The panel wasn't supposed to scare you guys. But to inform you that this is hard. When I entered this program, I knew it was going to be hard and take a lot of my time. But I didn't realize that this would be the hardest thing I have ever done, and so time consuming. There was times that all I did was eat, go to school, come home say hi to the family, go study and then sleep...wake up and do it all over again. At times I would go days just seeing my 2 kids and husband for maybe 15 minutes a day. The first 5 - 8 weeks, you will be stressed out beyond belief, and will at least have a break down once a week.
They have great resources there to help you out. The counselor, Trini we have in place is wonderful. I go at least once a month, sometimes more just to talk to her, run ideas off my head or to vent. We do have a mentor program that first block students get placed with. That helped me out tremendously, as when I was discouraged she stepped in and guided me back to where I needed to be. Block one instructors are tough, intimidating, and will at times make u feel like they are just trying to make you fail. But they really are not, they are trying to prepare you the best they can for what is to come, and that is block 2 and the nclex.
Here is a few tips I can tell you (that I wished I knew before entering the program), review your A&P before you start nursing school, sign up for a pathophysiology class. Take the Math class that they recommend at orientation that has a strong focus on Dimensional Analysis. Buy the package of books from the bookstore, because their are online components that you'll need that comes in the package. Wait to buy care plan books, as the instructors will tell u which one they recommend. When buying uniforms, buy one new one, and buy the others from used from GASN. (Glendale Association of Student Nurses) Try to save money wherever you can..cause its expensive.
Good Luck, you'll do fine!
