Schoolcraft nursing program hours?

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I was just wondering if anyone could give an outline on what the days are like during the semesters? I know it's made up of 2 fall, 2 winter and 1 spring semester... but I wanted to know things like... are you there Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm for class? Are clinicals done during school hours? For example would a class on such and such a day be a clinical or would clinicals be done after actual class hours or on the weekend (kinda like having a job on top of going to school). I guess I would just like to have a overview of what the actual program hours are like. I have small children and am trying to get an idea of how to balance/juggle school for one and a babysitter for the other... so when one is in school I would need someone to pick him up if I'm still in school (for example). Thanks in advance for taking the time to read this.

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Hi, Mysticbreeze

I'm just about to start the second year at Schoolcraft so I can tell you what my experience has been.

Usually for each class, you have one 4 hour lecture/week and two clinicals or lab days. (Except for the very first class, Fundamentals, you stay at the lab and learn basics, like taking vitals, and are on campus for just 2 days, and it lasts 7 weeks.) After that, you are at the nursing home or hospital most of the time for clinicals. The labs/clinicals vary in length - anywhere from 5-8 hours. Some instructors let you off early, but you can't count on it. Also, the clinical sites are all around the metro area, ranging from St. Joe's in Ann Arbor, Hutzel/Children's in Detroit, Havenwyck in Auburn Hills, etc.

They usually offer morning or afternoon clinical times, and it is based on a lottery. They will give you choices and you list your preferences by ranking, and then they randomly give everyone a number and start assigning clinicals by number.

I have been very lucky so far in getting my preferences. I have 2 schoolage kids, and at first it was easier for me to get afternoon babysitters, so I chose afternoon clinicals . For my next class (OB), the afternoon clinical time was 3-11 pm, so I thought mornings may be better for me (7am-3pm) and so that's what I'll be doing. I have heard for the Peds rotation they were only able to get am clinicals at the hospital. So far, there have been no weekend clinicals, but they may be considering it because we always fill out evaluations and that is one of the questions.

Generally, you should expect to be on campus or in clinicals 2.5 days a week. Your hours may change every 7 weeks so you will have to be very flexible. Somehow, most of us are able to juggle jobs or babysitters, but it can be stressful because the school will not necessarily accomodate you because of those kinds of issues!

If you have any other questions, I would be happy to try to answer...

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Thank you so much Michigangirl... I can't thank you enough. I thought that the class would be every day. SO you shed some light at the end of my tunnel. I was thinking that I would have to wait years till I would be able to do the program. So then classes really are only 3 days? That would be VERY doable for me. Is there a chance that you could be there more than 3 days? I don't mind the hours changing. The big thing for me is how many days. I would be able to get someone to watch the kids for a few days... but not every day. Thank you so much. I'm sure I'll have more questions LOL. But right now I'm too excited that I (finally) got a response back to think of anything else.

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Hi, MysticBreeze

I'm glad I could help. The schedule that they publish is scary...

So far, I have only had 2 clinical days and 1 4hr lecture. For second year, you take OB, Peds, Med-Surg 3 and Leadership. I'm pretty sure that OB, Peds and Med-Surg follows the same schedule. Leadership is the very last class, so I don't know about that one.

Also, you will need to take 2 Pharmacology classes, but they offer those online as well as on campus. I took mine online.

If you have any more questions, let me know!

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Hello Michigan girl,

I start the nursing program at schoolcraft college right after labor day. I'm soooo nervous and overwhelmed before I have even started. Can you tell me anything about the teachers? I have Mrs. Austin. Do you know anything about her? Is the program extremely hard? Is it manageable? I guess I'm goin in blind and have no idea what to expect can you please give me any information??? I know you have to get a B or high in order to go onto the next class. Is that very difficult??? My nerves are insane right now and I'm in hopes you can shed some light in my situation. Thank you!:sstrs:

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Well, first I think you need to take a deep breath and let it out slowly :wink2: You will be fine!

Basically, there are 3 instructors for first year classes. I didn't have your instructor for fundamentals, but she is the only one that teaches Pharm. I had that class online, so I actually have never met Mrs. Austin, but she was very nice in cyberspace! (so sorry, I can't help you much with that one)

When you start fundamentals, they really throw you right in. Be prepared to read a lot of text, and try really hard not to fall behind. If you keep up, it is completely manageable. The material in the beginning is not very hard. You will be learning the basics, and they will teach you all the skills in the labs. I didn't have any previous health care experience and did ok. If you are worried about skills, you can go to the lab and practice during open times, and there is someone there to help you.

Also, I would recommend getting to know Mrs. Grewe asap, even if you don't think you will need her services. We were required to have an interview with her upon entering the program, so you may have already met her. She is very good at giving advice and figuring out your learning style. After you take your first exam, I would recommend making an appointment with her and she will go over everything with you and answer all your questions.

The exams are hard. I know Mrs. Austin makes up her own exams, but she will also throw out questions afterward if she feels were bad questions, so I think she was pretty fair. The hardest thing for me was getting used to this type of test. Everything is multiple choice, and many times there are two right answers, but one is "more correct". My advice would be to get a NCLEX- study book so you can see the types of questions that may be asked. Some good ones are Saunders or Lipincott's. It may not help very much the first 7 weeks, but it will help a lot as the year goes on.

Passing is 80%.

I really feel that at Schoolcraft, they want you to succeed, and will give you every opportunity to help you reach your goals. I'm sure you will do fine.

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Adpeeka,

Congrats on starting the nursing program...and yes, take a deep breath! You can do this. Mrs. A is a good instructor, I had her for pharm and for clinicals. Also, Mrs. G is a great resource for learning how to study for nursing exams (the type that always have two right answers). I tested terrible when I started the program because I wasn't answering what the question was asking. After meeting with her, my test scores increased dramatically. Just calm down a bit and take it one class at a time. I've been there and know the anxiety you are feeling. It will be challenging, but YOU CAN DO THIS! Good Luck!

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Adpeeka,

Congrats on starting the nursing program...and yes, take a deep breath! You can do this. Mrs. A is a good instructor, I had her for pharm and for clinicals. Also, Mrs. G is a great resource for learning how to study for nursing exams (the type that always have two right answers). I tested terrible when I started the program because I wasn't answering what the question was asking. After meeting with her, my test scores increased dramatically. Just calm down a bit and take it one class at a time. I've been there and know the anxiety you are feeling. It will be challenging, but YOU CAN DO THIS! Good Luck!

Thank you for the re assurance. So, you had Ms. Austin. What were your thoughts about her??? I hope she isn't mean or intimitdating. I want to be able to feel good in the class. I don't want to feel like I can't ask a question. I dunno. Im just really concerned about everything. I want to do well and I have it in me to make it. However, Iam so nervous. Is that normal? Is this your second year at Schoolcraft??? When you say you didn't do well on your first test, why is that? You said you were answering the question but didn't get the correct answer. That doesn't make sense to me???? Did you study all the time? Did you have somewhat of a life outside of the program??? Did you work? Sorry for all the questions, just have sooo many!:no:

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Thank you for the re assurance. So, you had Ms. Austin. What were your thoughts about her??? I hope she isn't mean or intimitdating. I want to be able to feel good in the class. I don't want to feel like I can't ask a question. I dunno. Im just really concerned about everything. I want to do well and I have it in me to make it. However, Iam so nervous. Is that normal? Is this your second year at Schoolcraft??? When you say you didn't do well on your first test, why is that? You said you were answering the question but didn't get the correct answer. That doesn't make sense to me???? Did you study all the time? Did you have somewhat of a life outside of the program??? Did you work? Sorry for all the questions, just have sooo many!:no:

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The tests are multiple choice. When you read the question, you can usually narrow it down to two answers. Sometimes both of the answers are technically correct, but one answer is better. At first it seems very subjective, but you start to get used to it. Always go for the BEST answer.

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Thank you for the reassurance. I hope Ms.Austin isn't mean or intimitdating. I want to be able to feel good in the class. I don't want to feel like I can't ask a question. I dunno. Im just really concerned about everything. I want to do well and I have it in me to make it. However, Iam so nervous. Is that normal? Is this your second year at Schoolcraft??? If you study for the exmas, are you guarantee to do well? What is a type of question on the test??? There are more than one correct questions??? Its the best one though? That doesn't make sense to me???? Did you study all the time? Did you have somewhat of a life outside of the program??? Did you work? Sorry for all the questions, just have sooo many!:no:

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Thank you for the reassurance. I hope Ms.Austin isn't mean or intimitdating. I want to be able to feel good in the class. I don't want to feel like I can't ask a question. I dunno. Im just really concerned about everything. I want to do well and I have it in me to make it. However, Iam so nervous. Is that normal? Is this your second year at Schoolcraft??? If you study for the exmas, are you guarantee to do well? What is a type of question on the test??? There are more than one correct questions??? Its the best one though? That doesn't make sense to me???? Did you study all the time? Did you have somewhat of a life outside of the program??? Did you work? Sorry for all the questions, just have sooo many!:no:

I hope I'm not scaring you about the tests... I'm not trying to. I guess what I'm trying to say is that you have to get used to the whole "critical thinking" mode. By having two "correct" answers, I mean that technically both answers make sense, but one is better.

For example, in an emergency, a person has a severe gunshot wound and is heavily bleeding. You would:

a. clear the airway

b. control the bleeding

c. call his family

d. check his vital signs

In this case, you would probably eventually do all of those things, but the first thing you would do is clear the airway (remember ABC's). So you could argue all day that you would try to control the bleeding, and you would try to do that, but after the airway.

Does that make sense?

You will get the hang of it. Get a NCLEX study guide and it will help you a lot!

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