by CNAcollegestudent

I'm having a great debate on the two community colleges and would like any input or suggestions for the two schools! I do not know much about their nursing programs besides what I have read on their websites! Is iowa western worth the drive from Omaha??

Thank you!!!!!!!!!

Alsooo If anyone has any info about UNMC BSN program that would also be great!

Re: Iowa Western Community College vs. Metro Community College

Well do you want to go on to get a master's, doctorate, or be in management? If so, I would recommend a BSN program. Clarkson, Methodist, and UNMC are all good options. I have not heard anything good about the program at College of Saint Mary.

As far as ADN programs go, I have heard good things about both Metro and Iowa Western's programs. I've had friends from both programs. I guess it just depends on what your overall goals are for the future. The programs at Metro and Iowa Western will allow you to obtain your LPN first, so you can start making a bit more money than if you just had your CNA license.

Re: Iowa Western Community College vs. Metro Community College

I am having the same debate... I am currently doing my prereqs at Metro for the ASN program there. It is quite a bit cheaper at Metro (about $50 at Metro vs. $120 at IWCC per credit hour) I think the Metro program better prepares you for moving on to a BSN, but the prereqs at IWCC are much, much less (this is where my problem lies) I could apply for fall at IWCC, but have a couple more quarters worth of work at Metro. Metro requires Chem, Comp II and a few others that are not required at IWCC. I know Metro credits transfer to UNMC, not sure at all about IWCC.
A word to the wise about Clarkson, they do not do well if you need to transfer out to another program, I would avoid it and try for UNMC if at all possible. UNMC also offers a RN-MSN where you can complete your BSN and MSN at the same time. Very difficult to get into, but again, worth it.
The drive is not bad at all... Don't let that discourage you.
I'm going to apply to both LPN programs and go where they get me in first.

Re: Iowa Western Community College vs. Metro Community College

I am having the same dilemma and was hoping that this thread would give me an answer. I am doing my prereqs at Metro also, but just attended IWCC nursing info night this evening. As far as the tuition they are about the same. Remember, IWCC is on a semester basis and Metro is on a quarter basis. I calculated IWCC to be around $6800 for the RN program and I think Metro is similar.

Re: Iowa Western Community College vs. Metro Community College

You were there? I was too... asked the question about the prereq for A&P, which I still am not sure I have an answer for.
Agreed about the tuition, although prereqs are cheaper and faster at Metro... I think I am still going to go to IWCC for at least the LPN starting in January.
Did you get a clear picture on the waitlist? I hate to put all my eggs in one basket for IWCC and wish I had applied at Metro as well.

Re: Iowa Western Community College vs. Metro Community College

Yes I was there too. I think you were sitting behind me as I remember your question. What I was told about that prereq Human Biology was that was only needed at IWCC. So, if you take your H & P at Metro, you don't have to worry about it. I am taking my prereqs at Metro too at the Elkhorn campus. I wish I was ready for the January session, but I am going to get all of those other RN prereqs out of the way too as it sounds like a pretty full schedule the way it is. Who did you have for H & P at Metro and did you like the teacher? Doesn't sound like there is a wait list at all and the sooner you get your complete app in with all of your stuff done, the sooner you will get your admit letter. She said their fall session coming up wasn't full yet either so you should be okay with January if you have your stuff done soon.

Re: Iowa Western Community College vs. Metro Community College

I have not taken A&P yet, I have Intro to Biology this quarter, and A&P summer and fall. I have CPR on friday, and CNA in July/Aug.
I looked at it this way... If I can get through the LPN program, I can take the majority of the RN general studies classes in the summer between semesters of the LPN at Metro, and also in the time between December and June before starting the RN. I already have a couple of them done at this point so that will work for me.

Re: Iowa Western Community College vs. Metro Community College

Which campus are you at as I am taking Intro to Biology also? My only thoughts on the general ed classes is that I was told that you need most of them to help your score to get into the LPN program as most people will have them done. I think you might be able to get away with no having Microbiology and English, but I don't know. That is the only thing that makes me nervous about Metro is that if I concentrate on all of their prereqs and then don't get in, I now don't have the Iowa classes done to apply there. I so wish their classes were the same.

Re: Iowa Western Community College vs. Metro Community College

I am taking Bio at Bellevue West H.S, Metro offered it over there and it was super close to my office. It's hard to schedule class around work.
I will have these done by October:
Comp I, Human Growth and Anatomy (Developmental Psych), Interpersonal Communications (I will take public speaking later when I decide on the route for my BSN) A&P I and II, Workplace Empowerment (Human Relations @ Metro), Intro to Psych and Soc. My CNA and CPR classes fit in there too.
Nutrition I will take in the summer between 1st semester and 2nd semester of LPN at Metro, and I will take microbiology between The December Grad date for LPN and the June start date for the RN program. I think I am just this side of crazy.

(edited to add: I take most of my classes at Elkhorn... so close to home. Do you have your CNA yet?)

Re: Iowa Western Community College vs. Metro Community College

Wow, that is alot of classes. How many are you taking at once? I just finished my CNA and Human Growth & Development. Are you taking the CNA at Metro? So, are you trying to cover all the classes to apply at IWCC & Metro? I am having a hard time deciding which ones to take first as I don't think I can get both sets of prereqs done. Today was my first day of signing up on here so I have to figure out the friends thing too. I am taking A & P in fall and winter, how about you?