STLCC Forest Park - Starting Jan '09

U.S.A. Missouri

Published

Woohoo! Got my admission letter and dropped it off today at the office!! I'm very excited and just a little scared of it all. Anyone else out there starting this January? I can't wait!

Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.

I had to miss my orientation at Meramec and survived just fine. While I think some of the info would've been helpful to have and it would've been nice to scope out my future classmates, I don't believe my success hinged on whether or not I attended this.

Now, if you get a chance to attend a "success in nursing school" seminar offered prior to beginning classes, I'd highly recommend you try to find time to go. Not sure if they still offer it, but someone recently mentioned they attended this before the start of their classes and it was offered before I started. I really enjoyed that and it was offered free.

Best wishes!!

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Congradulations on your decision! You'll do great!

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I think im going to Meramec instead. The distance is the same for both schools. Im at meramec right now taking Microbiology. The only thing good about me going to Forest Park is that I work down the street. But at this point I dont care because I hate my job! and after the first semester or SOONER i can get a hospital job. I have a friend who I went to highschool with who is also going to be in my class. Which is good. Because we get to be study buddies. I missed orientation this week at meramec because I didnt think i was going since i didnt get a letter. but then i got my letter that day but i was at work when i got it. So i have an appt. with one of the nursing advisors at Meramec on thursday! I can't wait.

I'm sure they're both great programs, but I'm sorry to lose a future Forest Park classmate! I wish there were more local students online at this website... wonder if allnurses.com promotes itself at nursing schools. Oh well, Forest Park works really well for me b/c I work down the street at BJH. Good luck to you!

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I'm sure they're both great programs, but I'm sorry to lose a future Forest Park classmate! I wish there were more local students online at this website... wonder if allnurses.com promotes itself at nursing schools. Oh well, Forest Park works really well for me b/c I work down the street at BJH. Good luck to you!

Hi, How did u get a job at BJC? I've been applying with no luck. I also dont have any medical expierence if that matters.

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Just happened to think of it...STL2008...don't forget to let Forest Park know that you are going to Meramec. That way they can offer your seat to someone else ASAP. Good luck at Meramec!

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Hi, How did u get a job at BJC? I've been applying with no luck. I also dont have any medical expierence if that matters.

They really want nursing students and students who are accepted and about to start nursing school - I'm, of course, in that second category - but simply "applying" is rarely enough for getting any job. The biggest way to get a PCT job is through persistence. The website is fine for puting in the system information about yourself which you can refer the HR people to. Be thorough, re-read what you've entered, spell check... all pretty obvious.

Call/visit the HR nursing recruiter. If you don't know how to reach human resources, figure it out! Use the phonebook, the net, call the main operator at the hospital, ask 100 questions if you have to, just to start. Introduce yourself, tell them why you'd be a good PCT. If you don't know why or you don't fully understand the PCT job, you are not a good candidate for the job! The point is, answer these questions yourself by talking to people, searching postings at allnurses.com, searching the web, etc. If you're taking prereqs for school right now, talk to people in your class. Someone in there is surely already a PCT.

Shadow a PCT. This is one of the best things anyone can do if they are really serious about getting this job. If you haven't done this yet, find a way to do it. Talk to people. Talk to HR. If you have to, go to a hospital where you'd like to work and walk around looking for someone who looks like a PCT and ask! Go to the cafeteria, whatever it takes. If you really want to shadow someone bad enough, you will get your opportunity. Expect to shadow (follow them around while they do their job) for at least 2 or 3 hours - go for longer if you can. You'll gain an understanding of the job and an instant entre, assuming the person you're shadowing thinks well of you and your qualifications - their recommendation will get you an in interview.

Did I mention, search this website? I emphasize this simply because I've seen lots of posts about this subject. Be persistant and go out and answer these questions and do it! There may be no better thing than being a PCT to prepare someone for NS and to enhance the NS experience, let alone give you a head start on that job after NS, which is ultimately what we're all after! Good luck, you can do it!

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
... wonder if allnurses.com promotes itself at nursing schools.

No one I went to school with ever mentioned this site, although I did several times.

Then as time went on, I realized I kind of preferred it that way. You will see PLENTY of your classmates; some more than you wish. Allnurses was a good place I could come to and vent or look for help and I never worried that anyone at school was really paying attention.

You may come to find you prefer it that way also....anonymity is not a bad thing here...

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Specializes in Emergency.

:yeahthat: ...so true. This website is great to "vent" :)

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I had to miss my orientation at Meramec and survived just fine. While I think some of the info would've been helpful to have and it would've been nice to scope out my future classmates, I don't believe my success hinged on whether or not I attended this.

Now, if you get a chance to attend a "success in nursing school" seminar offered prior to beginning classes, I'd highly recommend you try to find time to go. Not sure if they still offer it, but someone recently mentioned they attended this before the st of their classes and it was offered before I started. I really enjoyed that and it was offered free.

Best wishes!!

r u talking about the prep for success seminar??

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Specializes in Med/Surg <1; Epic Certified <1.
r u talking about the prep for success seminar??

Yes, I believe that was what it was called. It was a weekend or two during the summer prior to my fall start. We got a couple of free books, lots of good advice for school success, and exposure to some possible future classmates and instructors. I highly recommend you take advantage of it if it is offered!!

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Yes, I believe that was what it was called. It was a weekend or two during the summer prior to my fall start. We got a couple of free books, lots of good advice for school success, and exposure to some possible future classmates and instructors. I highly recommend you take advantage of it if it is offered!!

Our first meeting (for the Jan program start) will be in mid-November, but it's just for a couple hours. To my knowledge we have nothing else scheduled. Still I really hope they'll offer something like the seminar you described for us too. It sounds like a great opportunity. Thanks for relating your experience!

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Our first meeting (for the Jan program start) will be in mid-November, but it's just for a couple hours. To my knowledge we have nothing else scheduled. Still I really hope they'll offer something like the seminar you described for us too. It sounds like a great opportunity. Thanks for relating your experience!

it' offered to all 3 schools. but only 40 students can attend. I think registration for this is nov. 17. and it's 12 dollars now!

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