SDSU Fall 2011 Admission Hopefuls

Coriander, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

Hi Coriander,
I was just wondering how often our clinical sites change. Is it just one hospital per semester?
Thanks!

You will usually be in a different hospital every semester. For example, first semester, I was at Sharp Memorial. Second semester I was at Scripps Chula Vista. Third semester, I was at Kaiser AND at Rady Children's. This coming semester I'll be at the VA and somewhere else for community health.

It is not unusual to be placed at the VA more than once, however you will be in different units.

Also, are we allowed to switch clinical location? The other hospital is a shorter drive from where I live.

Unfortunately, this is a tough argument for getting a location changed. There are people who drive from Chula Vista up to Oceanside for clinicals, or from the East County out to La Jolla. Again, you can try to communicate with the student advisor and see what can be done.

quob · Jul 23, 2011

Coriander,

Thanks for all of your helpful information! It looks like I've been assigned to do my clinicals at VA and I will be commuting from Jamul (east county). I would prefer if I could switch to the other location (sharps memorial), but I also understand that it's difficult to make these arrangements. It's just going to be a very tight year money wise! How have your clinical experiences been thus far?

Thanks again!!

Coriander, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

Coriander,
Thanks for all of your helpful information! It looks like I've been assigned to do my clinicals at VA and I will be commuting from Jamul (east county). I would prefer if I could switch to the other location (sharps memorial), but I also understand that it's difficult to make these arrangements. It's just going to be a very tight year money wise! How have your clinical experiences been thus far?
Thanks again!!

You're so very welcome!

I live in El Cajon, myself, so I understand the UGH of having to drive that far. What day will you be at the VA? I'll be there on Fridays. :)

My clinical experiences have been beyond wonderful. I've been blessed with fantastic instructors and have just been welcomed to dive in and ask questions. The nurses are great, too. Clinical experiences will give you back what you give to them, so don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. You are going to have a great time!

Admittedly, first semester I was scared to death to touch a patient, however my very first patient was a nurse. :rolleyes: She essentially shooed my nurse away, saying, "She has to learn sometime." LOL

quob · Jul 23, 2011

That's convenient though! I'm sure it made you more comfortable that your first patient was a nurse :). And I'm not sure which day my clinical is going to be... it's under the same spreadsheet as N206... so I'm not sure if that means it will be on the same day or what haha. I'm so excited to get started! I'm also so curious as to what all I'm going to be learning my first semester!

Coriander, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

Quob, what section number are you for 206? That can make it easy to find out. :)

Yes, that woman was hilarious. She really made me feel at ease, and I will forever be grateful to her for it. Just remember, have fun, and bring your sense of humor. Making people laugh is my absolute favorite thing to do, especially at a time where they need a smile or two.

Jsimmons12 · Jul 23, 2011

Just like the two posts aforementioned on the previous page, why is the clinical schedule assigned?

I was selected for classes for Friday, but it's very inconvenient for me. I visit my sick grandpa every Friday in the morning. The reason why I seem disappointed is because my older sister attended the program 3 years ago, and she had all the available options to choose from. Who proposed such an idea and how is it beneficial at all? Is there a way to go against this?

I might have to drop out of the program and just apply elsewhere. I don't think any students from Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will want to trade for a Friday/Saturday spot. Most of them would like weekends off to study and to have a open schedule ahead of them. It seems like Sheilia and I have to attend school for one day, and have a small gap in between, then attend again.

quob · Jul 23, 2011

Coriander,

Section 4... it says Wednesdays 7-1 for N206. I guess I just wasn't sure if it would be the same day and why it is listed under N206. Do you think it's worth asking to try and switch?

Coriander, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

Just like the two posts aforementioned on the previous page, why is the clinical schedule assigned?
I was selected for classes for Friday, but it's very inconvenient for me. I visit my sick grandpa every Friday in the morning. The reason why I seem disappointed is because my older sister attended the program 3 years ago, and she had all the available options to choose from. Who proposed such an idea and how is it beneficial at all? Is there a way to go against this?
I might have to drop out of the program and just apply elsewhere. I don't think any students from Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday will want to trade for a Friday/Saturday spot. Most of them would like weekends off to study and to have a open schedule ahead of them. It seems like Sheilia and I have to attend school for one day, and have a small gap in between, then attend again.

Hi Jsimmons,

I'm so sorry that the schedule isn't conducive to your visits. I am sure your grandpa is so grateful for your time.

When I first started the program two years ago, we were able to choose our clinicals for first semester only. I am not sure why there is a change like this.

There are many students who, like you, have gaps between classes and clinicals. Many people have clinicals on Saturdays, too, because of how many students there are, and how many different universities/colleges need clinical time at the hospitals.

I would suggest sending an email (or a phone call) to the undergrad student advisor. Again, it never hurts to try and trade with someone. A lot of people have to work, so might be willing to trade days with you.

Coriander,
Section 4... it says Wednesdays 7-1 for N206. I guess I just wasn't sure if it would be the same day and why it is listed under N206. Do you think it's worth asking to try and switch?

Hi quob, okay. That means that you have your clinicals on Wednesdays. The lecture itself is on Thursdays. It's still a 206 course, just the clinical portion of it. :) You can always ask, yes, but it's better to have someone with you that wants to switch, too. That way their work is done for them and it might help you to be approved.

Hey, last question...I promise!!!
Following the first year of Nursing (Fall 2011 & Spring 2012 is over), are there any options for taking Nursing classes in the summer? or are summer classes for Nursing only offered for the 2nd year Nursing students?
Because the summer abroad programs are required. I am trying to figure out if its mandatory for the first year nursing student or 2nd year nursing student.

I'm enjoying the questions, so please keep asking if you have them! :)

There are options for taking some of the classes over the summer, yes. I believe that you can take the Research class over the summer, and Community Health is available over the summer (usually). I honestly don't know if Community health would only be available if you've already passed the third semester, though.

The study abroad topic is something that I don't have any information on. That may be addressed during New Student Orientation. If I find out anything before then, I will come back and post.

quob · Jul 23, 2011

Coriander,

Sorry to keep asking questions, but do the N206 clinicals take place in the hospital only? I guess I'm confused because I thought 397 was clinicals and that we don't start them until halfway into the semester. So does that mean that clinicals are from 7-1 or they are after? Thanks for all of your answers!! :)

Coriander, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

Coriander,
Sorry to keep asking questions, but do the N206 clinicals take place in the hospital only? I guess I'm confused because I thought 397 was clinicals and that we don't start them until halfway into the semester. So does that mean that clinicals are from 7-1 or they are after? Thanks for all of your answers!! :)

It's confusing, isn't it? :lol2:

Okay. Your first half of the semester, for 206, will be spent in what we call Skills Lab. You will be there with your clinical group and your instructor. You will learn how to give injections (not to each other!), insert catheters, NG tubes, etc. It's a lot of fun. The second half of the semester is when you start in the hospitals. It's still all 206.

397, Skills Lab, is time that you spend on your own in the Skills Lab. Now, this is something I'm proud of, because we just started staffing the skills lab with more advanced nursing students in order to make sure you all have adequate time to learn your stuff. Plus, we get the added practice, too. :)

Does that help?

quob · Jul 23, 2011

Coriander,

That helps so much! I guess I get confused with what I'm actually taking... hahahaha. I'm excited!! I can't wait to practice all that stuff :). Thanks for answering all of my questions! I've heard from a nursing student a while back that it's much better to study in groups for versus alone, have you found this to be true?

Coriander, BSN, RN · Jul 23, 2011

You're welcome!

I will be honest, I usually have a heck of a time studying in groups. I get distracted easily. I'm okay reviewing with one or two other people, but usually study better on my own. People are different. A lot of my friends do great studying in enormous groups, but I can't stand all the outside noise and conversation when I'm trying to concentrate.

I study in my living room with the TV on. For some reason, it's just background noise and I don't get involved. LOL.

How do you usually study? What works for you?