hellenn

I'm 2nd level and all I can say is good luck you guys and if I had it to do over I would have chosen RIC or URI- get ready to deal with A LOT OF BS.

For someone weak in math (like ME!) taking dosage over the summer is gpa suicide. It's so fast and you have no one to ask clarify something when taking a test. I had to drop it the first week and am about to begin again. It seems like a total crapshoot applying. I hear 4.0's get rejected while lower scores get in. The amount of mystery and nonsense is mind boggling! Good luck! Hope you get in 1st try.

Hi! I took this class w Dr J last fall. It was the hardest but most rewarding class I've ever taken and he's the BEST teacher I've ever had. I got an A, if I could do it, you can! Here's what you need to know - 1) you need to literally study all the time (or as much as humanly possible). Go into the lab as much as possible!! I liked going on Mondays because you could stay all day and night. 2) buddy up!! You'll see who else is always in the lab too- befriend them! (The friends I made in anatomy got me thru it! And we all take our sciences together now! There's 7 of us together in micro now!) 2a) buddies = help on quizzes! Take them together or Skype 2b) start a private group on Facebook where you can all post questions, frustrations, laughs, pictures of lab... 3b) pool your lecture quizzes, put on a word doc, make into flashcards. 3) the trick is- get 100's on all of your prelabs (you can take them over and over until u do, highest grade is counted- if you happen to get a 90, it will bring your lab exam grade down!!) Shoot for high 80 and above on lecture quizzes, 90+ on lab plus every bonus pt opportunity you can get and you'll w able to flub a bit on lecture exams. 4) record dr j on yr phones video when he comes to your lab table and shows you that weeks muscles, veins whatever 5) draw! All the veins and arteries are like streets and confusing. Drawing them while looking at my cat - immense help! 6) record lectures! Camtasias are time consuming 7) there's lots of great videos and websites, sometimes you just need to hear something explained in a different way for it to click 8) know how he says "read the damn questions?" Seriously - I used to get mad at him (cheerfully tho) bc some of his questions were worded very tricky!! 9) get Kaplan's Anatomy Coloring book. (Also helpful for physiology next semester!) All in all, he gives every resource and opportunity possible to students. He truly, honestly cares and wants you to succeed. Utilize all he's provided, email him any questions. He's in the lab even on his days off a lot! My entire group got A's. We all helped each other. Speaking of helping people- not everyone in your class wants to help and sometimes a jerk will move the tags on lab exams because the program is so competitive. Omg. If you're ever unsure, tell him! My last exam I lost a few bc someone moved tags and I didn't ask him! Just prepare to dig in and not come up for air. It's only a semester- DONT get tripped up by those who are retaking it or if they have an attitude. If they hog your cat, switch lab partners or say something to them. The worst part is the AMOUNT of info each week but the class really is fun! Phys and micro are more boring and any teacher pales after J. Good luck!! A friend of mine is taking it right now in Newport, hopefully you'll end up meeting her and can be buddies! Please trust me when I say that if I can do it you can!!!

OMG so funny! I agree with everything you said and I am (ahem!) anal about grammar. I'm posting because this just reminded me a document I recently received where it was RIDDLED with misspellings and errors, all from someone that I had thought to be insanely smart and very well educated. It left me wondering how said person even got through school! I can't deny that it makes me wonder about her education level but.... I can say from personal knowledge that said person is an extremely competent nurse, this I absolutely know to be true. But I totally get what you are saying. I constantly "edit" everything and it really DOES make a HUGE difference when applying for a job. It's the whole "first impression" thing, you only get to make it once! I think it's great that you posted this because it will help people know what is expected of them, that this is the "real" world where you sometimes do NOT get a second chance and should take applying for a job seriously. If you aren't 100% serious and professional in a resume/interview, how would you be with a patient?! I also think that there MIGHT be a generational gap going on? Because as the years go on (and I'm not THAT old!!), it seems that things are more and more laid back, casual, less professional. I would point to the media, because think about television 8-10 years ago, and tv NOW. I'm kind of in-between but I appreciate and long for the days and people who take their profession seriously and with pride.

............................ I posted but saw this was like a year old! I go to ccri and I love it. I checked out other programs and schools and time and time again kept hearing they have the best program. I feel I made a good decision in this after much research and referrals from friends (and strangers) in the medical field. All I can say is choose your school according to what you want and need, I'm going for my adn but will continue all the way to NP. What matters is your competency, ability and determination to do your best.

I wouldn't rule out community colleges! For instance, I hear all the time in my state (RI) that our community college has the "best" nursing program. (This is what doctors and nurses have stated to me repeatedly over the years, and also that they normally choose students from my school first). In my personal experience- when I had my 2nd child, I allowed student nurses to come in with their instructor. The ones from the the state college were nervous, timid and very cerebral, checking their books and with their instructor frequently. The ones from the cc I could not tell apart from the actual nurses, they were so hands on and confident. It was a huge difference and was one of the deciding factors as to why I chose the community college over regular. I'm not sure about other states, but it'd be a good thing to check on your own- RI is offering 0% interest loans now, only for those in the medical field though, ie NURSES! If you're a single mother, displaced homemaker, under a certain income bracket, etc you may be eligible for help too. Check with all the resources you can within your state. And you can always appeal your financial aid if you are denied, like I was. The new SAP rules I know are a nightmare for a lot of people. Supposedly if I do a full semester and pull really good grades, I can qualify for the aid. Also, check into some of the hospitals around you. Some of them will pay your tuition back or a percentage of it. I believe you HAVE to sign a contract though, stating you will work there for x amount of years. Even if it's 1/4 of your tuition, it's still a HUGE HELP. I hope that this helps some of you and that your area has some of these perks!

I'm so glad my school doesn't require algebra for nursing! I'm only taking dosage and calculations with A&P (its 1 & 2 combined) because I'm also an older "returning" student and because a&p is a HUGE part of getting into the program. I'm dedicating the most concentration to that first. Im trying to take hard classes with easier classes so I don't overwhelm myself.