it would help to do this, but that I didn't do any of that and still did ok (if you say a B is ok, and I didn't kill myself getting it). Don't beat yourself up before school starts and try to have fun and enjoy the time off you have :)

JG2010, the only change that is not shown is that you can wear blue bottoms with the blue top. So now we can wear a white dress (unlikely for me), all white, all blue, or white bottoms/blue top. Most of the current class bought their scrubs before this policy change and we still wear the white bottoms/blue top. If you are going to go all blue, buy the same brand/style top and bottom or the colors will be slightly different. Also, the policy states no "scrub pants" but you are wearing a scrub uniform. The wording is funny for some reason, I even called OM about that last summer cause I wanted to know what kind of "pants" to get if we weren't wearing scrubs. I thought they were gonna tell me to have some kind of button/zipper pants but that is not the case.

Hey there future CNLs I saw that some of you were wondering what books we used last Fall so I compiled a list (anything to keep from doing homework, lol). Some of the instructors may change so I wouldn't buy any of the books until you talked to OM to verify they will still be using the same books. You have to have the CPR before classes start. For the summer I would work on the medical terminology, calculations, and reviewing body systems (to help with patho). Here are the courses/books I had: NURS 6100: Pathophysiology Required: Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States Author: Carol Mattson Porth and Glen Matfin Edition: Eighth ISBN-10: 0-7817-6616-8 ISBN-13: 978-0-7817-6616-6 Publisher: Lippincott, Williams, Wilkins Recommended: Study Guide to Accompany Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States Author: Carol Mattson Porth Edition: Eighth ISBN-10: 0781769132 ISBN-13: 978-0781769136 Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins NURS 6600: Health Care Delivery Models, Economics, and Policy (online class) Shi, L. & Singh, D.A. (2005). Essentials of the US Health Care System. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. ISBN-13: 978-0-7637-3151-9. NURS 6700: Nursing Therapeutics and Professional Nursing Required: Jarvis, C. (2008) Physical examination & health assessment. (5th ed.). Elsevier Publishers. Taylor, C., Lillis, C., LeMone, P. & Lynn, P. (2008). Fundamentals of nursing: The art and science of nursing care. (6th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. Taylor, C., Lillis, C. Lemone, P. & Lynn, P. (2008) Skills checklist to accompany fundamentals of nursing: The art and science of nursing care. Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. Taylor's Video Guide to Clinical Nursing Skills: Complete Set of 17 DVDs. Medication Calculation Book of your choice. We highly recommend: De Castillo, S.L.M. & Werner-McCullough (2007). Calculating Drug Dosages: An Interactive Approach to Learning Nursing Math, 2nd Ed. Required Reference Books: Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). (2009). Washington DC: American Psychological Association. Venes, D (2009). Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary (Thumbindexed Version + Taber'sPlus DVD), 21st Ed. Deglin & Vallerand (2009). Davis's Drug Guide for Nurses, with Resource Kit CD-ROM, 11th Ed Leeuwen, A.M. & Poelhuis-Leth, D.J. (2009). Davis's Comprehensive Handbook of Laboratory and Diagnostic Tests with Nursing Implications, 3rd Ed. NURS 6300-Intro to Epi and Biostatistics (online class) It was a CD and I can't find it right now:(

The appropriate response to your question is probably 12-15 hours. The actual answer for me varies from 4 to 12 hours. Very few hours during regular weeks and cramming like crazy for a few days before an exam :) That is not including time for homework like discussion boards, projects, etc. The discussion boards (you will have 2) will take about an hour each, sometimes more.Hope everyone had happy Mother's Day!

Hello everyone! Hope you are having a happy Friday I got the call in May that I had been accepted, and it took forever to get the actual acceptance letter (think it was June). I know you'll feel better once you have the letter but if you've been told that you are accepted try to worry about it. Fall registration begins June 21 and you will definitely have it before then because you need your school account to be set up to first. Ashle83: I'm not exactly sure how the practicum is going to work out. We will meet with the coordinator next month so I can share more with you then. From what I understand, you list your top 3 choices for the departments you want, and then they match you up with a mentor for the fall semester. There rumor is that the students with the higher GPA get their pick over the other student who wanted the same department. There can be more than one student in the department, I guess it depends on the size and mentors available. I know that you work the shift of the mentor you are assigned that's how you get the 540 clinical hours that semester.

chendamoni, I just looked the slides from my orientation to verify this and we do indeed complete 1000 hours of clinical by graduation. It's broken down like this: 60/240/240/540.

Thinking back, I believe we had our schedules a week or so before orientation, maybe a little earlier. It's only been a few months and you'd think I'd remember that detail but so much has happened since then! I distinctly remember everyone filling out their calendars the day after class with test and asssignment due dates though, it takes hours to get organized at the beginning of the semester.

You'll go up the day before to get patient information but it's no big deal and you'll have preclinical paperwork to guide you.

Hey jillibeeg :) I was a dental hygienst in my 'former' life, lol. I think you will really enjoy seeing what you learn put into practice at your place of work even if they don't do it the exact same way. You may even find that you can present new evidence based practice policies into your workplace through the research you do in school. I'm the only hygienist, but there a many biology and chemistry majors, and at least 2 teachers (probably more)that I know of. The 2010 class has a total of 77 students with 48 at the Augusta campus. The CNL class populations are definitely a mish mash of experience and degrees :) I have officially reached the required 15 post mark and can send messages, so feel free to contact me if you'd like. I have a whole 2 weeks before the summer semester starts and kicks my behind....well it's more like a week and 1/2 but who's counting?

Finals are over (WOHOO) and congratulations on the acceptance calls/letters to the incoming students! I think that working weekends is doable but you have to know that Monday will kick your behind. That said I'm sure you know what it takes for you to succeed and you'll be fine. I'm pretty sure the CPR certification has to AHA, give Mrs. M a call/email and she can confirm easily. You will graduate, take the NCLEX, and be an RN. When you practice, you will more than likely be a staff nurse though there are more positions being made available as Clincal Nurse Leaders. You will discuss this more throughout the year. Scrubs can be all white, all blue (NAVY, not royal because the BSN students wear royal, bright blue), or blue top/white bottom. If you haven't bought scrubs before, go to a uniform store and try different brands on to find the best fit before buying online or through a catalog. Another thing that you will need, and that I forgot to mention, is a watch with a second hand. Doesn't need to be fancy :) You can find out more about the uniform policy and other expectations if you read the CNL handbook. It's on the school of nursing homepage; click on the tab for current students and scroll down to the Policy heading. Well, that's it for now. I hope this post is helpful, have a great weekend!

I dug out the syllabus from the two lecture/lab classes last semester and copied the schedule that we had: Patho (NURS 6100) met Monday from 1-4 Nursing Therapeutics and Professional Nursing (NURS 6700) met Monday 0900-1200. Lab for Augusta last fall met Tuesday August 18th 0900-1600, then every Wed (through Sept 30th) & Thurs (through Oct 29th) 0900-1600. Clinical: Begins the week of 10/5/09 0700-1530, lab then changes to Thursdays only. Stethoscopes can be whatever color you want and the type of stethoscopes that students get is varied. The instructors will recommend you not spend a ton of money on one now because it is quite possible that the stethoscope will grow legs and walk away during clinical if you aren’t vigilant about keeping it around your neck or in your pocket. I got mine at the bookstore (so it's overpriced) but its a Litman and I love it. ugadawg1696, you might be able to pull off working part-time but I definitley think full-time is out of the question. Besides one day (ALL day) of class and Lab, you have 2 online courses to stay current on. The online classes don't require a ton of time but you'll need to time to study patho, or at least I did :)

Future CNLs, I haven't posted enough on this site to have message privileges so I'll try to answer any questions that I can here. I think I'll meet my 15 post quota and have messaging privileges soon :) I believe you schedule will be similar to what I had but there could be small differences and I want to say that we had at least a day off every week. Sometimes that day "off" was used to complete other requirements (i.e. training on a specific hospitals charting, glucose testing device, etc) Get your CPR (for healthcare providers) card before class in Augusta, it will take few hours of your time but it's no biggie. Also, you will definitely need: scrubs white shoes (at least mostly white, running shoes will work) stethoscope scissors regular school supplies, printer ink, and paper (you will be printing lots and lots of lectures) You'll only need 1-2 set of scrubs the first semester but your life will be easier in the Spring if you have 3 as you will have clinic twice a week and are required to wear scrubs in the sim lab as well. Blood pressure cuffs are available in lab to check out and practice at home, you don't need to buy one. I think the only "medical" supply I needed was a stethoscope but if you have any other questions send me a message and I'll get back to you somehow. You should feel free to contact the ladies (and gentlemen if they were there) who where in the information session if you have questions and I'm sure they'll be happy to get with you. I think the class as a whole is pretty amiable to taking questions since we were in your shoes last fall. Good luck to everyone completing prereqs!

Hi Guys, I'm a current Augusta CNL and wanted to give you some info. Last fall we had class on Monday (2 lecture classes and 2 were online), and lab twice a week. Toward the end of the semester lab was over and we had clinic one day a week. This semester we have class all day Monday (3 lectures, 2 online classes), clinic Tuesday and Wednesday (and every second Wednesday was a Mental Health rotation instead of the hospital), and Thursday and Fridays were alternated for Sim. Sim lab is only once a week, but we alternated days and am/pm so if I had lab this Thursday a.m., then next week I'll have lab Friday a.m., etc. I don't know how this summer is going to work exactly but it looks like we'll have 2 classes by lecture and 2 online again, 2 days of clinic every week (we'll have community health rotations and hospital clinic, either the 1st or 2nd 1/2 depending on what group we are in) and sim lab either Thursday p.m. or Friday a.m (rotating again). For you out-of-towners who are attending Augusta campus I wanted you to know that there are others in my class who are renting an apartment or staying on campus during the school week and then going home when they can. Maybe a few of you could get together and get something together to reduce costs? I hope this was helpful to you. You can defintely do well and the key is the same every semester, don't get behind or you'll be under a lot of stress cramming for assignment deadlines and studying for exams. We have 2 more finals this week and then we are off till summer semester starts May 17th. Please excuse my grammar and spelling, I'm typing this between getting the kids to do their homework, starting dinner, and cramming for finals :)

I am a nursing student who is writing a paper on evidenced-based practice and I wanted to know if enemas given during labor lowered the incidence of postpartum or neonatal infection. The research (Cochrane Review) found no signficant difference in rates of infection for women who do not recieve enemas versus those who do so the practice of giving an enema during labor is not supported. So my question to you is....do you work in a labor and delivery unit that routinely gives enemas? I saw there was a thread related to this in March of '06 but wanted some current feedback. Any response would be appreciated, thank you!

I agree with RnIn2011, know your A&P. Review the body systems, what they do and how they do it. You need to know how the body is supposed to work so that you understand what is happening in the presence of disease/illness. Learn-relearn your cranial nerves now. Good luck :)

MemphisTiger, I am a first year CNL student and my program has us take the NCLEX after graduation (December). Previous graduates have taken it immediately upon graduation while others have waited a few months before taking it. I believe that our programs our set up differently though. We come in with a 4 year degree and graduate with a masters in 16 months. Our grad courses are taken along with the all the clinic, lab, and theory classes.

"Some" of the downtown areas don't look like much and yes there is some crime. That said, there are well-kept and new townhomes and houses in the downtown area, and add a security service for peace of mind. If you don't like that there are a lot of houses and condos/townhomes just minutes away in any direction (North Augusta, which is ironically in South Carolina, is just a few minutes as well). Just check the yellow pages for realtors in the Augusta area and then your buddies do a drive-by inspection on the places you are intrested in and give you feedback. Good luck this fall!

At my school, we had to take BIOL I & II before A&P, but CHEM wasn't a prereq. I would suggest taking a digital camera with you to your lab. Place a pin and label in the target you need to learn (organs, muscles, and circulation of animal cadaver you are using) and use your camera to get a good pic. Download or print these out to study when you can't get to the lab and expect to do better on your lab practical. Hope this helps!

Just got my letter from Medical College of Georgia (MCG), for the direct-entry MSN, Clinical Nurse Leader program! I'm attending the Augusta campus and it starts this August. Any other MCG CNL students out there?

Follow the links to the schools that were listed in an earlier post. Each school will have different qualifications and some will be more competetive than others. I have a BS in Dental Hygiene and a 3.6 GPA, which isnt the best but not too shabby, and was accepted into a MSN direct-entry program in GA. Narrow down the schools and apply, apply, apply! Good Luck!