UMDNJ - Accelerated BSN Fall 2005

JLG112 · Jul 19, 2005

Wow girl! You're on point! Actually you probably summed it up for me.

I definitely want to know what books to order, (while I have some money now). I'm sure the money situation will be extra tight once school starts.

Also, I want to know exactly what classes we will be taking and when. The schedule they sent us can't be right.

I've also looked into which shoes to buy, I'll probably also get shoes with no laces, (my mother is a nurse and highly recommends it).

Let me know about the PDA info, I bought a PDA earlier this year, I'd love to be able to use it. It really will be useful for all of us.

Thanks Sandra for informing us!

Joanna

Ok, here's the update guys
The school is mailing the order forms for the nurse-pacs so we can get them shipped/ordered directly by us.
I also got in touch with Dr. Lapierre, he is in charge of the BSN programs there, and I have asked him if he could provide a book list, and about the use of PDA's. He is working on getting answers to both and even mentioned that the school is considering getting into a program that offers reduced prices on PDA's and the nursing software. He said they do encourage people to use them if they have one availiable, both in clinicals and in class.
I was also going to ask about:
1. How the results for the NET test are going to be used (we take it on the second day of orientation)
2. If the shuttle is available for student use to and from Newark-Penn station
3. By no clogs, I am assuming that they mean open backed, rubber shoes. So, if I buy a pair of shoes that does not lace up, but that is completely closed I should be ok? (There is a pair of Danskos that I really want to buy, but they call them "clogs" even though they are a full-coverage slip on shoe. I would hate to buy these things and then get told I can't wear them, and I really dont want to get shoes with laces, too tough to keep clean and white!)
If you guys have any more questions, let me know. I figure that I can get a list of questions together and call him sometime tomorrow.

red_baron · Jul 19, 2005

i know, or have a rought idea of which classes we'll be taking. i talked to Ian white through email and he told me that the classes listed on that schedule they sent us is for all levels of bsn. if you look at the program outline on UMD's website the classes 301, 304, 312, 314, and 318 are listed for the first semester. so those classes are also listed on the schedule we got, and it looks like we will have full tuesdays and thursdays, leaving the other days for clinicals or web classes (i think Pharmacology might be a web class, dont quote me on that)

THe NET test is an assessment of your learning abilities and comprehension(sp), i took it a year ago for another school. it has basic math, reading comprehension and psychological questions that assess your personality and learning type. there are study guides for it ( http://secure.mycart.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=257819 ). maybe you guys knew this already so sorry if i sound redundant to you, but im greatful for you posting your findings its clearing up a lot of BS for me. :)

PM me i might be able to help out with the UMD's log on issue, i resolved it yesterday.

spencesa76 · Jul 19, 2005

That makes sense about the online classes. I was wondering why all the second semester classes weren't showing up on that list. I'm still going to ask though.

Thanks for the info on the NET. I found a web site that has some practice tests

http://www.testprepreview.com/nursing_practice.htm

Woah, can we say sloooow as a snail in answering the math questions. Man, I need to do some reviewing. No sense in scoring low because I ran out of time! I was just worried that this was some sort of placement test or would be used as a pre-condition for us starting the program or something.

Personality test huh? Sheesh, some things are better left unknown............ :)

red_baron · Jul 20, 2005

I had a question about the PDA's. Are we truly going to need them? What type of nursing software is available for them ? I was looking at some last night im not really sure which ones are suitable for me.

spencesa76 · Jul 20, 2005

No, no, they are not a requirement. I just happen to have one now and would like to use it

You can get many of the reference books that we will need (drug guides, medical dictionary, etc.) in software form. Beats the heck out of having to lug books around to look up something quick, especially during clinicals. The website that everyone recommends for software seems to be www.skyscape.com

The professor I talked to yesterday did not say anything definite about the purchasing program, just that they were considering it.

Plus they have nice organizer features; task lists, a calendar, notepad, and contact lists that you can use to keep track of everything. I am kind of a techie person and would rather use something electronic than paper. Just my personal preference.

One of the speakers during orientation is from informatics and there are also people from the computer group scheduled to be there. You could just ask questions then. Or, search the forums, the question about which one to buy creeps up all the time.

JLG112 · Jul 20, 2005

Well I doubt PDAs are mandatory since I'm sure they would've mentioned it in the paperwork they sent us. I have a Dell Axim X30, I bought it for personal use more than anything so if they are mandatory I'm all set. There is actually an X50 out now, I'm used to the Windows OS and it's very user friendly. I'm not familiar with Palms at all so I can't say anything about them.

I've read nothing but good things about Davis's Guide for Nurses and that's for PDAs and there are also medical dictionaries and available for PDAs while I'm sure it's really just for convenience, I'm sure they're not necessary. I'm still pretty old-fashioned in the sense that I will probably still jot things down on paper rather than my PDA but maybe it's time for change. :)

BTW, I was able to retrieve my username/password for the Web Services page. I got in touch with a support tech. Thanks though!

I had a question about the PDA's. Are we truly going to need them? What type of nursing software is available for them ? I was looking at some last night im not really sure which ones are suitable for me.

rhp123 · Jul 21, 2005

Hi, girls and guys:

First congratulations on the admission!

I'm currently taking pre-reqs at essex county college. Maybe I will apply for UMDNJ next fall. I have some questions regarding application. If any of you can help me on this, that will be great.

Does the school ask for an interview for admission?

Is it hard to get into the program?

Thanks

rhp

red_baron · Jul 21, 2005

Thanks, I didnt have an interview, and i really dont know how many applied into the program this semester but there are only 50 spots. I personally think that getting into the program shouldnt be a worry, its living thought it and finishing the program in 14 months that concerns me, hehe :uhoh3: .

Hi, girls and guys:
First congratulations on the admission!
I'm currently taking pre-reqs at essex county college. Maybe I will apply for UMDNJ next fall. I have some questions regarding application. If any of you can help me on this, that will be great.
Does the school ask for an interview for admission?
Is it hard to get into the program?
Thanks
rhp

rhp123 · Jul 21, 2005

Thanks for all those who help.

red_baron, I am sure you and others will be fine as long as you try your best. If I were you, maybe I will start reading books for next semester now.

Best wishes for the success of the program!

spencesa76 · Jul 22, 2005

Yeah, I agree with red_baron.

No interview, but they have been adding additional conditions before you can apply. When I applied last Summer they did not require that we have the Basic Life Saving certificate (CPR etc.) at the time of application, now it looks like they do. Personally, because there is no interview, I would put more effort into the essay that they require you to submit.

I submitted my application last summer, on advice from the recruiter, before I had all my prerequisites complete. I still needed to take psychology that fall. So, all my prerequisites were complete by Dec 2004, I received notification of acceptance for this Fall of 2005 in May. I don't know if this is typical or not, we will only be the second or third class that has begun this program and I don't know how many people are even aware of it. I would get your application in as early as you can, maybe in your last semester of prerequisites so it is in the applicant pool.

We will be starting at the end of this month, you can PM me anytime if you have more questions.

rhp123 · Jul 22, 2005

Yeah, I agree with red_baron.
No interview, but they have been adding additional conditions before you can apply. When I applied last Summer they did not require that we have the Basic Life Saving certificate (CPR etc.) at the time of application, now it looks like they do. Personally, because there is no interview, I would put more effort into the essay that they require you to submit.
I submitted my application last summer, on advice from the recruiter, before I had all my prerequisites complete. I still needed to take psychology that fall. So, all my prerequisites were complete by Dec 2004, I received notification of acceptance for this Fall of 2005 in May. I don't know if this is typical or not, we will only be the second or third class that has begun this program and I don't know how many people are even aware of it. I would get your application in as early as you can, maybe in your last semester of prerequisites so it is in the applicant pool.
We will be starting at the end of this month, you can PM me anytime if you have more questions.

Hi, spencesa76:

I really appreciate your information. Now I am thinking getting a CPR certificate some day.

I also pmed you.

Wish you a success at the program!

spencesa76 · Jul 22, 2005

Hi, spencesa76:
I really appreciate your information. Now I am thinking getting a CPR certificate some day.
I also pmed you.
Wish you a success at the program!

Go to the American Hear Association's website. The school requires the Basic Life Saving class for Healthcare providers (BLS) and you can look up locations in the state that offer these classes on the website. You will have to contact those places directly, though. It cost me $55 at Robert Wood Johnson and was two days long.