[thejigisup]

Hello,

I will be starting GPC Nursing program January, 2008. My orientation sheet, which was mailed along with my acceptance letter, reads that there is a critical thinking test for one hour. What is this test like? Also, the paper reads, "Overview ERI testing". Whats is that?

[nursinginga]

I am a current 2nd year student at GPC. The critical thinking test is not anything to worry about. It is only used to assess your critical thinking skills and to allow you and the instructors to know areas you are strong in and areas you are weak in. The ERI Testing is a standardized national test that is given at periodic times during your program and is used to test your knowledge and application skills. Some are only diagnostic, but others are actually for a grade. You are welcome to ask questions at orientation or find a seasoned student and ask them. I hope this helps and we look forward to meeting you in January. Also, my name is Heather and I will be meeting you all at the orientation luncheon. Send me a note if you have any other questions.

[PreRN Katie]

Hey ya'll, I'm looking into nursing school and GPC is one of the places I'm going to try for. If you don't mind me asking, what kind of GPA did you have that got you accepted into the nursing program? Also, you have to have A&P I & II and Microbio before you start, correct? Thanks a bunch!

[nursinginga]

It is recommended that you have A&P 1 and 2 and Micro out of the way before you start the nursing program, but the best thing to do is to check the website at: www.gpc.edu/~nursing to find out the specifics about what they are requiring for the program now. Also, there are many factors besides GPA that go into the admissions process. You are required to take a NET test and also your overall GPA and Science prerequisite GPA is looked at. The GPA standards change each semester so it may be best to also check the website for this.

[PreRN Katie]

I just looked at the website and it looks like I could apply immediately after I complete my BS since I'm taking A&P 1 as a free elective, hooray! Thanks so much for your help!

[thejigisup]

Thanks for responding. To PreRN Katie, I was a transfer student with an overall GPA of an 3.4, It seems all I had was B's and like 3 A's.

To westheat, where are the hospital rotations set up for GPC? Also, are students allowed to use calculators during math tests? Please feel free to give any advise, for I am buying books and reading material already.

[nursinginga]

Yes, you are allowed to use a calculator for the math tests (the ones provided on the computer). As for the clinical rotations, I wish I could tell you for sure which ones there are, but it does change a little each semester. It would be best to find out which ones when you begin the semester. I hope this helps.

[PreRN Katie]

thanks so much for filling me in, i think i have about the same gpa with all the sciences so hopefully i'll do well on the NET, etc and be able to get in.

I am now in my second year. This year we've had a lot of unhappy students regarding the ERI. This test is given every semester. If you have an A in the class and do not pass the ERI (two chances), you do not pass the semester. You have to repeat and your grade is taken down to a D. The test is a pass or fail. Currently students are trying to have it change from a pass or fail to a percent of your grade. I think this is a pointless effort on their part. The faculty doesn't care and doesn't listen to the students voice. This semester we have to take the ERI three times for each subject. That gives you three time to pass or fail out of the class. The test are national and you may not even have been given some of the subject matter that is on the test. They do give you a brief study a couple days prior.

[nursinginga]

I just want to say that I have been through the ERI tests more than once and although it may seem that they are unfair, they are fair. The tests are based on national averages but they are also based on GPC's average grades. If you study the material throughout the semester, you will not have a problem passing the exams. Yes, it is a pain that it is a pass/fail, but you must check with other schools to find out if this is not true for all of the others who are required to take the tests (I believe you will find this is the case with a majority of others schools or else they have a different type of pass/fail testing system set up). Also, I did not pass my Pediatric ERI this past semester and I was given plenty of remediation for the exam before I would have been allowed to take it again.

Also, I think it is quite unfair for you to say that "the faculty doesn't care and doesn't listen to the students voice". I know that this is your own opinion, but you cannot lump 1-2 people (faculty) into a whole and say they are all this way. I have spoken with many faculty while I have been attending GPC and most of them are very open to listening to the students and that is why changes are being made as we speak with the program because students didn't just sit and complain, they spoke up and tried to get things done. I commend the students who are speaking up about the ERIs and wish them the best of luck.

I really truly hope that you are able to set aside your negativity and work hard at achieving your goals of becoming a nurse. Trust me, I have been in your place of feeling that no one cares but they (most of them) truly do care about you making it.