Jimmah555

You just have to know the major rhythms. The blocks and stuff aren't really covered so much. If you want a good example of what you should know, go to the pre-course test. You have to complete it anyway prior to taking the class, and it's a good way to base your knowledge. Oh, and waveform capnography. Study it. Welcome to the American Heart Association ACLS Password: compression PALS password: palsprovider Hope this helps :-)

I've never cried in front of a patient or family/visitors, but I was a Pediatric Hospice Home-Care CNA for a while, and I broke down in my car many, many times. I'm great in a crisis or other situation, but I fall apart about an hour after it's all over.

Drawstring is a MUST! I started the program when they still said no drawstring, but I got them anyway. Nobody ever checked, and I'm about to start 4th semester. Get pants and a top that have POCKETS! You will end up carrying all kinds of stuff in your pockets, and your pants get really heavy. This is where the drawstring is priceless. White Crocs that have solid (closed) toes and backs on them can be found at the Crocs store at Town Square. I believe they are even called "medical" crocs, or "work" crocs because of the closed toe/back requirement from OSHA for employees. Get a good scope, buy extra name tags and keep them strategically placed in your car and other places, and have fun!

The Pearson. I initially had the 2011, and I just bought the 2012. I love it.

Got it :-)

Hmm. I wonder why the names were edited. Is there some rule saying we're not allowed to use professor names? If not, they are ----, -----, ------. If so, they will be edited again and you can send me a private message if the names really mean that much to you.

---- is awesome for lab. Him,------, and ------- are probably the top 3 in my opinion.

Another tip: COM 215 is a lot easier than COM 101 in my opinion. No speeches, just a group assignment. Good luck! :-)

Yeah I got the Davis, the Mosby, and the Pearson drug guides along with the Mosby Distionary and Taber Dictionary. I have a total of 15 books now. Can't wait to lug them all around for group study sessions.

Should I print up some business cards for this event or something? Not too sure how to give my contact info in an easy manner. Anyone have any ideas?

I emailed someone about the content of this year's convention for the NVSNA, and here is the response I got: Im glad you express interest in NSNA and NVSNA's upcoming convention. The agenda for the convention comprises of a mini-NCLEX review sponsored by Hurst Review, respected speakers, meet other members in the West coast, and to gain information with health related vendors. It's always an opportunity for us as nursing students to get involved in conventions like this. I highly recommend it. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact myself or go to our website www.nvsna.org/convention. Please let me know if I can be of better assistance. Hope to see you there

The CNA market is really unfortunate here. I have been a CNA for about 18 months. It's absolutely a "who you know" kind of situation when it comes to acute care and hospital jobs. I currently have 2 home-care hospice jobs. I got lucky and got interviews pretty quickly because I submitted a cover letter along with a very well-groomed resume, and it seems that CNAs rarely submit cover letters. The way they choose applicants to be interviewed seems to be very old-school in that they look for a great-looking resume. My last job before hospice did this too. In fact, I never filled out applications until I was hired at all 3 jobs. It makes a difference. As far as hospital jobs are concerned, your best bet is to just hang out at the bar near the hospital you want to work at. You're bound to run into someone that works there ;-)

I had some money left on that book grant, so I used it with the two drug guides, and I also got the Taber's Dictionary. Someone recommended it, and it's basically free with the grant, so I said why not?

I said screw it and bought the Davis and the Pearson. Better to have it an not need it than to need it and not have it right?

Hey everyone. I was talking with a 3rd semester CSN RN student and he said that the Mosby drug guide sucks. He recommended the 2009 Prentice Hall drug guide instead because it helps you do the drug cards easier, and helps in clinical. I want to know if the 2011 Pearson (formerly Prentice Hall) or the Davis are better than the Mosby. Anyone have any info on this? Thanks, -J

Left side. Not the right side. How I screwed that up I'll never know.

Click on "Nursing Accessories" on the right side, then click "Organizers" and it should be there. Here's the direct link just in case you can't find it: Nurse Assist Clipboard - -J

From the research I've done, pretty much everyone is going with the Littmann Classic II SE. I bought it and it's awesome. SO much better than the cheap Prestige Medical steth I use to do vitals as a CNA. To not make it seem like a website promoter, see the link in my last post. They have the Classic II SE for $69.99 with free laser engraving. In-store prices range from $95-$110 for it.

I got the one made by Prestige Medical. It's the same one they recommend and have in stock at La Isla, but I paid $14 online at Littmann Stethoscopes including Cardiology III, Classic II SE & Electronic, instead of $21 at the store.

Thanks to all the people posting such awesome information. Here's the bag I am seriously considering. It's $140 in-store, but $99.00 with free shipping on Amazon. Amazon.com: PATRIOT from Swiss Gear by Wenger Triple Gusset Rolling Computer Case w/ Removable Tote: Electronics Any comments?

Switblad - It shouldn't keep you out of the program if you get a CXR and it comes back OK. Many people I know from places in Africa have positive TSTs and they have to get CXRs, which works out better because they are good for 2 years, not just 1.

Here's how I did it. Summer 2009 PSY 101 (4 week pre-summer session) (online) ENG 101 (online) BIOL 189 w/lab Fall 2009 MATH 100B (online) BIOL 223 w/lab BIOL 251 w/lab NURS 130 w/lab & clinical Spring 2010 COM 215 (4 week winter-break session) (online) SOC 101 (4 week winter-break session) (online) BIOL 224 w/lab PSC 101 (online) Fall 2010 MATH 120 (for transfer later for BSN) (online) NURS 285 (1 week class preparing you for NURS 101) Biology 223, 224, and 251 aren't offered during the summer at CSN unfortunately. I applied for the Fall 2010 program with 19 points and was rejected, but I was accepted for Spring 2011 with 30 points. This Spring had the highest point total in history for the ADN program with 27 points being the minimum. Just work hard, stay focused, and try and get everything done as quickly as you can handle. 223 was harder for me only because I knew what to expect when I got to 224. I did 223 and 251 at the same time, and pretty much everyone called me crazy for doing that, let alone throwing the CNA program on top of it. I have a 3.0 (thanks to two 4-credit D's from back in 2002 when I first attended CSN) and I had to work pretty hard to keep it a 3.0, but it's possible. I have a small child, I worked full time throughout all of the school, and I'm living proof that it can be done. A little tip for registering for classes that are full: Wait until the purge date and log-on first thing in the morning. When people don't pay for a class, it kicks them out when the system closes each day. I did this to get into a ton of my classes. Jump into the first class & lab you can get, and pay for it IMMEDIATELY. Before the semester starts people drop or switch often. I literally had to sit here and hit refresh every 10 minutes to get the schedule that I needed, but persistence pays off. I got the exact schedule I've needed every single semester. Just keep at it. The classes will open up, even if only for a few seconds. Be like a sniper. Wait in the bushes (or behind your keyboard) and when the opportunity arrives, take the shot (or grab the class). And remember, you have to register for the lab before you can register for the lecture. You'll see a ton of Lecture classes open, but no labs. People grab labs and wait for the lab or lecture they want to become available, and they sit on them for long times (usually until the semester starts). This is annoying, but a fact of life. Just be vigilant, be patient, and be persistent when hitting refresh or checking for openings. I hope this helps you out in your educational adventure. Best of luck to you :-) -J

Just an FYI for everyone, the ADN patches have heat-activated adhesive on the back. This means they are iron-on. Use a medium setting when applying or you will burn the material. I ironed them on, and then sewed them just in case, but the ironing helps hold it in place while you sew and helps eliminate the potential wrinkling of the fabric underneath the patch. If you DO manage to brown the material from a very hot iron (yes, I did this) then you can wash them with some Clorox 2 (use 2 caps at the second line with washer set to large load, along with detergent) and it should come out. Mine came clean. TX thanks for the info. I ended up getting the white Dickies double-knee work pants. This should be OK right? I figured they will look more clean and pressed rather than baggy like my other scrubs kind of do. Any recommendations or advice on a nice backpack or rolling backpack? I know we have tons of books to lug around, and I'm wondering what everyone else seems to do well with. Also, any recommendations or advice on a small bag for all of our gear? I have the pocket organizer and I also bought the apron-like organizer that clips around your waist from La Isla.

I'm familiar with Zappos. They rock, but I'm very weary of shoes that I can't try on. I ended up finding these at the old Belz Mall on the south strip: The search for completely white shoes is over. Found these at... on Twitpic They are comfy, and were only $50. They have a bunch, so if any of the other male students need to find some shoes, give them a shot. -J

Moderator: I am aware of the "Shoes" section, but this is more of a local school issue, hence why I am posting it here. Everyone Else: I am having a hard time finding shoes for the ADN program at CSN. I hear the instructors can be extremely picky about having any kind of color on them, even small amounts of a very light gray stitching. I wear a size 13 with a 4E width. Anyone know where a guy can find some good, comfortable shoes? I've tried Famous Footwear, Sport Chalet, and Scrubtastic so far. Tomorrow I'll go to La Isla and look there, but I am not confident anyone will have a 4E width, or anything close really. Most places I've gone to and called only have M width. I also am worried about sizing because as we all know a 13 from one company could be a 12 or a 14 with another, so I'm afraid to order online without at least trying the shoe on first. Any suggestions are highly appreciated. -J