SPC Spring 2018

I hope you guys have a great first semester! I am applying for the fall of 2018. Maybe you guys can check back in and let everyone know how it was! Happy New Year!!

In the first few weeks your going to jump around quite a bit in the textbook. A few pages here... a chapter there. You will be doing A LOT of reading in the first few weeks! For this course your mainly going to use the nursing fundamentals text. You will also use your davis drug book and the med surge book for your care plans. I used a few others for study aids.

I can tell you that the first 4 or so chapters were not covered until the end of the semester. Fluid and electrolytes, neuro were near the end.

I'm going to give it a few days and if none of my classmates chime in I'll see what I can dig up under the umbrella that their going to use the same format.

Happy New Year to you all!

Thank you Peachez! I did start reading up on Fluid and Electrolytes since you mentioned it so thank you!

It looks like it's just us left on here lol

Oh their watching! Their just in Christmas comas. :) once I get near my books I can send you what happened in the first few days. It's gonna be busy

Hey! Does anyone know if we have to see an advisor for the student success compliance signature page?

If that is the page that has you sign off that you did all your pre-req's, yes you do. It does not have to be done right away but if you have the time to go see an advisor before classes start it will be one less thing you have to worry over for the semester.

Just a few more days! I'm so excited to get back to studies. Level two is going to be challenging but I think I'm ready! I've read the Pharmacology that was assigned for the winter break reading list, did my training required training... let's get going!!

Do yourselves a favor - get the nsna membership. It will save you a BUNDLE on printing alone. You can find it here: NSNA - NSNA I think its about $30.00 for the year, however you can take your clinical and theory lab pdf's to staples. Have them double side them (or single side if you want a scratch pad on each page) and spiral bind them with a cover CHEAP! The membership also has other savings as well, I just used the printing the most.

Be aware that for the lecture power points (not the clinical/theory guides) they sometimes put up the power point the night before! A few times I had either no power point or the wrong one. If that happens just pay attention, take great notes and you'll be fine!

Ok, that being said, here is the reading list from the first two weeks from last semester's clinical guide. This reading list is ON TOP of all the other work you will have. (ie: The wellness paper, some fitness thing, the med math, the checkoffs, etc.) Just take a deep breath and do a few days at a time. You'll make it through!! Keep in mind the order in which they wish to lecture may change but you can never go wrong with fluid & electrolytes and the nursing process.

Week one:

Fundamentals Text

Chapter 52 (omit acid base pages that start on 1326)

Pharmacology Text

Chapter 28 & 29

Fundamentals Text

Chapter 36 page 380

Chapter 33 page 674-683, 692-697, 700-702, 708-715

Chapter 30 pages 522-532, 545-550 (also read appendix 3.5 for assessment of dark skinned patients)

Chapter 36 page 829-855

Chapter 37 page 895-898

Week two:

Fundamentals Text

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 30

As always ... ask away. The few that are in other levels are always near to help!

Happy last few days of freedom everyone!!

Can a current student who has already taken level one give a run down of the first day? Such as there are so many textbooks, with the majority of them being so heavy as we all know, so which ones, if any, should we bring on the first day? Should we bring a laptop/tablet? Any first day tips would be appreciated! Thank you!

Is anyone going to the seminar tomorrow? It will help with study strategies

My suggestion - attend it! It IS valuable as the way you have to learn is different than the pre-req's.

Is anyone going to the seminar tomorrow? It will help with study strategies

I'll be there tomorrow. I'll take any help I can get to prepare for this, lol.

First day or two is information overload! You can bring a laptop/tablet/paper&pen. There will be handouts and a quick rundown of what is going to be going on. There is one or two signature pages that is for castle branch given out. Expect fully to leave the first day looking like a deer in the headlights. I'm not kidding - It's SO MUCH information your head will spin. But don't worry - it gets easier as you learn how to navigate around. Since their small I would bring the the access cards. They will be walking you through registration for some of them.

You won't need your books the first day but you will need them in the first week. The instructors at the start are REALLY good at letting you know what books/supplies to bring, but keep the main books on hand always (even if its a library in the trunk of your car). Many of us had carts or pull bags. Example here ( Amazon.com : Office Depot Mobile Folding Cart With Lid, 16in.H x 18in.W x 15in.D, Black, 581 : Office Storage Supplies : Office Products). I had a laptop bag that got killed this past semester as it was not rated for the weight I put in it. Get something that will carry the weight, your back will thank you because the books ARE HEAVY!

Clinical days (for the first 8 weeks or so) you will bring that clinical bag. You may not use all the stuff in it but your going to need to bring it Tue/Wed to classes. You won't have to bring it to the clinical sites.

If your badge is on a lanyard - get rid of the lanyard. Badges must be worn at all times and on a clip only. They will give you a "nursing student" back badge in the first few days.

First day come up the stairs and walk straight. Up on the left hand wall by the ceiling is the tv monitor that will show you DAILY what room you are in. It's listed by course code, instructor name and the room number. Its usually updated by 630am. You'll know the spot because it's where we ALL stand first thing in the morning!

Don't be late for classes - they treat this like a job (write up for lates/absences included!)

The lunch room will be CRAZY busy for the first few weeks. If you don't mind waiting then you can eat at the Natures table venu. My suggestion, if you don't like to wait, bring sandwiches or something. There are 3 microwaves that are usually not the cleanest (our mom's don't work there after all) but they work! With this you can eat wherever without the worry of a long wait. Lunch is 1 hour daily so they do give you ample time to leave campus and come back if you want to. Do not jay walk across park or 66th - you will be ticketed. (plus it's dangerous)

Oh .. bandage scissors are a hot commodity at clinical sites. Get a few pairs and keep one in your pocket when you go to your site. Your assigned nurse will thank you!