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first semester is two parts. the first nine weeks is the theory "bootcamp" you have Fundamentals lecture 8am-12, skill lab (pm), and Drug dosage on Wed. Tests were on Friday for this last fundamentals class. the second 9 weeks, mid october, is when the clinical rotation starts. you would have lecture on mondays and clinical either on T-W or Th-F with 7am start times. the three hospitals that have been part of our fundamental rotations are Kaiser Richmond, Highland Hospital, and Alameda Hospital. I don't know what it is like working overnight and then sitting for lecture, but I would definitely get something figured out so that you don't get too fatigue. The first 9 weeks are intense, passing the first three tests is vital to continuing in the program. I put all my energy into studying for the first semester and didn't return to work until christmas break.

Lynn, I would assume that you'd be using the 8th Ed of Perry & Potter, though it is not definite.... I would wait for orientation, it's only a week from today. There will be used books for sale by the 2nd year students at orientation. As far as what books to get, Fundamentals and Drug Dosage for sure. You will need reference books like Drug reference, lab values & Dx, IV meds when it comes to care-planning (roughly the second half of semester). The med-surg book you typically read 2 chapters out of it in the first semester. The books I have recommended and will continue to recommend are the Hogan "review and rationales" books, they have them in almost every subject and have been quite helpful in studying when you don't want to look at the Fundamentals book anymore. Yes, the summer class gets you reading pretty much what you will read during the fall plus more (as I mentioned before), including taking tests. From what I know the class is graded by participation and work completed and not by score. Christmas break. well.... there are certain things that make it a "working break". When you are transistioning from 1st semester to 2nd semester you are either going into one of four courses (Med-Surg or Psych OR Maternity or Peds). It always helps to get a jump on the reading (you have roughly 5 weeks), however depending on which rotation you are heading into (different hospitals) there are some thing you MUST do that are required to be done before you can start in january. For example, if you are going to Kaiser there are online learning modules you must do and paperwork, etc. It's not much but it can get stressful with the holidays. I went into Med-Surg for the first half of 2nd semester and most of those items were due by the 1st of january! So brace yourself for situations like that. Other than those few things during breaks, I was able to enjoy my breaks, get some quality family time in, and work a little. While going to nursing school sacrifices time with family and friends, you will find the time that you need have with them. prioritization is key and many students have done it with big families, small babies, deaths, and even pregnant!

Hi @kidzpastorlynn, I have just graduated from this progam and what you heard is true: the summer bridge program IS important to take and it takes A LOT of discipline to get through it. It will cover essentially the whole Fundamentals book with extra stuff included : drug dosage, critical thinking, care planning, etc. I was one of the 14 people to take the summer class and I can attest for its preparation for the next two years. It typically starts in July, I believe and runs 6 weeks. They should talk more about it at orientation. As far as getting ahead on the reading this is for sure going to put you there. I couldn't tell you if they are using the same books as they did last semester, since they changed them for the last class. At-any-rate, you should be provided a book list at orientation. If you haven't already...check out other threads: https://allnurses.com/california-state-nursing/merritt-college-adn-571399.html https://allnurses.com/california-state-nursing/merritt-college-fall-712276.html

after you've updated your profile, click on the "My Purchases & Payments" and enter the Payment code and Class code that was given to you at Orientation. after that you'll be able to make your payment

the 18 chapters covered for our first test were: -the client & healthcare envronment -critical thinking in nursing -activity/rest&sleep/hygiene -urinary & bowel elimination -skin integrity/wound care/infection control & prevention -the nursing process but as mentioned before there is a possibility that this could be changed up. we didn't get our schedule of topics until about two weeks before class started and our reading list was distributed on the first day of class. so hopefully this is giving you a point of reference of what you'll be assigned but not necessarily in that order, and better yet get over the shock of an 18 chapter first test in the first two weeks of school.

So this was from our reading list/schedule. I dont have the exact titles of the chapters because I no longer have the Fundamentals book, however this will most likely be what you will cover as well. -The Client & Healthcare envronment -Critical Thinking in Nursing -Activity/Rest&Sleep/Hygiene -Urinary & Bowel Elimination -Skin Integrity/Wound Care/Infection Control & Prevention -The Nursing Process -Vital Signs -Oxygenation -Health Assessment & Physical Examination -Psychosocial basis -Fluids and Electrolytes & Acid-Base Balance -Documentation & Informatics -Alternative Therapies -Medication Administration -Professional Standards of care -Perioperative Care - Safety and Pain -Caring through the lifespan -Culture and Ethnicity -Code Blue/Emergency Preparedness -Caring for the Unconscious client - Diabetes (from the Med-Surg text ch. 41)

we used the 7th edition and the book that you guys have is the 8th edition make sure the chapters line up.

Our uniforms are from Dove. They come in zippered or button form, we will have some uniforms at the raffle as well.

Nursing Notes can be useful. the second page wouldn't scan clearly but it goes over Tier 1 & 2 of the CDC Precautions.

I have the Med-surg ebook and I don't like it much. We didn't have the option for ebooks, however our class as a general consensus prefers actual text books.

I too purchased my books through amazon and saved a lot of money doing so. And the bundle doesn't include the recommended books. :)

the summer program is great for several reasons: 1. discipline: for those who need that push to work/read when you have the propensity to slack on your own. 2. critical thinking: you will be tested in the style that you will see on every exam in the nursing program and some questions thrown in there are from material you didn’t read. this starts the development of your critical thinking skills, which are critical for success in this program. 3. taste of the adn program: you will be taught by a professor you will see as you continue on in the program, so this experience can help with learning a little about the program and what is expected from you. 4. study group: the people you see in this class will likely be part of your study group, which is good to have before the semester starts in the fall. 5. readiness for fundamentals: having done something shows readiness this will be funny to you once you get tested on nursing dx. if you are unable to take the class: - - follow chris sn's advice - - read the book, do the chapter tests in book and on the evolve website, find fundamentals nclex style questions online, get the prentice hall reviews and rationale books for fundamentals and fluid & electrolytes, also lippincott has a good app for nclex questions (search app store for taylor’s fundamentals). don’t overwhelm yourself during the summer there will be plenty of that come fall. congrats to making it in and see you all at the orientation! j

Yes, we used Perry & Potter Fundamentals 7th edition 2008. good luck!

510-434-3930 is the ADN answering machine, I called it just a moment ago and you can leave a message. You can try replying to the email they used to send out information: [email protected]

This might be a good time to mention to make an appointment with your doctor. there are health documentation you need for the program and they are very specific to what you need. you will need: a physical exam, titers drawn (for TDAP, MMR, Varicella, & HepB), 2 step PPD, and CPR card from American Heart Association (current). these are the things you can get done earlier before it comes down to the wire and some people were experiencing difficulties with some of the things. youll get more info for the drug screening and background check, but you can go ahead and make a MD appt for after 6/5 and you be set up with the paperwork. good luck