Kapiolani Community College

U.S.A. Hawaii

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Slobgob

184 Posts

lol.

was wondering where the heck you got that spelling... =)

I know the spelling the well... being haole and all. Although... at work... I talk so much some of them think i'm part portagee.

Elizabeth K.

43 Posts

Specializes in ER.

Jolie: I think the issue with KCC is merely that there are only a few slots available each semester. It boils down to accepting 1 in 3 or 1 in 4 applicants -- depending on how many apply each semester. It costs a lot of money to educate students in this program, so this is probably why they are giving preference to residents.

Regardless of the resident/non-resident issue, it is very tough to get into KCC's program. I would suggest that you apply at other schools as a back-up. That's what I plan to do.

Lastly, please do not feel intimidated by this whole "locals vs. haoles" thing. I am a local girl -- born and raised here. I'm also part Native-Hawaiian. I can tell you it's not like how Hollywood portrays it to be sometimes. I have many friends on the mainland that think they are going to come here and get beat up by locals. Not true.

Sure, there are some bad apples and a few cases of "we hate haoles", but in my almost 38 years of living here, it's been a rare occurrence. I have worked with many military wives over the years and the biggest complaint I hear is not that locals mistreat them but that they get "island fever" (because you can't just jump in your car and drive to another state). Second to that is missing the four seasons.

For the most part, we locals will treat people with respect as long as they treat us the same.

Lastly, kudos to you for being a military wife. I've dated military men before. I've also been through deployments going back to Desert Storm. It's a tough job being a military wife. You sacrifice a lot to travel the world to be with your man and support his career.

I haven't been in your shoes yet in that I haven't had to move, but I was close to it (long story). Point is, I can somewhat understand the frustration you go through with every move. Hang in there!

(((HUGS))))

augiebear

52 Posts

To All Who Are Offended By My Reply:

I apologize if I hurt anyone's feelings by my reply but understand that you are not the first to complain about Kapiolani Community College. I think it is unfair to think that because your husband is in the military you are entitled to the state of Hawaii's funding for KCC's nursing program. Yes, I am sure it is tough to have to pick up your life and follow your husband where ever he is sent and my best wishes to your husband where ever and whenever he is deployed but how does this alone entitle you to Hawaii's state money? Your husband chose to join the military, you are choosing to support him, so how is this anyone else's problem? Please don't take your anger out on our schools here just because they are not catering to you. I worked at a restaurant and we only take local checks ( for reasons being that out-of state checks are a lot more risky and we could potentially lose a lot of money). This woman was so enraged and yelled at me saying "But we are in the military, my husband fights for you and you wont take his money?" This seems to be the perspective that you have regarding a state funded program and this attitude, I feel, is totally irrelevant. My sister's husband is also in the military and she wants to be a police officer but since it is a timely process, it is quite hard for her to accomplish this because of the moving around and her husband being deployed so she is going to wait until he is out of the military to pursue her career, the difference between you and her is that she is not mad at the world for not catering to her life situation. If you want empathy and understanding I suggest you give some of both and maybe then, you will receive it.

P.S.- Technically, the United States is illegally occupying the KINGDOM OF HAWAII!!

ticked

6 Posts

I have found the entire state system with regards to nursing students to be just one big pain in the glutius maximus.

For starters: I investigated UH Manoa's program and they were actually the best bet, the woman in charge offered that I could go part time while I worked and she was very welcoming - that's for the RN Program. As it happens I have an MS in another discipline and was working a full time job, so I ended up putting things off.

When I had the opportunity to look into this again, I went to an information session at KCC for their nursing program..... it was the most circular, convoluted information session I have ever attended. She looked directly at me to inform me that there was a 'free' program available for Hawaiin people. I am not Hawaiian.

Sallying forward with her information, it was never clear when the program started, when it ended or what the next step was. It appeared that they have a LONG WAITING LIST, and I have never received any followup information regarding my status on this list.

With regards to Residence - you will receive conflicting answers from their staff. You will receive some information on the telephone about start dates, but you will not receive your application form in time for the next session.... in short my dear, they are anxious to enroll local girls fresh out of high school into their program. SO, finding a spot in their classroom will be a challenge. Good luck.

And, as you will note from the response above, many local women are very concerned about the influx of people from the mainland. While you may not be entitled to money from the state of Hawaii, the KCC program, if you can get into it, is not very costly. Good luck again!!!

mcubed45

434 Posts

When I had the opportunity to look into this again, I went to an information session at KCC for their nursing program..... it was the most circular, convoluted information session I have ever attended. She looked directly at me to inform me that there was a 'free' program available for Hawaiin people. I am not Hawaiian.

Sallying forward with her information, it was never clear when the program started, when it ended or what the next step was. It appeared that they have a LONG WAITING LIST, and I have never received any followup information regarding my status on this list.

With regards to Residence - you will receive conflicting answers from their staff. You will receive some information on the telephone about start dates, but you will not receive your application form in time for the next session.... in short my dear, they are anxious to enroll local girls fresh out of high school into their program. SO, finding a spot in their classroom will be a challenge. Good luck.

Actually they're interested in enrolling the most qualified Hawaii residents. KCC is very highly competitive. It's also a great program. I can't speak in regards to the session you attended, but the one I attended was very informative and straight forward. I've never had a problem getting answers to questions and the pre-nursing advisors have been very helpful. My experience is at UHM was very similar. Then again, I did a lot of research before attending and thoroughly reviewed all their admission requirements and policies. The information is all there on the web sites. I can see how going in cold to an information session would be pretty overwhelming as there's A LOT involved in the application process.

Btw KCC does not have a wait list. They only take the most qualified applicants. If you don't make the cut you will be waiting indefinitely.

ctekholm

7 Posts

So, I have a quick question... Besides scores, GPR, work experience, and whether or not you took the co-reqs.. Are there any other things the ADN program considers when accepting an applicant?

Its only out of curiosity. There were some crazy things I heard like they try to accept male applicants since they get so few? 20 something % I believe. or how about if you're polynesian?

makoa

21 Posts

Ctekholm,

According to the way they calculate your eligibility, your raw numbers are entered into a computer and a list is spit out. Since its based on a point system, our applications are just numbers to them. SUPPOSEDLY (this is straight from an awardee) a few semesters ago, Kamehameha's Financial Aid program in conjunction with KCC launched a pilot program for Hawaiian students. They only accepted the qualified students that particular semester and are tracking them through the program right now.

Have you applied yet? I put my app in for this upcoming pool entry and am crossing my fingers but I know my chances are not as good because I still have 2 classes to finish. I am going to retake the NLN in January to see if I can get a better score. When are you planning on applying?

Goodluck!

ctekholm

7 Posts

Hey Makoa, thanks for the info. What was your original composite score? best of luck to you! I'll apply next semester for the fall of 2010.. Long ways from now but i'm working hard on my GPA. What classes are you in now?

I think its worth the shot if you are able. I would. Not now though.

makoa

21 Posts

Hi ctekholm. I thought it was worth the shot too because I only have 2 classes left. I am taking Anthro 200 from Prasad (I recommend her if you like to write papers, we have 4 due altogether with a semester long paper but the 5 exams are all open book) and I am taking PHARM 203 from Tanji at LCC. Right now I have a 4.0 and my composite was 141. Supposedly that is supposed to be a competitive score. Have you taken the NLN yet? Don't be like me. I didn't watch the time and they didn't warn us and when I finally looked up at the time I had 20 questions left on part 1 with 30 seconds to go. So I had to randomly fill in 20 questions on the first part-which you cannot go back to. You can bet I watched my time during the science and math portions. I am taking it again in January and hope I can do better. Actually, I am hoping that I don't need to take the darn thing again and that I can get in for Spring (Jan) 2010. If not, then I will be putting in my app for Spring 2010 like you.

What classes are you taking right now, maybe I can give you some tips. I just took MATH 100, ZOOL 142 & 142L (online from Dunn) in the summer from KCC.

ctekholm

7 Posts

Makoa,

You sound like you're set! That's a pretty great score too, Why take it again if you don't mind my asking? Anyways though, I'm sure you would do even better if you managed your time.

I haven't taken the NLN yet so I don't know what to expect. I haven't taken the classes you're in but am probably signing up for them next semester. I'm fairly new to completing a focused set of pre-requisites, so I haven't gone as far as you have. Right now I'm taking math, a humanity, MICRO 130 from teena, ZOOL 141 from harada, and CHEM from pandya.

makoa

21 Posts

I took all my classes online except for math because I needed the inclass experience. THis is my second degree & I grad from UHM 12 years ago in a different field. Unfortunately although I took all of these sciences then, I had to retake them. I could only use my chem, a humanities & psyc100 from my old degree. I started taking classes in January and I will be complete this semester. Sounds like you have a good load there, try not to stress. Zoology online was great for me but so much to memorize. It's zoology 142 that you have to worry about, that gets deeper than 141. Speaking with the counselor there at KCC, he said they are looking to bring on 2 new instructors this semester so he said it is possible this semester (and subsequent semesters) that they would take up to 50 students instead of 30. Did you hear the news this morning? A record 590 students in the nursing and dental hygiene program at UHM. THat's a lot to compete with especially when there is no nursing shortage here in Hawaii. Watch these posts and you will see that getting a job when you graduate may be very difficult. My advice to you if you can is to take a CNA class and work a few hours while you go to nursing school. It's my current plan. THen after one year and a semester in the nursing program you may sit for your LPN exam. It is very important to have some experience before you graduate, Hawaii hospitals do not hire new graduates very often.

Goodluck with your studies. I will be waiting to hear from KCC. THey will be mailing out the acceptance letters by mid October and I will be away on a trip with my kids when that letter comes. How nerveracking.

makoa

21 Posts

Sorry ctekholm, I went rambling off and I didn't answer your questions! I am planning on taking the test again to see if I can get a better score to guarantee my entry in Fall 2010, and for personal reasons as well. I was very upset at myself for running out of time and want to see what I really would have gotten if I finished the whole test. As for the NLN, I suggest you buy the book now even if you are not ready to take it. The study guide is from the NLN is EXCELLENT. It's almost ditto of the test. Of course not the same exact questions but everything you need to know is on there. I also suggest you start a vocabulary list for yourself now. Take one that's already compiled from the internet. The GRE list is a great start: http://www.testprepreview.com/vocabulary.htm. Put it in a word document and them add words as you go along. THen, take the vocabulary words from the NLN study guide and add them to the list too, you will definitely need to be keen on your vocabulary. You'll be fresh on math and sciences just from taking classes but we don't take any "vocabulary" classes. Again, you have a full load so be careful and do good, study hard and don't give up!

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