Too Soon To Get Overwhelmed!

Fiona59 · Jun 21, 2005

My first thought is ask the administration why it was set up this way.

I never leave home without a credit card but thats just me. Car might run out of gas, might not make it home in a snow storm.

When it comes to clinicals the schools usually can't tell you too much well in advance. It depends on the unit you will be assigned to, the shift your preceptor works, and I even think the mood of the person arranging clinicals:uhoh3: .

My first month in my LPN course was so unorganized I wanted to quit. The answer when people brought up the childcare issue was "you chose to have children, you chose to attend nursing school, childcare is not our responsibility". We were told no uniforms required until second semester and all of a sudden we had to have them by week 2. I even remember a 35 minute debate on white sneakers and was the nike swoosh acceptable.

If bites, it wont kill you, and as bad as this sounds it usually gets better. At least you all have a bonding issue on how disorganized the school is.:rotfl:

danbranham_2000 · Jun 21, 2005

My first thought is ask the administration why it was set up this way.
I never leave home without a credit card but thats just me. Car might run out of gas, might not make it home in a snow storm.
When it comes to clinicals the schools usually can't tell you too much well in advance. It depends on the unit you will be assigned to, the shift your preceptor works, and I even think the mood of the person arranging clinicals:uhoh3: .
My first month in my LPN course was so unorganized I wanted to quit. The answer when people brought up the childcare issue was "you chose to have children, you chose to attend nursing school, childcare is not our responsibility". We were told no uniforms required until second semester and all of a sudden we had to have them by week 2. I even remember a 35 minute debate on white sneakers and was the nike swoosh acceptable.
If bites, it wont kill you, and as bad as this sounds it usually gets better. At least you all have a bonding issue on how disorganized the school is.:rotfl:

You are absolutely correct!!

Tweety, BSN, RN · Jun 21, 2005

It does sound disorganized. Good luck to you.

But it really isn't too soon to be overwhelmed. I was overwhelmed before we even started when I bought my books. It only got worse. LOL

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Jun 21, 2005

We had our first nursing orientation. Here's the issues:
They didn't tell us to bring money. It was stated that we would discuss uniforms, criminal background, pictures, clinical parking, etc. How about when we got there they wanted the money on the spot.
1. Background starting at $15 up to $200 - the background guy wanted everyone to pay using a credit card because he wasn't for sure how much it would cost you. It depends on how many places and names you used.
2. They had the uniform company there and wanted us to put down half of the cost there. 2 pants, 2 shirts and 1 smock.
3. Picture ID's.
Everything was unorganized.
Finally. They are not sure of our schedule. This lady with kids asked how soon will they know our schedule because she had kids they told her to just plan for a baby sitter. Well basically that is still hard because you don't know if your clinicals are at night or during the day.

It does sound disorganized, but I would not call it quits. Give them a chance and hopefully clinicals will not be that way :rolleyes:

About the money, they should have let you know to bring money etc...., but then again the students should have been prepared "just in case".

Good luck,

Jessica

devi, ADN, BSN · Jun 22, 2005

I think I read somewhere else on the boards that you're in the same school as me (CPCC?). It sure sounds like it from your description of the orientation. I felt the exact same way, especially about the confusion with the clinical schedules. Thank goodness I have childcare set either way for my son...I just feel really bad for other students who won't be able to plan ahead without more information. You know there'll inevitably be some who can't set up childcare and end up having to quit

Oh, and that background check guy? He tried to push me to use my credit card, too. I hate using credit. He ended up reluctantly giving me his phone number so I could call with my debit card info the next day (didn't have it on me).

Things would definitely have been easier had the orientation been more organized.

We had our first nursing orientation. Here's the issues:
They didn't tell us to bring money. It was stated that we would discuss uniforms, criminal background, pictures, clinical parking, etc. How about when we got there they wanted the money on the spot.
1. Background starting at $15 up to $200 - the background guy wanted everyone to pay using a credit card because he wasn't for sure how much it would cost you. It depends on how many places and names you used.
2. They had the uniform company there and wanted us to put down half of the cost there. 2 pants, 2 shirts and 1 smock.
3. Picture ID's.
Everything was unorganized.
Finally. They are not sure of our schedule. This lady with kids asked how soon will they know our schedule because she had kids they told her to just plan for a baby sitter. Well basically that is still hard because you don't know if your clinicals are at night or during the day.

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jun 22, 2005

Is every orientation this bad? I'm at a grad entry program at an Ivy League uni, and it was a freaking mess. No one tried to shake me down for my credit card number, though... :uhoh21:

SAHM2RN · Jun 23, 2005

Just curious... How much does all of the start up stuff cost?

Aubrey

elizabells, BSN, RN · Jun 23, 2005

Just curious... How much does all of the start up stuff cost?
Aubrey

Depends on the school, I think - I shelled out $175 for supplies, about $60 for uniforms, and $300 on first semester books. They didn't ask us for money for a background check, I guess that was included in my 56K tuition...

devi, ADN, BSN · Jun 23, 2005

Just curious... How much does all of the start up stuff cost?
Aubrey

I'm up to around $450 so far, including uniforms ($75), background check ($39), and the physical, immunizations, drug screen, and a couple of other little requirements. $125 of it was for a good steth, though...only because my hearing isn't so good and I really needed a good one.

I guess I was more unprepared than I thought going into orientation. I use financial aid for books and tuition, but everything else has to be out of pocket

oops...forgot to add in the cost of student insurance. That's another $45 per month.