rrmitch2000

I will second that! Tri-C is extremely demanding and I had all pre-reqs/co-reqs done going in. I dropped my part-time job down to PRN status and actually for the Fall I am taking a leave from the nursing program so I can spend more time with my kids. I rarely saw them last semester only taking 10 credit hours...two classes but 4 days a week away from them which nearly killed me and them alike. It is impossible without a ton of help to do this program with young children...not to mention you miss a lot of their lives. My youngest will be in kindergarten next fall and that is when I plan to return to the program....he is my last and I want to spend my time with him and not in lecture lab and clinical. I can't imagine how you would do it working full time unless you are okay with absolutely no sleep and no life. Best of luck to you...and welcome to tri-c.

sorry....my sample question was very loosely paraphrased so I am sure no copyright infringement was committed. We don't get our tests back so none of our questions in this thread would be verbatim. For the new students and others struggling with these questions, get a copy of fundamentals success by Nugent. This book will teach you how to dissect these questions and think appropriately to answer the questions properly.

Yeah...online would be nice for those of us with previous degrees...foreverlaur...yes, my work as a nursing assistant bit me in the butt many times on exams...just study your book and pretend you know nothing, because surely you have seen that theory and practice are not always on the same page! .... additionally...love the questions when there is no right answer...again play stupid. DONT OVERTHINK...even when the right answer is wrong. Critical thinking at its finest!

As for working fulltime while doing tri c ....good luck. I have a ba in english from OSU summa cum laude, a masters from kent and all A s in my pre reqs in tri c. I have never gotten a B in my life. With the ridiculous grading scale, the crazy questions etc and the minuscule amount of points in each class...an A is almost impossible as Scott says. Hate to be a downer, but it will be hard for you. School has always come easy to me and this semester was a nail biter to the end. Foreverlaur...took me nearly an entire semester to get these questions down. You are like me -- overthinking. Take the questions at face value as if there are no other variables involved. In fact, you have to pretend like you are stupid for some of the questions...because they are often improperly worded etc. Good luck and keep us posted

hillcrest....this is what I have heard.

My advice...if you are young enough....and don't already have another bachelor's degree...opt out of doing the actual nursing program at tri-c. Do all your pre-reqs for a BSN and then apply to CSU or KSU or Akron and go straight to the BSN. Akron City hospital (where I recently worked as a nursing assistant) has told me any hospital with magnet status will be hiring BSN new grads over ADN grads. I was passed over to be a nursing student technician there because I am not in a BSN program. The only requirement is completion of the first clinical rotation of nursing school..which I did..but nonetheless the positions were all filled by BSN students from Akron or Kent...which would mean the new grad RN positions will be filled by those students. Since I am old and I have a BA from OSU, I opted for the ADN. Had I known what I know now, I would have waited a couple of years until my youngest was in kindergarten and completed the accelerated BSN at Kent or Akron. At minimum, you should consider completing the BSN prereqs at tri-c and then bridge asap to a BSN once you are done with the program. On the bright side, I am starting a new job at Parma hospital and they still hire ADN grads so I hope to get an RN position after I finish at tri-c....knowing full well that I will need to bridge either to a BSN or an MSN in the future. If you aren't already signed up for the ADN group forum thru my tri-c space...do so immediately. Many of our classmates that either failed or dropped out are selling their books and uniforms for pennies on the dollar. Good Luck and welcome to Tri-C nursing!

Scott -- no parma hospital for 1600 metro days students? I will most likely go for St. V then since it is close to metro lab...get the hour of practice in right after clinical. One of the girls in our lab this semester was at St. V and said it was an amazing clinical experience.

the key to success is nclex questions and knowing how to rationalize the proper answer. there are very few points in the classes (which i believe they are going to adjust that in the fall) so it is very easy to fail the course (less than 75 percent is a fail remember) if you aren't successful with these types of questions. Since none of the other things you do in the course count toward your final grade (I am talking about lab clinical care plans etc) your grades on the multiple choice tests must be passing in order to move on. I do hope in the future a grading system will be applied to the other work done for the courses. We lost many fine future nurses because they couldn't catch on to NCLEX style questions. For 1300, I highly recommend the Mosby videos. To study for the final, all I did was watch the videos and answer the nclex style review questions at the end of each vignette. I missed only a single point on the final. I learn visually so they really helped me. They help throughout the semester as well since often you take your lecture test before you learn the associated skills in lab....backwards yes, but that is how it is -- another thing I hope they change in the future. For me 1450 was the easier class, but not so for others. I highly recommend the potter and perry study guide. I completed the study guide religiously for all chapters and never had a problem in the class. The key is to study and a lot. Since the classes are out of so few points, only the multiple choice tests count toward the grade, and the grading scale is pushed up 5% (the min C is 75% and you must pass with a C) statistically the odds are against you if you are not successful with the nclex style questions. Not to scare you, but we lost many bright people who were very successful in other academic areas. If you are already in healthcare and have some knowledge, you could begin with the videos this summer and answer the associated nclex questions. It will give you a taste of what you are in for when you begin in the Fall. above all -- GOOD LUCK!

ScottE -- So tomorrow is the big day! Correct me if I am wrong...I think we have the same schedule...so that means tomorrow is just lecture and both our labs are on Friday...meaning no need to lug tote, etc and wear lab coat tomorrow. I have yet to get the sharps coupon that everyone is talking about...do you know what the deal is with that? I also nee a drug reference and a medical encyclopedia...I was thinking of getting an app for my smartphone that has Davis drug guide and tabers on it...did you buy actual books? My bro who is a doc uses epocrates on his droid...says it is indispensible....hmm what to do. Additionally, since it has been a while since I did the AM Cleveland commute...do you think allowing an hour to get to metro (from brecksville) will be okay? I cant remember when 77 really backs up...I seem to recall that leaving around 7 715 is key. I will see you tomorrow. Becky

Well we are in luck -- my husband has two in his warehouse -- would you like to rent one for the semester? Too funny...did you notice that a few of the books will be out in new edition in December? I am waiting to see if the professors roll to the new ones before I purchase -- in my former career with Prentice Hall, I was a publisher's rep and it was VERY important to push our profs to new editions as soon as possible. I'd hate to buy the wrong book.

Hey -- keep your head up and take any work you can find as an RN. My unit manager at the hospital where I work as an Aide (I am still in school) suggested that the hospital jobs are few are far between right now and new grads need to do home health, LTC, anything. We have girls working as techs who are licensed RNs and cannot find work in a hospital -- they will be soon cut off from working as techs and none of them want to work in LTC. I feel badly for them, but the job market will open up again and better to be working as an RN in some capacity than waiting for a dream job to open up. One of the girls took a job in skilled nursing and was recently hired into the ER of our hospital after only 9 months of working at the nursing home. I am curious what the nurses on this board will say. Good Luck.

they will have the male uniform...it is a large store. The labcoat is unisex so you might luck out with that too, but since most women will be a small or an extra small it will most likely need to be ordered. I left them with the patches to sew on since the patches are kind of fussy...not round or in the least bit flexible. Since we'll be washing the uniforms a lot, I wanted a professional sewing job.

Just returned from affordable uniforms and wanted to give all a heads up....they didnt have a lot of lab coats in stock...needed to order mine and it will take three weeks. Also, the name badge takes four weeks so don't wait until the last minute on the uniforms...with the holidays coming up, I'd recommend getting in there asap before you get busy with the end of the current semester and thanksgiving etc. You can find the same uniforms online for about the same price and maybe a little cheaper, but I wasn't sure about the name badge. Additionally, Landau stuff seems to run big -- I wear cherokee for work and I was a size smaller in the tri-c uniform. Again...good luck all and see you in January

Scott -- you'll be great...patients are just people and the easiest way to care for them is just to treat them as if they were your own family members. Some are nasty because they are so sick and feel horrible, others are sweet as can be and thank you profusely every time you clean them up from yet another incontinent episode. When I get overwhelmed from cleaning people up all night long, turning them, putting them on bedpans, taking them to the toilet, sitting with them through periods of mental status change...I think about my aging parents and hope that someone will take care of them with the same respect, dignity and compassion. My unit houses many very ill patients and each night I go to work I find out that someone was sent to ICU and ultimately died -- it breaks my heart, but I can feel good that the nurses and I offered them the best care possible in their final days. If you can get a job as an PCA or a nursing assistant while you are in school, I highly recommend it -- I learn so much every night. I also think my job will make that first day of clinical a little less daunting. :)

my bad...all I saw was mosby and not jarvis -- did you order all the books that were required AND recommended? It seems like a lot of books doesn't it? I too, expect that there will be some drop outs. It does seem that there is plenty of opportunity for remediation if necessary, so I hope that everyone makes it through. A study group would be nice -- I am in Brecksville. You are in Strongsville, right? I really think we will have fun in the program -- I have a blast at my job at Akron City. It is great to care for patients with a wonderful group of dedicated nurses. I hope we get that lucky in our clinicals.

just saw your post about the labs....we are in lab together, so I will look for you. Great minds think alike -- I thought how stupid to drive downtown for a single lecture. Hoping to get thursday lab test out.

Thanks Scott for the info on the books -- I too will be ordering from Amazon as I have done with all my pre-reqs. Did you get the Jarvis book? I don't see it one your list. My brother who is an electrophysiologist (the kind of cardiologist who deals with rhythm disorders) uses a Littman Cardiology III -- I hope he has an extra lying around for me, but I too was thinking of picking up a cheap stethoscope initially. He gets so many free stethoscope from drug companies and pacemaker companies too...maybe he will throw one my way if he hasn't tossed them. I disagree about the dean -- maybe because I am a woman and maybe because during my freshman orientation at OSU back in 1990, I thought Gordon Gee's voice was annoying and weasely and I didn't listen to a word he said. And, yes he is back at OSU -- I was just down for homecoming and the game -- took the kiddos to their first bucks game (giving them no choice as to where they go to college - I am a graduate of the Ohio State honors program and I don't think one will find a better education for the money anywhere...in fact my first multiple choice test was when I started back to school at tri-c) Glad to hear that micro gets easier -- I hope it gets more interesting. I am hanging on to a 90 percent in the class and I would like to have a bigger cushion than that. I, too expect to be successful in the program -- one of things I have identified that I am good at in life is being a student. My only struggle I think will be balancing workload and family. Other than that I am excited to get started and am really happy I chose the generic track over the accelerated -- I look forward to having the summers off with my children. Good Luck and as always: Go Bucks!

Me too -- got everything I wanted -- Friday labs and Parma clinical...just didn't feel like driving too far in the winter When the weather is nicer in the Fall semester, I'll venture down to UH or the Clinic Looks like Southwest and Parma were in demand...must have a lot of south suburbans in this class. I did the same thing checked everything and hit the button right at midnight -- hope to get lucky like that in the future. Were you able to get the videos thru amazon as well? I was going to pick up my patches tomorrow at East when I have micro.....over half way thru with that class thank god! Scott -- How did you like the Dean? I thought she was so dynamic -- gave me the little oomph I needed today as I was sitting there thinking "how can I do this with three little kids?" What about a stethoscope? Where are you getting that?

Anyone have nursing hold on their record? I hope this is something that will not affect my registration tonite -- I turned in my NEONI sheet and all other documentation today so I thought I would be approved to register. I will give it a go tonite at midnight, but if I can't register I will be pretty upset.

Several women in my micro class at tri-c are in their first semester at Huron -- they told me the school is closing in January and that they will be given slots at the Eastern Campus for a day program. I wonder how that affects the Huron evening and weekend students? Also, do they have to get new uniforms? new background checks etc? They already pay way more than a tri-c student for their classes and now they will be out more money...i do wonder though if they will be responsible for paying back student loans for their first semester...I think school closure is one of the reasons your loans can be cancelled -- hope that might be a bright spot for some in all of this mess. It is a shame they cannot keep the school open until the current students graduate -- close it to new admissions and just let the current students finish up.

I am sure by now all of you Clevelanders know that Huron School of Nursing is closing in May and they have made an aggreement to fold all those students into the Tri-C program. I feel badly for these students, but I wonder how this is really going to work...is tri-c adding sections of classes and hiring professors and clinical instructors? The nursing program at tri-c seems very full to begin with and I am unsure how they accocomodate the students from Huron. Has anyone heard how this is going to work?

I got the email about orientation and am starting to get my ducks in a row so to speak -- have all the medical stuff done as I work at Akron City Hospital..need to get the malpractice insurance and get my BLS class done. I just have heartsaver now as a nursing assistant. I am going to call Summa in the morning to see when their next class is offered. Did the orientation test. Wow -- I thought I would have a little more time as our original acceptance letter said November orientation. And Scott...hate to be picky, but it will be 2011 when we start. NewStart -- Lucky You ! Would have loved to been offered a PGH slot...would be so much closer to home and right near my sister in laws house who watches my youngest while I am in class.

As far as I know, you can't even apply to Huron with out biochem and A and P 1 and 2. I applied there and was admitted for this Fall, but ultimately decided to stick with tri-c since I am starting the nursing core in the spring due to the opening of westshore. I hate to suggest this, but what about applying to LPN and then bridging to RN later? You don't even need A and P 2 for LPN and you could repeat the biochem. LPN at tri-c is admitting for the same semester as RN right now as well. You could most likely apply to LPN now or as soon as you take the entrance exam as biochem is not a pre-req for the program. At this point, I would say you are looking at Spring of 2012 for RN at best since you need to retake things, do the admission test and background check etc. -- it is a long process even after you have the pre-reqs. When I went to Huron for my interview session, it was very clear that grades are important to them and you are not guaranteed admission with just the minimum requirements. In fact, if your grades are right around a 2.5 and your pre-reqs are a 2.0 they will suggest you become an LPN first. They tell you this straight out in their information session. I had a 3.7 in my bachelors degree and a 4.0 in my prereqs for nursing and just about everyone there was equally as successful gradewise. You are right about not being able to repeat both the biochem and a and p 2 to improve your grade. You would have to replace the biochem with the chem series and repeat the anatomy class. The seven yr rule does not apply here though...this means that courses taken over seven yrs ago will have to be repeated regardless of grade earned (for example a girl in my micro class is retaking micro, anatomy and biochem this semester since she took them in 2000 as part of her bachelors from Ohio State -- she had As in all three courses, but they have expired). Also, if you took biochem (for example) 8 yrs ago and got a D you could repeat it and also another BIO course as well. If you retake the anatomy and then complete the chem series successfully you may apply to the program at tri-c. Here is the excerpt from the tri-c nursing manual regarding repeat and the seven yr rule: A grade of "C" or better is required for BIO-1100, BIO-2330, BIO-2340, and BIO-2500 prior to enrolling in the nursing courses requiring these as prerequisites. Science courses completed over 7 years prior to the date of application to the nursing program cannot be used to meet prerequisite requirements. Only one of these biology courses may be repeated once to improve a grade of less than "C." A grade of less than "C" earned over 7 years prior to admission into the Nursing Program is excused from the one course repeat procedure.

Thanks Scott -- I reviewed the micro offerings and found a class at east that is hybrid -- half web/half in person so that will cut back on childcare costs since it is an evening class as well....thanks for the advice and I'll see you in November

Hi all -- Looking for advice...I am slated to begin the nursing sequence in Spring. I have yet to finish microbiology and had planned to do so this Fall -- this is my only non-nursing course left. Since I already have a bachelors, I only have four semesters left of financial aid and I really cannot afford to pay out of pocket for classes at this time. Additionally, the more I am away from my son the more childcare money I have to shell out...to take micro in the fall is going to cost me 1200 bucks in childcare... Here is my question...how hideous would it be to wait to take micro either in my first semester of nursing or second semester as they have it listed? I am a straight A student and certainly had planned to get all co-reqs out of the way before the nursing core, but sometimes life throws curve balls as we know... If I take micro this fall, I get it out of the way...but I also need to take another class to get my hours up to 6 for financial aid...meaning more books more expense etc -- then my last semester of nursing is out of pocket. If I wait to take it with my nursing courses and I am leaning toward that second semester with 1600 1701...it will fall within my four semesters worth of aid, but I realize the course load will be heavier and harder. PLEASE PLEASE weigh in with your advice! Thanks a bunch in advance...classes begin at tri-c in just a few days and my fees are due the 25th:confused: