SDSU Fall 2011 Admission Hopefuls

Coriander, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2011

I'm sure this has been addressed already, but could you please list every single item or supply required assuming that you have nothing! Also, include all of the optional supplies. Include the estimated price tag if the exact price is unknown.
Please list every single item even if its not offered at the orientation.

I have an old price sheet from last year of the items that are offered at orientation. These prices may change. I can not give you book prices, as those change constantly, and I don't recall what the Nursing Central application costs at the bookstore.

Uniforms cost me about $250.

The first thing to know is that if you sign up for CNSA membership, you will receive discounts on merchandise. One year membership is $35. It's TOTALLY worth it, and I'll tell you why at NSO.

Starter Kit for clinical lab $130 ($120 w/ CNSA)

ID Badge $12

Stethoscope Littman Classic II $87 ($80 w/ CNSA)

ProPack (bag to carry your stuff in at clinicals) $25 ($20 w/ CNSA)

Clipboard $25 ($22 w/ CNSA)

Blood pressure cuff $25 ($22 w/ CNSA)

Polo shirt $35 ($30 w/ CNSA)

Red tote bag $30 ($27 w/ CNSA)

We have sweatpants, sweatshirts, coffee mugs, bumper stickers, etc. but those aren't required or even mentioned by instructors. They are super cute, though, and can be bought any time.

You will need a LOT of printer paper and ink for printing out powerpoints. One professor has her notes typed up already for you to buy in the bookstore, which was a huge help. I highly recommend printing double-sided.

You will need probably one 2" binder per class. I could barely fit all my notes into one of those.

Highlighters, pens, #2 pencils, Scantrons. Scantrons are 25 cents for the little red ones, and I think 50 cents for the big red ones.

If you have a laptop, bring it. It makes taking notes a ton easier if you have powerpoint slides. You can type in the "notes" section. I (personally) like to handwrite on my slides, but that is just me.

Consider getting a bag with wheels if you like to bring your books with you. You will be required to bring your books for N202 to lab, and your N206 book to clinical lab practice.

I will come back and edit this if I think of any more.

quob · Aug 12, 2011

Hi Coriander,

What stethoscope did you end up purchasing? Did you end up buying one online or through the school? I noticed you mentioned that they sell the classic master 2. Do you think it would be a good or bad move to try and buy a more expensive scope? I was looking at the classic master 2 or the cardiology 3, but I'm not sure if sdsu would allow a higher quality scope or if it would just be a bad/good idea in general. Your opinion would be much appreciated! Thanks! :)

Jessica21R · Aug 13, 2011

On the site, they have said that an external hard drive is required. Should I purchase one or is a flash drive sufficient for memory?

Coriander, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2011

Hi Coriander,
What stethoscope did you end up purchasing? Did you end up buying one online or through the school? I noticed you mentioned that they sell the classic master 2. Do you think it would be a good or bad move to try and buy a more expensive scope? I was looking at the classic master 2 or the cardiology 3, but I'm not sure if sdsu would allow a higher quality scope or if it would just be a bad/good idea in general. Your opinion would be much appreciated! Thanks! :)

The folks bought me a Littman Cardiology scope which is AWESOME because I have some hearing loss in my left ear. Either get a tag for your scope or have it engraved, and don't let it out of your sight. :) You can use any scope you feel like buying.

On the site, they have said that an external hard drive is required. Should I purchase one or is a flash drive sufficient for memory?

I would start with a flash drive with a good amount of memory. You can see how much you need to store on that, and go from there. :)

wannabeee · Aug 14, 2011

anyone knows how long does a background check take? is there anyone who got the results?

Coriander, BSN, RN · Aug 14, 2011

anyone knows how long does a background check take? is there anyone who got the results?

I think with mine it only took a week or two. I also had three last names to contend with. LOL

The results should automatically be sent to the SON, too, so that the coordinator will be able to get your drug test paperwork together for you.

wannabeee · Aug 15, 2011

I think with mine it only took a week or two. I also had three last names to contend with. LOL
The results should automatically be sent to the SON, too, so that the coordinator will be able to get your drug test paperwork together for you.

I am thinking that mine might take longer since i had lived in foreign country past year... haha

hopefully they dont get any trouble getting my results...

shbon · Aug 15, 2011

Hi Coriander,

I just took a look through the book list and the prices at the campus bookstore and the total came out to over $800 (based on only checking off the required material and preferring used over new aside from the lab manual for N202). I was just wondering if you would recommend buying vs renting on any of the books, or if there should be a preference in general. I normally go for renting books out, but since these are for the program, I'm not sure if I should keep them for later reference (past this semester) or anything.

Thanks!

Coriander, BSN, RN · Aug 15, 2011

I am thinking that mine might take longer since i had lived in foreign country past year... haha
hopefully they dont get any trouble getting my results...

May I ask where you lived? Or I can just ask you at NSO. :) How exciting!

Hi Coriander,
I just took a look through the book list and the prices at the campus bookstore and the total came out to over $800 (based on only checking off the required material and preferring used over new aside from the lab manual for N202). I was just wondering if you would recommend buying vs renting on any of the books, or if there should be a preference in general. I normally go for renting books out, but since these are for the program, I'm not sure if I should keep them for later reference (past this semester) or anything.
Thanks!

Hi shbon!

If you have your book list, I would suggest going through Amazon and buying used. Amazon Prime is available for free if you have a student e-mail account (such as Rohan for SDSU) which saves TONS on shipping!

I have kept every single book. I find that I will go back to my books because I remember reading something that would help in a current paper, etc. You will be doing care plans, lots of them, and those books are an enormous help. I think most of the nursing students have kept their books.

ETA: Also, one book will be used for two different semesters.

***

How are you all doing with things? Can I help with anything else? I can't believe that we have just a week to your NSO! I'm so excited to meet all of you! :)

quob · Aug 17, 2011

Coriander

When I totaled the books online through the sdsu bookstore it came out to be somewhere around 950 for all of the required books plus nursing central. I feel like I would love to get the savings of buying books online, but I'm nervous about buying the wrong one or that it may not come with an access code/cd that we need. I'm also concerned as to whether or not they would come in time! Also, did you buy any of the optional books, and if you did were they helpful?

Thank you!! :) I'm excited for next week!

Coriander, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2011

Hi quob,

I understand the nervousness. With Amazon Prime for Students, shipping is incredibly efficient and quick. :) I buy all of my books through them, now. They will put the CD/access code in the description so you know you're buying the right one. Also, if you have the ISBN number from the booklist, you just type that into the search box.

I think I bought just the required materials and did fine. You can always ask your classmates if they had the optional things and if they helped. You can ALWAYS buy the optional books later on.

I always worry about buying the wrong books, and did for peds last semester, but as long as you don't remove any plastic, you can just send it back and get the right one. I have never had an issue with Amazon.

I sound like an advertisement. LOL

quob · Aug 17, 2011

Coriander,

Do you just have the trial for the Amazon Prime? When I looked it up there was a fee involved, but a free 6 month trial is offered. I'm not sure if I was looking at the wrong thing or not . Also, do you usually buy new or used on amazon? It just feels weird to me to buy used since I can't see them. And for some reason I don't see an ISBN on the booklist, should it be there? Thank you for answering all of my questions!