What to expect in Sentara RN Program?

TRINI_RN · Jul 7, 2007

congrats to those starting the program this fall!! I think Capribry probably answered all of your questions, If you have any others please let me know.

TRINI_RN · Jul 7, 2007

Here's what I pm'd to RNstudent006, its probably redundant but just my take on school so far.

"I'm in my third semester right now and so far things have been really good. First semester is an introduction to nursing and was by far the easiest. The only thing that you have to watch out for is being organized, that was the biggest hurdle for some people to get over in the beginning. As long as you follow the syllabus, read ahead, and follow the study guides you will be fine.

In first semester you will start clinicals about half way through, before that you will have days in the skills lab to practice making the bed, giving a bath, doing vital signs, etc.. Your first set of clincals will be in a nursing home where you will help care for the residents, and get used to doing preclincal paper work, after that you will transition to the hospital. You'll be eased into everything so don't be nervous. I would recommend getting a Fluids and electrolytes memory card book (Mosbys has a good one) because that test was the hardest if I remember correctly, and the flash cards have pictures that help you remember the signs and symptoms. As far as books go you will use your fundamentals book, your drug guide, and your dosage calculations book (sometimes). I bought the medical dictionary but have yet to use it. For clincals all you will need is your stethescope, bandage scissors, pen light, and a good watch. The hospitals have automatic machines that take blood pressure so you don't need to buy a bp cuff. If you have any other questions let me know, and good luck!"

capribry · Jul 8, 2007

Hey guys and by the way me and Nursecadet are in the same class and are study partners and I always score high on my tests when I study with her. She is wonderful and one of the most knowledgeble person I know. See you at my son's B-day party or at school in August!!!

In 101 class are usually from 8:30-3 or 4 depending on the material but it usually ends earlier. I remember getting out of class like at 12 or 1 most days but I don't know how it is gonna be now. 1 thing I liked about 101 and 201 is that it didn't seem like we was in class that long. Plus you get breaks and a guaranteed hour lunch break. Class is not

mandatory but they do take attendence for records and for financial aid. Skills lab and clinicals are mandatory and you must call your instructor if you are going to be late or absent cause you can only miss 10% of clinical time. In 301 it seems like we be in class forever. The teacher keeps us in class even if she is finished with lecture but she uses the time for review (which is helpful). I don't know much about Riverside but I did do clinical with some students from there during my psych rotation (@ Partial Hospital Program in Hampton) There program is longer than ours (i believe) and doesn't have as much flexibilty since there is only 1 hospital for them to attend. I might be biased but out of any other nursing students I encounter (BSN programs included), I seem to know more than them and I am not all that smart. I really think it is because we have so much time practicing in the hospital so we see more things and know how to work in diff. situations. We just don't learn the textbook. Plus I am more of a hands on/visual person. It's one thing to read it but to see it will put the icing on the cake. We are allowed to do more things than most schools. I pretty sure they have a website or maybe a topic on the school that can be more helpful.

Capriby,
I go to the Sentara's website all the time, I am still debating about the traveling. Mostly because I HATE getting up early in the morning for clinicals and I would have to leave even earlier to get down there to do clinicals. Anything worth having is worth struggling for that's for sure, I just have to make myself do it. The other thing with me having to leave so early to be on time for clinicals I would have to consider daycare too, most daycares only open around here at 6:00am. Shoot I would have to be on the road by 4:30-5:00am the latest. My hubby leaves for work around 5:30am everyday so he wouldnt be able to help me out with this.
People are coming from NC???? Wow that is insane. I am going to gather more information about the online program. I know you have class two days and clinicals two days, but how long are your class hours? Do you know anyone who goes to Riverside or do you possibly know the scoop on Riverside's rn program. They are in newport news and a bit closer to me that's why I was asking.

capribry · Jul 8, 2007

Rnstudent,
Thanks for the info, I am about to go to Sentara's website to see if they have posted more info on about the online program and the exact location. I know you cant wait to get started huh? Although it will be interesting to hear from you once you have started how that PDA is going that they will be implementing with your class. Keep us posted

PDA's wasn't required when I started but after doing research on this website I purchased one before I started school. I didn't use it until my 3rd semester but I most say that it is a time saver. Instead of flipping through books I have it right in my pocket and can tag it if I wanted to come back. I use it mostly when looking up drugs b/c everytime you give a drug you have to tell your instructor what it is, side effects, classification, nsg. intervention etc. and most of the time you are going to have alot of meds to give especially in the morning. Don't become dependent on it just in case it breaks or you lose it. Try to remember your meds anyway especially if you give it alot. It will be bad that your patient is have a adverse reaction to a med and you got to look it up or don't realize it til later. Some meds that I see over and over are Heparin, coumadin, coreg, lasix, glucagon, tylenol, and benadryl. I have on mine a drug guide, iv drug guide, rn pocket notes, nsg diagnosis, and a bunch a free stuff like drug calculations to see if the patient is getting a safe dose.

capribry · Jul 8, 2007

Hi capribry, Wow thank you for all the information. I love all the details you included and the heads up about the instructors. Ive been waiting for you and nursecadet to come back to allnurses so I could flood you guys with questions. I read the old posts from when you guys were first starting and was hoping you would sign back on soon. Im soo excited to be starting soon. We already had registration & welcome reception, I got my uniforms,etc. We are getting PDAs instead of books fortunately they said they are trying out somthing new to rid so many books & stay current so thats part of our fees for 1st semester. Yeah I have Ms. Wyche for 101 she seems nice. I going in with my eyes open. Too bad I gotta take nutrition & microbiology in 101 again being that I already took it as prereqs for another nursing program.
For your summer break are you doing SNAP intern/extern? Also, were you one of those lucky ones who got the Sentara local scholarship?
I just love hearing from current students and hearing so much positive feedback about the program Again thank you for the info & good luck through 4th & 5th semester!!!

Thanks!! No I did not apply for the internship or for the scholarship. But I believe Nursecadet got an internship for the summer thanks to the Godfather (Mrs. Wyche)!! Make sure you have fun. One of the reason why our class (may 08) is so memorable is because we had a blast and gave our teachers nicknames. They still remember me to this day and I'm in my 3rd semester. (i was a goofball but I got my work done)

Alert&Orientedx0 · Jul 8, 2007

Capribry,

Im totally going to keep my textbook drug guide now. I have one from a previous nursing program I was in I was going to sell. Its a drug info book for advanced practice nursing. Do you think I should also keep my manual of laboratory & diagnostics tests book?

One more question off topic I noticed you said I think in an old post that you went to ODU. Are you thinking about going into there RN/BSN/MSN program when you finish Sentara & take a break of course? Do you know anybody that has done their program? I have a BS in psych & I was thinking about ODU or VCU RN-MSN program. Im hoping I can skip the BSN.

capribry · Jul 8, 2007

Capribry,
Im totally going to keep my textbook drug guide now. I have one from a previous nursing program I was in I was going to sell. Its a drug info book for advanced practice nursing. Do you think I should also keep my manual of laboratory & diagnostics tests book?
One more question off topic I noticed you said I think in an old post that you went to ODU. Are you thinking about going into there RN/BSN/MSN program when you finish Sentara & take a break of course? Do you know anybody that has done their program? I have a BS in psych & I was thinking about ODU or VCU RN-MSN program. Im hoping I can skip the BSN.

I'm not saying to have a hard copy of each book, I was just saying don't think that you don't need to learn your meds just cause it is one click away. Also most PDA software comes with a desktop copy for your computer so that you can download it. I never used the desktop copy before to see if it works like the PDA. Just don't leave it around cause I heard stories of books and PDA's being stolen off hospital floors as well as stethescopes (by MD's and you will think that they have money to buy their own littman's) I never used by lab diagnostic book at all. We just really started to focus on labs and stuff in 301 and I have one on my PDA. I never even cracked it open in 101 (cause you are new or 201 (focus on specialties). I never even really used my dosage calculations book that help you with math cause they teach you in class. It was a waste of money for me.

Yeah I did my prereqs at ODU for 2 years and then switched to Sentara. I will be attending the RN to BSN program shortly after I graduate. I'm only 21 and could take a break but I am money hungry and scared that if I stop I won't go back. ODU came up to our school about a month ago and gave out applications. That's one thing that is great about Sentara is that they credits transfers to other school unlike most schools. I think it is only a year long program (can't remember the details) Like I said before I worked in clinicals with students from other schools and it always seem like I know more. I worked with students from ODU (at CHKD during PEDs rotation) that was graduating school and they had diff. with med admin and stuff like that cause they didn't have alot of clinical practice. They learned about it in class but didn't have the hands on experience. Not trying to say they are dumb but for me to be in a diploma program and is not graduating for another year, I felt like we was on the same level. Also you won't see too many nursing students from other schools at Sentara hospital. They will never be on the same floor as you (we get top bid) You might see them in the hall or during lunch and that is pretty much it. You will see them when you have to go to other places like in Psych and Peds (@ CHKD)

miss_smartie · Jul 12, 2007

Hey all, I start at Sentara this August in the R.N. program as well! Good luck to everyone, I still have to buy my "cobbler" apron.

Couldn't we just wear white scrubs with patches :)

TRINI_RN · Jul 21, 2007

Thanks!! No I did not apply for the internship or for the scholarship. But I believe Nursecadet got an internship for the summer thanks to the Godfather (Mrs. Wyche)!! Make sure you have fun. One of the reason why our class (may 08) is so memorable is because we had a blast and gave our teachers nicknames. They still remember me to this day and I'm in my 3rd semester. (i was a goofball but I got my work done)

I'm doing an internship at Sentara Obici in Suffolk with the SNAP program. I really like it! I'm on the cardiac stepdown unit and I've learned so much since I started. The "Godfather" did hook me up with a recommendation, along with Ms. Brady, and Ms. Dyer. They really are supportive of us, I really do love most of the instructors.

cmc320 · Jul 23, 2007

I was reading your thread and I am glad to say that I have been accepted into the Sentara RN Program for fall. I am also an employee. I read the response by Capribry; a wealth of knowledge. I am looking forward to starting, also!:balloons:

LuvWounds · Jul 23, 2007

Is sentra offered to students out of state? I think this is the school that offers a 24 month RN online program is that true. Please excuse me if its already been answered zi haven't yet completetly veiwed the thread

TRINI_RN · Jan 22, 2008

Is sentra offered to students out of state? I think this is the school that offers a 24 month RN online program is that true. Please excuse me if its already been answered zi haven't yet completetly veiwed the thread

Sorry so late, but to answer your question they do have a distance learning program. However, its not what I would call online. Its for the students in Newport News, Hampton, Willamsburg etc. that can't come to the main campus. They have class at a satellite campus in Hampton at the same time as the other students thru video communication, so they get the same lecture and tests as the main campus, at the same times. They also have teachers there with them to facilitate lectures. They do thier clinicals at Sentara Careplex hospital with nursing staff from the school that live on that side of the water (the same staff that are with them during thier lectures).

So, you see its not online but more of a distance option. Goodluck!