Saddleback students - a few questions about your program...

I'm also curious to hear what people think of Saddleback's program. They've got a great NCLEX pass rate.
Jessie88, when you applied did you have to submit the application in person? I live in northern California so this would mean 12+ hours in the car for me and I'm not really sure what the point is. Do they talk to you about your application when you turn it in? Thanks!

Thanks for the quick and helpful response! Good luck in June!

Please help us out Saddleback students, I'm curious too! : )

I'm taking pharmacology right now at Saddleback. I'm starting their nursing program in August. I HIGHLY recommend taking the pharm class before starting the program. Even though it's only 2.5 units, I'm not going to lie...it's harder than some 4/5 unit classes I've taken. I almost cried after Tuesday's quiz. In the summer, we have a quiz every day we have class. During the regular semester, you have a weekly quiz. It's rough, but at the same time, it doesn't allow you to get behind.

I talked to the nursing department and they said that after Fall 2009, they might be only accepting Saddleback's pharmacology class, so you'll definitely want to check into that before taking the class somewhere else.

Oh, I do have to say that one of my friends is a L&D nurse at Hoag and said that she has heard nothing but great things about Saddleback (she also said the same about GWC.) Yesterday, a respiratory therapist (she trains RTs in a several area hospitals) told me that Saddleback & GWC's programs are the best in Southern California. She said that she loves getting Saddleback students, because they know what they're doing.

I'll try to update you on the program as I go. I'm really, really excited. It's been a long haul for me. I took my anatomy class there back in 2003. If I can do this, anyone can!!

PS: 2lroberts, do you know anyone in the area? They didn't check an ID or anything when I dropped off my application packet. It took all of 5 minutes. They just had me sign a form. Maybe you could talk to someone in the nursing department & just see if you can have someone else turn in your application for you. (It's just an idea...)

AAnderson,
Congrats on getting in to the program! I can't wait to hear how it goes!
It's nice to know that experienced nurses think it's a great school.

I've tried calling to ask them about having someone drop off the application for me but I still haven't heard back- I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

I totally feel your pain with pharmacology. It was WAY harder than any of the classes I had to take for my B.S. which definitely surprised me. Yikes, I hope I don't have to take it again if they start only accepting Saddleback's course.

Thanks for the info and good luck!

Does Saddleback NP accept applications twice a year?

Yup, fall and spring: http://www.saddleback.edu/hs/rn/

2lroberts:

Thank you!

I have my BS as well...and as much as I hate to say it, my 4 units statistics class was easier than this pharm class! But, I'm learning a lot and my medical background is really helping out a lot with some of the common medications.

Why are you trying to apply to Saddleback, if you don't mind me asking?

AAnderson:

To be totally honest I'm applying to Saddleback because at this point I'm desperate. I'm on a ton of waitlists but they're all at least 2 years long and I'm anxious to get started. I also really like that Saddleback takes into account how well you do in classes instead of just putting you at the back of the line as soon as you finish your prereqs. I looked into ABSN programs but I really want to have a soild foundation so I'm totally okay with putting in an extra year of school. How about you? Are you considering an ABSN at all? If you don't mind sharing, what kind of medical background do you have?