St. Margarets school of nursing feb 2013

PghRN30 · Nov 23, 2012

I started the other thread you posted on. I graduated 4 weeks ago.....took boards 2 weeks ago and passed. So now an RN (about to update the name).

Can leave that thread go, I will keep an eye out for you here if you want.....any questions let me know.

Kayc16 · Dec 17, 2012

Thanks so much! As it gets closer I'm getting more nervous and excited :) they gave us a list of a bunch of different uniforms do you know if we have to get all of them? Or how many pairs we need or anything like that?

PghRN30 · Dec 17, 2012

Thanks so much! As it gets closer I'm getting more nervous and excited :) they gave us a list of a bunch of different uniforms do you know if we have to get all of them? Or how many pairs we need or anything like that?

If I remeber correctly they gave you a list with 2 tops on it (one is mens, other womens), several options for pants(just giving options). Lab coat(required). and warm up jacket(optional).

You have to have scrub pants and top. And lab jacket.

They recomend you have 2 uniforms....so 2 pants and 2 tops. In Basic 1 you only have clinical once a week, the rest of the way through you have it 2 days a week back to back. When I went to meet and greet day and spoke to a student that was in Adult 1 she recomended only getting one set, as she had only ever worn one set. That does mean wearing the same scrubs back to back days and so laundering them (or not). I got 2 sets and used both. Warm up jacket is optional. I got one and liked having it. I am right now getting scrubs for my job and am getting a warm up jacket too. Liked having it for warmth when needed it...plus love more pockets.

so pretty much.....required lab coat, at least 1 uniform top and 1 uniform pant (I do recomend 2). Warm up jacket if you want it.

I am not sure if they still do the same, but for us they had try on/ordering on orientation day, but you could go ahead of time to one of the stores and do it there. I did that. At orientation day the only place to change is the bathroom. Was nice to relax and eat lunch while everyone did that.

Kayc16 · Dec 18, 2012

Thanks! I wanted to get everything figured out before admissions day! I can't go to the day that they are allowing you to follow around a nursing student for the day which made me mad because I want to know what it's going to be like! But thank you for answering about the uniforms and its nice to know that clinical start the first semester! I was wondering how classes and clinicals worked at st. Margaret's :) you're very helpful

PghRN30 · Dec 18, 2012

The meet and greet day is nice to go to, but it really isnt super important unless you are still deciding on if you are really sure this is for you, or if are deciding between schools. You dont really spend the whole day with a student. Only an hour or a little longer. It is good time to ask questions of what thier experience has been like and such, but you really do not see how the whole day is, maybe a few tasks.

The staff goes over some of the same stuff that will be covered on admissions day. You get the shadowing experience, and then you discuss and ask questions.

Clinicals do start first semester. It is only one day a week, half day. (usually half the class on thursday, other half on friday....so you get the opposite day of the last 5 weeks) More just to get your feet wet, get you in, used to giving morning care, taking vitals, doing an assessment and charting. It starts the 3rd week, so you have 5 days total.

In Basic 2, adult 1, and adult 2 you have pre clinical(meet your pt/get info) Monday, and clinical tue and wed. In growing family you generally have clinical thursday and friday, but that sometimes gets changed. Through those 4 terms, you typically have a test just about every other monday. Then class all 3 days you do not have clinical. You get some off days scheduled in, but not many

Kayc16 · Dec 22, 2012

That's good to know... I'm really excited :) thanks did you have to buy specific shoes or do regular sneakers work?

PghRN30 · Dec 23, 2012

Shoes, anything as long as mostly white. Athletic are ok. I got Danskos and love them.

Just one thing to keep in mind when you are looking at shoes, especially athletic shoes, is you will be emptying containers of and cleaning every bodily fluid imaginable....at some point something WILL end up on your shoes. Get shoes that can be easily cleaned. Athletic shoes that are all leather are good. Ones that have fabric/mesh/any material you can not clean fluids off of will be destroyed once you have an accident end up on your shoes.

Also you will be on your feet for 8 hours....and in PNR/once you are working, sometimes 12....figure out if you get enough support from you shoes. Even the most comfy athletic shoes for me only give me good enough support to last about 4-6 hours on feet non stop. Add really good insoles can maybe get it to 8 hours. Reason I like Danskos is they have better support for me. But that is me....everyone is different...and everyone's feet are different. Better to spend a little extra money for whatever is going to work best for your feet.

AHBRN · Jan 14, 2013

Hey I graduated in October 2012 if you have any more questions. I am also looking to get rid of my books if you have any interest.

Congratulations!!!