Iowa Western Community College vs. Metro Community College

I know about small towns, I'm from one of 2000 people, so going deep into Omaha is way out of my "safe zone"! I took my CNA through Metro. I did it on the weekend-it took 5 weekends, both Sat and Sun from 8-5. That way I was able to continue working. The tuition was just regular Metro tuition and it was good for 6 credit hours. My sister took hers through Clarkson during the week and I think it took right at a month. I want to say it cost around $350. As far as a job goes, if you already have experience working as a cna, or at least in the facility, you will be one step ahead. As I mentioned earlier, I work at the Ne. Med Center. I got on there without having ever worked as a CNA anywhere. I think it helps to be able to tell them you are going through nursing school and are looking for a place to call home--they are always trying to grab up good nurses, especially those that will already be taught all their policies and such before they even become nurses. The pay at the med center is pretty decent too-everyone starts at $11.90/hr, then you get a shift diff. for nights (15% I think) and weekends (9%?). I will be working nights and weekends, so it equals out to $13.90/hr and $14.80/hr, respectively, so not too bad for a cna. I work in the cardiac ICU, and the nurses are all really great and eager to help you learn, which is nice. I know they are restructuring the way they staff cna's (or care techs, as they call us), so they have been doing tons of hiring lately. Alegent health systems are all mostly on a hiring freeze while they are restructuring. I have heard that this economy thing is hitting Alegent pretty hard, but that could just be hearsay. I don't know much about Methodist, other than that their human relations dept. is very difficult to deal with and the nurses are kind of tough on the newbies, but that also could be hearsay. As far as nursing homes go, I know there are a lot of them hiring around the area, you would just have to check around. I really like the website, Careerlink.com. It has most of the healthcare jobs available in the state on there, from hospitals to nursing homes to dr's offices--that's how I found the Med center was hiring--I would definately check it out.

Thanks for the name of the school you are taking your a&p through. If I could do it online, that would be a million times better (that way I wouldn't have to arrange day care and all that fun stuff!). Thats all I can think of for now. Just holler if I can help you more! Jess

You are such a lifesaver with that website :) thanx so much I will defenantly check it out for when I get up there. Since I won't do the nursing program at Iowa untill January I planned to work full time while doing my CNA, so Metro is the way i'll go. Your right about online classes they come in handy when your way busy, I don't have any kids (yet) but am always busy so kuddos for doing it because i'd fall underpressure :S they are way more expensive than regular classes but my gosh well worth it. Its nice to attend the class when it works out for you, I think with some people its simply making yourself get to the computer to do it thats the hardest part haha well once again thank you so much for replying to me I truly appreciate it.

No problem-if you have any other questions, just ask!! :)

I Have finished almost all of my pre reqs and am applying to Iowa Western. I would like to go to metro, but my current GPA is 3.6. The counselors I have talked to have told me that a GPA that low is not even competitive. =/ ...but Iowa Western has 95% passing rate for the nclex. Seems pretty good to me.

I took all my pre reqs at Metro. The best science teacher I have had was Todd Templeton. He teaches Microboilogy and A & P 1 & 2. I highly recommend him for anyone who needs those classes. :)

Hey Christina I 2 am applying at Iowa Western and I 2 noticed that the school had 95% of passing and that oh man this is the place but someone informed me that metro had 100% passing :S. My GPA is 3.5 so I don't stand a chance at metro haha, the last class that I need is A&P 2 which I am taking online this summer but if I don't pass it I will 4 sure take it at Metro. I am living in KS right now but moving to Omaha in August and I don't know anyone there besides my bf so all I know about the schools there is from me researching online and calling them and having them mail me their info so have no idea what teachers are good or not. I am applying for the January LPN program and yourself?

I know of a couple people who are going through Iowa Western and like it. In my opinion, we all take the same boards, so as long as you can pass, the school doesn't matter. I think the reason Metro has such a high pass rate is because they basically only take students who will bust their butt to pass and get good grades (all 4.0 students), so it is practically guaranteed to have a great pass rate. A 95% pass rate for IWCC is awesome, I hope you both enjoy the school and do very well!!!

I was hoping to find someone who had Todd Templeton for Human Anatomy. I am so glad to hear that you liked him. Can you tell me a little more about his teaching style? I have Alan Wasmoen now for Intro to Biology and I think he is a hard teacher as far as the amount of information that he gives you to learn for each test and the wording on his tests. I like him for the fact that he gives extra points for labs and homework assignments to help bring your grade up if you don't test well though. Can you tell me a little more about Templeton's way of teaching. Thanks!!!

YESI05 -I applying for fall to Iowa Western, and if there are no more openings I will apply for the spring. Maybe I will see you there! Good luck on a & p 2, you are brave! I could never do A & P 2 online.

Liz- I had a friend who had Alan Wasmoen for Intro to Biology, she said similar things and really disliked him as a teacher. Todd Templeton does lectures. You have to take notes. He will never have you do fill-in-the-blank notes or just hand you printouts of slides, so be prepared to write! The labs are always explained and he is very available and helpful.

He normally does not do extra credit but he does give 20 extra points for perfect attendence.

You probably will not need extra credit. Just be sure to study the notes and review sheets.

I hope this helped! If you have any more questions feel to ask. :)

Thanks Christina for the info on Templeton. Does he break things down pretty well for memorization and how much time would you say you studied weekly for his class? Did you take it with any other classes and/or would you recommend doing so? I've heard A & P takes ALOT of time because of all the memorization, so I am trying to prepare myself and make sure I have the time available to get a good grade. Did you take him for microbiology?

So I remember you saying you liked working at the Nebraska medical center, I am currently enrolled in a CNA class it starts May 18 and goes to June 27, and am hoping to apply to work there in August when I move to Omaha. I liked that you said the nurses are very good about wanting to teach you stuff for when you start a nursing program. I've also checked out the website you gave me thanx for all the help!! I was so stressed about looking for job and have found a great place 2 begin :)

Does anyone know where to go on the IOWA WESTERN COMMUNITY COLLEGE website, to print off the nursing application? I found where to apply for the college but have no idea where to find the printable LPN program application. thanx