getting into roxbury community college nursing program

U.S.A. Massachusetts

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HI! i was wondering if someone could help me. I've applied for the nursing program at rcc for Jan 2011 and i'm doubtful if I have a chance of getting in. I have a gpa of 3.01 but my gpa for the pre-requisites is much higher. i got an overall score of 84.1% (89th percentile rank) on the teas with 82.5% in reading, 84.4% in math, 83.3% in science, and 85.5% in English. The program average was 74% with 86.9% (mean) in reading, 68.1% in math, 64.4% in science, and 75.4% in English. I'm just really worried because I didn't score higher than the program average on the reading. Does any one know if that'll hurt me a lot? What part of the teas do they look at the most? Plus I got a letter in the mail from them saying my application is incomplete because I didn't hand in the immunization form. It also said that I need to hand it in in order for them to accept me into the college. It ended with "we look forward to seeing you next semester". Does this mean I've been accepted but they're just waiting for me to hand the form in?

Fullefect1- Good luck with everything, I know you'll find an awesome job soon. Sabr&Shukr- Thanks for your replies.. And Good Luck in RN school!

I have a question, how long did it take for you to hear back from RCC regarding if you've been selected.

Application deadline for the Fall was 3/15. Not sure if they've sent out acceptance letters yet.

Is there someone I can contact?? Did any of you keep in contact with someone specifically at RCC.

DM me, whenever you get a chance. THX!

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They did not tell us that we got in until about 2-3 weeks before the the start of the semester. Good luck!

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Some in my group were sent their letters the week before classes start.. some times when there is someone who doesn't show to class, they will let you know after the first class has already started.

I wouldn't put the blame on the Nursing Department.. from what I understand, is that they have no say in who goes into their program, or at least not as much say as the admissions director.

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So far I have had 2 interviews.. I am going back for a second interview today at at sub-acute floor in a rehab facility north of the city. I have no CNA experience so I do feel that I am at a disadvantage.. By the time you graduate, all of the old timers will stop delaying there retirement and jobs should be very much more opened up..

Best Wishes Fullefect! Please keep me posted. I keep hearing about all the hiring freezes going on. I keep praying it'll get better. You think about nursing jobs and assume jobs will be plentiful, but then you enter school and get to find out how it really is. I've always wanted to be a nurse, now 3 years+ of school, I'm beginning to wonder what'll happen when I get out? I hope things do begin to turn around. With all the schools who have waiting lists, offer degrees, certificates, and everything else, there is just so much competition, plus the nurses who are afraid to retire because they've lost their retirement funds during the economy's down-turn.

Everything happens for a reason though, so I guess it's better to look at everything on the positive side. Like I said, please keep me posted. I'm keeping you in my prayers.

TREndzetta - Like Madameflychica said, we didn't know until 2-3 weeks before the semester started. I think some of it had to do with them getting over 800 applicants, and to be fair, they had to go through each one. My letter was dated around Dec. 9th or so, but I didn't get a phone call until after the 14th. So I had to go pick up the letter, and I missed orientation, I believe it was the 13th. I moved back to the Boston area in late August, and I handed in my application a week before Oct. 15th (The application deadline). I didn't sign up for financial aid, until some time in September, so I was behind on a lot of stuff. But you have a lot of time from now, until Fall semester begins, so I hope you get enough advance.

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Best Wishes Fullefect! Please keep me posted. I keep hearing about all the hiring freezes going on. I keep praying it'll get better. You think about nursing jobs and assume jobs will be plentiful, but then you enter school and get to find out how it really is. I've always wanted to be a nurse, now 3 years+ of school, I'm beginning to wonder what'll happen when I get out? I hope things do begin to turn around. With all the schools who have waiting lists, offer degrees, certificates, and everything else, there is just so much competition, plus the nurses who are afraid to retire because they've lost their retirement funds during the economy's down-turn.

Hey Sabr&Shukr,

I got the sub-acut/rehab job at a LTC. Out of 18 applicants they picked someone else for the job I was applying to, but gave me another position basically saying I will get full benifits, but only so far have 16 hours. They said that by the end of orientation, they should have an open spot for me or I will cover peoples vacation times, and calls in until there is open spot. I wouldn't worry to much about 2 years from now.... it is getting better...

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Hey Sabr&Shukr,

I got the sub-acut/rehab job at a LTC. Out of 18 applicants they picked someone else for the job I was applying to, but gave me another position basically saying I will get full benifits, but only so far have 16 hours. They said that by the end of orientation, they should have an open spot for me or I will cover peoples vacation times, and calls in until there is open spot. I wouldn't worry to much about 2 years from now.... it is getting better...

Congratulations!!!!! :yeah:

I'm so happy for you! That is such great news! My best wishes to you in all that you do. It gives hope to those that are out there still applying. Hopefully it'll just get better from here. Keep us posted and congrats again!!

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Hi fullefect,

I had a question about your job-hunting process. I have a BS and am trying to decide if I need to get a BSN. Did you find that it was more difficult to get a job as a ADN vs. a BSN nurse? Thanks for all the advice you've given us and congrats on your new job! :yeah:

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Hi fullefect,

I had a question about your job-hunting process. I have a BS and am trying to decide if I need to get a BSN. Did you find that it was more difficult to get a job as a ADN vs. a BSN nurse? Thanks for all the advice you've given us and congrats on your new job! :yeah:

I didn't really apply to hospitals/ didn't expect to get calls back... so I dont' think it made to much of difference for the subacute I am in now. My previous experience was in ImmunoAssay Manufacturing/QC and Biomechanic orthopedic research.... so it wasn't nursing, but my current employer did say that they valued my previous experience, and knowledge at a somewhat different level than than someone who just graduated from school who didn't have a professional background.

So if you have signficant professional experience which you can show that you can lead, streamline and make effecient, cost cut, critical think, and multitask.... I would say that you may have an advantage over someone who recieved a BSN who doesn't have experience in this capacity. However, if you are aiming for a big time hospital right out of schoool, they will not take ADN grads right away, but they will take you after a year or so in Acute Care..

If I could have went into the Umass B post bac program I would have done this given the cost compared to the rest of Boston schools that are not worth the cost (unless your employer pays)... but I would have had to wait many months for the program.. and I would have had to quit work. So I guess it is situational... don't be scared to go ADN.. just realize that you may have to go through back doors... and slide into your dream job... which may take longer...

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hi i am just posting to give an update of my status with the program. I am the original poster. I am now into my final semester:yeah:we just finished finals. So far so good. Theresa is honestly the best teacher in the evening program. I don't know about the day program. I hear from a lot of people that were in the day program then switched actually prefer the evening program because of the slower pace. The first semester is pretty basic it's the second one that really killed people. At least ten people didnt pass. The second semester is when you really have to buckle down. My clinical for that semester too was brutal A LoT of paper work. I had a tough teacher but I am very thankful because he taught my group a lot and challenged us.If you pass the second semester you should have no problem with passing the third. I was really luckly to have a great clinical instructor ( he name is Mr. *) and taught two semesters of clinical work in one. He even helped me get a cna job at the same hospital I did my clinicals , which I really recommend doing because it can increase your chances of getting a job at a hospital ,if they like you, you get used to being around patients and you can learn a lot. There are some disadvantages like sometimes they are not very organized and the lab part is not great but it also depends on your teachers too. Also they say not to work more than 15 hrs or whatever. My response to this is that it depends. Practically everyone worked in my class some part-time some full time. I didn't really work for the first year. I started working at BMC in my third semester 32 hrs plus I am a single mother so my schedule is very crazy but I haven't gotten anything less than a B in my courses. I really depends on you but if you are having trouble with school because of work than I would recommend cutting your hours. I hoped this helped.I am just curious into were I should be applying for jobs after I get licensed. If anyone can give their two cents Id appreciate it. Take care thanks!

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I know this post is old, but I was wondering if any of you could share your background? I'm wondering if you took all of your pre-req's before applying? which program did you get into? what was your gpa? did you have any previous experience? And anything else that you think would help me....thank you so much and good luck to you all :inlove:

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Hi Nicolep614,

I took all my prereqs before applying and glad I did. I think it best to get everything else out the way so that you can devote 100% of your brainpower to the nursing program. My gpa was 3.5 but I think it was completing the prereqs and the score on the English and reading section of the TEAS (85 and 90)...my math and science were both just under 70%. When you start the nursing program, be prepared to give up most of your life (seriously!) for the next two years but on the upside, you'll meet a lot of great people in the program who will become family .

Best of luck!

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Did anyone get into the program without finishing there pre reqs?

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