We got into the CLC Nursing program...now what

clcstudent22307 · Oct 31, 2007

there is a retake test scheduled for a week later. i always look for supplement material and came across a series of books called "...made incredibly easy" for instance: drug calculations made incredibly easy. pathophysiology made incredibly easy. the serious is similar to "for dummies" but geared toward nursing. i've checked out quite a few of them through the library system so you may want to do the same. our instructor told us the biggest mistake nurses make is during drug passing so they really stress the accuracy. you have to convert from mg to g etc. but they give you the conversions you just have to do the problems. if you're very comfortable with calculations then don't worry but this was a struggle for me. you can use a calculator too. also i googled drug calculation practice questions and came up with a bunch of nursing websites to help you practice. just a thought.

clcstudent22307 · Oct 31, 2007

something else...they usually post clinical sites on the corkboard outside of the nursing lab prior to registration. it'll tell you what sections are going where for the once a week clinical. i didn't know this in advance and signed up for a section that goes to woodstock (i know a couple of you live in mchenry county so this is ideal). actually, this ended up to be a good thing since all the traffic is going the opposite direction and the hospital is really new and gets excellent patient/employee satisfaction ratings!! gotta leave for class. still very excited for you ladies!

LMRN10 · Oct 31, 2007

something else...they usually post clinical sites on the corkboard outside of the nursing lab prior to registration. it'll tell you what sections are going where for the once a week clinical. i didn't know this in advance and signed up for a section that goes to woodstock (i know a couple of you live in mchenry county so this is ideal). actually, this ended up to be a good thing since all the traffic is going the opposite direction and the hospital is really new and gets excellent patient/employee satisfaction ratings!! gotta leave for class. still very excited for you ladies!

first of all, thank you (and ishtart) so much for all the information you have given us. very helpful!!

ok...these clinical sites, are they at the same place throughout the semester? i would rather get something out this way if at all possible because i live out here (in lake county), but i'll do what is necessary. when do you think they will be posted? you said before registration? definitely let me know which night class will be out this way (if any). thanks so much!!!

just as an update, made my appointment to get my immunizations on in late december. that way it will go towards my spring semester charges (and i'll be on vacation as well, so that works!) got my cpr card...good through november of next year. physical...still have to make an appointment for that. other than that, i don't think there is much else i can do except start buying books!!! i'll put them on my christmas list!!!

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Oct 31, 2007

if you have spare time before january 22nd i suggest that you do the following:
-study nursing abbreviations
-practice drug calculations (you'll have a test within the first 6 weeks and you need to get 100%
-get a drug handbook and learn how to use it quickly and effectively
-get a watch with a second hand
-start trying on white shoes so you're not doing it last minute
-get a rolling backpack...some people in my class got their's at walmart and they were really cool looking.
-be prepared to shell out cash...drug test, background check, immunizations, blood tests, physical, cpr class, module packet, books, black pens (you'll soon learn why i say "black," a good steth - the ones at clinical are few and far between and not so good
-brush up on a & p
**when i think of more i'll add on

thanks for all the info! i did a search on allnurses about drug calculations and found that someone posted a free download for your personal pc - a tungsten, i think. my question is: does anyone use those hand held pcs? also, is there any specific drug handbook that is preferred?

according to my friends in the 1st and 2nd semester programs, they actually recommend a rolling luggage-type carry-on for your books. they are made better and will certainly last the entire program. the downside is that they are kind of pricey. however, a friend of mine (who was in the surgical tech program) bought hers at big lots for about $20-30.

~boni~

LMRN10 · Oct 31, 2007

Haven't really had a chance to look at this site too much, but thought it looked like a good one!!!

http://www.rtstudents.com/rnstudents/rn-abbreviations.htm

colleenm · Oct 31, 2007

FYI - I've been checking CLC's Class Schedule link periodically to see when Spring classes are posted. Today I found 'em!

There are 4 sections for the daytime slots. I called the Nursing Ed office because they only list "Staff" for the instructor. I was told that in the middle of next week they will post the sections on the bulletin board outside the office. She said that online it will still only read "Staff" - you have to actually go look at the posting by the office to see who is teaching which class.

Sections are:

Section 001

M 7:00 am - 12:20 pm Clinical Site

W 8:30 am - 9:20 am Exam

W 9:30 am - 12:20 pm Lecture

R 8:30 am - 10:50 am Lab

Section 002

T 7:00 am - 12:20 pm Clinical Site

W Same as section 001 Exam

W Same as section 001 Lecture

R 11:30 am - 1:50 pm Lab

Section 003

M 7:30 am - 12:50 pm Clinical Site

W Same as section 001 Exam

W Same as section 001 Lecture

R Same as section 001 Lab

Section 004

T 7:30 am - 12:50 pm Clinical Site

W Same as section 001 Exam

W Same as section 001 Lecture

R Same as section 002 Lab

I guess I never realized that the exam and lecture portion are the same time for all. Though it appears that Sections 1 and 2 are in the same classroom and Sections 3 and 4 are in another (though still at the same time slot). Then Sections 1 and 3 share a lab time and Sections 2 and 4 share a lab time. Interesting!

LMRN10 · Oct 31, 2007

FYI - I've been checking CLC's Class Schedule link periodically to see when Spring classes are posted. Today I found 'em!
There are 4 sections for the daytime slots. I called the Nursing Ed office because they only list "Staff" for the instructor. I was told that in the middle of next week they will post the sections on the bulletin board outside the office. She said that online it will still only read "Staff" - you have to actually go look at the posting by the office to see who is teaching which class.
Sections are:
Section 001
M 7:00 am - 12:20 pm Clinical Site
W 8:30 am - 9:20 am Exam
W 9:30 am - 12:20 pm Lecture
R 8:30 am - 10:50 am Lab
Section 002
T 7:00 am - 12:20 pm Clinical Site
W Same as section 001 Exam
W Same as section 001 Lecture
R 11:30 am - 1:50 pm Lab
Section 003
M 7:30 am - 12:50 pm Clinical Site
W Same as section 001 Exam
W Same as section 001 Lecture
R Same as section 001 Lab
Section 004
T 7:30 am - 12:50 pm Clinical Site
W Same as section 001 Exam
W Same as section 001 Lecture
R Same as section 002 Lab
I guess I never realized that the exam and lecture portion are the same time for all. Though it appears that Sections 1 and 2 are in the same classroom and Sections 3 and 4 are in another (though still at the same time slot). Then Sections 1 and 3 share a lab time and Sections 2 and 4 share a lab time. Interesting!

LOL...I thought I was the only one looking at that... :lol2:

I'll jump on and look at the night classes!!! YAY!!!

LMRN10 · Oct 31, 2007

Colleen...where are you seeing it? Can you post the link? I can't seem to find the night classes?

Thanks,

Lori

NEVER MIND!!! JUST FOUND IT!

clcstudent22307 · Oct 31, 2007

the clinical site for the night sections (sections 5 & 6 - there are only 6 sections total and numbers 5 & 6 are night ones) was out at midwest regional. i only know this because the night teacher taught class today because ours had a family emergency. you'd have to do a quick search to see where that's at. you are at an extended care facility for the first half of the semester and a hospital for the second. in my case they were both centegra facilitities in the same town. i'll post a note on here to let all of you know when the sites are posted.

first of all, thank you (and ishtart) so much for all the information you have given us. very helpful!!
ok...these clinical sites, are they at the same place throughout the semester? i would rather get something out this way if at all possible because i live out here (in lake county), but i'll do what is necessary. when do you think they will be posted? you said before registration? definitely let me know which night class will be out this way (if any). thanks so much!!!
just as an update, made my appointment to get my immunizations on in late december. that way it will go towards my spring semester charges (and i'll be on vacation as well, so that works!) got my cpr card...good through november of next year. physical...still have to make an appointment for that. other than that, i don't think there is much else i can do except start buying books!!! i'll put them on my christmas list!!!

clcstudent22307 · Oct 31, 2007

one day is clinical only, the next is exam (if there's one scheduled) and lecture and the next is lab.

for the current semester we only had 20 of us in the exam/lecture class, not the lab...there were only 10. this must be a change.

LMRN10 · Oct 31, 2007

Oh boy...never heard of that!! Uh oh!

ETA...I think it's in Zion from what I can tell. I can handle that since I live in Antioch.

LMRN10 · Oct 31, 2007

the clinical site for the night sections (sections 5 & 6 - there are only 6 sections total and numbers 5 & 6 are night ones) was out at midwest regional. i only know this because the night teacher taught class today because ours had a family emergency. you'd have to do a quick search to see where that's at. you are at an extended care facility for the first half of the semester and a hospital for the second. in my case they were both centegra facilitities in the same town. i'll post a note on here to let all of you know when the sites are posted.

it looks like midwest regional is a cancer hospital...does that sound right? and then you said a hospital the second half? do they let you know which hospital you'll be at for the second half as well before registration?