[TheNewDino]

Anyone here taken (or plans on taking) the associate degree nursing program at Southern Maine Community College?
What was your experience?
I'm enrolled right now in a CNA course, but would like to take the nursing program next fall.
~Michelle

[Yet2bRN]

Hey Michelle, I don't know too much about the nursing program at SMCC but do know that they have an average 3 semester waitlist!!! I withdraw my application fom there (due to distance) and am now hoping to be accepted to NHCTC - Stratham for the fall of 2006. I really would like to go to York County Community College in Wells , when and if they start their "pending" nursing program. I keep wondering whether or not to do CNA work while I wait for a slot in a nursing program. Good Luck with your CNA class.

[Bailey500]

Originally Posted by Yet2bRN

Hey Michelle, I don't know too much about the nursing program at SMCC but do know that they have an average 3 semester waitlist!!! I withdraw my application fom there (due to distance) and am now hoping to be accepted to NHCTC - Stratham for the fall of 2006. I really would like to go to York County Community College in Wells , when and if they start their "pending" nursing program. I keep wondering whether or not to do CNA work while I wait for a slot in a nursing program. Good Luck with your CNA class.

Hi, I gradutated from NHCTC-Stratham in 2004...highly recommend it, and I was prepared for the boards, and am doing well as an RN now. good luck with the process.
as far as YCCC, good luck with that too. the chair of the program there left NHCTC-Stratham to start up that program, so I'm sure it'll eventually be a great program.

[JPine]

Originally Posted by TheNewDino

Anyone here taken (or plans on taking) the associate degree nursing program at Southern Maine Community College?
What was your experience?
I'm enrolled right now in a CNA course, but would like to take the nursing program next fall.
~Michelle

I didn't attend school there, but they do have a good reputation.

[lvs2nrs3535]

Hi,
I am a fourth semester student at SMCC. Cant say I LOVED the program, nursing school is no piece of cake, but I do believe I am going to be a good nurse, and I feel confident about going out into the real world. The waiting list is long, you have to make sure you read all the fine print, i.e., you have to have taken and passed the pharmaceutical calculations course before you can get ON the waiting list. But for $$ it is the best buy around. 79 per credit hour. First semester was brutal, all I can say is keep your head down, keep your mouth shut, and study, study, study!! I think they make it that way to keep the people who cant handle it out. After all, if you cant handle tough instructors, how are you going to handle tough patients?
My clinical experiences have been wonderful, I have learned so much. Also our NCLEX pass rate is excellent, last graduating class it was 100%. I have also had a lot of feedback at my clinicals that the hospitals really like our students, we do a lot of hands on, and I have been told more than once that it shows.
Having said that, I dont know if a four semester program that is easier to get into isnt a better idea, it really took me four years to get my ADN, (knock on wood I graduate in May), because it took me two years to get accepted and to pass all the prerequisites. It really is a tough choice. On one hand, the four year programs get you started right away, but my impression is that you dont get to start your clinicals till the second or third year. (Anybody in a four year program know if this is true?)Then again, I still have to keep going to school (part-time) to get my BSN and to advance into any kind of nursing management. BUT, I get to work and make money while I am doing this, plus most hospitals ect. have tuition reimbursement.
My best advice is weigh your pros and cons on both sides, and see if you can talk to students of the schools you are considering. Also, put your application in, it cant hurt, then you will find out what you need to be accepted. You can apply online at smcc.me.edu.
Good Luck

[NephroBSN]

Originally Posted by TheNewDino

Anyone here taken (or plans on taking) the associate degree nursing program at Southern Maine Community College?
What was your experience?
I'm enrolled right now in a CNA course, but would like to take the nursing program next fall.
~Michelle

If I were you I wouldn't rule out USM . It's a four year college but if SMCC has a long waiting list you might be finished your BSN before you could finish an ADN.

I went to both. I did a Psych course and a biology course there and they transferred to USM.. Check with USM as you might be able to do some pre-reqs at SMCC for cheap and then get into the BSN program at USM

I graduated USM in 1996. In December. They offered courses during the summer just for 20 of us so we could graduate early.

Good luck in whatever you chose. After you get your CNA find a place to work and check out their tuition re-imbursement.

Some of those hospitals in So. Maine are paying for most of the ADN and might pay for a fair amount of your BSN.

[cas214]

I hope people still read this thread...

From what I hear it is impossible to hold down a job while you're enrolled in the clinical courses at SMCC's nursing program. Is this true? What is the work load like?

Also, how would people rate the program there? Compared to other programs in ME, what is it's "prestige" factor"?

Any info would be spectacular!!

[JPine]

Originally Posted by cas214

I hope people still read this thread...

From what I hear it is impossible to hold down a job while you're enrolled in the clinical courses at SMCC's nursing program. Is this true? What is the work load like?

Also, how would people rate the program there? Compared to other programs in ME, what is it's "prestige" factor"?

Any info would be spectacular!!

I worked during nursing school, but only about 8-15 hours a week.

As far as "prestige" goes I wouldn't worry about it in Maine except if you're going to Husson - their NCLEX pass rates are always very low.

[lvs2nrs3535]

As a grad from SMCC I may be biased, but I think we are known for having good clinical skills. Out of my graduating class of 32 in May 06, 18 of us got jobs at Maine Medical Center. (since MMC was only hiring 40 grad nurses total, I think that speaks well of how our schools skills are valued). Our NCLEX pass rate is one of the highest around, only one student didnt pass the first time, all my other fellow students and myself passed the first time. The last two graduatiing classes had 100% pass rates. I was not able to maintain a job during clinicals, but I have a home, small children, pets and a husband. A lot of my fellow students had part-time jobs. But the clinicals are brutal, for sure. Be prepared to bust your butt. It sometimes seemed like it would never be over, but the people who committed to it made it through. The people who failed or bailed on the program were not committed to or maybe unprepared for the amount of studying and endless homework. Just like in nursing, loads of charting and documentation. Research, papers, care plans. It was all worth it, though. I had for the most part wonderful clinicals, and I was truly prepared to start as a graduate nurse. And now my career and my real learning has started!!! (I couldnt hack the 12 hour shifts, though, too much on me and my family, I had to take a job at a facility where I could get mothers hours, 7-3. I am much much happier and less stressed out now.)
For myself, SMCC was a great choice. Just be prepared for how intense it will be.
GOOD LUCK!

[cathleenmermaid]

Thank you KristyBSN for your advice. I am now enrolled at SMCC for my pre-requites for my ADN. I have been a CNA for 10 years. I really felt
more comfortable after you said that the clinicals set you up to be a great
nurse! WOW a BSN is such an accomplishment you should be proud of!!
I am 47 yrs old, I have also been a restaurant manager of a fine-dining
250 seat restaurant but I have always known since I was a child my passion was nursing. Thanks for your positive outlook it will help me keep
looking forward.