katyc123

Oh boy. Going into second semester and now I'm nervous. I thought first semester was tough but more in like a psychological way. All these new things were very overwhelming - from clinicals at 6:30 AM, to working with patients for the first time, to 10+ chapters for an exam. Would your biggest piece of advice be to just stay on top of it?

Yes. You can make a copy of your high school diploma.

I know. I decided to buy them because I didn't want to be unprepared. Once you get the hang of it you can decide from there. But it's always best to be over prepared until you know how to manage things yourself. Yes. The lectures are all taught by reading ppt that are related to the book. I don't learn well with those either so I'd end up having to go home and teach myself.

Bundle is not mandatory. At orientation they had us choose whether we would get the physical book bundle or the Ebooks even if you didn't plan on ordering through the school at all. So if they do that don't be worried. I got the ebook bundle because it was cheaper and a man at the orientation who is a rep for the book company really sold me. With that being said I'm a bit indifferent about my purchase. I like it because you can search all the textbooks or an individual textbook by a keyword or phrase. This is especially helpful with the drug book when you have to make med cards for clinical. It was also nice to have it all on my computer and iPad while others literally had suit cases carrying their books. However I didn't get much use out of them. And if I personally could go back I wouldn't buy the Pharm book. I don't even think majority of books were used. On the other hand, I have heard first semester books are most expensive because you use a lot of them throughout the rest of nursing school. Do what you think is right. Don't take my word for it!!

I can't stress enough how important it is to stay organized. You're going to get a LOT of information at orientation and a ton of paper that you have no idea what they mean even after they've gone over it. Just keep everything together and review it every once in awhile. I think someone else said it too but make friends ASAP. Everyone is all in the same boat and has no idea what's going on and is so excited that a lot of information is misconstrued or missed.

For the vaccines I also had a card from when I was a baby and then I didn't have proof of my chicken pox so I got a blood titer. Apparently sometimes the titer will not show a vaccine has been done so you have to pay for that and that is two rounds I believe. You upload your proof into this third party system and they approve you from there. Once all requirements are approved you will give it to your advisor at your third orientation. They sign that paper and that is you "clinical ticket".

I am currently taking lecture and lab in the same day then clinical a separate day and Pharm online. I'd recommend Pharm online. From what I heard it's the same as in class. The online teacher records voice overs for each slide of the PowerPoint. Your grade is all exams. No assignments or quizzes. You don't get to choose your teachers necessarily. You have "options" which are groups of all the classes. Then at orientation you choose a number out of a hat, get in that order and sign up for your options. If yours is full you have to choose another and they don't let you sit around and decide. They'll skip you if you didn't have backups. It's kind of hectic because they give you this huge packet of info with the options and you basically have those four hours or so during orientation to choose your option.

Agree. I thought reading over break would be a good idea and I'm glad I didn't. Definitely enjoy your freedom. Plus nothing will make sense now until you're actually in there learning and doing it. If you absolutely must do something I'd suggest learning how to take blood pressure if you don't already know how to and getting used to your stethoscope. Otherwise just get your shots done, STAY ORGANIZED and enjoy your summer!! You'll thank me later haha.

Yay congrats! You're in for a wiiiild ride. Enjoy the freedom now haha.

Did you get in?? And it's about to get more real than you know haha.

I think they started calling around 9 and I called at 11:30. I think I called three different numbers. I can't remember since it was like six months ago haha. But I honestly probably called like 5-10 times[emoji15] because they weren't answering. People kind of got on me and said that was probably not the way to go about it and it was just prolonging the process but I found out I got in so I really didn't care haha

I think someone even showed up an hour late and they were dismissed from the program.

I found out October of 2015 and we started everything the next month. Maybe it was because the winter break is shorter and you have to make sure to get all your vaccines and gather information required. You cannot miss any orientations. The first orientation is about 6 hours, the second orientation is some administrative stuff and the math test and the third "orientation" is you meeting with your advisor and where you get your clinical ticket. My advisor didn't show up so I had to meet with another lady and it took about 10 minutes.

This was for last semester

Just so you guys know it doesn't matter what letter your last name starts with. They have multiple people calling and it's really all over the place. I was going to be one of the last people they were going to call because my area code is not 702. However I just called in myself because I couldn't stand waiting any longer haha.

Just so you guys know it doesn't matter what letter you last name starts with. They have multiple people calling and it's really all over the place. I was going to be one of the last people they were going to call because my area code is not 702. However I just called in myself because I couldn't stand waiting any longer haha.

Thank you for clarifying!

Thank you sooo incredibly much!! So basically all assignments are based on your interactions/findings with patients?

Can you guys explain what happens in clinical? I've heard multiple times it's the most difficult. My interpretation was that at the beginning you learn the on the job skills and then once you go out to different sites you are basically working. Then I heard there are tests and such so I guess I don't understand how that all works.

You sound a lot like me not into groups and procrastinating haha. It reassuring to know I'm not the only one. I know not keeping to myself will only benefit me so that's going to be a goal of mine. Thanks for mentioning the apps and books too! Funny.. I remember reading when you got accepted haha. Congrats on being half way done!

Kaybay_jenae, ViperJustin, and any others currently in or have been in the program, What would you say are the classes that you studied for from most to least? I understand that it might be more or less for certain classes during the semester and also might vary by person, but just trying to get a semi-schedule going for myself. Thank you!!

Was that something they were only offering the day of orientation? I went to the first meeting and signed up but didn't receive the card.

Thanks! Maybe we get it at our second orientation because I know that wasn't in our first packet.

What little yellow card are you talking about? Not sure I got that.

It sounds like you need to spend a lot more time studying then. Maybe even hire a tutor or if there is a tutoring center at your school then go there. It's a lot of material and if you haven't learned the material in class then you will be teaching yourself which is a lot of work, but doable! Take it section by section and make sure you are not just memorizing. Know he material. Khanacademy.com has great videos for the science and math parts too.