2 replies to this topic

[eveariel]

Hi everyone who is reading this, I have been trying to find out what a day and life consists of as a Nursing student.

I would like to know the amount of classroom hours and clinical hours that you do during a full week. I live in CA and I am thinking about the Nursing program over at Santa Monica College.

Funny thing is when you call over there they are so reluctant to provide you with any information, burned out teachers ya think?

I wanted to know what I am up against, how discusting it is, (bed pans, enimas etc.) and basically what can be expected REALISTICALLY.

I am logged on to the chat room and would LOVE IT if someone came looking for me to speak with.

THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS:)

EVE

YAHOO IM IS: mspiggy6425

Email: eveariel@adelphia.net

[rntobe05]

I just completed my first year of nursing school in an ADN program. At my school, it works like this: Mondays-off, Tues and Wed (freshman year) we were in clinicals at the hospital from 7-1:30. Thurs and Fri was classroom time from 9-12:00 plus a lab one of those days for three hours. Next year it will be: Mondays-off, Tues and Wed classroom time 9-12:00 plus a one hour lab, and Thurs and Fri are clinical days from 7-3:30. For me the first semester of clinicals were really hard. I felt so lost at the hospital, not having much confidence. The paperwork was hard to learn, and I really didn't like it. The second semester was much better. Could be I had a better clinical instructor, but I felt more at ease at the hospital, like I had some skills. The biggest thing for me was time management. I am very organized anyway, so as long as I kept up with my studying, I did fine. We lost 30% of our class by them not making the grade. I put in a minimum of 20 hours a week studying and at least 3-5 more doing my clinical paperwork. As far as things that are gross, well I guess it just matters what is gross to you. For me, I only about lost my lunch once, and that was to do oral care on a woman who hadn't removed her dentures in several days. I just don't do well with dirty mouths! Changing adult diapers wasn't nearly as bad for me!

[feisty_lpn]

I just graduated from Practical Nursing program in Ohio. I began Sept 22, 2003 and graduated Sept 15, 2004. 44-week course. I had two weeks off for Xmas, one for Spring Break, and 4 wks for summer break.

My schedule:
Mon, Thurs, Fri -- class 0800-1600, with at least 2 tests each morning.
Tues, Weds -- clinical or lab 0800-1600

I spent probably 2hrs a night either studying for the next morning's tests or preparing for clinical.

I got home, after picking up my daughters, from class/clinical around 1700, made dinner, helped with their homework, did light housework, got them ready for bed then they went to bed at 2030. Then I could hop in the shower and hit the books by 2100. Get to bed by 2300, wake up 0500 to study some more (after a pot of coffee LOL), leave for the day at 0700.

I tried working weekends as a nurse aide. LMAO. That lasted a whole 90 days before I was totally burned out.

But, looking back, it was totally worth it. All the hard work paid off and I graduated 6th in my class with a 91% average.

Now, I just need to find a facility that will hire new graduates .....