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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

I don't recall getting a schedule at orientation, that was later mailed to us shortly before the fall started. it looks like there might be a shift in the schedule according to the Merritt Fall Schedule. As I remember, plan on being on campus everyday for the first 9 weeks, some fridays off. That is unless you test out of DDC, you might get an extra day off to study. There is also Open Lab that is in the late afternoon/evening, it would be wise to take advantage of this extra practice time and instruction.

They'll give all the information for that class and the required materials at orientation.

The summer class is a face paced program that will get you prepared for Fundamentals. You will read the book, and other books like the Hogan R&R, and DDC. Do practice questions and get tested on material. Your grade is based on work completed, not your actual grade in the class. The instructor will give you tips and advise for your success. There were 11 that completed the course and 8 of us are still here. It is a lot of work, however, if you can swing it, you will find it makes a difference in fundamentals. as I recall, it was six weeks in July with only four meetings.

You should study the "Dosage Calculations" by Gloria Pickar 8th edition, i don't think they will be changing the book for this incoming semester and you'll find out for sure on orientation June 5th. I felt the material was easier in this book than the DDC at CCC but I took that years ago with the Davis' CD and little tiny book (do they still use that one?). At-any-rate, you'll be tested on material right out of the Pickar book.

Hello c/o '14, I am entering my second year as well, with Chris SN. there was a question about having to retake DDC if you already took it at CCC: you will have to retake it or have to test out. I too, took Drug dosage at contra costa and they would not credit it, and it is taught in a different format, mostly practicing questions in class. so I would advise, as Chris SN did, test out of drug dosage, you will appreciate the time you will have to worry about Fundamentals. I didn't and I wished I did. I am not sure if there will be a summer class "Associate Degree of Nursing Success" offered this year, but if it is take it. I took it last summer and although it was a lot of work, it was an invaluable experience. The majority of those who were in that class are still in the program.

Hey ThatGuy, There are a lot of things you can do: refine your individual study habits, get organized, find a study group, do practice Nclex questions wherever you can find them, pay attention to what the instructors say is "important" (most likely you'll see it on the test), Don't just understand the material - know how to apply it to critical thinking questions... That is major, because we had some smart people in our class that didn't make it because the testing is unlike mental recall and more about application to scenarios. Not all of who is gone dropped out. some left on their own accord (getting into another program or other personal reasons). there were few that left because they thought they couldn't bring their grade up before clinical started... a lot of people brought up their grade to make that 75%, i think that those who left prematurely would have made the grade too! I thought the same as you - passing up Merritt and waiting for other programs to accept me - but I wasn't going to let it deter me and I still haven't. Nursing School is Nursing school, wherever you go.

as a student who stuck with it, I'm doing good... better than okay. I am enjoying it. However, It is and can be frustrating and ridiculous at times, but I am striving and getting there. my classmates make a huge difference in this respect, I wouldn't have made it this far without all of our collective strength and collaboration. I am not endorsing the program but it takes all (ALL) of what you have (and more) to make it through. I can't talk for other nursing programs, but from a general and average consensus, RN school is tough and i appreciate this program because it toughens you up. It is very DIY, our equipment is not ideal, and the instructors can be abrasive and sometimes rude but it comes from a place that makes us grow into critical thinkers and the nurses who won't get eaten alive at our first post-grad job. Apply or not, you need to be made of strength and determination and be willing to feel small every now and again. I can't say THAT many things terrible about the program, because I am in it. I am making good grades and passing clinicals. I am not having the negative experiences that other students have had though our class is small and shrinking; we are at 29 now and I would expect that trend won't deviate from its pattern. but for the percentage of the people who have made it this far, we are getting out with RNs and that is what matters.

Hey there... getting things done, got my books and going to start reading soon. I'll be attending the summer course on the 20th as well, hope to see you all there. Is agelinayum confirmed for a meeting place I would love to see what is in store for us and pick brains while I am at it. So far I have downloaded all the forms and Ill update you with my progress... seems that it is a little confusing for some people. I am registered with a AHA approved CPR class through Project Heartbeat in Oakland. I am already certified and yet because it is American Health Care Academy, I can't use it. ;| the class i have is 6/29 9-2. Hoping that the summer enrichment course will enrich me rather than take away from valuable studying/reading time. I also hope that maybe we can get to know eachother a little bit and share some of eachother study tactics. This is going to be a long tough road and we are going to be ready and rise above all the negative comments. I, for one, didn't feel dissuaded about this program through Orientation, at this point nothing can dissuade me from my goal... this is what I have always been ready for and at no point did I think that it would be any easier. so, with that said... we are going to ROCK :rckn: and we will need eachother to lean on. I really look forward to seeing your faces.

I am on the other side of that 30-40 minute drive... I live near vallejo.

I have about the same commute dreamnurse511, where do you live?