Lulu222

Our orientation was at the end of August or beginning of September so I would assume yours will be around the same time.

Yes I did! You must be Lisa's sister!! That's such a coincidence, are you in nursing school also?

I'm about a week away from starting my mental health class, and I'm slightly nervous because I've heard nothing but horror stories from nurses and other nursing students who have already taken the class. I was wondering if anyone has any insight or tips, because I've heard nothing but negatives..Looking for some positives :)

I've never heard of watching the needle..all I know is you can palpate for a systolic but you need to use a stethoscope for the diastolic. Nurses usually palpate for a systolic if they have no clue what the patient's baseline systolic is to avoid pumping too much or too little.

I agree! Med-surg success is a great book! It provides rationales and also gives test-taking strategies.

So many people think I'm nuts, but honestly reading the textbook helps me sooo much. It may be time consuming and for some people it doesn't work but give it a shot because I can't tell you how many times I've recalled a question on the test from reading the book. More importantly, if you look over your notes and then read the textbook material that your notes cover you'll be better off. It's most important to focus on the material that you'll be tested on. Test taking skills also play a huge role, try getting a book though amazon that helps with test taking for nursing students. I did that and I saw a big change in my grades. I just passed med-surg and all of that helped me a lot.

Go for it! It's never too early to get started, but don't go overboard. It's pretty basic. For NURS 200 just start to memorize your conversions. I could probably rummage up a few practice questions for you, just give me a few days to see if I can come up with anything.

No I did not take that class. I believe its only for incoming freshman. And yes, you receive your Ipod touch once you are enrolled in Nurs 200.

I do commute, and its not a far walk at all..15th and market would be only about 3 streets away but I get off the patco at 15th and locust and from there it still isn't more than a 10 minute walk. It's really nice in the warmer weather but if its raining or seriously cold out i jump on the broad street line instead.

:) I'm so glad I'm able to help you guys out. I'll be honest when I say it really is difficult. It's been especially hard for me this quarter, you'll find yourself staying home or being in the library A LOT, but that's what it takes. Passing grade is 76.5 or higher so there's a lot of pressure. The majority of people don't have a job or have cut down on their hours a lot. I only work 1 or 2 days a week now and most of the time I have to get someone to pick up my second shift. If you become a CNA before you start clinicals, it will definitely help you. Especially with your vital sign check-out. It's not necessary, because they teach you everything once you get there, but it is helpful. So you if you have the time and want to get ahead of the game I would absolutely go for it.

Ok..I'm gonna try to address everything in the order they were asked: Yes, the classes are separated in some cases. For example, in my class there is two different classes for the main 6-credit courses and also for most of the other classes. But in some cases, like nursing informatic lecture, the whole class was together at the same time because it was held in a lecture hall. The labs however were divided into about 4 classes at different times. So my principles class there was probably about 35 people. I don't know how they separate us but its not by alphabetical order. You're clinicals will be more in depth as you go on in the program. The first clinical you do will basically be like working as a CNA, you'll basically be doing vital signs, bed changing and bed baths. And there is A LOT of paperwork, so expect that now. I really like having my clinical at kennedy. I was able to go to the OR a few weeks ago with my patient and it was awesome. The nurses down there were soooo nice and giving me a lot of information. Now that I'm in adult 1, I'm doing a little more than the previous clinical. I have 2 patients instead of 1 and we're also giving medications on top of everything else we did. You won't be doing as many CNA type stuff as you go along because realistically, nurses don't have to do that very often. However, if anyone asks me to do it I do it..because you're at clinical to get as much experience as possible. You will be getting an Ipod touch for clinicals on the first day of classes. Our class was the first ones to ever get it, before they were giving PDAs. They also pay for skyscape that you will download on your Ipod touch. Definitely a very valuable resource to have at clinical.

I honestly have never heard of a two-year fast track program. I'm assuming it's a brand new thing because I know myself and a dozen other transfer students would have jumped on that opportunity in a heart beat if it was offered to us! I'll ask around for you though.

No problem! I know there isn't much information available out there, and I know I wish there was someone out there who could have filled me in when I was starting out. I didn't have to take any placement tests at all. The classes are pretty interesting for the most part, but BEWARE of nursing informatics. It was the most boring class I think i've ever had to take. It used to be taught by the nursing department but it switched over to the college of information science and technology. My class was the "guinea pig" of this change and we all agreed it was a horrible class. I don't know what they'll be doing with it in the future but it definitely wasn't my favorite. But other than that the classes are not bad at all from what I've had to take so far. I'm currently finishing up Adult 1 and Pharmacology I and I think this was a harder term. The best advice I can give anyone is to study your powerpoints right after lecture and (I know its boring) but try to read as much of the textbook as you can. The professors do hold you accountable for any information that's in the book, and it does really help me understand the content better. The lectures are sometimes boring, and sometimes they're very interesting. The nursing process is a huge snorefest, but its extremely important that you know the material. Fluid and electrolytes are the most intense part of principles, and they also will be following you around for your entire nursing career. I really recommend buying Fluid and Electrolytes made incredibly easy..i just bought this book off of amazon and its amazing! There's really a ton of stuff I could say about the program already, but honestly I don't mind the questions at all. If there's anything else your curious about don't hesitate to ask.

They are constantly telling us at our school how most students performance on the HESI correlates to how well they will do on the NCLEX. One professor of mine even said that the HESI is supposed to be harder than the NCLEX but I'm not so sure about that.

Well that was my schedule for the first quarter. I'm coming to the end of my second quarter right now. So far the only classes that I've had to take at main campus were nutrition II and co-op, but its just a shuttle ride away from center city. I would try to take the two chem classes over summer at a community college, i took chem II right before I entered Drexel. At $40,000/year you'll want to get started as soon as possible. My first clinical was at Nazereth Hospital in northeast philly. My clinical this quarter is at Kennedy in Stratford, NJ.