pants_19

I should graduate in December 2013 as well, and I don't feel confident EVER! Skills day, clinical days, it doesn't matter whether I have practiced and researched, I still feel like there is so much to remember...I dream of one day feeling assured, cool, calm, collected, and confident in my ability. You guys are definitely not alone in feeling that terrified/excited feeling!

Oh, yeah. Never forget the most important "F word" in nursing school: FLEXIBILITY! We do not get to choose our own schedule either; we pick days or nights at the beginning of our 2 year program, then our schedules are made for us. So far I have lucked out, and only have 2 days of lecture and one day of clinicals. At orientation, we were also given a list of mandatory additional lectures, SIM lab days, etc..some of which conflict with other lectures. Oh, and one is on Labor Day, which I found strange, since the rest of the college is usually off...I'm guessing the week before someone will notice and dates will be changed. Gotta love nursing school!

ilovepatho, I'm in Illinois...are you?

I don't recall rounding being an issue for my class; in each core nursing class we had 1000 possible points. Each exam was worth 100 points, the final was 200 points. However, we had to achieve a minimum exam score, meaning our combined average for the tests & quizzes had to be at least 80%, or we would automatically fail. Other points for homework/projects were not even considered if your test and quiz average was below 80%. Grading scale if you did achieve the 80% test score average was 93-100=A, 86-92=B, 80-85=C, 75-79=D, 74 and under=F.

I agree with MichG, seek out a job in a restaurant/bar. If you have no bartending experience, apply as a server, and be sure to include your experience tutoring on your application. It shows that you communicate well, and are helpful, patient, and good at explaining things! I have worked as a server ("waitress" never bothered me, but "server" is more PC) and bartender during my entire college experience. It is great because you have cash in hand every shift, and you can pick up additional shifts if needed. Also, where I work people are always willing to trade shifts, so if I have a big exam the next day, I can swap my shift for the night before for one later in the week. Any restaurant I have worked has been this way, which is great for someone like you with a wacky schedule. Also, and it may seem like overkill, but when you apply for a serving job, bring a resume and dress nicely. We nearly always hire people that make that effort, just because we get so many applicants that show up in torn jeans with errors on their application since its "just a serving job." Good luck, let us know how it goes!

I got one piece of advice from a student in her third semester, and that was to invest in a decent stethoscope...

No, I haven't received my packet yet either. Jun1120, definitely consider taking the TEAS prep classes offered at JJC, they are only $5 each if you are an enrolled student (so $20 if you take all four components: Math, Reading, Science, and English). It gave me more of an idea of what was emphasized on the TEAS. I also purchased the study guide online for $40, then sold it to a Radiology student once I found out I was accepted. My GPA was also a 4.0, TEAS composite 92 and Reading 97.

Congratulations Beth! I'm in the Days program too, looking forward to registration. I feel like it's not going to feel real until then...

I just received an email letting me know I was accepted into the Nursing Program at JJC for the Spring 2012 semester! I am still on cloud nine! I'm looking for any advice that people may have that have been through the program, or for other newly accepted students that would like to meet and be there to help each other once we begin. Thanks!