Hello, I want a career in nursing I currently hold a BS and a Master degree my first choice is jeff state but the competition is tough I was wondering if VC's program easier to get in
Yes. VC doesn't have a waiting list because it it costs so much more.
Tuition is quarterly. $5500 each quarter, regardless of # of classes taken. Covers books, tuitition, shots, scrubs, background check, cpr, everything but the physical.
The classes are small in size. Many of your classes you took, if at an accredited college, will be accepted. So you may be able to bump 2 or so quarters off the program if you can get it to less than 6 credits per semester. Certain Nursing courses are offered every other quarter so if you mess up, you will have to sit out a quarter to retake a nursing class.
The nursing instructors are helpful.
Because you have already been to school, Im assuming at an accredited college, your coursework will transfer to a RN-BSN Program.
HOWEVER, any coursework you take there, such as biology, it wont transfer, and you would have to take it again if you decided to persue a BSN.
The thing I went to VC to get was to be able to sit for my NCLEX and be a licensed RN. The RN LICENSE will transfer to any college in the state for a BSN mobility program, but any courses you took will not. Many people get confused when you call around and they immediately say you will not be able to go there if you graduated from VC. If you are a licensed RN, then they look at where your core classes were taken.. in my case, I took them at a community college. I had to make a LOT of calls to some VERY high up people in the nursing programs at the universities to get the straight answer. The pee ons that answer the inquiries just assume you took your core classes from VC so they misinform you.
Also, remember that science courses are only transferrable for 5 years at most colleges.
If you are a licensed RN in the state of Alabama, you can go into a mobility program at the bsn programs, you just have to make sure you took your core classes outside of VC.
So what this means is people who are TIRED of trying to get into community college programs are going to start paying more just to get into a school like VC that offers night classes that arent on a wait list.
WARNING... VC financial planning office is a MESS. So if you are doing loans, grants, or anything other than out of pocket, be VERY careful. I'd strongly advise against it. I saw so many people jacked up by the financial planning process because the rep was just putting in for stuff that they weren't eligible for. Student loans messed up, just a mess. They fired the director of financial planning. And once you have an issue with financial planning, getting it resolved is a major headache.
If you are in Jefferson county, and low income, GO TO THE WIA office next to the Unemployment office. If you get accepted on their program, they will pay for it ALL.
Im 36. You may want to get an NCLEX/ RN book that is an easy read and start studying early. The stuff get's thrown at you fairly quickly. You can learn right then or prelearn.
That is what I have been doing, just reading and studying certain things until they make sense and I retain them. I've got 18 months left until graduation and I try to study "ahead".
I'm extremely happy with my decision. The nursing instructors are very very helpful.
If someone took just the VC courses, they would have a lot of cramming to do with Microbiology, AP1, Nutrition for nursing, and Eng 102 in the same quarter.
I'm very glad I will just have nursing classes. I am able to keep a lighter course load.
I did find out VC requires you to take the ATI NCLEX test and pass with a 95% before you can take the actual NCLEX. A built in guarantee that their graduates will pass with a high rate.
You also have to pass your ATI test for each nursing course subject area with an 80 in order to have passed the class.
You do have to pass your classes and ATI course tests with 80% to proceed but so far it seems they are really geared at getting you where you need to be.
The quarters are shorter. This quarter is already over on 12/06. Started the 1st week of October. Flies by. You do have to study your coursework
also, its pretty cool that my shots n stuff are paid for, I am responsible for my physical, which my Dr did and billed as an annual check up... (its all in the Billing) but then filled out the form later for me with the data.
Books/ scrubs/ lab stuff are all covered as part of tuition.
Im VERY happy with Virginia college. I will keep everyone posted. I did my research and I encourage EVERYONE to do theres.
Q to ask your BA program are
1. If I am licensed as a RN in ALabama by the AL nursing board, is that accepted in lieu of a degree from an accredited school. (example, some nurses have only a hospital Diploma).
2. If I take these classes as a community college, do they transfer.
Mention VC and you hear NO, but ask the above FIRST and then you can lead into
Well, if I graduated from VC, and I am licensed as an RN in Alabama and I took my classes at a community college, does my license and CC coursework not apply. Yes, it does. but if you took English at VC it wont transfer. So take it at a CC.
THANK GOODNESS I didn't listen to the posters HERE!
Not trying to insult but I did do the VC college route because I needed a night/ weekend program that I could transition to a 4 year program and YES, you can do VC and still go to a online program anywhere BUT you MUST take your prereqs/ core classes at a community college. (more on that later).
I did a head start avenue through VC. That is, I did ALL my core classes at Jefferson state so I could be SURE they transferred to the BA program I will attend later.
I contacted the BA programs like University of South Alabama. Initially, they told me VC would not transfer but then I was told my Jeff state classes would and when I graduated and sat for my NCLEX, THAT licensure would be accepted. So you really have to ask the right questions. NO, you wont be able to transfer an english class you take at VC but YES you will be able to transfer the english class you took at a community college.
Not to mention, taking my core classes at the community college cut 2 Q out of the tuition. Everyone said they don't redo the schedule but yes, the Bham location will if you have all your core classes but you won't find that out until you go to actually get your official schedule.
The experience so far is that they have WAY more hands on clinical hours. You only have to compare the amount of Clinical hours to see that VC has the most and that means more hours hands on and less in a classroom/ lecture setting. I'll take that. Plus, the instructors have been VERY helpful and geared towards my success which is completely different than what I experienced so far from jeff state in my core classes. I hear the Jeff state nursing program is brutal.
I've sent my transcript to USA to be evaluated and they said all I need is a licensure to be an RN in Alabama (pass the NCLEX) and my Bus math that I am taking right now, and a lit class, and I can enroll in their BA nursing program online (3 semesters 1 year), and then go for my masters (2 semesters).
I think we all know USA is not a fly by night university.
So yes, I was initially told VC wouldn't transfer and there classes don't. But the Licensure they get you DOES. So take your core classes at the community college, then go to VC if you need the Night option (5pm - 10pm M-Thur) and you don't feel like retaking a class (and waiting another year) to get in the jeff state night/weekend class.
Sure it costs more, but how much will you be losing by not being a nurse for a year?
Also, if you need extra help and support, how much is that worth it. It also seems they keep most of the nursing students in small groups so you have all the same people in your classes and that makes for easy study partners.
see if you can get a copy of their quarter by quarter schedule and perhaps you can cross off enough classes to get that quarter to 4 credits.. and then you request to have that "one" course moved either to the NEXT quarter OR moved to the next time it is offered. At Bham.. courses are offered "every other" quarter.
So a class that can't be moved to quarter #2, may be offered again during quarter #3.
Its not something they advertise.. but when it is time to get your schedule, they won't make you take a class over that you already passed so thats what the program director will do. They say they don't do it but they do.
If you have at least 8 credits of class that semester, they won't move it.
I am going to VC. I called around to the BSN mobility programs and I found that if I mentioned VC they instantly said NO.. BUT if I said "licensed in the state of Alabama/ NCLEX passed" + pre-reqs at Jeff state.. then it was a YES. I think they hear VC and they stop listening. The mobility programs WILL accept you if you are licensed in the state and have pre reqs from a community college. UAB may be an exception. They say NO initially but when I clarified with the state licensed, they say yes. Once you graduate VC and pass your NCLEX you are state licensed.
total Class sizes are like 35 people. clinicals are 6-8 at MOST. Labs are smaller sized as well.
I have to wait until October so I can take nursing classes because I have the transfer credits so I had a few quarters knocked off and the classes I need to start with aren't offered until October. Its ok. I am finishing some of the Pre reqs for the BSN at jeff state. Plus, my tuition just got a good portion knocked off again.
for anyone considering VC- here's the experience and information I have to share.
1. VC cost more but has SUBSTANTIALLY more hands on Clinical hours than any other Assoc degree program. VC Grads have 750 clinical hours.. CLINICAL hours..
community college Assoc programs have less than 50 CLINICAL hours. VC will give you a huge "hands on" leg up. I hear the Universities have even less clinical hours than the community colleges but I haven't been able to verify that.
2. VC tuition covers all the little things that add up like Books, scrubs, immunizations, TB/ drug testing, etc. Its a one fee deal. They send you to American family clinic a few blocks away and there is virtually no wait. Its same day- walk in appt. Take your sheet and AFC gets you right in. They do a lot of these. The Admin at VC makes it pretty simple to go through enrollment/ admissions. You meet with the Nursing program instructors/ clinical coordinator prior to admissions.
3. VC makes it CLEAR that that a "C" is considered a fail. There is no "C" at VC in their classes (C as a transfer credit is ok). Its A, B, or Fail for the VC classes. I talked with current students that I know and they said the instructors do a great deal to make sure you are getting the material so if you are failing to thrive with all that help, then you won't be able pass the NCLEX so better to cut you now. Makes sense.
4. RN-BSN programs at 4 year Universities.. If you are going to do one of these after VC then I would suggest you take your PRE-REQS at a community college. VC courses won't transfer but the liscensure/ NCLEX will suffice for RN-BSN programs.
For example, University of So Alabama has a large "Online Nursing" degree program and USA is a highly respected college. This is the brochure for their RN-BSN program. They have a ton of Graduate degrees in nursing as well. http://www.southalabama.edu/nursing/pdf/onlinernbsn.pdf
In the brochure for USA, there are 19 prereq courses. If you took those classes at VC, you WON'T get transfer credit. I took mine at Jefferson state community college so they WILL transfer. I have spoken to advisors @USA in admissions and the nursing program. With my courses that I took at Jeff state + passing my NCLEX and obtaining a license in AL, I will be eligible to go to their RN-BSN/Masters program. You have to be REALLY clear because if you JUST say VC they will say nope and fail to listen to ANYTHING else. VC will enable you to sit for your NCLEX and get a license.
5. VC will give you credit for courses taken at a community college and they will re-work your class schedule if you fall below 8 courses.
6. VC is provisionally approved. I've spoken to the AL Nursing board about this and they don't for see VC losing its approval anytime soon. In fact, VC is just putting out their graduating class this month who have all past the internal version of the NCLEX with flying colors.
7. VC has substantially smaller class sizes so they have to invest more in making sure their graduates pass the NCLEX test. VC really REALLY wants you to pass.. because they can't afford to have even a FEW students fail the test..
8. VC is on a Quarter system. 4 quarters per year. 2 year program.
Reasons NOT to go to VC... Cost, transfer of credits for your BSN (unless you take pre -reqs at a community college)
Reasons TO go to VC.. smaller class sizes, more "help" and more student friendly. Easier admissions. Tuition covers books, shots, testing. SUBSTANTIALLY more Clinical hours than any comparable program= more hands on experience.
As for the "provisionally approved" status, with the Graduating class forecasted to all pass their NCLEX that isn't a huge worry of mine. Plus they will go into deficient status first and there are a large amount of Assoc programs in AL that are currently in Deficient status or ABOUT TO GO into deficient status.
Tuition is quarterly. $5500 each quarter, regardless of # of classes taken. Covers books, tuitition, shots, scrubs, background check, cpr, everything but the physical.
The classes are small in size. Many of your classes you took, if at an accredited college, will be accepted. So you may be able to bump 2 or so quarters off the program if you can get it to less than 6 credits per semester. Certain Nursing courses are offered every other quarter so if you mess up, you will have to sit out a quarter to retake a nursing class.
The nursing instructors are helpful.
Because you have already been to school, Im assuming at an accredited college, your coursework will transfer to a RN-BSN Program.
HOWEVER, any coursework you take there, such as biology, it wont transfer, and you would have to take it again if you decided to persue a BSN.
The thing I went to VC to get was to be able to sit for my NCLEX and be a licensed RN. The RN LICENSE will transfer to any college in the state for a BSN mobility program, but any courses you took will not. Many people get confused when you call around and they immediately say you will not be able to go there if you graduated from VC. If you are a licensed RN, then they look at where your core classes were taken.. in my case, I took them at a community college. I had to make a LOT of calls to some VERY high up people in the nursing programs at the universities to get the straight answer. The pee ons that answer the inquiries just assume you took your core classes from VC so they misinform you.
Also, remember that science courses are only transferrable for 5 years at most colleges.
If you are a licensed RN in the state of Alabama, you can go into a mobility program at the bsn programs, you just have to make sure you took your core classes outside of VC.
So what this means is people who are TIRED of trying to get into community college programs are going to start paying more just to get into a school like VC that offers night classes that arent on a wait list.
WARNING... VC financial planning office is a MESS. So if you are doing loans, grants, or anything other than out of pocket, be VERY careful. I'd strongly advise against it. I saw so many people jacked up by the financial planning process because the rep was just putting in for stuff that they weren't eligible for. Student loans messed up, just a mess. They fired the director of financial planning. And once you have an issue with financial planning, getting it resolved is a major headache.
If you are in Jefferson county, and low income, GO TO THE WIA office next to the Unemployment office. If you get accepted on their program, they will pay for it ALL.
Im 36. You may want to get an NCLEX/ RN book that is an easy read and start studying early. The stuff get's thrown at you fairly quickly. You can learn right then or prelearn.
That is what I have been doing, just reading and studying certain things until they make sense and I retain them. I've got 18 months left until graduation and I try to study "ahead".
I'm extremely happy with my decision. The nursing instructors are very very helpful.
If someone took just the VC courses, they would have a lot of cramming to do with Microbiology, AP1, Nutrition for nursing, and Eng 102 in the same quarter.
I'm very glad I will just have nursing classes. I am able to keep a lighter course load.
I did find out VC requires you to take the ATI NCLEX test and pass with a 95% before you can take the actual NCLEX. A built in guarantee that their graduates will pass with a high rate.
You also have to pass your ATI test for each nursing course subject area with an 80 in order to have passed the class.
You do have to pass your classes and ATI course tests with 80% to proceed but so far it seems they are really geared at getting you where you need to be.
The quarters are shorter. This quarter is already over on 12/06. Started the 1st week of October. Flies by. You do have to study your coursework
also, its pretty cool that my shots n stuff are paid for, I am responsible for my physical, which my Dr did and billed as an annual check up... (its all in the Billing) but then filled out the form later for me with the data.
Books/ scrubs/ lab stuff are all covered as part of tuition.
Im VERY happy with Virginia college. I will keep everyone posted. I did my research and I encourage EVERYONE to do theres.
Q to ask your BA program are
1. If I am licensed as a RN in ALabama by the AL nursing board, is that accepted in lieu of a degree from an accredited school. (example, some nurses have only a hospital Diploma).
2. If I take these classes as a community college, do they transfer.
Mention VC and you hear NO, but ask the above FIRST and then you can lead into
Well, if I graduated from VC, and I am licensed as an RN in Alabama and I took my classes at a community college, does my license and CC coursework not apply. Yes, it does. but if you took English at VC it wont transfer. So take it at a CC.
An Update on my 2010 post...
THANK GOODNESS I didn't listen to the posters HERE!
Not trying to insult but I did do the VC college route because I needed a night/ weekend program that I could transition to a 4 year program and YES, you can do VC and still go to a online program anywhere BUT you MUST take your prereqs/ core classes at a community college. (more on that later).
I did a head start avenue through VC. That is, I did ALL my core classes at Jefferson state so I could be SURE they transferred to the BA program I will attend later.
I contacted the BA programs like University of South Alabama. Initially, they told me VC would not transfer but then I was told my Jeff state classes would and when I graduated and sat for my NCLEX, THAT licensure would be accepted. So you really have to ask the right questions. NO, you wont be able to transfer an english class you take at VC but YES you will be able to transfer the english class you took at a community college.
Not to mention, taking my core classes at the community college cut 2 Q out of the tuition. Everyone said they don't redo the schedule but yes, the Bham location will if you have all your core classes but you won't find that out until you go to actually get your official schedule.
The experience so far is that they have WAY more hands on clinical hours. You only have to compare the amount of Clinical hours to see that VC has the most and that means more hours hands on and less in a classroom/ lecture setting. I'll take that. Plus, the instructors have been VERY helpful and geared towards my success which is completely different than what I experienced so far from jeff state in my core classes. I hear the Jeff state nursing program is brutal.
I've sent my transcript to USA to be evaluated and they said all I need is a licensure to be an RN in Alabama (pass the NCLEX) and my Bus math that I am taking right now, and a lit class, and I can enroll in their BA nursing program online (3 semesters 1 year), and then go for my masters (2 semesters).
I think we all know USA is not a fly by night university.
So yes, I was initially told VC wouldn't transfer and there classes don't. But the Licensure they get you DOES. So take your core classes at the community college, then go to VC if you need the Night option (5pm - 10pm M-Thur) and you don't feel like retaking a class (and waiting another year) to get in the jeff state night/weekend class.
Sure it costs more, but how much will you be losing by not being a nurse for a year?
Also, if you need extra help and support, how much is that worth it. It also seems they keep most of the nursing students in small groups so you have all the same people in your classes and that makes for easy study partners.
see if you can get a copy of their quarter by quarter schedule and perhaps you can cross off enough classes to get that quarter to 4 credits.. and then you request to have that "one" course moved either to the NEXT quarter OR moved to the next time it is offered. At Bham.. courses are offered "every other" quarter.
So a class that can't be moved to quarter #2, may be offered again during quarter #3.
Its not something they advertise.. but when it is time to get your schedule, they won't make you take a class over that you already passed so thats what the program director will do. They say they don't do it but they do.
If you have at least 8 credits of class that semester, they won't move it.
I started a discussion regarding Phone Apps for Iphone and Android...
http://allnurses.com/general-nursing-student/
Please feel free to post any you know of there.
Google search turns up this.
http://www.google.com/search?q=%22nu...w=1283&bih=626
please respond with a list of nursing apps for android users.
I am going to VC. I called around to the BSN mobility programs and I found that if I mentioned VC they instantly said NO.. BUT if I said "licensed in the state of Alabama/ NCLEX passed" + pre-reqs at Jeff state.. then it was a YES. I think they hear VC and they stop listening. The mobility programs WILL accept you if you are licensed in the state and have pre reqs from a community college. UAB may be an exception. They say NO initially but when I clarified with the state licensed, they say yes. Once you graduate VC and pass your NCLEX you are state licensed.
total Class sizes are like 35 people. clinicals are 6-8 at MOST. Labs are smaller sized as well.
I have to wait until October so I can take nursing classes because I have the transfer credits so I had a few quarters knocked off and the classes I need to start with aren't offered until October. Its ok. I am finishing some of the Pre reqs for the BSN at jeff state. Plus, my tuition just got a good portion knocked off again.
for anyone considering VC- here's the experience and information I have to share.
Reasons NOT to go to VC... Cost, transfer of credits for your BSN (unless you take pre -reqs at a community college)
Reasons TO go to VC.. smaller class sizes, more "help" and more student friendly. Easier admissions. Tuition covers books, shots, testing. SUBSTANTIALLY more Clinical hours than any comparable program= more hands on experience.
1. VC cost more but has SUBSTANTIALLY more hands on Clinical hours than any other Assoc degree program. VC Grads have 750 clinical hours.. CLINICAL hours..
community college Assoc programs have less than 50 CLINICAL hours. VC will give you a huge "hands on" leg up. I hear the Universities have even less clinical hours than the community colleges but I haven't been able to verify that.
2. VC tuition covers all the little things that add up like Books, scrubs, immunizations, TB/ drug testing, etc. Its a one fee deal. They send you to American family clinic a few blocks away and there is virtually no wait. Its same day- walk in appt. Take your sheet and AFC gets you right in. They do a lot of these. The Admin at VC makes it pretty simple to go through enrollment/ admissions. You meet with the Nursing program instructors/ clinical coordinator prior to admissions.
3. VC makes it CLEAR that that a "C" is considered a fail. There is no "C" at VC in their classes (C as a transfer credit is ok). Its A, B, or Fail for the VC classes. I talked with current students that I know and they said the instructors do a great deal to make sure you are getting the material so if you are failing to thrive with all that help, then you won't be able pass the NCLEX so better to cut you now. Makes sense.
4. RN-BSN programs at 4 year Universities.. If you are going to do one of these after VC then I would suggest you take your PRE-REQS at a community college. VC courses won't transfer but the liscensure/ NCLEX will suffice for RN-BSN programs.
For example, University of So Alabama has a large "Online Nursing" degree program and USA is a highly respected college. This is the brochure for their RN-BSN program. They have a ton of Graduate degrees in nursing as well. http://www.southalabama.edu/nursing/pdf/onlinernbsn.pdf
In the brochure for USA, there are 19 prereq courses. If you took those classes at VC, you WON'T get transfer credit. I took mine at Jefferson state community college so they WILL transfer. I have spoken to advisors @USA in admissions and the nursing program. With my courses that I took at Jeff state + passing my NCLEX and obtaining a license in AL, I will be eligible to go to their RN-BSN/Masters program. You have to be REALLY clear because if you JUST say VC they will say nope and fail to listen to ANYTHING else. VC will enable you to sit for your NCLEX and get a license.
5. VC will give you credit for courses taken at a community college and they will re-work your class schedule if you fall below 8 courses.
6. VC is provisionally approved. I've spoken to the AL Nursing board about this and they don't for see VC losing its approval anytime soon. In fact, VC is just putting out their graduating class this month who have all past the internal version of the NCLEX with flying colors.
7. VC has substantially smaller class sizes so they have to invest more in making sure their graduates pass the NCLEX test. VC really REALLY wants you to pass.. because they can't afford to have even a FEW students fail the test..
8. VC is on a Quarter system. 4 quarters per year. 2 year program.
As for the "provisionally approved" status, with the Graduating class forecasted to all pass their NCLEX that isn't a huge worry of mine. Plus they will go into deficient status first and there are a large amount of Assoc programs in AL that are currently in Deficient status or ABOUT TO GO into deficient status.
ALL programs that have a passing rate under 80% are considered deficient
http://www.abn.state.al.us/Content.aspx?id=198
All programs with stars next to their score are considered "DEFICIENT".. there's a lot of programs in that status currently, or headed that direction.
they don't graduate until mid June.
if you don't mind my asking.. what hospital was this at? Had you applied there sooner? Good luck though.
Curious, how long from when you applied till you were offered or contacted with a serious interview? How long was this from Graduation.
I'm really glad you got an opportunity. Foot in the door... now its time to hit the grind and start impressing people.
oh and check these job boards often.. you can search by zip code.
Remember "Preferred" does not mean "required".
http://jobs.nursescareercenter.com/jobs