What did you do on orientation day?

pharmgirl · Dec 11, 2008

I just finished my first semester so I remember orientation well, even though it seems a billion years ago. We were handed reams and reams of paper. Syllabus, Clinical handbook, Something about professionalism...dont remember all of them but it was definately reams. Then we were spoken to by each of the instructors about what to expect and how they were there to help us succeed yadda yadda. After all that, we went into the lab and played "get to know you" games. That was fun.

Overall, yes I've become close to my classmates (give or take a couple that I prefer not to be around). But overall, our class has melded into one functioning unit. We have "cliques" but when it comes time to pull together and cry or celebrate.....we are ALL there for each other and cliques dissolve. Our instructors have even noted our class unification. NS has been a wonderful experience so far and I wish you the best in your journey.

silverbells_star · Dec 11, 2008

Yes, start taking notes on the first day, it's a regular day of classes. Most professors will go over the syllabis and then do a short lecture.

We had two orientation days, the first one was over basic school policies, then we met with an advisor, did our ID badges and got the parking passes. Our second orientation day was mostly department heads talking, a lecture on appropriate clothing both for the classroom and clinicals, I remember we did a scavenger hunt to learn our way around the buildings, and we got our badges and schedules, etc but overall orientation wasn't anything special.

We haven't formed into a cohesive group yet at my school but it's only the first semester. It's a very large group of freshman (it's a BSN program) and I expect to see alot of people leaving next semester. I've heard that there is a 30-40% decrease in class size after the first year. I've defintely made a few good friends, but after the weeding out process is done I think the group will come together more.

smartin13 · Dec 11, 2008

We have an orientation day before classes start, so our first day of class we were right off taking notes. During orientation they told us that we had to print off the handbook, gave us homework to do for the first day of class as well as talk about the program. It lasted from 8am to about noon. First day of class was just like every other day of class they got on the mic pulled up a power point and went for it. I know that it is exciting and nerve racking, but just jump right into it!!

coolpeach · Dec 11, 2008

We went over the syllabus, handbooks, dress code etc. We meet the teachers, went on a tour of our nursing rooms, labs etc. We were told what we could expect, and what was expected of us. We were given our schedule, and clincal assignment for the semester. We went on a tour of the library, and had a one hour presentation on how to do our research. In addition, we were told to read X amount of chapters by Monday, and it was a lot. This was on a Thursday, and nobody had really planned on starting school till Monday. The lady next to me had plane tickets where she was leaving that afternoon, and wouldn't be back till Sunday, and here we were with all of this reading already.

shrimpchips, LPN · Dec 11, 2008

Nursing students!
Remember way back when during your orientation?
What did you guys do?
How about the first day, did you start studying and note-taking right away??
I start soon and i don't know what to expect!!
Do you grow close with your classmates?

Orientation didn't start until early afternoon, but I spent the morning standing in line for uniforms for 3 hours! :banghead: It was so disorganized. I could have gone to the uniform place to order and try stuff on, but the place would have been a 4 hour drive round-trip. My school is about 45 minutes from where I live.

We sat in a big room and met faculty and had students from various nursing organizations come in and talk to us; faculty talked to us and what to expect, got a huge list of books, etc. We talked about the college's policies, got our name pins and ID badges.

And I have grown extremely close to my classmates. We were friends prior to getting into nursing school but our friendship has strengthened since we started. And it is nice to have people to vent and talk to because they understand what you are going through!