XMAS TOY DRIVE

Toy Drive for Family Ties

The Student Nursing Association will be bringing toys for the children at Family Ties.
Donations
If you are interested in helping a child in need have a better Christmas, please bring a new toy to the Nursing Office. Family Ties will also accept lightly used items. The children range in age from infants to pre-schoolers.
The SNA would like to collect at least 25 toysThe toys would be given to the children but any large items (like wagons or tricycles) would stay at Family Ties for all the children to use.
We will be collecting toys until December 17th. Please do not wrap these gifts. Family Ties personnel need to see each gift before distributing it. Just bring your donated items to the Nursing Office and there will be a large box to deposit them in.
Here comes Santa Claus!
SNA has arranged to have a Santa Claus show up at Family Ties on December 18th at around 9:30am to hand out candy canes and pose for pictures with the kids. Santa could use a few more helpers!
Volunteers needed on December 18
If you are interested in attending that day, please call Angela Aistrup at 209-477-6686, or contact her at aaistrup@sbcglobal.net.
Come on down, your help is welcome!

SNA Xmas Tree

SNA's Christmas Tree

It's up! SNA members have been working on a Christmas tree as a campus club activity. Go take a look at it in upper Danner!
Thanks to Gloria Cazares, the committee chair and all of the other folks who've donated stuff or who given their time to this effort:
Camacho Janitorial (for donating the tree!)
Amanda Aguirre
Forest Nelson
Sue Barnes
Trina Eagal
Ann Soy
Lucia Chavez
Arlis Barba
Michelle Berlin
Andrea Traylor-Cwik

Every Little Bit Helps...!

Links to test banks
http://deltarnstudents.blogspot.com/2005/09/n4-test-neuro-icp-chapter-55.html
http://deltarnstudents.blogspot.com/2005/09/n4-test-head-injuries-and-icp.html
http://deltarnstudents.blogspot.com/2005/09/n4-test-cerebral-bleeding-and-icp.html
http://deltarnstudents.blogspot.com/2005/12/n4-n7-critical-care-neuro-quiz.html
http://deltarnstudents.blogspot.com/2005/12/n4-neuro-and-cranial-nerves-quiz.html
http://deltarns2007.blogspot.com/2005/10/disorders-of-fluid-volume-osmolality.html
http://deltarnstudents.blogspot.com/2005/10/n4-test-fluid-imbalances.html
http://futurenurses2008.blogspot.com/2008/04/n7-pharmacology-positive-inotropic.html
http://futurenurses2008.blogspot.com/2008/03/n7-pharmacology-antidysrhythmic-agents.html
http://futurenurses2008.blogspot.com/2008/04/n7-pharmacology-antianiginal-agents.html
http://futurenurses2008.blogspot.com/2008/03/n7-pharmacology-antihypertensive-agents.html
http://futurenurses2008.blogspot.com/2008/03/n7-pharmacology-diuretic-agents.html

Got these from the 3rd semester blog...has N4 questions for practice for those who can't afford a book!
Good luck with the studying for Test 1!

Memorial for one of our own

One of our very own SJDC nursing students passed away on September 5th in a motor vehicle accident. I have attached the article link below.

Services are tomorrow at 1pm. The link below will give details.

Donations can be made to Tracy federal credit union, acct #22363.

Melissa Granados Obituary

Summer's over!

Thought I'd update the blog. For all those who are tired and stressed out, remember to SLEEP! Hope everyone is having a great 3 day weekend.

Have A Fantastic Summer Break Everyone!!

Next SNA Meeting

The Nursing Market isn't what it used to be!!
Get your foot in the door, gain some experience, get to know about your hospitals.

Two speakers will be at the next SNA meeting this Monday (note the different time) to talk about work experience/study and Versant.

This meeting is essential to get a jumpstart on your nursing career.

See you there!

Take me out to the ball game . . .
and support the SNA!

Who: Stockton Port’s and SNA
What: Relaxation and fun!
When: Sunday May 18th at 2:05
Cost: $5.00 per person on Homerun Hill
(with one dollar benefiting the SNA)
Bring a blanket and your family!


Order forms and money must be turned in to the nursing office or any SNA officer by Wednesday May 7th!

Reiki SNA Meeting

Reiki proved to be a new and exciting topic for the SNA Members. Here are the Meeting's Minutes...

SNA Minutes for April 21st

I. Nominations for SNA positions next semester
a. Lisa read all position descriptions
b. Michelle Berlin nominates self for president - lisa Newbold second, nomination accepted
c. Lisa Newbold nominates Sue Barnes for vice president – Kristin Morone second, nomination accepted
d. Trina eagal nominates andrea traylor-cwik for secretary - Kristin morone second, nomination accepted
e. Sonya gill nominates self for treasurer – Kristin morone second, nomination accepted
f. Ana Hernandez nominates Ogechi for president elect – Kristin morone second, nomination accepted
II. Approval of monetary request form
III. Vote on Nicole/Danielle’s request for money for graduation
a. Kristin - $400 for graduation flowers
i. Sue Barnes moves that we give $400 to graduating class
ii. Wendy seconds
iii. Motion passed
IV. badges – requesting students purchase 2 – 3 patches for lab coats and scrubs
a. motion requested, second and passed
V. Port’s game Interest
a. $1 off if 25 tickets purchased, $2 off if 100 tickets purchased
b. May 18th
c. Collect money first, then order tickets
VI. Fundraising ideas
a. BJ’s 28th 11am-11pm, bring flyer
VII. Memorial day – traveling Vietnam Wall Interest – tabled to next meeting, need more information
VIII. Announce next meeting topic
a. Versant
b. Work study
IX. Reiki (Toni Barnett)
a. Body and mind heal self
b. Take responsibility for your own healing…does not conflict with any religions
c. Chakras – energy vortex (feed energy to organs and glands)
d. Aura –
i. Purple/blue – giving, love, service to others
ii. Green – money
iii. White – spiritual protection
** shows up in aura before it manifests in the physical body
e. healing addresses cause, curing addresses symptom
f. aura_maven@yahoo.com, 916-723-7052 – does the aura photos
g. All people have auras and chakras, so this type of healing is within all of us
h. Nurse developed therapeutic touch, which is more acceptable in the nursing world.
i. $60 for a Reiki treatment, generally

SNA Meeting this Monday!!

Nursing is an innovative field with specialties that are focusing on more than just medicine. Join us at the next SNA Meeting to learn about the spiritual aspect of healing.
SNA Agenda for April 21st

I. Approval of monetary request form
II. Vote on Nicole/Danielle’s request for money for graduation
III. Port’s game Interest
IV. Fundraising ideas
V. Memorial day – traveling Vietnam Wall Interest
VI. Announce next meeting topic
a. Versant
b. Work study
VII. Reiki (Toni Barnett)

Test Taking Tips for Nursing Students

Sue Barnes was kind enough to put together some helpful tips for test taking. Here they are.

Test-taking tips for nursing students

· The key is to move quickly but carefully through each question. If you miss one important word, the whole meaning of the question could be changed.
· Don't spend too much time on any one question -- skip the hard questions (or take a guess, and mark them) and then come back, if you have the time.
· Before you look at the answer choices, try to understand what the question is asking – is it an assessment question? Does it relate to another stage in the nursing process? Is patient safety an issue? Indentify key words in the stem that may set a priority, indicate negative polarity, etc.
· Also – before looking at your choices – try to think of what YOU would do, THEN look at them. Maybe the one you thought of is there.
· There are many people who will advise that your first choice is usually right. If you find that you're second-guessing yourself, and going back to change answers, only to discover that you've changed to the wrong choice, this one may apply to you!
· Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a good guideline, where basic physiological needs come first.
· Remember your ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation). Anything related to oxygenation is usually the #1 priority.
· Positioning can be big, too. Especially if the patient is at risk for aspiration.
· Therapeutic communication is also an area you'll encounter again and again. Be sure you recognize the hallmarks of therapeutic communication. The answers that sound client-centered, respectful, and promote maximum client independence are usually your best bet.
· Practice doing NCLEX-style questions every day (Bonnie Boss recommends a minimum of 10 a day). For starters, do the questions in your textbook, accompanying study guide and using online resources from the publisher that relate to the chapters you're studying.

Other good resources for test-taking:
· Test Success – Test-Taking Techniques for Beginning Nursing Students (authors: Patricia M. Nugent and Barbara A. Vitale). The whole book is good, but Chapter 7 (Test-taking techniques) is especially good for helping you to analyze questions.
· Top Ten Test-Taking Tips (Evolve student development videos) with Linda Anne Silvestri
http://evolve.elsevier.com/staticPages/s_student_development.html

· MEDS Successful Problem Solving and Test-Taking for Beginning Nursing Students
(This tutorial software is available on the medspub.com site or free in the computer lab)

Helpful Hints from the Student Nurses' Association meeting

Here are the meeting minutes from the Survival Tips SNA Meeting


SNA Meeting Minutes for March 24th

Meeting began at 1305
I. Continued research on fundraising and community service projects
II. NSSP – Robin Shum and LaShonna Parker–
a. Stress Management – time is a big factor
i. I’M SOR
1. Identify goals in life, what do you like? (*if you enjoy what you are doing, your stress will be lower. Have a positive attitude!)
a. Don’t get too worried about details. Look at big picture.
b. Don’t wait until the last minute to complete assignments/study.
2. Modify
3. Simplify
4. Organize – split up your time accordingly
a. Planner
b. Look at one week. How much time did you spend on different activities? Analyze it.
c. Modify your lifestyle to make best use of your time and reduce stress.
i. Grocery stores not as full at night (time saver!)
ii. There is always a solution to things that happen in life. Don’t let stress affect your health. J
iii. Planning doesn’t mean anything unless you take action.
5. Recognize
**I LIKE NURSING!!
**Knowing and not doing is like not knowing. (I like that!)
ii. Relaxation and Health
1. eating habits – eat breakfast
2. get exercise
3. emotional health is important
4. schedule time for yourself to sit still or do something you enjoy
5. relaxing music
III. Danielle Mathias-Lamb
a. Don’t study more, study smarter
b. Nursing 4 very important!!
c. Know how theory applies to real world
i. Ask questions to instructors and nurses
d. Keep pamphlets that can and will come up again in later classes
i. Organized into body systems or what will work for you
e. grasp the concepts, everything else will follow
f. Books that helped Danielle
i. Critical Care Nursing Care Plan, 2nd Ed. - Delmar
ii. Study guide for Medical-surgical Nursing; Critical thinking in client Care, 3rd ed. – Lemone/Burke
iii. Nursing Diagnoses reference manual, 5th ed. – sparks/taylor
iv. Illustrated Study guide for the NCLEX – RN exam, 6th ed - Mosby
v. Memory notecards – pathophysiology and fluids and electrolytes (Mosby’s)
IV. Erin Shelby
a. Use your resources/study guides!!
b. It is very beneficial to study in groups
c. Prioritize
d. DON’T STRESS!!
e. Theory is only a few hours a week vs 12-20 hours of clinicals.
i. Get through theory and focus your learning on clinicals.
V. Ana Hernandez
a. Study smart!! – article, “Undergraduate Medical Education is NOT Rocket Science: But that does NOT mean it’s easy!
VI. Questions
a. Nursing 4?
i. Romena’s lectures follow the textbook
ii. Use study guide that goes with Lewis textbook.
1. It is a guideline for what to study
2. Why are the answers in the study guide wrong (not just right)
3. You may not get to all reading, doing questions, look at tables is good
4. Taking tests in nursing skills lab
b. don’t wait until you are failing to speak with the Nursing Student Success program
c. Everyone learns different, so find the person who learns how you learn.
VII. Nominations for SNA Leadership Award
a. Majority vote for Danielle Mathias-Lamb and Nicole Porter to be given award
VIII. Raffle
IX. 4th semester students, Nicole Porter and Danielle Mathias-Lamb requested funds from SNA for graduation flowers. TBD at next SNA meeting
Meeting adjourned at 1435

Risk of losing the Welcome TEA

I know that all of you are extremely busy. The first semester is a time of change and stress, but I am very disappointed at the lack of response that I have received in regards to help for planning next semester's Welcome Reception.

The TEA is a student ran reception that has been a tradition for many years. It is a chance for all of you to Welcome the incoming nursing students as we welcomed you. It is time to return the favor. If we do not have participation in this planning, it is at risk of dying off.

Thank you to Stacey Boyd and Ogechi Achunine for offering their time, but I am still looking for someone to chair this reception. I can be a resource for the planning if there are questions, and I have a binder that takes you step by step through the process up until the day of the TEA. And remember, you have all summer to plan as well.

This is an important part of Delta College's Nursing Program, don't let it die with this class.

Next SNA Meeting

What a great way to get a jump on Nursing 2!

Exam #2 Study Guide

If anyone has any questions about the study guide, post them here and we can all help each other to try and answer them.

Congratulations!

A big Congrats to everyone for making it through the 1st 3wks (and you thought you wouldn't)! I hope everyone's clinical rotations are just as successful and rewarding!!

From your fellow 1st Semester ADN and Future RN,

Ogechi :o)

Please read!

Hello All,
I hope that all of you enjoyed your Welcome TEA, and that you are enjoying your first few weeks of nursing school.
I am looking to find a few individuals who are willing to participate in and plan next semester’s TEA. It is a great way to get to know your classmates as well as get contact with the hospitals (which many of you will want to get a job with after you graduate!). I have to admit that I had a great time with the TEA, and I am excited to meet those of you who will be involved with the planning for next semester. You will have the summer to plan this party as well, so that makes for a more relaxing semester.

Please contact me directly at teagal871@students.deltacollege.edu

Thanks,
Trina

Modesto Carpool/Study Group?

Hello,

I'm an out-of-district student looking for fellow carpoolers and/or study group members. If interested, please email me at Jens4633@worldnet.att.net.

Thanks!
~Melissa

New Skyscape discount code

(from skyscape rep)
Please share the code with the attendees - CCRR-GILO-HBYI. It is validuntil 2/15/08. They will need to enter the code at checkout and will get20% off all products except the Constellations, MedStream, Hardware,specials we're currently offering and the SkyPlatinum Member Program.

Student Nurse’s Association Meeting - Cancelled

The SNA meeting scheduled for this Monday, January 28th, has been cancelled. Please refer to the SNA website for updated information.

1st Semester Motivational Nursing Video

Here is a fun YouTube video to encourage You New Nurses and show you what it is all about.

We're Bringing Nursing Back

NCLEX-RN Practice

Practice with NCLEX type questions and improve your critical thinking skills and test scores.
This NCLEX practice site is free for you and provided by the Nursing Student Success program.

NCLEX-RN Practice

Welcome New Nursing Students

Welcome to the SJDC Nursing program! We hope you enjoyed the welcome tea reception provided by the 2nd semester students, it wasn't too long ago that we were in your shoes! I know you have many questions, concerns, and apprehensions but please remember that they will all work themselves out over the course of the next few weeks. Be patient, breathe and reach out to your fellow students, as they are going to be part of your family now and for the next two years.

This blog is a place for you to post questions, concerns or comments about anything you want, so don't be shy - utilize the resource of your fellow students, and you may find yourself helping others in the process. You can follow the links to previous semester blog's, whose knowledge just may be invaluable to you during test time!

Good luck and welcome to the program! - Christine (2nd semester student & blog admin)

If you have any trouble viewing or posting on the blog, please contact me and I will investigate. My email is shipmans.mxracing@sbcglobal.net.

Blog Administrators Needed

Hi,
I am looking for a few people to be blog admins for your class. There's not much too it - admins grant permissions, can post links, monitor for any inappropriate posts and such. No previous blog experience necessary, this site practically does everything itself. Please reply to this post if you are interested, and I will meet with you to give you an overview and answer any questions you may have.

Thanks,
Christine

PS - if you are concerned about how much time is involved, don't be! Minutes a day (if that) and you really would be helping out your fellow classmates with this excellent resource.