CarolynB1991

CarolynB1991's Latest Activity

1. 

   Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

   CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

   Well there is a criminal history background check that you need to pay for... maybe that's what they were referring to? We'll have to see about clinicals, I know there's a clinical orientation but I think it'll be more like policies and procedures, workplace safety and OSHA guidelines, delineating tasks, etc. I doubt they'd have time and resources to have us all do a vision check and all you mentioned above. That's something for us to stay on top of individually through our own health providers.
2. 

   Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

   CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

   Hi! We just had to provide our immunization record, though they did ask us to self-disclose any medical conditions and medications we might be on. The program also requires us to have current health insurance and provide documentation.
3. 

   Practicing as a nurse with keratoconus

   CarolynB1991 posted a topic in Nursing

   Hello, I'm starting nursing school next week, which feels surreal to say since it's been a distant dream of mine for years. It's a six-quarter program for an Associate's Degree of Nursing and I've done all the paperwork, am fully registered and am ready to go. Everything is falling into place. My concern is that this summer I was diagnosed with an eye condition called keratoconus that significantly affects my vision in my right eye (I have trouble with bright light, I frequently have double vision, it's hard to focus on one image and everything is substantially blurry in that right eye). Here's a link for those who are unfamiliar, essentially the condition is a progressive thinning of the cornea which results in a bulging eye shape (like a cone) and the distorted field of vision: What Is Keratoconus? - American Academy of Ophthalmology. My left eye is unaffected at this time. I only recently found out after failing my vision test at the Department of Licensing (the eye doctor wrote me a note to override that, saying I was safe to drive since my vision in my left eye accommodates for my bad eye. I trust him to make that educated decision and have been driving without an issue). However, I'm worried that I might pose a safety risk in clinical and as a professional nurse down the line if I'm doing an injection or other procedure that requires clear eyesight. If I close my right eye I can see fine, but I know my peripheral vision would be affected. I even bought some eyepatches I intend to wear while studying! Of course, I'm sure that would not fly in clinical. I fully intend to disclose my concerns with the nursing faculty and I have a follow-up appointment with a corneal eye surgeon in early November. I hope to discuss the possibility of a new surgical technique called corneal cross-linking which has been very promising for those with keratoconus, and hopefully might even improve my vision in that one eye. I know my case is on the mild to moderate side and the original eye doctor made it seem like not too big of a deal, but it is scary to have a progressive eye condition and to be entering a field where I know I'll need to have proper sensory awareness. I do wear eyeglasses right now and if I'm not a good candidate for the eye surgery, the condition can be remedied with specialized gas-permeable contact lenses (I hate contact lenses and have heard that these ones are even more cumbersome, uncomfortable and expensive - so I'd rather just have the surgery and continue wearing my regular glasses!) I don't know... I've been kind of working myself into a tizzy over this. I definitely have hypochondriac tendencies so that isn't helping! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
4. 

   Anatomy and Physiology Refresher Course/Study Guides (free)

   CarolynB1991 posted a topic in Pre-Nursing

   Hello, I'm starting nursing school in the fall and I'm realizing just how rusty my A&P knowledge is. I took Anatomy way back in Winter of 2012 and I didn't have the study skills back then that I have now (I also had some thyroid issues going on, including the classic "brain fog" so I really struggled in that class especially since most of it was just rote memorization). I pulled through with a 3.1 which isn't fantastic but I was happy enough with the grade to accept it and not retake the course. Physiology was a completely different story, it was truly apples and oranges between the two classes. I honestly loved physiology and everything started to "come together" in that class. The human body is so incredibly intricate and awesome! I took the class in Summer of 2012 and got a 3.8. Flash forward to now - I'm getting nervous about how much I'll actually remember come fall. I don't want to be the idiot who can't name all the major bones in the body or the muscles or the name of the major structures of the internal organs. I have Anatomy flash cards that I've been studying slowly every day that's very thorough (separated in categories, starting with Skeletal, Muscular, Nervous, Lymphatic, Circulatory, Respiratory, Urinary, Digestive, Reproductive and Endocrine systems). Asides from the flash cards, does anyone have any recommendations for ways to refresh my memory? I don't have my notes from Anatomy or Physiology anymore. I thought about potentially auditing the courses at the college this summer but I'd have to pay the full tuition amount, which obviously is not going to happen. I'm looking online at free courses and study tools right now, but I thought I'd also check on here first in case anyone knows of any that they'd recommend.
5. 

   Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

   CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

   What kind of white leather shoes? That's such a random choice of footwear. Did they recommend a brand or anything? And here I was thinking we could just wear Skechers, lol
6. 

   Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

   CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

   Oh, it's also interesting because I applied under one last name (my maiden name) but I finally got my ID updated to my married name. So I have to somehow switch everything over with both the school and the nursing office :-/ Hopefully I don't mess up their system
7. 

   Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

   CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

   Hey everyone! I haven't heard from anyone in this thread in a while. Who here has turned in all the paperwork already? It's been interesting gathering all my immunization records since most of them were through my pediatrician in Connecticut. Then I have an appointment with my doc next Monday (earliest I could get it), they'll do the TB skin test so I can hopefully turn everything in on one go that Tuesday after they read the results. Also trying to factor in the cost of everything we'll need to get this summer - so far I have the background check and our scrubs as the two main things. What are you all doing to prepare? Has anyone decided whether they'll work through the program or stop working. I gave my employer a heads up of my situation (I won't work come fall) so they have plenty of time to find a replacement for me.
8. 

   Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

   CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

   Any words of advice for us?
9. 

   Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

   CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

   I feel almost guilty for being accepted. I'm sure there were so many people who worked so hard for the program and were not accepted. Feeling especially guilty since I was so near the cusp at 104.75 points! Is anyone doing anything this summer besides the mandatory paperwork/orientation to prepare for this fall? I have anatomy flashcards collecting dust that I'm hoping to study (I'm pretty rusty - I took Anatomy 5 years ago!) and I've found an advice book for nursing students on Amazon I just ordered. I just want to be well prepared come fall.
10. 

    Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

    CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

    *104.5
11. 

    Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

    CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

    Hopefully it's normal I'm crying... I'm a wreck right now! Happy tears, of course. I barely made it in too, my points ended up being 104.75 and the cutoff was 105.55
12. 

    Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

    CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

    I'm in!!! I'm in!!!
13. 

    Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

    CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

    Thank you, that's very informative. I'm hoping I'll get in my first go-around and not be an alternate status (I should have 105.25 if I get the educational bonus points) but I know realistically that might happen with me. I know someone who had to apply three times, they were an alternate the second time and didn't get in. Third time was the charm! They say it's worth it just to keep applying though, no matter how many times it takes - the program is just that good. I can't fathom what that would do to my self-esteem though, just being rejected time after time. How soon do they usually do the mandatory orientation? Do you think it would be in June sometime? I know they need some paperwork including a vaccinations record and other logistical stuff before classes would start in the fall.
14. 

    Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

    CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

    I would hope they send rejection letters too! Not everyone who gets accepted ends up attending, so they need to let the people know if they'll be on standby or whatever it is.
15. 

    Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

    CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

    I really wish there was a way to let us know electronically (like through an online portal). With snail mail, it's hard to know when it'll come in. I keep telling people I'll know any day now but I guess realistically we'll be looking to next week, huh?
16. 

    Shoreline Community College Fall 2017

    CarolynB1991 replied to RNMarshall34's topic in School Programs

    I have heard that Seattle U is very good for financial aid, but of course that's just people telling me that. I haven't really looked into it that much myself besides a brief scrolling through the website and that open house. By the way, I know this is a silly question but do they send Shoreline CC Nursing Program acceptance letters in the mail or do you think we'll get an email? I'm curious about the method of delivery.