Wh-wh-where'd all the CLC students go?

Heatherbear · Jun 4, 2008

Hi! I also was a frequent visitor to this site before the winter semester began and I was lucky enough to meet alot of the people I was chattin' with on this site. We formed our own study group and continue to talk and post with each other on a different site. I do try to check in here now and then to see whats goin' on.

We all have made it on to 172 and are truly loving it, and so excited to move on to the next stage. We also found the "upperclassmen" invaluable and alot of them were super helpful.

Now, that the semester is over we are just thinking ahead to next semester, cannot wait to get the next modules and start reading....kinda a repeat of last semester.

Uriko · Aug 2, 2008

Hello

i don't frequent the site often but, i'm going to start 4th semester this fall.

i still remember 2nd sem though. it was my least favorite.

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Aug 3, 2008

Hi !

I heard that if you didn't like first semester, you're not gonna like second. However, you're gonna LOVE third !

Uriko · Aug 3, 2008

yeah, i heard the same thing. but it also depends, i guess, on what you're interested in.

BUT, for the majority, it goes along the lines of what you said. 2nd isn't any better than 1st. & 3rd semester was fun for me 'cause i found pathophysiology much more interesting than the developmental stages. also, you learn more skills & therefore you do a lot more at clinicals & you feel more like a nurse & less like a CNA/PCT.

i think the one of the main reasons why people don't like first semester is because that's when we all had adjust to modular learning & whatnot. because, other than that, it's pretty simple. in fact, once you go to 2nd or 3rd..you'll suddenly realize 1st wasn't all THAT bad.

ah..i'm ranting here.

anyway, have fun this coming semester! 2nd semester has all the bad rumors..don't let it get to you D:

LMRN10 · Aug 4, 2008

Hey all...I'm still here!

I am so looking forward to the second semester starting!! I either want to go into Pediatrics or OB, so this is my semester! I have heard it's difficult, but I am going to take it one day at a time!! But I really am excited to get started!!

The study group has been a huge help for me...thanks ladies!!! And I agree...upperclassmen have been invaluable!!

Uriko, thanks for the info!! Now I'm looking forward to 3rd semester as well!!

I feel like when I am at clinicals, I am right where I'm supposed to be! I can't wait to get started again!

Any new CLC students starting this semester...we're all here to answer any questions you might have!!! Ask away...don't be shy!! :yeah:

Lori

Micci · Aug 5, 2008

Hi, I'm starting first semester and we just had our nursing orientation meeting today. I am trying not to but I feel completely overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" we talked about. Modules, clinicals, exams, lab times..etc, a huge stack of books, and all the other little stuff that has to be done before clinicals. I know it will all sort itself out once we actually start going to class and doing some of the stuff. They sent us home with alot of "homework" to get done too.

I am excited though to finally get started on actually nursing courses :specs:

ViolettaCCU, MSN · Aug 5, 2008

welcome micci!

i agree, it did seem pretty overwhelming at orientation! and that line for the drug testing...sheesh! we found quite an eclectic group of people that we'd be sharing our semester with and were looking forward to getting to know our section mates!

our group had a couple of wonderful mentors, courtesy of the nur 172 students ahead of us. we feel we'd like to do the same for the incoming newbies, so if there is anything at all you are unsure about, need clarification or don't understand or even to vent....we are here for you !

after awhile, the routine will fall into place. just make sure you get your ebos done, lab time accomplished and seeking out what you don't understand.

congrats for getting into the program and i wish you well!

:wlcmghrt:

LMRN10 · Aug 5, 2008

Hi, I'm starting first semester and we just had our nursing orientation meeting today. I am trying not to but I feel completely overwhelmed by the amount of "stuff" we talked about. Modules, clinicals, exams, lab times..etc, a huge stack of books, and all the other little stuff that has to be done before clinicals. I know it will all sort itself out once we actually start going to class and doing some of the stuff. They sent us home with alot of "homework" to get done too.
I am excited though to finally get started on actually nursing courses

Hi Micci!

:wlcmggrp:

Bluewolf9193 is right...it will all fall into place (and I'm sure they mentioned that at orientation). After Orientation, it is kinda scary! Keep up with the work and you should be ok. And if anything is not making sense or you need clarification on how to complete certaing things, feel free to PM me or just throw it out on the board...we're all here to answer any questions! First day of class is mainly filling out paperwork and our instructor also made copies of our CPR certification cards and our Immunization records (the blue copy) from the Health Center. Oh, and proof that we completed our computer training - I can't think of what they were called!

We found a great group of girls to start our own board with to help each other through...it has been awesome!! And they are all with the day group, I actually go at night, but we worked so great together and I feel like they helped me tremendously more than once! So, I have my class to talk to as well as these wonderful girls (who I met here actually!)

I assume what they assigned you was reading and EBO's, correct? Just make sure you get your EBO's completed and any study guides they may assign. Class guides I tried to do if possible, but we usually did those in class, but reading prepared me for that. Once you start class, you can split EBO's up between your group (if they choose to do it) so that each person does so many questions, depending on the size of your class and then you just compile them together. That to me was the most overwhelming thing...the thought of having to do 30 questions a week??? But you won't...your class should jump on the opportunity to split them!

Highlight the book as you go. I have always been one of those people who had issues with highlighting my textbooks... But when I got into nursing, I finally realized that these books will probably stay with me even after I graduate, so I figured I should just go ahead and highlight as I go.

Did you get all of your immunizations done? I had started mine prior to orientation to beat the rush. I would call and make an appointment with the nurse and start that if you haven't, do the physical with your doc and you should be set with that! The HEP-B is a 3 series, so you'll have to go back a few times and then after your done, you'll have to do a titre for that as well.

CPA's are not so bad - you basically have to show your knowledge of all the different procedures you learn and it was pretty laid back for me, but informative! And it gets you in "PE" mode.

For the tests, learn how to think critically...really read the question and look for the BEST fit to that question. I always ran into the "there could be two answers" issue, but you have to be able to think critically and choose the right one. You'll get it!

And PE's, you guys are kinda lucky. I know they changed it to where you could miss so many critical elements, but last year, we couldn't miss a thing...if you did, you would fail the semester. I didn't pass my first time - nerves got the best of me and I messed up my meds. But the second time was much easier - way less stressed!

You will have someone come into your class in a couple weeks to give you some hints on how to do stuff and get through the class...very informative and helpful! Listen to what they have to say!!

What instructor do you have?

Good luck, and happy studying!!! Sorry, this turned into a novel!

Lori

Micci · Aug 6, 2008

Thanks Blue Wolf and Lori,

I started my vaccinations back December and got my physical in May. So I just need to get all that info to the health center and I am good to go. I just bought my books today and some poor kid from the bookstore had to lug them all out. I was actually supposed to start last semester but my high school didn't send my transcripts but when I went to records they said my transcripts were there- so I was pretty mad last year :) Something similar almost happened this year. I got a rejection letter from the nursing program saying I didn't meet all the requirements- saying I had not attended an info session. I about had a coronary, but when I called them they found record that I had but had already chosen the class I think but hopefully hadn't sent the letters.

I think the most stressful thing at this time for me is making sure that I have babysitting in place for my three kids around the odd schedule. I acutally had it worked out but after looking at the calendar today I see that they change things up here and there which is like a huge nightmare for me. So I am trying not to stress about that stuff.

I am so glad they did change those rules on the practical exams (is that what they are called?) Because I heard nightmares about people failing a whole semester over a small mistake. I am reading the practice module in the nursing handbook and then I am going to get the first three modules out of the way and then all that online assessment stuff and the online training we need to do before clinicals. Is there anything else you would recommend I do before starting book work wise that you wish had been suggested or was suggested to you?

Thanks for everything! I'll be around

Uriko · Aug 6, 2008

The order in which you do the readings that i have seen to be the most helpful for most students, is the start with the class guides. because more often that not, those are on the exams. then, after that, do the EBO's. since it's like, what, 4 modules in 1 exam, it's give or take a few EBO's that are going to be on the exam. & also, when you do class guides, you'll find that you've also done a few of the EBO's.

& at the very end, if you actually have the time, go through the lists of chapters in the readings. i say to do this last because clc instructors like to throw in extra chapters that will not be on the exam but are good to know. but, things get really hectic what with kids, work, care plans you have to re-do, cpa's to get checked off on, that you probably won't be able to go through all the chapters. which is OK as long as you have the class guides & at least most of the EBO's.

some people do EBO's all on their own & others split it amongst people in a group. but the most important thing to do with EBO's is to get together in a study group & DISCUSS them. because it's through discussions that you get more opinions, catch any mistakes, & ask any questions you might have.

& also, never NEVER be afraid to ask if you have a question. the only wrong question is the one that isn't asked. i know that some people don't have CNA experience, they don't have kids that needed a ton of medications (a lot of the mothers in my batch have this whole knowledge base of medications that their children used when ill..it kinda made me feel medication-illiterate >.>), & so they feel like they're behind or that they're lacking because they don't have that head start. if you have a question, always ask.

OK. lastly, & i want you guys to keep this hush hush. but, i have EBO's from 2nd semester's to 4th's, which was handed to me by my upperclassmen which..i will gladly send to anyone who may need them. now, i know you may not want to 'cause it's "cheating" or whatnot. but realistically..either there really isn't enough time with all the things we do everyday, or you're just tired of all constant stress that mayhaps, for once, it would be nice for the week's EBO's to just descend via beam of light into your email inbox. so..if you need them, don't hesitate to ask. oh! & say you do want the EBO's please don't depend on them entirely & not read the book. ^_^

LMRN10 · Aug 6, 2008

That's great that you got the immunizations out of the way. I had something similar happen with my Transcript as well...they said they didn't have it even though I requested it from my school in 2004!! So, the day of the cutoff, I had to have my mom go pick it up from my high-school (thank goodness I haven't moved out of the area) and drop it off!! Frustrating to say the least! I'm sorry that happened to you last semester - I could only imagine how ticked you must have been!

I agree with Uriko, some may decide not to take part in doing the EBO's. And the first couple you'll probably do on your own anyway. But once you know who is taking part in the splitting of the EBO's, then split them up between the groups...our entire class took part in it, but our class only had 8 people in it, so most people had 4 questions to do and then the last two had 3 questions. Not too bad. But then I also did it with the girls on my other board and so on average, I did 8 questions on each EBO, which was fine because that is how I learn!

I actually got a lot of my answers for my EBO's from the books, not the class guides. Definitely needs to be read over, but I also did the reading or at least went to the books to answer the EBO questions, but those who got the questions from the class guides were lucky! :chuckle I think as we moved further along with those, there were more questions answered from the class guide.

Someone from our group typed up flashcards for us as well and that for me came in handy for most chapters, but not all. I was able to learn a good portion of the words which helped me out on the tests.

One thing I did for the Modules was I had these "project folders" that I would put each Module in (one per folder)...and I color coded them. Yellow for A1 - A3, Green for B1 - B3, etc... These are the folders I used and just labeled them on the outside http://www.staples.com/office/supplies/p1_Colored-File-Folders_86748_Business_Supplies_10051_SEARCH ...came in VERY handy for me and even now, if I want to go look for something, I have them all right there and know where to go! I'll be doing that again this semester!

The amount of books we get is unbelievable!! But we used quite a few of them first semester! The one we didn't use is the Med-Surg (that says required for 1st semester). I just bought mine recently. The main books you'll use are Fundamentals, Varcarolis and Health Promotions. You'll also use the Peds book book very little. The drug book and Nursing Diagnosis book you'll need for clinicals and to complete your care plans. I have mine on my palm. You'll need the drug book for other things during your clinicals though, so that one you should actually bring with you, but the Nursing Diagnosis you don't need to bring with to clinicals...but sometimes to class. Your instructor will tell you the week before (usually) what books you need.

Uriko, thanks so much for the offer!!! I'll PM you!