PCTJon

btw, did they include apothecary measurements on the pharm math test?

thanks. also, i wanted to know on top of the nursing kit and uniforms, we need a stethoscope, penlights, bandage scissors, pocket drug manual, anything else?

since our clinicals start mid-october, can i wait to buy insurance so that i will go into effect on october 1st?

question for second level, it is better to start with gi/gu or cardiac/respiratory?

kaitlynelisabeth: Which nclex prep book did you find most helpful? Or would you recommend buying more than one brand??

Having worked in a LTC facility for the past few months, I can say that generally there is little difference in the way patients interact with male nurses as opposed to female nurses. Expectations may be different; people expect guys to perform more of the heavy lifting. A few of the residents may be hesitant to males. We must always respect cultural customs. Act like a professional and people will respect you and the care you provide. Patients generally don't have issues with male doctors because they carry authority. This program is preparing you to be a clinical expert. So be confident in your work; patients and co-workers will learn to appreciate your contribution and respect you as an individual and not some strange rare bird coming to defile them lol.

what section is everybody in? I registered for section 1. also, do we wear white scrubs for clinicals?

SleepyRN - So so true. It really does depend on your shift though. You will learn to love continent patients lol. LightX - In my state you can't get a job as a PCA/CNA/PCT as a nurse. However, they will let you keep the job if you are already working as such in a hospital. The reasoning has to do with the nursing license you receive. Although your job responsibilities are different than a nurse, you are still held to that license and the responsibility that comes with it. The state and hospitals do not want to deal with those legal problems.

It might be easier to secure a job first in a LTC/nursing home. Also it REALLY helps to have a awesome cover letter. In the cover letter, be specific and do your research. Instead of "to whom it may concern", address the HR recruiter or nurse manager. Add that you are excited to work in a top ranking hospital, or in their newly expanded oncology dept., or with a healthcare team all your professors tell me are awesome. This possibilities are endless. Good luck to you!

I am sorry to say this, but it really does depend on the level of difficulty, the flexibility of the professor, and your study skills. During my PCT program, I went to school part time (taking courses such as A&P). For me, the PCT course was not demanding at all. Unlike your credit courses, it is a pass/fail class, so no pressure to maintain a GPA. Also, unless you have a lot of experience as a CNA, it really helps to have those certs for PCT, EKG, Phlebotomy, CPR, BLS, etc. I didn't hear back from a hospital until I got those certs. Maybe it was just me, but it looks like those certs help if you dont have a lot of experience. In the summer in will start orientation to be a PCT in a hospital. I am happy that this position will utilize some of the more technical skills I learned in my PCT program. Hospitals cannot verify what you learn in school. To cover their backs, they like to see experience or certifications on a resume. This gives them proof of competency to validate their hiring process and avoid a potential lawsuit. All of this depends on the particular hospital. There are some lucky bastards that get can a job as a PCA/PCT right away. Note that the job you would get in a hospital would most likely resemble what a CNA does in a nursing home as opposed to more technical work, such as EKG, Phlebotomy, Foley, etc. If I were you, I would take A&P next semester. Your PCT program will take months to complete. Test the waters first. Take a less demanding course first, to see how well you are able to manage credit courses and the PCT course. Good luck to you!

Hey guys, I am currently working as a CNA in a nursing home and will soon (if my interview go well) start working as a PCT in a hospital. I don't have hospital experience, however I can say that I was surprised by the work nurses do at nursing homes. It seems that most of their time is spent on paperwork and meds. Also, it seems like EVERYONE of the nurses stay 1-2 hours after their shift to finish paperwork. Plus they don't get paid for those hours. As a nursing student (starting this fall) I wanted to know if this was true for nurses in the hospital. I am particularly interested in hearing about the ER and ICU. Thanks.

Do you feel it is necessary to buy the newest editions of the textbooks? Also, are there some textbooks you would suggest to just rent (if its still cheaper than buying and reselling) as opposed to buy?

kaitlynelisabeth, what is the key to success in the nursing program given that about 50% of the original cohort does not make it to the NCLEX? Also, I heard that regardless of the sections you chose (ie. 181-101, 181-102, 181-103) that you are randomly assigned to a professor. In order words, the professor you register for may not be the professor you get. Also, thanks LMTK and congrats to you as well. I don't know about the future, what I do want in my hands right now is the info packet lol. I wonder if the Spring 2013 packet on the nursing website is the same we will be receiving.

Happy happy joy joy! I was also admitted into the nursing program. I heard that they are getting a new dean. Does anyone know anything about her and her goals?

Out of curiosity, what did you guys think of the HESI prep book. Did you find it to be useful/relevant?