[Rose30045]

Congradulations grapenuts. I am Rose and I just joined this site today. I was accepted for Fall of 2008 as well. I will be attending the Lawrenceville campus since it is about 10 minutes from my house. I am excited yet nervous at the same time. I have gotten most of my vaccinations taken care of, since I did not have my old records I had titers done for MMR and ChickenPox. I am getting my Hep B vaccines now and I had my TB test. I went to the health department and it was around 200 for everything. If you have your shot records from when you were little that is more helpful.

I have not signed up for a CPR class yet, that is next on my list.

[GGT1]

Hey, does anyone know if we can use an older edition in some of the required books? Specifically the Fundamentals of Nursing. It says we need the 6th Edition but even if you pick up the 5th edition the price is greatly reduced.

[MecoInGa]

I used an older version in both Fundamentals and Med-surg. I just found the cooresponding literature in the book that I was using. The info was basically the same. When studying for exams, I really went over the powerpoints and use my textbook along with any other supplemental material if there was something in the powerpoint that I needed a better understanding of.

[GGT1]

Thanks! What edition of Med-surg did you use? Is it a 2 volume set?

[MecoInGa]

Hi GGT1, I sent you a PM........

[camicorn]

I have applied to the GPC program that begins in January, 2009 at the Clarkston campus. I have been attending GPC for the last year doing all my prereq's. I have heard horrible things about GPC's nursing program, and after logging in last night and reading some comments, I am terrified. I am a single mom with four children, my first daughter will begin college in the fall. I feel as if I have one shot at this, and am afraid my experience at GPC's nursing program will be my downfall. I have loved GPC up to this point, but after talking with one of the acedemic advisors at the Dunwoody campus, she confirmed to me that the dropout rate is over 50%. Any recent graduates of GPC care to offer up some help??? Thanks so much!

[MecoInGa]

I'm not sure what drop out rate that advisor was speaking of but I don't think its the nursing program. Our class that will be going ins 3rd semester in the fall lost around 5 students. Ppl leave for different reason. Some figure out that GPC's program just isn't for them. The last class that got pinned 2 weeks ago had 73 students. If you read previous comments about GPC, then you'll think they would've graduated 12 students. Don't get me wrong, it's tough.....really tough, but for the most part I've enjoyed it. I read the post about GPC b4 going, but I kept an open mind and I also went on the student board and read other post about other school. Some things can be changed and probably will, some of the changes might occur while I'm there and some may not.

My daughter also starts college in the Fall......WOW!!!! She will be a nurse. Have I tried to convince her to go to GPC, NO....Why? One thing that I'v noticed is that you have to have a certain mindset and be very determined. Not saying she isn't, I just just know that she's young, new to the college environment and I feel that she needs to take it slower......GPC is good for prereqs but the nursing program is fast, very fast and you have to be ready. I think that she'll be more sucessful someplace else, plus a bachelors is what she's going after. Everyone is different. You can't base you success off of someone else's success or their failure. Do what you think is right for YOU.

Take care and I wish you the bestof luck in your decision.

[abmsam]

The last class pinned was 73 students, but both the beginning class size (both campuses combined) is 150. That's a little more than a 50% dropout rate.

[MecoInGa]

That's just it ABMSAM, I don't know exactly what the class start was for each campus, and if it's true that 50% drop out, who am I to say their reason for dropping. Some might've decided it wasn't for them, some might've had other personal issues going on outside of school and yes, some might have failed all together. But who am I to discourage others from their dream. Yes, GPC can do a lot of things to improve, but heck, so can a lot of other institutions.

Those of you that are going to GPC in the Fall and going forward, think POSITIVE. I also read the threads prior to starting and I was terrified. I'm not sure of your situation, but for me I almost didn't have any other choice. Well, I could've waited and applied other places, but I just didn't think that I could turn down an acceptance that I already had. I know of others who are single moms (financial and convenience) and some that don't have transportation (convenience and MARTA) that's made GPC their choice for those reasons. Thinking negative and continuously hearing the negative isn't going to help you. I said it once and I will continue, yes there are things that can be changed, but my experience haven't been nearly as terrible as I've heard/read, which tells me that other's experience doesn't have to be mine or yours. Others have and are doing it and so can you. Some days you may feel like crying and some will give you the confirmation as to why you chose nursing from the start. Stay true to yourself and give it all you got. You really can do it.

[nursinginga]

I would like to also say that those who have negative responses to GPC are entitled to their opinions as are those of us who feel GPC is making changes to better the program.

I must say that from my experience with GPC, I feel they truly are making a step towards the better. I have been with GPC since Fall 2006 and must say that one of the best things I ever did was spoke with students from other schools, both Associate and Bachelor degree program seekers, and found that all of them have issues. It is not just GPC. Yes, GPC does have issues they could make better, but it takes time and believe me the changes are occurring. For those who believe only 50% pass then you must do your research also. Most schools have this close of a pass rate when it is all said and done.

Speak to anyone and you will find them saying time and time again that NURSING SCHOOL in general is not easy. You must have a passion for it and a commitment to becoming a nurse. It is so very important to remember this and be strong and don't let the negativity hold you down, let it empower you, and stay positive.

Good luck to all of you and if you have any questions you can PM me anytime.