Bravored

Well....it's no cake walk that's for sure! But I'm glad you are still considering Chaffey. Everyone has a different experience at Chaffey...all tough no doubt but some hate it more than others LOL....I guess I fall some where in between. To answer your questions, your info is correct, most classes start with 44 (4 for a buffer). We ended up with a graduating class of 21....from the original 44, i think about 14-15 or so made it through...and this is pretty typical of chaffey's program. Last semester;s graduating class had a matriculation rate of about the same. Along the way the class will pick up repeats and LVNs (LVNs during your 3rd semester). I've been asked about this new nursing assessment test and do you have to take it to get in...from what i understand, you take it when you get accepted. If you don't do well you have to go thru remediation....again AFTER you get in. Graduation? YES!!!!!! I graduated and was pinned last Friday! Should have told us! We had a couple extra tickets! LOL...it's the best feeling, ESP. knowing that your survived Chaffey's program! Honestly though, that seems like the easy part now. Getting a job is kinda stressful these days...Im sure by the time you get out, it'll be much better. Good luck with your search...may i ask what schools you are applying to? BTW it's funny how you say upper nursing student...i guess that was how i viewed those ahead of me too...they were like "gods" lol...i remember thinking: ooo there go the 4rths lol. Br

It'S tough but good, you're likely to learn a lot...any SPECIFIC questions? and Congrats ! Br

Hi All I am looking for some help compiling a list. I would like to know some of the common medications that require/may require some sort of lab work up to evaluate therapeutic/toxic levels. There are a few that i already know such as Digoxin, Vancomycin, Dilantin, heparin (ptt), coumadin (pt), Lasix (K), etc. One of my instructors used to say that technically, we can draw a level for nearly every medication. There are many medications that my drug guides suggest we monitor serum levels for. My issue is, sometimes d/t the facility, or the physician, etc, levels are not drawn. I sometimes have trouble knowing which drugs require a serum level/lab value and which doesnt. Would you all help me come up with a list of these sorts of medication. From your clinical experience, which drugs, when you see it, would alert you to look at the labs, and/or search for serum levels. *Normally, when the drug guide talks about serum levels, and the physician didn't order one, i am sure to review the symptoms of toxicity. Thnx for all your help peoples!!! Br

Well actually, there are plenty who can! No one will tell you it's easy but there are lots of positive people out there that you'll bump into! Always talk to the upper classmen but if the first thing that comes out of their mouth are whining complaints then take what they say with a grain of salt! Hopefully it wont take me a year to come back and tell you about it! I finish my regular clinical rotations next week and start my preceptorship in 2 ("knock on wood"). I LOVED ALL my science classes! I had great instructors esp Robin and Dale...the science classes are not more stressful...they are prob on par as far as difficulty...the program is more difficult not d/t content but d/t the workload. Time management skills are key...and you will learn that as you gain experience through the program. Are you ready to register yet? or are you asking bout the sci classes cause you still have some more to take? Let me know if you want some info on some of the professors... Br

Yea Chaffey does have a high pass rate, and with any luck, they will have another 100% pass rate this year as well (no reason why they shouldn't; "knock on wood"). I is true that some people see the program as a "weeding out" system. If you don't meet their standards, they will cut you and if you do...well, you should be adequately prepared for the big test! Like eliymo have already eluded to, some graduates are just happy to pass and not have to deal with all the BS anymore. Others HOWEVER truely enjoyed (as much as you can enjoy nursing school) their time here. Nursing school is gonna be hard no matter where you go, do i wish that i didn't have to put up with some of the things Chaffey puts me thru?, yes, but does that mean i don't think they are preparing me to be a good nurse?, no. The education you get at chaffey is a quality one. If you surround yourselves with positive people, you're gonna have a more positive outlook, if you surround yourselves around whiners...well you're prob gonna be one too...and i think this is true at ANY school. I was gonna say that i've seen other students from other school being completely incompetent when compared to Chaffey students, but then again that really depends on the individual i guess. Do i think it sucks to be a Chaffey student? Yes! Am i proud to be a Chaffey Student? HELL YES!!! Sounds arrogant huh? I know, but maybe you need a bit of arrogance to get thru this program Br

Student here: Our school allows the students to push meds only during our final semester. We can only push 4/5 meds: Lasix, Morphine, Dacadron/Solu-medrol, and Digoxin. We have to be checked off on campus before we can administer them in the clinical setting. We have to do our first couple of pushes with our instructor present, and when she feels we are safe, then we can give it without him/her being present. Our nurse/preceptor is still require to supervise us and check our calculation before we give it though. Honestly, if i was the nurse, i would like my student to consult me before doing a skill like pushing IV meds as well. Br

Yea, the gal i used to know did the same thing, she applied to both those schools (victor valley), got into chaffey and made the commute...i live one city over so it's not a big hassle for me. I am starting my 4th semester and preceptorship this session. Excited and a bit apprehensive at the same time...it's gonna be fun though..or at least as fun as nursing school can be! Yea having to retake a class sucks...feels like a waste of time. Just get through it. I think the only problem with commuting from that distance is on clinical days when we have to be at the hospital by 630 or so...unless you've got a friend or family's house to crash at for the night (previous)... Br

Feel like a freaking idiot! I typed all that and all i had to say was LOTTERY SYSTEM!!!! That's what i meant, i forgot hehe! As i've mentioned in the other thread, I'm in the program now...God willing and me willing...i will be able to get through this...i've got lots of support that i am very grateful for! So you start next week too eh? If u have any questions feel free to ask! and don't let people scare you about the program...historically, there are so many horror stories that happy ones...just have to speak to the right people i guess! Br

Whoo hooo! Good for you, i was in your position a while ago as well...seems like a long ways away and the prereqs seems like forever, it's like getting a BS! Im guessing you have keenan for chem? or does she not teach on the weekends? Who do you have for physio...unfortunately, i don't think the best teacher (Dale) teaches that class on the weekends. Hope full you get him for micro lab, or cobos. Yea so obviously im done with my prereqs, im actually starting my last semester next week... long time coming but i've got a couple of complications to overcome (who doesn't)...i'll be alright though...im excited to get my teeth into this! Are you from the local area? Or are you one of the many who make the long drive to join our program? Br

The Counselor's name is Susan Starr...she is like a road runner on Monster 24/7 lol! The other counselor is a guy but i can't remember his name off the top of my head...i can picture his face though! lol... Kinda late of a response to this question i know...hope it helps someone! Br

Oh woo hoo...here you are again! lol! No im not stocking you...i replied to your other similar post..check it out! Yea the wait list can be horrible for some of these other schools...I knew this gal that applied to valley and they told her their wait list is till 2009!..this was in 2006! that's three years!!! wow! Where are you taking your prereqs? Br

Hey thnx for coming out of that "alley!" LOL! I've been lurking too...looking for someone like myself! Actually, i've been using this site like crazy but dont really post stuff...there are so many people who know their stuff, im feeling a bit intimated lol! But when it comes to Chaffey College, well im relatively more well equipped i suppose! To answer your specific questions about the wait list: A few years ago Chaffey had a relatively long wait list as they only take about 40 students per session (twice per year)...to alleviate that list, they apparently cut out one of the admitting sessions and was only accepting students once a year (still only 40)...There is rumor that they are now back up to 2 admitting sessions per year (oct and feb). I don't think chaffey "officially" has a wait list. They take 40 or so per session and everyone else has to reapply the next session...i don't think they "save" ur spot. They best way to clarify this is to go to one of their information sessions: http://www.chaffey.edu/healthscience/nursing/nursingadn/index.shtml Hope that helps...o yea, Chaffey has something they call nursing 6, which is like a 9 week course of something before you get into the the first semester. Im not sure if other schools have this requirement. So this makes the program technically something like 2 and 1/4 years lol! U asked if anyone has heard anything about the school...well that's kinda hard to answer, do you have any specific questions? We have another week of break so i will be on this site quite a bit while i do my homework! Maybe i'll see you round campus! Br

Both Haunted and Sarita makes a lot of sense. On the one hand, i can't place 100% of the blame on the child who had no say. But i can also imagine/feel for those parents who felt that they were doing what's best for their family. I once heard this argument against illegal immigration: "The child of a bank robber has no rights to the spoils of an illegal act performed by their criminal parents." Lots of people liken this situation to that of illegal immigration but is it really that cut and dry? Perhaps, these are the same people who need to find a way to sleep at night everytime they deport an improvished family. In my experience (limited i admit), those who can afford to go through the lenghty process of legal immigration, do. But what about huladancer? Sounds like the country she grew up in, the country she bought into, has nothing but disdain for her. The sad thing is, as bad as her situation may sound, she'll prob still be better of staying here. Can anyone here truely say that they can accept a 10 year ban (min.) from the home they grew up in?

Not sure...but it sure does sound like it. This is a really tough issue to handle. I understand those who would like stricter/tougher laws and enforcement of immigration, but a big part of me always sees the exceptions like that of this fellow nursing student. I cannot, with good conscience take a clear cut stand.

Unfortunately, i do not have an answer/solution. I have heard of this exemption request. It's called, i think, AB540. Let us know what happens...would hate to see a hard worker fail because of politics...