Sacramento City College ADN Spring 2018

abrosale, ADN · Dec 9, 2017

Ya it was pretty straight forward, I don't think it will be bad, as long as you dedicate a decent amount of hours of study there really isn't much you can't do is what i learned.
I was in the back middle, gray sweat shirt. Only dude in the center of the class haha. Im going to try to get into a hospital as a CNA permanate and hope that gets my foot in the door for an RN position.
I was pretty frustrated that the sac state merger is fall only. I was really banking on getting my BSN as quick as possible but now it could take two more years! Do you know of any RN-BSN programs we can do while in the program? Gotta do my research.
Lastly did you sign up for the nursing association thing ? I did but Idk how beneficial it will be aside from the 1 on 1 mentor. And we definitely need to create a study group this winter break to make sure we got all our stuff down. We need a good group to get us through the 4 semesters

I'm also a guy too. I was in the far right middle, (dark-colored) sweater. Between you and I, this represents almost half of the guy population of the class in this thread alone lol I quickly surveyed and counted about 5-6 guys in the orientation.

I remember she mentioned online courses but I'm not sure. I was pretty bummed out when I heard about the sac state thing too.

Yeah, I did signed up with the NSNA. I agree that the 1-on-1 mentor would be beneficial. I also believe it is definitely something to put on our resumes -- especially if you are able to snag one of the leadership positions. I'm not sure how helpful this is in terms of chances of employment but at least you are trying to differentiate yourself from the other applicants; employers love to see that. Plus, by joining the NSNA, you are making connections and networking with the like-minded people that will be in the same profession as you. More resources will be available to you.

MaximN · Dec 9, 2017

Ya I definitely agree we pretty much represent the male nursing portion of our class lol.

I think in the end the CNA experience would help us out more then the NSNA but it's just some extra stuff to make us look good.

abrosale, ADN · Dec 10, 2017

Ya I definitely agree we pretty much represent the male nursing portion of our class lol.
I think in the end the CNA experience would help us out more then the NSNA but it's just some extra stuff to make us look good.

From what I heard, first semester of nursing school is essentially CNA training/skills. So, whoever has had CNA experience, they will be a bit more of an advantage at the start of the program (due to being already exposed to the skills) than those who haven't had any training but with that being said, the advantage disappears as 2nd semester and so on starts. So, having CNA certificate is nice but not an absolute requisite of success.

I would definitely check out NSNA to see how helpful it really is outside of the 1-on-1 mentorship. Making connections and networking is important too.

Oh, are you planning to buy your books at the book store or elsewhere? I think I'm going to buy it elsewhere. Like she said in the orientation, the bookstore is run by people who are temporary workers and may not be as diligent with book orders and the expected shipment dates can vary. I'm going to take a look at the publisher's website and elsewhere and see what is the most cost effective way to purchase the books by next week. I hope I get my most of my books by the end of next week.

O0ricky · Dec 16, 2017

Hi all, I did not expect any responses here. I quite checking a while back ago. Sucks they don't offer the CSUS program for Spring students, lol. There has to be some way around that! A bit unfair since we can't choose which semester we start. Are you all still going on with the program?

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 16, 2017

NURS 407 really is, for the first 6 weeks, basically learning to do CNA stuff. You'll also start doing some RN-only stuff too, but they're going to focus primarily on the vary basics of nursing that everyone in nursing, from CNA on up, should know how to do. You will be very closely watched and you will do very little without your instructor, or your supervising RN, with you. You will NOT do any med pass without your instructor. I'm getting a bit ahead of myself here though. Your first exams may be reasonably straightforward but don't worry, they'll start easing you toward NCLEX-style questions soon enough. You'll eventually start doing nursing care plans and your first couple will take about 4 hours each. Eventually you'll get faster at it. Much faster, but not in Nurs 407.

My next bit of advice is that you will need to be very solid in your clinical skills by the end of the Semester because you'll have a few months off and then you'll be on to Second Semester. That semester is going to be seriously tough and a big step-up from 407.

I would also highly suggest you get involved in the NSNA. It's student-run and is technically a club on campus. You'll get some talks from working nurses and nurse leaders in the area, you'll get to do various events, such as "Every 15 Minutes" and more. How much more is entirely up to you! You don't have to be a member of the NSNA, but know that being a member won't hurt you and probably will be of benefit to you. If you're an Officer, you may also be eligible for various awards at graduation as well. How do you get to do that? Well, you won't likely become an Officer if you become active only for your final Semester...

My last suggestion is that unless you know exactly what books (and specific editions) you'll use, don't try to source them on your own. It can be difficult at best if you're using a edition that's even one back from current. As expensive as it is, you may find that the book package for 1st Semester will be a pretty good one and you might think about sourcing books in future semesters outside of the bookstore. Pay attention to uniform sizing and the pants can be hemmed to length and look good. The pants do shrink a little bit, but it shouldn't be too horribly bad. Do pay very close attention to your uniform during clinical days because if you're not in uniform, you can be sent home and that's never good.

Work on staying as healthy as you can because you can only miss a certain number of clinical days and there will be precious few opportunities to make those up. Yes, it is possible to pass theory and fail clinical and vice versa. Expect that there'll be a few students that either quit or fail out every semester.

For those of you that have registered, know that NURS 407 isn't open to general students... those seats are open only to you and your classmates. Once your registration time has arrived, register for the class, if they have told you that you're OK to during your orientation. If the system won't let you register, that's OK, have all your stuff done by the deadlines and eventually they'll formally get you in the class. There are 30 seats in the class. I've seen them go as high as 33. That means your clinical groups will be either 10 or 11 classmates. Also, don't worry about what your clinical assignment will be. You'll eventually be divided up into your groups soon enough, but that won't occur for several weeks.

Nursing School at SCC is going to be tough, you'll learn a lot, probably more than you realize, and as each semester draws to a close, you'll reminisce about the experiences you had in previous classes that "younger" students will soon experience.

Yes, I graduated from SCC. I've worn all 4 badge colors. I've been an officer of the NSNA. I had a great time and I didn't decide for certain what kind of nurse I was going to be until I was nearly done with school - like end of 4th semester done.

Your Professors and Instructors genuinely want you to do well and they'll do their best to point you in the direction of success. Even the "tough" ones are tough because they want you to do well and thrive... they don't want students to fail and won't pick on you until you do.

Have a great time and pay attention to deadlines. They are coming upon you very quickly and are a part of your on-boarding process into nursing school. You can fail out before starting if you fail to heed those deadlines.

Oh, and the Sac State BSN tie-in is only for Fall Cohorts because of Sac State's BSN program scheduling. They only run certain courses during certain semesters and Spring cohort classwork doesn't match up with their program in that way.

O0ricky · Dec 16, 2017

Do you know if there are options to defer admissions to the fall semester?

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 16, 2017

Do you know if there are options to defer admissions to the fall semester?

That would be something you'd have to take up with the program staff. I wouldn't give up my seat before discussing this with them and having a written agreement that would allow you to defer your admission until then. One thing you should remember is that they actively track each student through the program, they know what courses you (personally and as a group) and they could change (add or remove) prerequisites or any other admission requirement at nearly any time. They won't do it without having data to show that a change is needed but it can, and has, happened.

Keep in mind the following: "The next application enrollment will start in February 2018 for the selection of Fall 2018 and Spring 2019 cohorts." This implies that they're likely going to be doing a single application filing period for both Fall '18 and Spring '19 cohorts and if you defer, you will essentially be taking someone's spot from those cohorts. I doubt they'll be very receptive to your request because of this.

If a student fails out, if the faculty believes that the student can yet be successful and the student requests to be re-enrolled, the student may be offered a seat in a future cohort on a space-available basis. First semester seats are extremely difficult to come-by in this manner, though I have seen it happen. Those students will likely have priority over a student that defers enrollment to a future semester.

O0ricky · Dec 18, 2017

I see you work in the Emergency Department, that is something I am considering. I'm looking to possibly get some kind of internship or shadowing in an ER somewhere over the summer. Do you have any advice on pursuing that idea?

akulahawkRN, ADN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 18, 2017

I see you work in the Emergency Department, that is something I am considering. I'm looking to possibly get some kind of internship or shadowing in an ER somewhere over the summer. Do you have any advice on pursuing that idea?

I'm not that plugged in to various programs and such like that but I would suggest that you ask around to see if the various ED managers or directors would be willing to have you with them for a while to shadow in the ED. As a shadow, you won't interact much with patients and probably be required to be "hands-off." Once you're in the program, you'll have various "spin-outs" to different departments for a couple days so that you can get a better idea what goes on there. In 4th Semester you'll do an internship on a specific unit or floor (could include the ED!) and at the end, you'll have an excellent idea about what actual work as an RN will be like as you'll work entire shifts with your preceptor.

Something else to remember is that if you have a job at a hospital doing pretty much anything before you graduate Nursing School, you'll be a "internal candidate" for jobs... and you'll have a very close look at working conditions so you'll be able to decide if you want to work there as an RN.

O0ricky · Dec 22, 2017

Do you have any advice about dealing with instructors?

FuturehopefulRN · Dec 30, 2017

Can someone tell me what the criteria is for SCC? Is there a cut off like there is on points to get in the pool like there is at ARC? I know it is 70 points at ARC. I am wondering if it is the same at SCC.

elladushkova · Feb 26, 2018

I want to apply to the Nursing Program for Fall 2018. I filled the application online. Do you know if I have to submit a hard copy application?