pickledcookie

if you haven't taken pharm yet, then yes, it is mandatory to take first semester. however, if you fail, you have summer to retake it and continue onto 2nd semester in the fall.

Heads up on the sweater, if they're still doing "one size fits all" then it is HUGE. And to anyone taking pharm along side nursing, be prepared. You're going to have an exam every week, alternating pharm and nursing. If you have to sacrifice one, put pharm aside. You can always retake it over the summer.

They'll be assigned to you. 1/2 the semester is acute (hospital) and the other half is long term care. For the most part they try to chose locations close to you.

A few things I can think of: Prepare for chaos for the first few weeks, especially front loading. The professors are quite unorganized and schedules changed, students didn't know where they were supposed to go, and it was just confusing. Considering the program has been around for 40+ years you would think they could do better. The dual stethoscopes are absolutely horrible. Do not panic if you're practicing taking BPs for the first time and you hear nothing through those things. Practice with your regular. Although you will need the dual for check off. Long term rotation is a complete waste of time. Bring study material and prepare for boredom. Clinical and skills lab instructors are probably your best resources if you have a question. Avoid asking Aurelien and Kent. Greenblatt (skills instructor) can be kinda scary for check off, but she is very informative if you need help. PIPs are no big deal. Bring cash for the cafeteria at your hospital. Skip class on days Demarco lectures. You will thank me for this. I think that covers a lot. Have fun during hospital clinicals. They're exciting and there's lots to learn.

I'm starting 2nd semester this fall. I don't remember the price of my books, but I do remember the weight. 36 pounds! Let me advise you to get your books online at Amazon or similar. I've always done this with my classes and can get a brand new book for around the same price as used at the bookstore, or even less. The used ones online can be super cheap. Also, if they want you to get the text book bundle, don't. I didn't even crack open my fundamentals handbook and the study guide had errors all over the place. I wish I hadn't purchased them and I will not be purchasing the equivalent for 2nd semester. Those books weren't even needed. For pharmacology with Marshall you will need the pharm study guide. It too has errors, but she requires homework. I believe the nutrition book is under "required" books. It's not. I never even touched it. Also, don't go by the book lists on the course syllabi. It says it was updated this month, but I don't believe it. Go by what the bookstore says to get. Good luck ladies and gents! You're going to have fun.

are your transcripts from different schools? that was my first thought. or are any of the classes from this spring? maybe those are going through the system slowly.

that's the big secret! They don't tell you! It's basically a personally test where they say "I am a perfectionist" and then you chose "not like me" "sorta like me" "very much like me" It's a pain the ass. And to PurpleVega; I think that's a bit strange you haven't heard yet. Did you activate the new email address? I would say email in and ask, but now I fee like that was why I was denied.

You got the scholarship? I was denied because my "GALLUP score did not fall within the minimum range established" But apparently everyone who is denied gets the same BS response. How convenient for them that the GALLUP score isn't released to applicants.

If I needed to take 500mg of Tylenol, and they came in 250mg tablets, how many tablets do I need to take? Yes, I am serious. Most of the questions on the first procalc are like that. Just go over the equivalents chart that is provided on the procalc link on PBSC's website. for the questions, just ignore the drug names. all you care about is the numbers. It's really a breeze. I aced it on my first try. if you do somehow screw up, you can take it over and over and over again. Also, your points should be fine, but you could probably do some volunteering this summer to get that extra experience point. I see you also posted for a school down in Miami. Are you planning on relocating for school? No matter where you go, make sure you live relatively close, for your own sanity. If you do PBSC, live in the county. it's probably the same for the Miami school.

I'm stuck in this area and there aren't too many nursing school choices. Even tho I applied to PBCC and FAU I chose PBCC because I found out that I was accepted there about 5 months before FAU sends out letters. Therefore I was able to start nursing school a full semester earlier. I also didn't want to risk turning down an acceptance and then later be denied to FAU. PBAU was out of the questions because of religion and South was sort of my backup plan if I didn't get into PBCC or FAU because they have a high acceptance rate. I briefly considered BCC, but I'm not familiar with the county and their website was confusing, so I passed on them. It's only about a year for an RN to BSN program and I can get my future employer to pay for that. Plus the pay is only about 1 dollar more/hr for a BSN than an ASN. Also, I've heard that some hospitals prefer PBCC graduates over FAU because we focus more on the skills whereas FAU focuses on theory. Having heard that, I'm really glad I went with PBCC because theory is boring and skills are fun.

I had 26.?? for spring, which is lower than fall. I would think 27/28ish would be the cutoff. Are all your prerequisites done? 90+ on NLN? volunteer/work experience point? Also, if you're Haitian, make sure to let them know. They have some program for Haitian students.

PBCC is a lot easier to get into, plus they provide a point system so you know EXACTLY where you stand compared to other people, if they share their points. I was accepted to both PBCC and FAU, but since I'm already in PBCC's program I'm just sticking with it. I left my FAU app just for fun since their program is so much more competitive.

The syllabi are here: http://www.pbcc.edu/x5768.xml and I warn you, they're really long. and do we need the uniform then? I thought we didn't need it until the following Monday

I'm sorry, but a facts a fact. The National Center for Education Statistics "found that in 2001, the number of students age 35 and older in degree-granting institutions was 19.2%." The Department of Education's website states that in 2005, under 18% of college enrollment was those 35+. The students represented at the orientation did not fit this standard.

Are you saying I'm wrong? Can you honestly tell me that the majority of students were under 35?

I'm not sure how helpful it actually was. Most of it was introductions of people who I'll prolly never see. I'm hoping the first day of class will be better. Tour was kinda worthless, but I was glad to take a peek at the skills lab. I did LOVE the raffle tho! But I didn't win. Next time make it so I win. heh jk. Oh, and can you say old people much? they were all over! I saw very few who looked under 35.

got my nursemates today (Dove). they're pretty comfortable. I wore them around for several hours. They have a bit of a heel and firm heel support (and maybe low arches?), but I think after wearing them a bit more I will be used to them. in terms of looks, my FH laughed as soon as he saw them. nuff said.

to cprincess: if your doc didn't say anything when you went in for your physical, then you should be fine on immunizations. for lexi: that bit about the packet is confusing. whoever wrote it sure wasn't thinking right. since the background and drug are coming from NMS, then I'm just leaving it that way and mailing PBCC the non-NMS items on the list. plus the other page or two that wasn't even listed on the checkoff but that I assume should have been included.

I bought a raspberry colored Littman (classic II??) for about 60 online. There is no mention of color in the info packet we got. It should arrive later this week along with my shoes. Hope they both work out.

I had all my vaccinations done years ago. for shoes, I actually got them from target.com I got the nursemates Dove. I had trouble finding all white shoes that aren't hideous and look comfortable, so hopefully these work out.

you needed vaccines? I just had to get the PPD and bloodwork to confirm I had chickenpox since I never had the varivax. I'm waiting on my stethoscope and shoes to arrive. Hopefully next week I can test them out!

alright. well here is my 15th post.

I tried to email you but it bounced back because of "unknown FAU recipient"

I had 26.42 or something. I believe the cutoff was 25.something. make sure you pre and co requisites are COMPLETED before applying. I am currently taking micro so it will be finished by Jan, but I didn't get points for it because it's not completed, which is really dumb. also, get the point for volunteering or medical employment, it's really easy. get the NLN study guide (I'll give you mine for free if you want) and study from there. the test is pretty straight forward.

NMS wasn't bad. They require a good amount of urine, so make sure your bladder is full! But it's a nice looking place, not sketchy. Copy's was cheaper than I thought it would be. I decided to get my stethoscope elsewhere, so I still have to get that. I've kinda been liking some Prestige, also saw my doc's nurse with one.