Ready to Apply CT Community Colleges- Nursing Program 2010

[orourkco]

I was hoping to continue a great thread that I read last year, Ready to Apply CT Colleges 2009. It was a bunch of people looking to get into the CT Community Colleges nursing program for 2009-2010 academic year! They really banded together and answered questions for each other.

I was hoping to start the same thing for this year.

So, applications for the 2011-2012 year come out in just over a month. November 1st!!!

What has everyone been doing to prepare for the application process. What classes are you currently taking? Has anyone taken the TEAS yet? What was your score? What school is your 1st choice?

Speak up people!

[orourkco]

Thanks JBMmommy, I printed out my application on November 1st and then carried it aroung for a while before I handed it in. I was so afraid to handit in- it seems so final ya know?

Anyway, I havent seen any other posts like last year- maybe application rates will drop? What school are you applying to? What classes have you taken? What was your TEAS score? (if you don't mind sharing)

I HATE WAITING!!!

I have taken all of my non-nursing classes, and got an 83 on my TEAS (Still wondering fi that is even competitive). I wish we had info like what was the average TEAS score for the class that was accepted, or what was the avergae GPA... I dont know why they dont do that?

I am applying only to Gateway- fingers crossed- waiting not-so-patiently for now. Do you know when they let people know if they got accepted? Is it March?

[JBMmom, MSN, NP]

I spoke with someone who's familiar with the admissions process from the community colleges and the rough estimate I got of last year's class was that the average TEAS test score was around an 81%. The average GPA was somewhere around a 3.4. I know that the application numbers for this year at Three Rivers are higher than they were at this time last year, but last year they ended up with 113 qualified applicants at the end of the application period. Good luck to you. I considered the Gateway program for the evening option because I'd like to be able to keep working full time. But I live in Niantic and I was afraid that the commute would end up being too much for me to keep up with everything- (I would fall asleep in the car). Hope you get in!

[orourkco]

Thats why I picked gateway too (but I live much closer). Although, in looking at the classes for Fall 2010- they start at 3:00pm so I dont know how they consider that much of a Night Program.

It will be interesting to see who else joins this group. Good luck to you and lets keep in touch!

[orourkco]

Does anyone know what the cost of nursing school is? What the acceptance fee is (the fee to hold your space)? I looked to see what typical 8 credits would cost at Gateway, but I was wondering if the 8 credit "Intro to Nursing Practice" would eb the same rate, or higher? Any ideas?

[mattfd37]

Intro is $1013.00 Its a night program because lecture is 4-6 and lab 3:30-9ish. They will offer a day clinical if they get enough people. Why wouldn't you select your top three schools instead of just applying to one? I didn't know you could do that. And working FT, it can be done, but be careful. They made us make a chart for the week and put in all our activities (personal,studying and clinicals) to show us what extra time we will have..it wasn't much.

[orourkco]

Matt, thanks for the info. I applied only to Gateway because they have the only "night" program. Thanks for the info on the tuition- it's not as bad as I expected.

Are you attending school right now? If so, how are you liking the program?

I do understand the time commitment, but I have to work full-time to pay for my monthyl expenses. I realize this is going to be stressful, but I have a wonderful husband who is very supportive (he better be because I supported him while he finished paramedic school, and firefighting training- owes me! lol).

Plus, I will be working from home on Wednesday's, and I think being able to stay a little longer in my PJ's might help between the two clinical days... thats why I picked Wed. as my work from home day.

I know I am putting all my eggs in one basket, but I really like the Gateway program, and its the only one that "fits" with my schedule... fingers crossed... thinking positive!

[mattfd37]

I start on the 25th. If he's not supportive, I work with a lot of medics and firefighters who'll make him see the light! :) FYI - M & TH are lecture days and T & W are clinical days.

[orourkco]

I was wondering what you TEAS score was, if you don't mind me asking. I handed in my application- but I don't know if I should continue to take the TEAS test, and settle for the score I have now.

Good Luck on the 25th!!!

[mattfd37]

I got a 77.6 and was waitlisted (#18). NVCC was my first choice and Gateway was my second. They gave me a choice of GCC or NCC so obviously I took GCC. They accept 48 students per period(Sept/Jan). I would take it again and try to get into the 90's to solidify you chances. You should have a good shot with an 83. The staff is awesome and are there to help which is great. I hope you get in!

[orourkco]

Thanks for the encouragement. What was your GPA? This is all very helpful info, I may take the TEAS again now. When did you hear you were waitlisted, an when did you get your Gateway offer? What type of orientation dd you have?

[mattfd37]

My gpa was a 3.1 and got an A in A&P1. I didn't hear anything until April or May. Remember, you along with at least 800 other people all hand in their apps, gets entered,gets sent up to Hartford,entered again and then you're ranked with everybody then the computer sorts people based on preferences.. so it takes a while. But I didn't get the phone call from Hartford until early July saying I came off the waitlist (which I didn't think I had a chance in heck). We had a 3 day orientation 4-8p. It was really drawn out but it was helpful. We learned to "read" a textbook, how to take exams etc... had family night where you bring your spouse or support people and we all had a pot luck dinner and they explain to the support people what we're getting into..which was very nice. Apparently the director had to call something like 6 husbands and 2 wives last semester and explain that their spouses aren't having affairs (because they were never home or came home 4 hrs after class ends.) Crazy stuff!

[orourkco]

That is hysterical. I had to sit through the same orientation (as a spouse) for my husbands paramedic program. He was never home!

Thank you again for letting me "pick your brain" it is so hard to know what you are getting yourself into because there is NOTHING on Gateway's website about the actual program. I attended the nursing info session, but it basically for people who dont understand the application process (and what pre-requisites need to be taken)

Thanks again.