UMSL Accelerated/Traditional BSN programs for 2008

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Hey everyone! If you're going to UMSL this upcoming May or starting in this fall, join in! I think it's a great way for us to all get to know each other! I start in May for the accelerated....:) Have a good day!

Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.
Don't get overwhelmed with everything thrown at you. It will all work out.

For clinicals:

You don't necessarily need a hemostat, a sharpie, and scissors. Scissors are nice to have, but i haven't used my hemostat once. No one checks to see if you actually have them.

Take advantage of open lab hours. Ask Chris for help, and other students. THe more you practice the more you will feel comfortable. THe sterile dressing change is the hardest lab. Each teacher expects different things, so don't be surprised if one teacher tells you one thing and another the complete opposite, as far lab test outs go. Stay on top of your quizzes. It will eliminate unneeded stress.

Your first day prepping for clinical will be the absolute worst day in the clinical setting. No one really knows what to do, and no one knows how to read the charts. Read what you can, and do what you can. Expect to be working on your first care plan for about 4-8 hours. It will be a late night. I think most clinical instructors will realize that you don't know what you are doing for your first care plan, and will give you a break. So don't freak out too much.

Care plans become much easier as time goes on. The amount of time/work put in it highly depends on your instructor. So, get to know what your instructor expects of you. Usually when you have a tough instructor you will learn the most. Be prepared to have to do at least a few very long careplans every semester.

Everyone in the acclerated program agrees that the 3rd semester of the program has been absolute hardest so far. For me, the 1st and the 2nd semester weren't too bad. I could get by not studying too much. Just be prepared to be bombarded in your 3rd semester. With that said, if you have any extra classes you need to take, take them now!!!!

If you have any questions, be sure to ask!!

Fantastic advice! I used to go to open lab hours on Saturdays - it was nice and empty and I got a lot of help from Chris (especially on the IV/venipuncture lab and catheter lab). If you try to go to the lab at convenient times, such as after class, all of the other students are there and you spend more time tripping over one another than actually getting the hands-on time that you need.

You should have seen me on my sterile dressing change test-out. I was shaking so much and was so scared that my instructor finally said "relax, you're doing fine!" In reality, as long as you don't make a huge mistake and the instructors can see that you have practiced, they will let minor things slide.

And yes, you'll be up ALL NIGHT trying to write those care plans. I used to do mine on the computer so when it was time to write the next care plan I could just cut and paste if I had the same nursing dx, meds, etc. It helped cut time off the next prep.

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Specializes in Emergency.
Fantastic advice! I used to go to open lab hours on Saturdays - it was nice and empty and I got a lot of help from Chris (especially on the IV/venipuncture lab and catheter lab). If you try to go to the lab at convenient times, such as after class, all of the other students are there and you spend more time tripping over one another than actually getting the hands-on time that you need.

You should have seen me on my sterile dressing change test-out. I was shaking so much and was so scared that my instructor finally said "relax, you're doing fine!" In reality, as long as you don't make a huge mistake and the instructors can see that you have practiced, they will let minor things slide.

And yes, you'll be up ALL NIGHT trying to write those care plans. I used to do mine on the computer so when it was time to write the next care plan I could just cut and paste if I had the same nursing dx, meds, etc. It helped cut time off the next prep.

Thanks for the great advice!!! I appreciate every bit I'm getting. I am super nervous about the first return demo on wound care...haha!! I don't think the lab is open on Saturdays during the summertime...Chris posted the hours we can be in there (open lab) and it was only from Monday-Friday...but I'll ask and see if it is! Maybe just for the summer semester it's not?? Who knows. Regarding the care plans, I am sure they are really time consuming...but we were told to keep those out of our minds until AFTER we get done with the 6 return demos....which I thought was a good idea since it's stressful enough thinking about those return demos and all my other classwork. Overall, though, I love it so far. It's challenging and overwhelming, and it's only been a week. It is so interesting, though...and that makes it fun! If you think of any more advice you have...I am always loving to get more! Thanks for taking the time out to give it! :)

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.
Thanks for the great advice!!! I appreciate every bit I'm getting. I am super nervous about the first return demo on wound care...haha!! I don't think the lab is open on Saturdays during the summertime...Chris posted the hours we can be in there (open lab) and it was only from Monday-Friday...but I'll ask and see if it is! Maybe just for the summer semester it's not?? Who knows. Regarding the care plans, I am sure they are really time consuming...but we were told to keep those out of our minds until AFTER we get done with the 6 return demos....which I thought was a good idea since it's stressful enough thinking about those return demos and all my other classwork. Overall, though, I love it so far. It's challenging and overwhelming, and it's only been a week. It is so interesting, though...and that makes it fun! If you think of any more advice you have...I am always loving to get more! Thanks for taking the time out to give it! :)

You are probably right about the summer (the accelerated students are the only ones taking clinical courses during the summer). I think it also goes by how many people sign in and use the lab during certain days/times - that will determine when they have open lab hours. It costs money to staff the lab and I would think they would want to get the most bang for their buck.

Best of luck! Enjoy the crazy ride because it goes by so fast! School was hard and stressful, but man did I have fun! And I miss seeing my classmates every day.

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.
Becca,

I have interest in going into an ICU type position after graduation and was wondering if you had any insight into how I can make this happen. I've heard it can be difficult to get an ICU job right out of school but at the same time I've seen people do it. Do you have any words of wisdom for me? Thanks for any suggestions and how is So Cal treating you?

Sorry Iceman, just saw this post! ICU spots can be competitive but not impossible to get. I'm assuming you have an interest in CRNA down the road - best bet for that is to get into an ICU at a big teaching facility, such as Barnes or St. John's (a cardiovascular/cardiothoracic ICU will serve you very well). Having your BSN will give you a little boost above other applicants, but I definitely recommend getting a tech job at the hospital of your choice while in school. That's where it will really pay off when graduation time rolls around. And get on a floor where you will see a wide variety of patients and get a lot experience with your skills.

California is treating me well, thanks!

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
Sorry Iceman, just saw this post! ICU spots can be competitive but not impossible to get. I'm assuming you have an interest in CRNA down the road - best bet for that is to get into an ICU at a big teaching facility, such as Barnes or St. John's (a cardiovascular/cardiothoracic ICU will serve you very well). Having your BSN will give you a little boost above other applicants, but I definitely recommend getting a tech job at the hospital of your choice while in school. That's where it will really pay off when graduation time rolls around. And get on a floor where you will see a wide variety of patients and get a lot experience with your skills.

I'll add my .02 and agree here with what Becca has written. We are a class that just graduated with our ADNs and several got ICU/CCU positions. The majority were currently working in those units as techs long before graduation so had that inside edge, but I know at least one who was hired for a fellowship who has no hospital experience at all.

One trick we've learned -- apply early!!!

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Specializes in Emergency.
I'll add my .02 and agree here with what Becca has written. We are a class that just graduated with our ADNs and several got ICU/CCU positions. The majority were currently working in those units as techs long before graduation so had that inside edge, but I know at least one who was hired for a fellowship who has no hospital experience at all.

One trick we've learned -- apply early!!!

Hey WDW!!! I just wanted to say congratulations on graduating!! When do you plan on taking the NCLEX?? Regardless, good luck! :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
Hey WDW!!! I just wanted to say congratulations on graduating!! When do you plan on taking the NCLEX?? Regardless, good luck! :)

Yeah for me, huh?!?!? It went by so quickly so for any of you suffering through your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th semesters, take heed -- it WILL be over before you know it!!

I hope to get my authorization to test in the next few weeks -- I'm debating waiting until late June or early July to test. My HESI & Kaplan scores seem to indicate I'll pass okay, but my fingers are WAY crossed!! I'm ready to be done with testing and studying!!

Good luck!!

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Specializes in Emergency.
Yeah for me, huh?!?!? It went by so quickly so for any of you suffering through your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th semesters, take heed -- it WILL be over before you know it!!

I hope to get my authorization to test in the next few weeks -- I'm debating waiting until late June or early July to test. My HESI & Kaplan scores seem to indicate I'll pass okay, but my fingers are WAY crossed!! I'm ready to be done with testing and studying!!

Good luck!!

Well, best of luck to you...I'm sure you'll do just fine. I'm in the second week of my first semester of nursing school here at UMSL now...it's interesting and fun, but hard...and I'm bracing myself for it to get even more challenging. Time is already flying by....and I'll be done by next August...so I'm trying to make the most of every day!

Are you doing anything fun before you take the NCLEX, like a vacation or anything?? I hope you've given yourself some time to relax!!! You deserve it. Enjoy the beautiful weather today!! :mad:

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Specializes in NICU, High-Risk L&D, IBCLC.

CONGRATULATIONS, WDWPixie!!!!!!!:yeah:

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
CONGRATULATIONS, WDWPixie!!!!!!!:yeah:

:smokin: It was nuthin'!! :smokin:

:bluecry1: :banghead: :no: :banghead: :bluecry1:

Thanks for the congratulations folks! I'll let ya' know when I pass the NCLEX!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac Telemetry, IVR.

Guess what!! I started the Accelerated at SLU this past TUES. Man is it ALOT of information!!

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Specializes in Emergency.
Guess what!! I started the Accelerated at SLU this past TUES. Man is it ALOT of information!!

haha I agree...I'm ending my third week of UMSL's accelerated program...and we're in knee deep for sure. Took my first pathophysiology exam today...it went well! :) I really enjoy what we're learning so far...it's just so much info thrown at us at once!!! Oh well, keeps me on my toes!!! Good luck with your program...:)

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