I originally was thinking about ABSN programs, but I realized that this applies to anyone who is starting a program in the spring.
1. Get your BLS for Healthcare Providers CPR certification out of the way. You don't want to be running around trying to find a class right before you start school! The certifications are good for 2 years, so just make sure you'll be covered for your entire school career; it just makes things easier down the road to not have to re-up while you're still in school.
2. Start your vaccinations and titers. The Hep B vaccination, for example, requires 3 doses, and the last dose has to be 6 months after the first. A lot of schools will let you start clinicals with just the first two, but they are going to want to see evidence that you've had the third not long after that. So if you get that done now, it's one less thing to think about.
3. Start researching what student loans are available, what's out there, etc. This industry is in flux right now, but if you get a spreadsheet going now, you can just update it as you get closer to starting school.
4. Research the best places to buy a stethoscope, PDA, and any other equipment your school requires.
5. Figure out what kinds of shoes you'll be able to wear and watch for sales on them. I really like Easy Spirit shoes, so I subscribe to their email updates and they tell me when they are having a sale.
6. Get a Saunders NCLEX book and start looking it over -- no pressure! Just get used to the format of the questions. I wouldn't buy textbooks right now, though, because schools tend to change book requirements. But get your booklist as soon as you can and start looking for cheaper copies. :)
7. See if you can shadow a nurse. That will relieve a little bit of the uncertainty about the hospital environment before you start school. Or volunteer at your local hospital a few hours a week between now and when school starts.
I'd love to hear what others have done to start preparing! That Spring start will come so fast!
Anyone know how current the vaccinations need to be? For instance - would getting them in elementary school count? Or do they need to be updated/recent? Thanks.
Most are vaccinated for MMR are given during childhood but if you can't find record of it you'll need to go to the hospital and have a titre done. That was sufficient for my school. As far as TB or Hep B, I'm not sure, I knew I didnt have them or couldn't remember ever having them so I just went and got them.
Anyone know how current the vaccinations need to be? For instance - would getting them in elementary school count? Or do they need to be updated/recent? Thanks.
Most schools will require that you get a titer done for MMR and Varicella. (Even if you have had measles, mumps, etc., you may not have high enough antibody levels to be considered immune.) Some will require it for Hep B, too. Give your school a call and see what they require. If you have to track down vaccination records, at least you'll know far in advance that you have to do that.
One other thing I forgot about: one of the schools I applied to required a high school transcript, even though I have an advanced degree. It took my high school over a month to find and copy my transcript. So if you need a high school transcript, best to get going on that sooner rather than later. College credits from years ago may also be lengthy to track down.
Start stocking the freezer full of ready-to-heat meals now for those late nights so the kiddos do not have to live on "Daddy dinners" (usually a bowl of cereal, piece of fruit and chips)
Good point. My high school also took more than a month.
One other thing I forgot about: one of the schools I applied to required a high school transcript, even though I have an advanced degree. It took my high school over a month to find and copy my transcript. So if you need a high school transcript, best to get going on that sooner rather than later. College credits from years ago may also be lengthy to track down.
Start stocking the freezer full of ready-to-heat meals now for those late nights so the kiddos do not have to live on "Daddy dinners" (usually a bowl of cereal, piece of fruit and chips)
:chuckle Oh, those Daddies! With mine, it was pancakes.
Get all of your doctor/dentist/eyes appointments done prior to school for you and your family, if applicable.
Good idea! And if you're a woman, don't forget to get a GYN checkup w/a Pap and mammogram (if you're in one of the groups that need a mammo). It's too easy to put that sort of stuff off once you're in the thick of school.
Make sure you understand your school's health insurance and Liability Insurance requirements. If you are required to get them on your own, shop around.
:chuckle Oh, those Daddies! With mine, it was pancakes.
That works too. So does oatmeal/grits or anything else that does not require a lot of preparation. I swear I do not know how the man lived before he met me....I think it must have been a diet of mac & cheese and cereal :chuckle
Specializes in 0 as RN, 3 in ICU and Tele as Tech.
That works too. So does oatmeal/grits or anything else that does not require a lot of preparation. I swear I do not know how the man lived before he met me....I think it must have been a diet of mac & cheese and cereal :chuckle
With my hubby it's oatmeal, sandwiches, cereal and the oh so lovely raman noodles.. he even trained the ten year old to do it herself :chuckle
JohnnysGirl
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Anyone know how current the vaccinations need to be? For instance - would getting them in elementary school count? Or do they need to be updated/recent? Thanks.