NurseSomeday

Of course, you can come to every meeting even if you are not a member. Although, being a member saves you money on the pharm review as well as the various discounts offered on-line, etc. Are you 3rd semester or 2nd? Right now, we don't have an instructor willing to do a 3rd semester pharm review but we received a few names today & hope to have a review date set up soon. I'll let ya'll know as soon as we get a date set.

"Fundamentals Success: A Course Review Applying Critical Thinking to Test Taking" by Patricia Nugent & Barbara Vitale My book has 2 ISBN #'S listed below: 13: 978-0-8036-1056-9 10: 0-8036-1056-4 Another good book for 1st semester is from the Prentice Hall Nursing Reviews & Rationales series titled "Nursing Fundamentals". The series breaks down what we are required to read into the "short & sweet" version with NCLEX questions before & after the review. For 2nd semester the Straight A's series is also good.

I have the Iggy book and like it better than the Lewis book. When I updated my Evolve CDs 2nd semester, I gained access to med-surg from Iggy, Swearingen and Lewis. I use all 3.

Welcome to ECC! This is the way the entire program is. By the way, I checked the board today in front of the skills lab and there is still nothing posted. The "magic message board" asks incoming students to check back later for lab schedules! Sorry!

In short, NO! I agree with everything Dream said. I am a 3rd semester student at ECC. This was the best choice for me because of the money. I had to quit my full-time job of 18 years in order to get my degree so I need to get up and running as an RN ASAP. I am going on to complete my BSN and so far my GPA is still ok (3.9 instead of 4.0 that I had upon entering the program), but all my friends are making mostly C's. Each semester more students fail out of the program. I spoke with the graduating RNs in December and I think they said something like 12% made it from the original starting class size. As Dream said, what you get out of the program is based on what you teach your self. Most instructors do not appear to care if you are successful or not (with the exception of a few clinical instructors). In fact, I believe some take great joy in being difficult and in student failures. If you have the time and money I would recommend going straight for the BSN, if you are in the same boat as myself, then you could find a more organized and supportive learning environment just about anywhere when compared to ECC. I wish I could think of something nice to say about my school but unfortunately I can't.

Yes, She is great! I had her last semester for clinicals at Presby Dallas. I can only speak about her as a clinical instructor, but I'm sure you'll love her. She is very supportive instructor that encourages the students to get as much experience as possible. I tend to get nervous when someone is watching me and I never felt this way with her. We begged her to teach 3rd semester clinicals so we could have her again. I would have loved having her for skills lab!

Hey Kathy! I was at ECC today and there is nothing posted for labs yet! I'll be back up there on Monday, so I will let you know if I see anything (if you haven't found out by then.) I copied your course info on my schedule so I'll have it. For anyone who is interested: Supposedly the book packs for 3rd semester are in, but I was told too much stuff has to be unloaded before they get to them so it should be a couple more days. Typical ECC!!!! And in my opinion the SNA review is the most helpful tool for the Pharm test. It helps you focus your study. Our review was 2 days before the test so that wasn't the best set up but it did help. The drug cards are very inconsistent and disorganized but it is what they want us to know so you can't really make your own. I thought the packet helped explain some of the info better. Some people hated the packet, while others loved it. We were told the test could be over anything that was on the cards

I'm going downtown tomorrow and again next week. I'll let you know if anything is posted. That doesn't mean things won't change at the last minute (at least once)! What's your course number for skills lab?

I actually purchased one for 2nd semester that had a handle and calculator. The extra storage space came in handy because we had A LOT more paperwork than in 1st semester. One of my instructors actually recommended we all buy one and I saw many students with them. In my opinion, it's a good idea for 2nd semester but you don't really need one for 1st. During 1st semester, I had the SNA clip board with all the "cheat sheet" info and a calculator but no storage. I didn't really need that much either. I ended up just using the calculator a couple of times because the calculations are so basic.

I have the Mosby drug cards and the Mediquick drug cards. I also have Nursing drug books that I use for clincials (this is what I end up using for everything!) I liked the Mediquick format the best, but Mosby often had a drug the Mediquick cards were missing. Overall, I don't use the cards at all because each semester we have pharm tests over listed drugs and we either use the school's pre-made drug cards or make our own, as they only want you to know certain info. In fact, I'm making pharm cards for 3rd semester right now. This allows you to include just the info that you need to know. There is just too much info on the cards to learn & there is usually something we will be tested on that is not included on the card. So I guess it depends on what you will be responsible for learning. I hope this helps.

No news yet! I really don't want to wait until January 2! Ms. P moves you around so you can see and do a lot. I did 2 Foleys and several injections at Parkland and observed a C-section with BTL & a lady partsl birth. All you have to do is walk thru Parkland and you see so much. I worked in the ER in between 1st and 2nd semester and I can't wait to go back. I think you'll really enjoy the experience.

Yes, she is the BEST! I learned a lot from her. She was my 1st choice last semester and I recommended her to anyone who asked me my opinion. She expects you to come prepared to clinical with all your paperwork in order. As long as you do that, she is very supportive. So far, she is the most organized instructor I've had in this program. Good luck, I'm sure you'll love her!

I used the HESI book by answering the review questions at the end of the sections in which I was least familiar with and taking the practice tests on the CD. I think taking the practice tests helped me the most. I studied for about 2 hours and made a 1056 with a 96.something percent. Typically, I study tons of hours for each test so I don't know how I passed. I guess I did learn something during the semester! We have to take it again 4th semester to be allowed to take the NCLEX. I hope I pass that one!

You definately need your clinical syllabus. I used that both semesters. We did have to sign a form from the course syllabus, but if you were determined not to purchase it, you could easily get a copy of it.

I did use the syllabus for the 1st test because I didn't know what to expect. I made a 98 on that test. From that point on, I worked directly from the blueprint. In my opinion the blueprint allows you to focus more on test content. I heard that 1st semester was going to discontinue using a blueprint. If this is the case, I would recommend the syllabus just for some kind of focus. I know a few people that worked the syllabus only & some who did only the blueprint (most students). Other than the 1st test, I used the blueprint to guide my study & my lowest grade was a 92. I always buy the syllabus because I'm afriad I might need it, but I can say I did NOT even open 2nd semester syllabus (maybe I should because I ended up with an 89 - Boo hoo).

You all are not alone. I am also checking "just in case" someone decides to register early (HA!). Hopefully, we will know today what our future holds!!

Hey, Allison! Sorry it took me so long to respond. I was off in study group for the WONDERFUL HESI that we are all so prepared for!!! I think it would be great to be in clinicals together next semester. It won't be long either! Anyway, back to studying! See you on Friday. I'm looking forward to doing my case studies!!:angryfire

I can relate to exactly what you are saying. I have very low self-esteem and up until considering the RN program, I have nevery finished anything I have ever started. The point is if you do want to become an RN, the ADN program is the fastest route. When I was 1st considering this process, I thought this will take way too long. I am an extremely impatient person. I HATE trying new things. I stayed in the same dead-end job for 17 years before getting up enough nerve to move on. I didn't know if I was smart enough to manage the pre-reqs, but I did it. I worked full-time and finished all the pre-reqs in 1 year with a 4.0 and I'm not an overachiever. If I can do it, anyone can. Yes, the GPA is IMPORTANT and it is stupid that you have to jump thru all the hoops to get into the El Centro program, but overall it's the fastest and least expensive means (that I'm aware of) to becoming an RN. And I am NOT recommending El Centro to anyone. Once you get in, the hoop jumping just continues. If I were you, I would continue researching the programs in the area to find the best fit. If you have the time and money and don't mind doing the BSN (even tho you already have a degree) then TWU provides a much more supportive learning environment than El Centro. You have to ask yourself if this is something your comfortable giving up on. Is this something you will regret 5 years from now? If so, then I would get started ASAP. It goes by sooooo quickly and once your in the program, it is over before you know it! Good luck on making this important decision.

There are 2 separate SNA chapters for each school. I can help you if you want info regarding El Centro. For NL, they have a link on ecampus with their contact info. If you don't have access to ecampus try the NL website. There should be a link. For either school, you join the NSNA on-line ($30) and then pay a $5 chapter membership to the school. At El Centro, we provide mentors for anyone who is interested. They can assist if you feel you are having difficulty with a certain topic or just your study techniques in general. The senior officers/members recommend study tips and books that might be helpful. We also have recruiters from the hospitals speak at SNA meetings. Most of freshmen officers just found jobs b/c of the last recruiter. If you have any question about El Centro just let me know. Christy

Well, I have long brown hair but I'm not young! HA HA! I think you are talking about Beth and Kim. Do you have a Kyle in your group? He was in my micro class. In lecture I sat in the front row a few seats away from Kyle. By the way, I'm sorry but I couldn't remember for sure, but your name is Allyson, right? See you on Thursday (Maybe!!)

It was the teacher (sorry)!

I have Stahl (IHS). I may have already met you and just not realized it. I almost picked Mesquite Community for the location and then heard that it was not a good idea.

I'm still here and loving it. I tried to listen for ya'll during lecture. There were so many of us stuffed in that room I couldn't see everyone that was speaking. There are only 9 in our clinical. The instructor said they would probably fill the spot next week, if at all. We all really love our instructor. As far as lecture goes, I agree that it wasn't as bad as everyone said. I feel alot better going into week 2. Now, if I can manage to finish all of my reading, writing, and charts, etc... I'll be set! I usually get to lecture really early so I'll keep looking for everyone. Good luck!

The way it's set up so far is 4 days a week we are at school through week 7 and then beginning with week 8 we switch to clinicals at the hospital 2 days a week (or some have one long day). That leaves 1 skills lab and 1 lecture class at school each week. The schedule varies each week some what, but that gives you a general idea. I have no idea what happens in semester II. I hope that helps a little bit. Good luck to you as well!