cflorest

There is a publicly accessible FB group for the Class of 2019, if you're in need of asking a question since we don't really check allnurses often. I hesitate to link it here. It's searchable. I just wouldn't want traffic to increase for anyone who wasn't asking directed questions about the program.

Meant to write to you via reply, but forgot how this sh*t works haha...see reply below.

Regarding support: I've gotten 1am phone calls from the teachers after writing a 12:45am email about an issue while on site at a clinical. I've also worked through a weekend with one of the other teachers regarding a very sensitive clinical site situation, taking 5-6 calls a day to be sure that I was getting it all settled and that I'd be able to continue on the following week after having difficulty with administration at a clinical site. I have also gotten tons of buckback from the teachers about things I've asked for in class or asked about regarding exams and quizzes. Tons of my classmates and I still have unresolved issues (where we still feel we are right) that the teachers are holding their ground on. Basically: There are crucial moments when I've felt like they've had my back the whole time. There are other times when I feel like I'll never stop butting heads with them. This is real student life and tbh, would probably expect this anyway from anywhere.

To clarify: it isn't usually just the juniors who participate in interviews. Having attended a total of two interview rounds, it's a mix and the request to participate is generally open to both the junior and senior classes. In fact, the seniors are offered time off of clinical to assist with interviewing and dependent on the clinical site, we are able to do so. There may be truth to why there were no juniors at your interviews this year, however, I participated as a junior and would've participated as a senior, had I not been to a clinical site that discouraged missing shifts. Of my classmates who participated from the senior class, there is plenty of bitterness about being in our program (we b*tch to each other daily). Rest assured, the majority of bitterness is from simply being tested at this level (patience, intelligence, frustration, time management, grades, butting heads with teachers, fatigue, and being on the road). They were not hand-picked. This will be the toughest thing you'll do as a student. Most of my preceptors say that it's way tougher than being a CRNA after you're done. There will be flaws in every program you choose. I'm so burned out at this point that I can't speak about how wonderful this is, but I would not change my decision to come. In fact, having been to so many clinical sites now, and hearing the response from preceptors, LMU students are coming head-and-shoulders more prepared than tons of students they see from other programs. I would not say that if I did not hear that directly from more than a handful of preceptors ...some of who are precepting us at their own program's hospital. I would say do not come to this program if you think you're not going to do a ton of learning on your own and expect it all to be taught in class. Best of luck in your decision. Truth of the matter is that you'll probably do really well wherever you go if you are a good student who has a good sense of patience, self-reliance, and maturity. One fact that will remain if I continue on the successful track I've been on: I'm going to be a hell of a provider once I get comfortable. I'm already running cases near-independently and it's less than a year to graduation. You asked about other challenges: finding affordable housing every 1 - 2 months when you're assigned, money, food, personal health, sanity. This isn't the oldest program in the area, so there are a ton of kinks to work out still.

Hey all, I'm new to this message board, so I might fumble in some places, but I learn quickly. I just wanted to respond to this thread even though it might be ages old (I didn't see a date). I'm responding to you California nurses from Maryland because in 1.5 years time I'll be joining you with the best of luck!! Anyway, I wasn't sure if they do the same thing in CA as they do in MD, but if you talk to your school advisor, there might be ways to skip a lot of the prereq's through CAT's (computerized adaptive tests). In MD, at least, they call them the CLEP exams and I got to get out of algebra and stats for taking them and passing them with a score above 60. The tests are made to show you have a good knowledge base in the subject. Talk to your advisor, s/he mght be able to do something similar for you. The test costs like 50 bucks or something like that, and you don't have to waste your time in boring classes totally unrelated. future california sunbather