Starting RN program this fall - what to expect?

I'm starting in the fall as well and have yet to have our orientation but we received a handout and in it says only wedding rings and stud earrings. The handout didn't mention nail polish.

In my program my instructor was pretty strict about no jewelry except for studs (had to be balls or pearls), no tattoos showing at all, hair in a bun, and the nail polish had to be a neutral color to where you couldn't tell you had any on. Also, a watch with a second hand was necessary. And as far as my school went, uniform requirements were the same for lab as they were for clinical.

Generally, wedding rings and stud earrings are the norm. They're looking to minimize infection risk (rings), potential injury (hoop earrings can be pulled out easily) and also present a generally conservative/traditional appearance.

While each school does things a little different from one another, you can expect to spend a few weeks learning some very basic skills and then you'll eventually be sent out to the hospitals to start learning how to provide basic care to patients. You'll have a very short leash at first and they'll loosen that up as time goes on and you prove your ability to safely care for patients.

Academically, you'll probably start learning some basic stuff you'll need to know for caring for "generic" med-surg patients and you'll start going over body systems and the problems that those systems can have. You'll also start learning how to do a nursing care plan (YUCK!!! I truly despise them, but love them for what they do) and you'll start learning some medications and what they usually do and why they're usually used.

In short, First Semester is pretty much about learning how to do CNA stuff with some very basic RN level stuff, at the "get the feet wet" level and you really should learn this stuff solidly well because it's the foundation for your next semesters of learning. This one does have a bit of a steep learning curve but often semesters 2 or 3 will be a backside kicker. Your "senior" students in the program will help you in figuring out in which semester(s) this will occur.

It's the start of a long process. Follow along, even if it doesn't quite seem logical at the time. It'll all fall into place eventually. Let the process work and you'll be amazed where your abilities are in just a few semesters.

I just had my orientation. Basic things were no dangle jewelry, like necklaces. No more then two studs in each ear. No tongue piercing. Hair needed to be tied back. Nail polish could be clear or light pink. Tattoos should be covered. If you are late to class you have to wait till the first break to get in. They did say they were willing to discuss exceptions which is nice. Of course each school will be different.

Thank you!! Our school does require us to be certified CNA1 before we can even apply to the nursing program, but I'm assuming those types of duties will comprise much of our clinicals this fall. Some of the people in my class got jobs as CNAs, but I didn't, which means I will definitely need a refresher on that. (Took it last July/August).

Our orientation is 3 hours long, so I imagine there will be a lot of information. I have so many questions!! I hope my instructors will allow me to record lectures. I have my uniforms, stethoscope,etc., but we also get a medical bag, and I have no idea what comes in that. We pick it up at the school, but not for several more weeks. We've not really been given much information at all. I've gotten all my vaccinations (aside from my last Hep A/B shot), but haven't had my background check, drug test, etc. I imagine all that will need to be done quickly since school starts in mid-August.

I have no visible tattoos, but I was thinking of getting a daith piercing in my ear. Because it's a fairly long healing process, I'm thinking I may have to wait until I graduate in 2018. I'm also concerned about my stethoscope irritating it.

Im not looking forward to the care plans!! I've yet to hear a nurse or student have anything great to say about those. Even so, I'm excited and ready to get started!!!

Also, my mom has lung cancer. She is not terminal, but I am her only child and the only person she can call on. Would it be unreasonable for me to ask to carry my cell phone so that my mother can contact me in case of an emergency situation? She has a scan on 7/7 to see if the chemo is working. This is her first recurrence since her initial diagnosis. Her last treatment is scheduled for 7/11, which is when we get the scan results. If the chemo has worked (she has three very small spots), she will be kept on Alimta for maintenance. Side effects for Alimta only should be minimal compared to what she went thru on carboplatin and taxol the first time around. But still, I would like to be reachable in case something were to happen.

My program has a lot of parents in it and my teachers were totally fine with us having our phones on us during clinicals and lab. As long as they were on vibrate or silent

In my program my instructor was pretty strict about no jewelry except for studs (had to be balls or pearls), no tattoos showing at all, hair in a bun, and the nail polish had to be a neutral color to where you couldn't tell you had any on. Also, a watch with a second hand was necessary. And as far as my school went, uniform requirements were the same for lab as they were for clinical.

Mine absolutely does not allow nail polish, same rules as above for jewelry, although a religious pendant that is smallish and tasteful is allowed as a necklace. Hair off the collar at all times, no cute little tendrils, etc. Solid color scrubs or the required ALL while uni.

I have a chin length bob that can't easily be pulled up without lots of hairspray. Ugh!! Also, does your instructor allow nail polish on non-clinical days, or is it a no-no at all times?

We can wear polish in lectures, exams, and pretty much anything goes for dress and hair at those times as well. But for skills labs, Sim, lab, clinicals, and prelabs, the rules apply. Tattoos must be completely covered, no piercings except one in each each ear lobe. Problem for many is the tramp stamp-you bend over and it's visible. Most of us wear our wedding rings, hasn't been an issue. But if I'm handling a fragile patient I'm always careful to turn the diamonds inward. And I wear gloves more than some because of possible cross contamination. I can't take my ring off, so I just have to figure it out as I go.

As for your hair, you'll probably get sick of messing with it and change styles! We had one student who wore wigs to avoid dealing with it I guess. Her hair always looked great though-lol!

I have stick-straight, baby fine hair, so short hair on me is a lot of work in my case (unless I get a buzz cut, which isn't happening lol). Looks like I will be using lots of hairspray!!

I have one tattoo in honor of my dad, and am getting another one in honor of my mom. Neither will be visible in scrubs. One is on my rib, and the other will be on shoulder blade, although it is a rather large piece. I have no lower back tattoos.