nickdost

OH...you might find it helpful to check out the thread called "HCC Fall 2010". There is a wealth of information there that should help! :)

Hi everyone, I am half way through the program and wanted to answer the Potter/Perry question. Definitely read the MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION chapter, the VITAL SIGNS/HEALTH ASSESSMENT chapter, and dive right into the first 7 chapters of the Clinical Calculations book. Your math test will be in the first two weeks of the semester. You need to get comfortable with it. It is NOT rocket science, but you need to work the problems in the book. ALSO: start praticing NCLEX style questions...even if you don't have a clue about the actual content. I suggest getting an NCLEX REVIEW book... ALL of the test questions within the program, for ALL of your tests will be NCLEX style. Good luck, and I hope this helps!

FYI...on the scrub situation...ALL NEW/incoming students must have white tops/port wine bottoms. Those that started the program with the original scrubs CAN finish out the program with what they have. Although, personally (after more thought), I like to change things up a bit, and am VERY excited to wear port wine pants, instead of white! Hope everyone is enjoying summer break!! :)

Hello All... Sorry it has been so long!! Just wanted to say hello...our FINAL exam for NP2 is tomorrow...so I need to be studying but decided to take a quick break! AND relay some IMPORTANT INFORMATION: BEFORE YOU BUY ANY SCRUBS: I heard (through my NP2 instructor) that HCC is going to be changing the scrub colors!!! He said that they are REVERSING the colors: The TOPS will be WHITE and the BOTTOMS will be Port Wine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :confused::confused::confused::confused: Although I REALLY agree with getting rid of the WHITE pants...I am a little upset. I am hoping I can save anyone that has NOT yet purchased scrubs, some $$$$. He mentioned that for NEXT semester (FALL 2011)..they will still allow the original scrubs to be worn, BUT...after that semester it will be MANDATORY to have WHITE TOPS and PORT WINE BOTTOMS. For me, personally, that means that I have to buy NEW scrubs to wear for ONE SEMSTER (my LAST semester)!! I (and some of my classmates) are hoping that they will allow us to finish (NP4) in our original scrubs...but we will see! I hope you all are doing great! Be back soon!

You're welcome!! I finished NP 1 yesterday! I am glad to help, as there were many that have helped ME through this crazy but worthwhile process! Good luck and if you have any other questions, I will now be on here more often (until Jan. 10th) of course!! :)

1) what math book do you recommend or which one is being used now. i can pick up a used copy cheap and no worries if they update it before i start classes as i'm sure it won't be that different and if i have to buy a new book, the extra money will be worth it as i'm very rusty on my math skills! clinical calculations by kee and marshall 6th edition (or at least recent) read and work all problems chap 1-7. it is simple algebra, but people get themselves in trouble on this by not taking it seriously. it is your very first test...and you want to bank all the points you can, up front! 2) i thought lifespan-dev psyc could only be taken by nursing students? it would be great to get this out of the way if i can. much easier out of the two classes you are considering... 3) chm 1045 is a great tip, do you suggest this over lifespan-dev psyc? seems like it may help more in my first semester, but i look to you for your thoughts on this. i believe they are both required for usf's bsn or rn-msn program, which i'm planning on going into after hcc. much tougher choice of classes compared to the dev. psych...if you can knock it out, do it! 4) i looked up usf's requirements and they only listed chm xxxx, have you heard directly from them that 1045 is acceptable? i know my a&p i and ii from hcc will not be acceptable and i'll have to take the 2000 level courses later, which is frustrating when time is so important and i can only take one course a semester while working full-time. 5) i was also considering taking a cna course and getting that license prior b/c it would help me with the bed making, bathing, etc. plus, i can then use it to get a part time nurse tech position somewhere after my first semester so i can start getting experience and making connections. what do you think of this; helpful or waste of time? it will be a definite advantage to have some hospital experience and get your foot in the door as a cna. most hospitals require one year of nursing school before they will hire you as a nurse tech. thank you so much for all your help and insight! i feel so much better knowing that i have a plan developing to make good use of my last 7-8 months of freedom. :) make sure you read ahead in potter & perry...assessment chapter, medication administration, definitely fluids & electrolytes...also (and this is key!!) get an n-clex study book and start learning about "nclex-style questions". every exam you will take in nursing school will be in this style...and it is very different!!

This is MOSTLY good information...except for the part about you ALL not making "A's"... I am in NPI, a single mother of two with NO family in the state of Florida. I currently have a solid A and intend to keep it that way. IT IS possible...you just have to realize that your priorities must change. It is ONLY temporary, and for any of you that plan to go on to additional programs (especially the more competitive ones)...GPA DOES matter. This program IS intense...you MUST get organized and read/study ALOT of information in a short time. BUT... it can and IS being done, as we speak. In the time you have left...pamper yourself, enjoy your family and friends, but ALSO...READ/STUDY the Med Calc book (and WORK ALL OF THE PROBLEMS) and READ the assessment and medication administration chapters in Potter & Perry, at least!! If you don't have ANY medical background, ALSO get Medical Terminology for Dummies...or check it out at the library!! It will help ALOT! Good luck...and just remember that ANYTHING this worthwhile will not come EASILY!!

It depends on your instructor and how strict they are about it. No one in our class had an issue. And it really does look fine...but until you see it in person, you can't be sure. My suggestion is to order it and see how you feel when you get it. You can always send it back if you feel the need, right? I SO badly wanted to buy a Koi top (the color was Cognac)...but it was WAY too far off in color AND it had contrast stitching. So, I kept searching until I found the other one (Landau). Have a good night!

It looks like the correct color, but everyone's monitor color, etc. varies to a certain extent. I have never seen this exact shirt in person, but it looks like it will be fine. I bought the Landau empire waist top (in wine), as posted previously, and it is perfect in color. I chose Koi (Lindsey) cargo pants...can't say enough about the comfort!!! One (more) thing to think about... you might want to buy your scrub jacket at the same time, in the same brand, so that the colors will match. It is NOT mandatory to buy a scrub jacket, as you can wear a black or white long-sleeved shirt underneath your scrub top, but I just thought I would mention it. IF you buy a scrub jacket it has to be Port Wine or White in color. I bought Port Wine, from Landau, to match my scrub tops. You can NOT wear a street jacket of any kind over your scrub tops, on the hospital floor. And...if you choose to buy a scrub jacket, the HCC patch must be sewn on, just like on your scrub tops. I know that it is so exciting to be ordering scrubs...if you can afford it, buy comfy ones that you feel good about. Those 10- hour days are long and will seem longer if you are not comfortable. I know that I talked to some classes previous to mine, and they regretted not spending a little more to get cute/better quality scrubs right from the start.

There ARE some CPR classes that are NOT accepted for the Nursing Program. Just make sure that it is CPR for Healthcare Providers...and that it is an actual CLASS (NOT an ON-Line class), and that it is accredited by the American Heart Association. I would highly recommend taking it at HCC. I took it at the Ybor Campus...the instructor was EXCEPTIONAL, the time FLEW by...and it was actually ALOT of fun!! :)

Hopeful... You are SO welcome! Anytime...

I've never compared the editions side by side, so I don't know. There ARE people in our class that are using older editions...and our instructor said that it was fine. It is just a personal decision. Good luck and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

I am currently in NP 1...there were 4 people that I knew about that were alternates at our orientation, and they ALL ended up getting in because people decided to attend another school or program, etc... Don't lose hope...and DO plan on attending the orientation!! Congrats to those of you that are in and good luck to those of you on the "bubble"!! :)

Clinical Calculations... ISBN #978-1-4160-4740-7 Potter & Perry "Fundamentals of Nursing" ISBN # 978-0-323-06784-3 I would also get an NCLEX Review book and begin to familiarize yourself with NCLEX style questions. All of our tests are in the NCLEX format...and it takes some getting used to! Glad to help...I was in your shoes SUCH a short time ago, and others helped ME. Happy to "pay it forward"!:)

Hopeful... I posted on the other thread about this, but want to be sure you get the message. The Landau top is perfect in color....even though it says "wine" and not "port wine". That is the exact top that I chose, and I love it. Take care!

Hey there everyone... I am currently in NP1 and apologize for not being able to offer help earlier...things have been pretty busy as you can imagine! To answer a few questions... YES...cargo style pants are fine. I chose KOI brand (Lindsey style)...because they are SO cute AND made from a REALLY comfortable material! Yes, they have to be white... The empire waist top from Landau is exactly the one I chose...and the color is perfect even though it is called "Wine" instead of Port Wine. Your stethoscope can be ANY color, so have at it!! I would suggest getting it engraved, as we have heard that they easily "walk away". If you can afford a Littmann, get one...they are the best and will truly help when trying to clearly hear breath/heart sounds. I chose the Classic I SE...others in my class have the Littmann Lite...they are both great choices. My biggest suggestions from a reading/studying standpoint: 1) Get the Clinical Calculations book NOW and work every problem in the book. (Except for the chapter on IV's/enteral.) It is completely self-taught and you will be tested in Week 3. If you don't pass this test within 3 tries, you FAIL for the semester. It is NOT difficult...but you MUST teach yourself and practice these problems in order to be comfortable with the test, etc. Pick ONE formula that you prefer, and stick with it! 2) Buy Potter & Perry ahead of time, and READ!! The following chapters will REALLY help you get a jumpstart: Chapters 32-35, 37-39, 41,47, 48, and any others that you can...but those will help ALOT in the first few weeks. (The amount of reading is absolutely overwhelming!!) 3) Buy a Medical Terminology book, if you have no prior medical experience. I bought Medical Terminology for Dummies...it is a little redundant, but very effective in giving a basic knowledge of the terminology! Some people bought the "package deal" from the bookstore...I didn't. It is a personal preference, but I didn't want to wait for the books to be available and they WEREN'T available in the bookstore until literally the WEEK BEFORE CLASS!! That may not be the case for you guys...the bookstore was in the middle of a move, etc... Gotta run for now...hope this helps...hang in there and try not to stress too much! Good luck to you all!:)

Persgirl... I would highly suggest that you buy an NCLEX review book. There are TONS of them out there. I bought NCLEX-RN Strategies for the Registered Nursing Licensing Exam 2010 Edition by KAPLAN, about 6 months ago, and went through the entire book. There are two similar books on the supplemental list of books for NP1: "Fundamentals Success" and "Med-Surg Success". The Kaplan NCLEX book that I mentioned first, goes through and explains the NCLEX style questions, answers, and rationale for picking the right choice. It explains ways to eliminate certain answers, etc... I am SO glad that I heard to go through some of this ahead of time, as I didn't realize that ALL of our tests (except for Clinical Calculations) will be in this format!! I am STILL not totally comfortable with it, but if I hadn't done what I did, I would be COMPLETELY lost right now. Take a deep breath, and buy a book ASAP...I promise that it will help!:)

Thanks, Tebyrd! :) Yes, kmangirl and I are in the same class. I have UCH Carrolwood for clinicals and she has either T&C or St. Joe's. Hope you get a good night's sleep tonight and have a wonderful first day of clinicals tomorrow!! You will do great! Hope that little one of yours is doing fabulous!

That's for the semester... But there is also a Well Elder Care Plan which consists of a lengthy interview of a person over 65, a Nursing Care Plan, and a group presentation (at the end of the semester). Don't yet know how much time each of these takes. The most important thing to know is that it IS DO-able. People get through this program all the time with family comittments, work comittments, etc...just GO FOR IT!!:)

Tebyrd, Thank you... and don't feel obligated on the Nike Shox...everyone's feet are different. I would encourage you to try them on, but some others have not liked the way they fit their particular feet. There are HUGE threads on here about shoes, and everyone has their own "favorite" brand. A few of the most popular...Dansko, New Balance, Dove, Klogs, and the new Skechers WORK Shape ups. Good luck, and happy reading (AND shoe shopping)! P.S. I've heard that the Uniform City on Kennedy has a good selection of popular "nursing shoes".

Hopefulin10, I am only 3 days into the program, but I will definitely give you feedback on this as time goes on. I have two children, ages 6 and 8, with basically NO help, and no family here, either. I already know that this is going to be a HUGE challenge, but I am determined to make it work. So far, my biggest chunks of study time take place at night after they are in bed. It is all about self-discipline, managing your time, and wanting it badly enough to find a way to make it happen. Good luck, and I will check back with you in a few weeks. : )

Oh, Tebyrd... Not a stopwatch, but a watch with a second hand (for taking vitals).

Tebyrd, I forgot that you don't have your clinicals until Saturday... Relax, it is FUN!! The instructors were more laid back than I imagined possible, and VERY inspirational! We practiced the hand-washing, bed-making, bathing, bed pans, and urinal skills. No one was EVER singled out, for ANY reason. We had a good time...except for the Kaplan test at the end of the day! It depends on the instructor, but I have Nike Shox, which DO have some silver on them (around the "shox" area) and a little bit at the toe, and she is FINE with them. As long as there was not too much color, and as long as they didn't have any mesh/holes, etc..and were leather or leather-like, she was okay with them. Just BE SURE they are comfortable, because even though it wasn't a full ten hours on our feet, there were SOME people that were hurting by the end of the day. BTW...we were never lined up and inspected, etc...and no one was called out about ANYTHING! We never discussed any P&P content (except for the skills), until our lecture today. After receiving the schedule, it is CLEAR that the pace is QUICK and the amount of information is HUGE...but I know that by taking one week at a time, we will be FINE! Hope this helps...and remember to breathe! :)

Elga...thanks SO much! Ironically, I fell asleep when I went to put my little ones down for bed and did not end up studying any more. That's a good thing...because I felt like I was pretty well prepared...EXCEPT for the TEST!!! We had a (QUITE lengthy) computerized Kaplan test. It doesn't count for any part of our grade, but they are considering using it as part of the admissions process for future classes. There were sections in Reading, Writing, Math and Science, with NCLEX style questions. ANyway...all in all it was a good first day! Thanks for sharing everything from YOUR first day...talk to you soon!

Elga, Thanks for sharing...can you elaborate with any details? Did you stay for the whole time (6:30am-4:30pm)? Did you have to demonstrate any skills? I can't remember if your group was assigned any reading/skill studying ahead of time? Any details would be great, because I am still stressing, and planned on studying for several more hours tonight in hopes to truly be prepared. I know every instructor is different, but please do tell... :)