mistybeck

Yes, there is a LOT of new terminology. I didn't have any experience in health care, so I really didn't know anything. But if you will go into it ready to learn, you will do well! It's not all thrown at you the first day (but it may seem like it), so you just learn it as you go. By the end of the first semester, you'll look back and be amazed at how much you've learned!

For real! Those gloves are suctioned in there good! It's pretty impossible to get your fingers under the cuff, especially when you're trying to do it with a glove on. I've been thinking as I read these comments...it should be ok to kind of work the 2nd glove apart some with your gloved hand regardless of if you touch the inside of the cuff or not, as long as when you start to put it on, you then just put your fingers under the cuff. That would not break sterile technique. (This, of course, is in real practice...because we all know, while in school, we've just got to do the check-off EXACTLY as taught.)

I find dimentional analysis to be the easiest way to work out dosage calculations. It lines up really nice, and you just have to multiply the fractions. If you follow these 3 rules for your calculations, it's simple. Step 1: Start out with what you're looking for (just put the units of measurement first without any numbers to get your thoughts straight). Step 2: Your next numerator has to have the same unit of measurement as your previous denominator (this is so you can cancel them out). Step 3: When you are left with only the units of measurement you are looking for, you are done...just do the math straight across.The problem reads: Ordered: Heparin 18 units per kg per hr in a continuous infusion. Available: Heparin 25,000 units in a 500 mL D5W. Patient's weight: 70kg.a. How many units per hr are ordered? U/ hr = 18 U/ kg/hr X 70 kg/ 1 (I use a 1 as a filler when nothing else goes there. It's not really needed in this case, but in a more complicated problem, it helps) = 1260/ 1 = 1260 U/ hr b. The nurse will set the flow rate at how many mL per hr? mL/ hr = 500 mL/ 25,000 U X 1260 U/ hr = 630,000/ 25,000 = 25.2 --> 25 mL/ hr I had this typed in Word so I could should the fractions better and how you cancel out the units of measurement, but I couldn't figure out how to attach it lol. Anyway, I hope this makes sense.

I will be starting an ADN program this fall also, which is 9 credit hours. I've heard the first semester is pretty killer. I'd wait to see how time consuming it actually is and possible take Micro in the Spring.

That's neat...wish we were using those.

Ours are navy blue scrubs. I don't know if this is just at clinicals or during class time too. Also, a white lab coat at certain times.

I'm also getting my Associate's for Nursing after previously receiving a Bachelor's degree, and unfortunately the Pell Grant and other scholarship money is no longer available for me, but I do receive Federal Student Loan money, so that should be an option for you as well.

I got my acceptance letter at the beginning of the month to begin the nursing program for fall 2012! i am sooo excited!! i know it's going to be a tough journey, but i can't wait to start it. i'm going to cleveland state community college in cleveland, tn where i will be getting my associate's degree. so in just 2 years, i will be an rn! we are supposed to be getting an information packet next month listing out the details, but here's what i know so far. prior to starting the program, i have to have a physical exam and criminal background check. the cost of our books and supplies is usually between $1,100 and $1,300 (per the bookstore, but she said they are changing things up this year and she doesn't know for sure if this estimate will change). this includes a skill pack that we have to buy, which i assume has our stethoscope, etc. this does not include the cost of our uniforms that we have to buy. our date of orientation and syllabus are supposed to be in that info packet, but i know we have 5 professors. i'm not sure how they divide the class up because it is just called nursing i, which i know is adult care and is 9 credit hours. i think that tuesdays and wednesdays will be lecture days from 9:05 to 11:30 and 12:00 to 3:00 (but one of the days from 12:00 to 3:00 will be our skill labs) and thursdays and fridays will be clinicals. i will have to confirm this later. the program is supposed to start in august, but i can't wait to get that packet so i can purchase the books, etc. i have been told to start the reading as soon as possible because they hit the ground running on day 1. i'll let you know when my packet arrives next month!

i got my acceptance letter at the beginning of this month! we will be getting an information packet in may that has the requirements (i know a physical and criminal background check), our books and supplies list (i know this is somewhere between $1,100 and $1,300 not counting the uniforms we have to buy), our syllabus, the date of orientation, etc. i am sooo excited!! i'm not sure of my exact schedule yet, but i think tuesdays & wednesdays will be lecture days and skills lab and thursdays & fridays will be clinicals! i'm not sure how they divide the lectures up. the class is just called nursing i (which is adult care) and is 9 credit hours. there are 5 professors. i am so ready to get that information packet and buy my books and supplies. i've heard i need to start on the reading as soon as possible because they hit the ground running on day 1! congrats to everyone who is starting in the fall!