UALR Nursing Program Applicant 2014

U.S.A. Arkansas

Published

I plan on applying for the ADN progam at UALR soon. I am a nervous reck. I know there are more people applying than spots available. I have about 96 quality points. I made an 84 on my evolve exam. I have a 3.5 gpa. I have taken most of my Support Courses except Chemistry and Microbiology. I am taking Micro in the spring and have to repeat chemistry b/c I made a D in it about 10 years ago. I'm scared that chemistry will ruin my chances. I have a prior bachelors degree. I was just wondering what shot do I have of getting in the program.

@NutriRX we need a sphygmomanometer and a stethoscope. The stethoscope doesn't have to be a Littman. They were recommending them at orientation. But all the nurses I talked to at the hospital I worked at said that other stethoscopes were just as good and cheaper and would work well for clinicals. I would recommend looking at Amazon to read reviews. I got an ADC after doing some research and reading many reviews. It was $50 on Amazon with free shipping and I am liking it so far! The uniform store recommended the basic MDF ones they sell since they're inexpensive and work well for student nurses.

We also need to purchase a skills kit from the book store (not yet available for purchase) and they recommended a clipboard with storage and a calculator, and a pocket kit thing that has bandage scissors, a pen light, and some kind of pen that they said wasn't as important with electronic charting.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

@ NutriRx there is so much stuff we have to get it is kind of overwhelming. We have to order this background check/drug test/immunization tracker. It's $120/yr. We also have immunizations, CPR, and other miscellaneous things they mentioned. Most of those things are due by Aug 8th though. You also need Some clicker thing that looks like a remote for $50. They recommend Littmann Classic II SE stethoscope but it isn't mandatory to buy that brand.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

The clicker I mention I believe they said is needed in the fall. They didn't really say much about it.

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Thanks guys. Ok so I just need to order the stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, a clipboard and calculator, and a pocket kit? Then everything else (the CPR, immunizations, background, etc) I can take care of when I get in town. Gotta love this forum! :-) Thanks again.

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Specializes in Operating Room.

@nutriRx The calculator is attached to the clipboard with a storage compartment. You can get these items on the website the school orders through Standris dot com. Or go on amazon and type in nursing clipboard with storage. Those are probably ok to use. It They look similar to the ones they showed at orientation. Go to amazon and type Prestige Medical Nylon Organizer to get the pocket kit.

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Here are all the supplies we HAVE TO HAVE for Nurs 1300 class: 1) Stethoscope *any kind you want 2) Blood pressure cuff 3) Course handbook/syllabus *can get in the bookstore *they will send e-mail to us when available 4) Student policy & procedure handbook $35 *available now in bookstore 5) Skills kit receipt *can get in bookstore *they will send us e-mail when available *we have to buy one every semester $100 6) Penlight 7) Calculator

Here are all the NICE TO HAVE supplies they suggested: 1) scissors 2) Pocket organizer 3) clipboard (check out the whitecoat clipboard on amazon...you have to constantly clean the one they showed us today) 4) Rolling bag because your books are heavy!

We must have immunizations for the program but we cannot do anything for that until May 27th. We have until Aug. 8th to complete. They said do not wait until the last minute to complete them because many of the immunizations take 3-5 days for the results to come in. Also, make sure your 3-5 days doesn't end on a weekend because no one is there to read the results; therefore, it will be more like 7 days. So, my suggestion is to have them done by July 20! Just in case... :) (For example: if your TB test comes in positive then you have to go get labs and will take longer) After you get your immunizations, you have to upload them into a database/tracker that keeps all your records in one place. It costs $120 annually and holds all your background checks, drug test results and immunization records. This is so they are easily accessible to the faculty, in case a clinical site asks to see your paperwork.

There is also a "Student Nurse Association" that is optional to each nursing student. It cost $30/year or $50/for 2 years. You can google it but I think it's like a student organization on campus, much like a honors society or something. It offers benefits and scholarships and such.

We also have to have a CPR certification. The "American Heart Association" certification is the only one they accept. They have multiple locations/times to get your certification, with dates ranging from May 2-July 31. The cost is $55 (they gave us a $5 coupon today so it would be $50). My only question is, do we have to get this certification before Nurs 1300 class or before our first clinical in fall?

Did I forget anything?

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Specializes in Operating Room.

@urmandyjoy We have to buy the skill kit every semester? Dang I thought it was a one time thing. I know some people are having second thoughts b/c of the cost. I heard some ladies outside saying they are thinking about not going to nursing school now. I'm still going. All these expenses and hard work will pay off soon.

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Someone was taking notes today :-) Thanks ladies! Lots of great information!

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Specializes in psych.
Thanks guys. Ok so I just need to order the stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, a clipboard and calculator, and a pocket kit? Then everything else (the CPR, immunizations, background, etc) I can take care of when I get in town. Gotta love this forum! :-) Thanks again.

The only thing you have to have is the BP cuff (sphyg) and steth. As for Fall and later, some students have regular clipboards and others had the storage ones. I waited until I started 1505 and bought a simple (but cute) light blue storage one at Walmart. I saw the ones with the calculator, but they seemed a little bulky. You go the night before to get patient info in the early semesters, so I wouldn't have used a calculator on my clipboard even if I had one since you have all the meds calculated before you get there. The pocket kits are nifty if you have the extra money, but I was too broke after having to buy books, uniforms, skills kit, evolve testing, etc to buy anything that wasn't required. I just bought stuff local.

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Yes ma'am! What I heard is that you have to purchase the skills kit each semester because you are learning new skills each semester. Girl you know I was taking notes....I don't play! lol :) That is so sad that some ladies are thinking about not going now. There are plenty of scholarships available!!! The nursing dept has one coming up...deadline May 16th! Yes, all these expenses will pay off in the long run.

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So only BP cuff and stethoscope?

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@tiredkitten Do we have to take an Evolve test after every class? How much do these cost?

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