layleebug

I went onto this forum after having a horrible day, after finding out I am pretty much doing really poorly in med surg. I just finished crying my eyes out and trying to get over it. I want to quit, I am over my head with work to studying. Believe it or not I read everything and do practice quizes and practice NCLEX questions... more than what other students do in my class and yet I am still averaging C's on my weekly tests. But anyway, thanks for this post because I needed to be reminded that there are others in my same position. I just need so much help I don't know if I can get through this semester....

Chinacat- This is an old thread but I wanted to reply that amazingly, my second semester has been a little bit better than last so far, but with more material and more work to do Anyway, we take Med-Surg this semester and are using a clinical support program to help us and it really is kind of like a SIMS program. It's called "Virtual Clinical Excursions" by Elsevier/Mosby. It's an interactive software that is set in a hospital, and you choose your shift time, which patients to take care of, get a verbal report from previous nurse, etc. Then you have 45 min to take care of business- see your patients, do physical assessments and administer meds. It's like you have to go to the actual med room and pull IV's and meds from drawers- and you can also use the study guide to help go through the patient's charts and practice what to look for. This doesn't replace our lab time, because our lab time is for hands-on (we have a lot of simulated mannies and equipment because our school is set up exactly how a hospital would look). But it is a nice thing to practice with- kind of like the video game format you mentioned. You could probably order it online if you find it.

I'm about to complete my first semester, and I had a pathophysiology course. I'm sorry that you barely miss the cut off, here are some things that may help you that I am slowly starting to realize: 1) It's not enough to read and memorize. It took me half way through the semester to figure. What I do is read EVERYTHING and memorize facts and terminology. That is the bare minimum. In addition to that I do NCLEX questions and case studies to get me in the mode of critical thinking. This is still something I am struggling with. 2) Calculate grades every 2 weeks. What you need to score on the next assignments, midterms, etc to get passed that 76% or whatever the passing grade is- just to keep yourself on track 3) Motivate yourself that you can do it. I know, cliche, but really it helps. When you set your mind for success, it is easier for material to stick and get more done. 4) I've detailed to do list for every day in my planner, even down to my shower times, etc. Knowing exactly what to study for, what your 10 hour day will entail will help in the long run. 5) Record your lectures. Listen to it in the car randomly. I plan on doing this more next semester, but re-listening to your lectures really keeps it to stick (i'm not sure if your auditory learner, but try it, you may find you missed an important fact or just for the purpose of re-emphasizing the material). 6) I've never done this in my undergraduate degree but: read material BEFORE coming class. It has helped me sooo many times. I actually do it all the time now, and even if you don't understand it, the lightbulbs will fire once your professor puts it all together during lecture. Ok that's it for now, but good luck and hope this helped a little.

Oh and sorry didn't answer all the questions, the program is about $65,000 for 5 semesters, someone had posted the cost breakdown somewhere on this thread. Each unit is $750 and the entire program is about 72 units, but there are extra costs you pay to the school of nursing for books, exams and supplies.

Hi Cathy! That's great that you're interested in applying, overall Charles Drew was the school for me (for my interests, needs and close to the location), so if you are applying to several schools and are accepted into more than one, really look into what the school has to offer and see which school fits you the best (meaning look into their mission statement, their focus and what they can offer as far as experience so that you ultimately pass the NCLEX and land that job!). As for the program, for now it is an entry level master's degree in nursing, so you need a bachelor's (any major) and then you will be able to receive both RN licence and master's degree, they also offer a Nurse Leader certificate upon completion (use as an asset towards moving up as Charge Nurse, etc), and a Public Health Certificate (which is mostly what I want to do). It is a 5 semester program, and no lie, it is intense. The work load is heavy, and understandably so, because we aren't here just to get an A.A., or even a B.S... they incorporate public health and management into the curriculum. Anyway best of luck and let me know if you have any other questions... I feel like it's such a new school and I understand it's harder to get the inside scoop / fair reviews so I will do my part in conveying connections. Oh and the negative feedback is mostly the CDREW drama with the med school that was on probation with the hospital they were connected with. There's recent news that they are actually re-opening the medical center and it's right next to our school! As for the nursing school, it's totally separate, before I applied I just addressed any concerns I had to the Dean, who is awesome by the way, and she answered all my questions, concerns.. Overall I have a feeling CDREW U will make a name for itself with this nursing program. :)

I read somewhere on this site: "for profit" schools tend to do that sort of thing for their profit margins... Most non-profit schools give the students the option of comparison shopping to help them save on costs. So if you are looking for the convenience of "one stop shopping" for all your program needs, just be careful that you are not grossly over-paying for the convenience." Charles Drew is non profit and should allow its students to choose their method of purchasing knowing that most of the students in the SON are paying out of loans.. $1500 compared to $500 is GROSSLY OVERPAYING and will eventually add up to about $2,000 including the accumulated interest.

congrats class of 2013 :) just wanted to know if anyone else annoyed that theyre charging us $1500 for books and $1000 for supplies? if you look up the actual costs the books are around $500 if not less...

Ok so the lab on Saturday is for FNP students? Good to know.. I'm trying to keep my job and work Saturdays.. I really want to work Fridays as well so Im REALLY hoping they dont give us a Friday rotation.

business casual seems the most appropriate

yea i ended up adding the one that said cohort 1... didnt see cohort 3 but the class made the most sense to add since it starts 8/29..

Did anyone get scheduled a lab (NURS520L) that will be Saturday evenings? I did

nvm i figured it out :)

did anyone have trouble verifying their student id number and name with dob? can you also access the student services page?

Just wondering if you've verified with CDU that we start clinicals end of September? Trying to enjoy as much freedom as I can til school starts

The health forms said that we wouldn't be able to register for classes if the physical is not done before the 29th.. I couldn't get one scheduled soon enough with my regular doctor so I just went to a local clinic and luckily got it scheduled three days later. FYI the physical entails having you do blood work and urine analysis.

i think that the statistic reflects the majority of the surrounding demographics of the area and has nothing to do with the criterea to get into the nursing school, overall race is not a factor- they don't ask about what race you are but how you are committed to serving the medically underserved- most of whom happen to be minorities, the same mission that schools like UCLA strive for, but honestly I commend Drew for this because they truly walk the walk (as far as research, mission and the commitment). but if you wanted to know i also interviewed with a causasian guy who was applying to the school as well.

Thanks so much for the feedback, were you able to apply for the HRSA during nursing school? I had asked them and they said that I had to wait until I graduates/licensed (not sure which). Their deadline is around May and I graduate in May.. so I guess I would have to wait until the following year to apply?

Thanks so much everyone for the replies, I'm sure they would have explained the process to us during nursing school but I wanted to get a good idea of when I can actually start submitting certain job apps and loan repayment programs (i know 2 years in advanced and i'm already planning ) and a lot of them depended on when I receive a license number or when I pass the exam.. so I'm assuming at least a week up to 4 weeks after graduation I should look forward to begin to settle down.. thanks so much for the feedback

Yea with the new management and everything the drew trauma center will be an ideal place to get real experience.. although I think it might take a while for the drew center to gain its reputation back with the community- but I'm not too worried about that, it will happen.

I loved reading this encouraging note, I too had been there and finally got accepted to an entry level master's in nursing program.. 2 years and 2 birds with one stone :) I just wanted to mention that I started as a pre-nursing student that failed micro first time around and got C's in both Anatomy and Physiology.... yea that was not GREAT. But I finally realized that if this is what I really wanted to do I needed to really work my butt off (you'd think that would have came first right) so I retook all my classes (A's and B), graduated with my last 60 units with a 3.7. I still went through the rejection phase (ALL the schools I applied to... except for one :)) and then I finally got accepted into an LVN program, an ADN program AND a Master's in Nursing program... don't give up if you know this is what you want to do and don't let your past discourage you. It did bring me down but I worked twice as hard later and it paid off. Best wishes.

Yea it was a nice relief not to stress about the required reading, I am looking into supplemental books https://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/books-every-nursing-483920.html, (I created a wish list if anyone is interested) Im so excited :).. Clinical rotations will also be in a hospital.. one of the ones they mentioned to me was Cedars Sinai.

I asked them about the books and theyre actually included in the tuition... that means all books for all classes will be provided, and also yea we do start clinicals right away... so for anyone thats looking into working during school (including myself) classes are Mon - Thurs typically 9-5 and then one more clinical rotation day that is either an 8 hour day or 12 hour day... intense... im still trying to work though.. :\ i might do tutoring after classes couple days a week and working Sunday clinics at this pediatric office i work in currently... anyone else same boat?

Purpelle, Im just curious about the calculations you made from the total of $45,000 to owing $14? Is that from a loan repayment program?

the latest on the "drama" at drew: "charles r. drew university of medicine and science was removed from academic probation by its accrediting agency this week, the latest indication the south los angeles medical school is recovering from recent financial woes" http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/07/charles-r-drew-university-removed-from-academic-probation.html "after putting charles drew on probation, wasc conducted a two-year assessment process during which it examined the university's academic, financial, governance and quality control systems. lifting the probation according to charles drew, wasc lifted the probation because of several improvements at the school. for example, the school said it has: created a new advisory and governing board; developed a strategic growth plan; opened a new $43 million nursing school; and received $10 million in funding support from the university of california (los angeles daily news, 7/13)." read more: http://www.californiahealthline.org/articles/2011/7/14/charles-drew-medical-school-removed-from-academic-probation.aspx#ixzz1sjxuoprg

This is just a question from someone about to start the program this Fall, I was wondering when is the earliest time to take the NCLEX? I wanted to know for HRSA purposes... they only allow applicants with a current nursing liscence to apply for the loan forgiveness program. My other question is how long does it take for NCLEX to provide the pass/fail grade and what is the process to actually recieving your liscence? Any help and info would be apprieciated.