Riverside Community College Fall 2015 RN

Ms. Young, Thank you, for your kind words! I've been one to be a team player, and always share what I know. People were kind to me when I had a bunch of questions, So I'm paying it forward, because I know exactly how it feels! If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. I'm enjoying my last summer of doing absolutely nothing before the madness begins!

Awww that's so wonderful. Yes I am one to share as much as I can, and always give back as well whenever I can. If you don't mind me asking, how would you say you best prepared yourself to be as successful as possible on exams, and retaining information? Also how did you go about staying organized? I know nursing school is a whole new ball game, and I'd love to soak up all the advice your willing to give, considering you've been in my shoes already. You'd so wonderful for taking questions. Again thank you so much for your generosity ☺

Thank you so much for all the info FuturePedsRN!

Did anybody else get the Emal from --------------------- about the Pharmacology class? -Will any of you be attending it?

Did anybody else get the Emal from ----------------- about the Pharmacology class? -Will any of you be attending it?

Yes I received it as well, I was looking forward to Mondays off, but I'm thinking about attending. How about you?

Thanks for all the information! It's so helpful to have insight into the program because I know right now I'm starting to freak out a little bit.

I was thinking about taking the pharmacology (after realizing the 11pm part was a typo lol) but I might wait only because I want to adjust to the program and because it supports 21

I'm looking forward to Mondays off as well and don't want to be overwhelmed because I still have to work part time. I'm hoping they will offer the course during winter break or summer right before N21.

I'm looking forward to Mondays off as well and don't want to be overwhelmed because I still have to work part time. I'm hoping they will offer the course during winter break or summer right before N21.

Yes I was hoping the same as well. I will be working part time as well 😢 Since it supports N21 I was thinking of taking it while concurrently enrolled in N21 or right before, so that way the information may overlap a little bit.

Does anyone know if we need to have statistics for the the AS degree in nursing? Or does math 35 fill the requirement? I applied for my math/science degree last time around and was denied because I was missing statistics (on my education plan it stated math 35 was last I had to take unless I was transferring to a university).

Yes I received it as well, I was looking forward to Mondays off, but I'm thinking about attending. How about you?

Yes, I plan on taking it. I wonder if it will satisfy our Lab hour requirements...

Hello to all of you and welcome to this amazing program!! I'm a current N22 student. I used to be on this site all the time during my pre rec days, and around Fall of 2013 when I applied for Spring 2014. I remember the feeling you all have. It was the people and fellow alumni that were on here that helped me get the info I needed to start the program.

Now that I been through most of it, and nearly done I'm applying to the Fullerton BSN Distance program, They do have the jumpstart program available to those who have completed a year of the adn program. You can take the first 2 bsn classes during the summer to get ahead. it does not guarantee admission, but you basically are a shoe in once you apply to the actual university, and to the school of nursing. Financial aid is not available, so if this is something you may be interested in doing, start saving up funds now. OR you can enjoy your summer because you will need the much needed break ; )

Basically here is some stuff I have learned at my time in the program....

It doesn't matter whether you got in with 75 points or the full 100 ( Don't know anyone who did, highest in my class was 95), it is a whole other ball game once in the program. Unfortunately very very smart people have failed through out the semesters, or have been seriously close to failing and passing by .01 point. Please seek help early on, if you don't score as high as you thought you would. LEARN nclex test taking strategies early on! Watch youtube videos on subjects or skills you don't understand, buy nclex study books (Lippencott or Saunders), Pinterest has great pictures and websites you can go to!

11, in all honestly was a cake walk. It is overwhelming because you have information overload, and have so many foundations to learn, but honestly that is the only easy semester you will have, because the intensity will rise, and so will the expectations. If you have any backround such as a CNA, EMT, LVN, or whatever it WILL help! You will have a slight edge over the ones who do not, but please do not rub it in others faces, cause the class will know, and you wont have any classmates willing to be near you. ( Yes, there will be cliques, know-it-alls, bullies, and YES the professors will catch on early on and know who ALL of you are.) So make a great impression, they will follow you the entire way! The next semester professors will know all about you before you even finish your current semester. Start a good study group early on, you will learn what works best for you and what doesnt.. If a big group is your thing go for it, if not study with one other person.

12, Personally was the hardest (Dang you OB!) You have 1 (12hr) clinical once a week for 5 weeks, than switch (Ped/Ob or vice versa) while the other cohort is in chronic care ( 2 8hr clinicals a week), which to me was the easiest part of 12. The workload is alot, and the skills become harder.

13, I heard rumors that they would be taking this section out due to its difficulty in my class ( 10 failed) Yep : (....I heard the newer class had it alot more easier since they tweeked it (so glad they did) But basically this is where you get the meat of everything you will need to know for the last 2 semesters. At this point you have learned all the skills, and they expect you to know them all coming into 21. SO im not sure whether your class will have 13, or they will take it out. They tend to switch up the program alot, due to feedback from previous semester groups.

21, The professors that graduated from the program at RCC said this was the hardest semester... Alot of people said that, and I did not think so, yet the opinion varies. The process papers become longer, and at this point your patho needs to be on spot on. At this point of the program it seriously all comes together, and you BECOME the nurse. It's an amazing feeling

22, This is where currently am, I hear this is the roughest thing, and by looking at my KSAS ( Yes it is!!!!!)

Buy a rolley backpack (your back will thank you!)

NO you don't have time to read everything (Professors will tell you this, you need to focus on main points and ideas)

Learn test taking strategies

Practice nclex questions

Learn your ABCs (airway,breathing, circulation), Maslow Hierarchy of Needs, and The Nursing Process will all be your guides!

You will have mental breakdowns, almost everyone has, your anxiety will be through the roof!

So please make time for your loved ones, and most importantly for yourself, do not burn yourself out, you will make it through!!

Some of your classmates will be your second family!

Some of the faculty will become great friends, and a good support system for you!

During clinicals, do not be afraid, jump in at the opportunities! Know your stuff, come prepared, clean, and organized! Most importantly treat your patient as a HUMAN, not just (a process paper assignment) you will see the difference you will make it, and it will be the constant motivation you need to help you keep going!

Buy those clipboards by white coats it will keep the billion papers you need at clinicals organized, get a small nursing diagnosis handbook with you, and a nursing manual (Lippencott) will be your bible! They will totally help you!

If you have any questions ask away, honestly I LOVE helping students, and I would one day come back to become a nursing instructor. (Alot of them do come back, you will see ) : )

This site helped me tremendously, and alumni helped me along the way, I'm just paying it forward.

Goodluck, and congrats!!! Enjoy your summer, because trust me, you will be begging for those breaks to come in. It is so hard, you will want to give up, and even question yourself, you will think you are not competent, but if you made it this far, you can surely make it through nursing school. It is hard, but not impossible!

Question regarding the textbooks you suggest.

Do you recommend the Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice? Or the Mosbys Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests??

Does anyone know if we need to have statistics for the the AS degree in nursing? Or does math 35 fill the requirement? I applied for my math/science degree last time around and was denied because I was missing statistics (on my education plan it stated math 35 was last I had to take unless I was transferring to a university).

Question regarding the textbooks you suggest.

Do you recommend the Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice? Or the Mosbys Manual of Diagnostic and Laboratory Tests??