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Advice from Current Students

First Semester Students:
1.   Don’t be overwhelmed…take one step at a time.  Buy Books early-look at syllabus-maybe start reading.
2.   I realize now that I would have had a much easier time if I had taken pre-nursing classes.  I didn’t realize how important these were!!  I have had to study much much harder trying to catch up on things I’ve since forgotten! 
3.   I would have made room in my schedule to take the nursing assessment and pharmacology courses. 
4.   A budget is important!  This program is more costly than I thought. Buy books in advance.
5.   Get your CNA (Certified nursing assistant) Take pharmacology.   Buy books early! 
6. Stress the time commitment & cost commitment. 
7.   I have found more problems for myself with organization.  Things are well organized in the syllabus but if there were some ways to know what to bring to class as far as notebooks, text books, papers.  I seem to bring way too much to class. 
8. I took Health Assessment (Nursing 140) and I would recommend that a new student take the class. I think it would also be helpful if you had some type of pre-class in regards to the medication competency test.
9. Start reading & practicing the math problems before school starts.  Familiarize yourself with required texts, syllabus and other reading materials about a week before school begins.
10. If you are expecting financial aid, go to the FA office now.  You need to be prepared good or bad on what to expect.  Don’t wait till you start and find out you have to get a part time job to make ends meet.  It is intense! 
11. Encourage more math courses and medical terminology. 
12.   Really emphasize the need for the math! Have them do a pre-test to let them know where they are & where they are expected to be. Have them talk to a current  student to hear the first hand demands. 
Third Semester Students
1. Very time consuming (time mgmt. is a must).  Be flexible & able to adapt to change easily.  The LVNs definitely need more preparation in learning how to write up care plans. 
2. An appt. with the nursing liaison counselor should be mandatory in order to assure that all previously completed classes  qualify for Palomar’s graduation criteria & to let students know what classes will be needed. 
3. Class-College success skills would help time mgmt, test taking, etc. Increase the time to practice skills and skill demos especially those without previous experience would help.  Critical thinking activities.  Encourage NOT to work.  This program must be #1 priority above work/job if you want to do well!  Pay attention in anatomy, physio, micro, etc.  You don’t want to have to back track.
4. What care plans are for, how used? (It was Latin to me).  Summer reading-basic Fundamentals.  Tell us what we are doing during semester (clinical, baths, meds, TF) 
5. Apply for scholarships no matter what the amount.  Keep Fridays free for skills practice. Have study groups on a weekly basis.  Prioritize important info i.e. Pt. Care, studying, etc.  Keep a positive attitude. Encourage/support each other-This is not a competition. 
6. Being a CNA (certified nurse assistant) or medical assistant is helpful.  Having intermediate algebra under your belt is helpful.  If you do not have good study habits, take a class.
7. Pathophysiology class & care planning and math class for nursing.
8.  Be able to be knowledgeable about math (can’t use calculators).  Read ahead of time so not to be behind in class.  Let them know that they won’t be able to work full-time due to demand from school & clinical. Take the assessment class so not to have a hard time in the first semester. Let them know that they can ask/talk to other semester’s students for advice.  Hospital; experience (voluntary  or even) is good. 
9.   Make enough money before you come into the program, so you don’t have to work more than 1-2 days a week.  Get your life stable, because it takes full focus & dedication & you can’t have a lot of distractions. 
10. Details of math exams-study before.  Stress how much time it takes from your life/job.  Take assessment class before.
Third Semester LVNs
1. I would have liked more information regarding the care plans.
2. Helpful: Schedule for rotation in clinical vs. time in class & lab would have been helpful to know.
3.   Review on clinical skills during transition period, even 1 unit.
4. A little more warning on what to expect as well as the paperwork involved especially in clinical setting.  In clinical generic student pretty much have an idea of what forms to use (c. plans, meds, assessment) & how to fill it out.
5. A list of skills for LVN; Review Math skills; child care arrangements; save money for books; do one theory questions before attending class; take the assessment class; have a good understanding of the nursing process and how Palomar does the care plan.
6. I think LVNs should either be currently/recently practicing in acute care facility or be provided some sort of opportunity/direction to get experience prior to entry; work more on individual care plans.
 

Last modified 01/13/04