by denise0815

Hi ....
I am a 37 yr. old, single mother of two and have decided to go back to school to finish my nursing degree. It took a long time to get up the courage but I am going to give it a try..I plan on starting my pre-req. this fall while continuing to work full-time, maybe one\two classes a semester to see how it all works out. Does anyone on this site attend PCCC? I would love to hear what you think about the program....and any advice would be great! Also I would love to know of any good jobs in hospitals for nursing students....

Re: Passaic County Community College

Hi! How are you? I just graduated PCCC's nursing program. It is a really strong program but very difficult- it takes a lot of committment and dedication. I did my pre-reqs at PCCC too and found them to be really good as well. In order to get into the nursing program, you need to apply with at least having taken Chem 101- Intro to Chem (as long as they havent changed things around since I applied 2 years ago). It helps, though, to have finished all your pre-reqs by the time you want to start the nursing program, as competition to get in can be tough, so you want to have as much to show for yourself as possible, and also because once the nursing program itself begins, you won't have much time for anything else. The other prereqs include Anatomy and Physiology 1 and 2, Microbiology, psychology courses, English classes- I think a few others but I'm not sure. The number for the nursing education office is 973-684-5218. As for working while being a student, I would look into CNA or PCA (both are terms for nurse's assistant)- pretty much every hospital has them. Be careful with work and school though.. don't let work distract you from school- it can be overwhelming. Let me know if there's any other questions you have!! Good luck!!

Re: Passaic County Community College

Hi, thank you for the info and congrats to you!! You must be so happy and proud. I am glad to hear it is a good program. I have alot of transfer credits from a previous associates degree, but I do have to take the science courses, so I did want to get all of those out of the way before I apply for the program. Right now my degree audit reads "pre-nurse", will they advise you when you can apply for the nurse program? How are the advisors? I really need guidance, so I hope they are helpful. Do you know if there is a wait list?
Sorry for all the questions.....

Re: Passaic County Community College

Hi!! Don't apologize- I'm so glad I can help you out! I know how nervewracking it must be and how many questions you must have..Anyway here are my thoughts- make sure you have a copy of an official transcript from your previous college, and I would bring it with you to meet with an advisor at Student Services (probably best to call ahead to make an appt or see what their hours are) to see which credits that you already have will transfer. It should say on your degree audit who your assigned advisor is- you can meet with him or her to get more information on what you specifIcally need for the nursing program and for the college requirements as well. I think once you were in the nursing program itself, your assigned advisor would be one of the nursing faculty; before that, when you are in "pre-nursing", I think your advisor is a general school advisor. Everyone there should be pretty helpful, I think. As far as I know, PCCC does not have a wait list for the nursing program(many other nursing programs in the area do)- I am pretty sure they start the pool of applicants new every year- so like I said my best advice is to just take as many of the sciences as you can before applying and just kick as much booty as you can in those classes- I think they really look at that when you apply. Also you have to take an exam called the NET test- when I took it it was just English and math but I heard a rumor they started putting science on it (not sure of the validity to that). I know you can buy study guides for it. For PCCC's nursing program you need at least a 50th percentile or higher. I'm really sorry if I am overwhelming you!! I just remember that feeling of anxiety and not knowing how or where to begin. Let me know if you have any other questions.. this is much more fun than studying for the N-CLEX!!

Re: Passaic County Community College

Just wanted to clarify.. 2 years ago when I applied the only actual requirements for the application to the nursing program itself was scoring 50th percentile or above on the NET and passing Chemistry 101 with a C or higher. I don't know if they have changed those requirements since then- so I would look into that- I just wanted to let you know what the requirements were in case you wanted to apply to the nursing program asap, those are (or at least , were), the basic requirements. But like I said my best advice is to take all the pre-reqs, or at least most, before even applying - you'll realize you don't have a lot of time for other classes once you start the nursing program. Sorry didn't want to confuse you, I know it's a lot to sort out. Let me know how I can help you!!

Re: Passaic County Community College

Hi Jessiek,
Thank you again for sharing all the info, it is great to know all this. It is good to have the inside "scoop", it does make me feel better to have some things cleared up. I think right now I will concentrate on my pre-req's and take it from there. I only need math and science, so I will take your advice and do my best with those first, before I apply to the program.
Good luck on the N-CLEX.....are you taking it soon?

Re: Passaic County Community College

I graduate from PCCC a couple of years ago. I think it was one of the worst experience ever. The reason I kept going there was because I couldnt afford anything better. If you could afford something better go to another school. If not be prepare for

*humiliation
*belittlement
*to be insult on every level
*demoralize

This doesn’t apply to all the professors. But other professor are just as bad since they allow the other professors to do this. As far as the administration of PCCC goes they are also aware of it.

I don't wish the PCCC nursing experience on my worst enemy.

If you ask why no legal action has be brought to PCCC Nursing program. It is because the students are scare or can afford to pay a lawyer. I never had done anything because I work for state facility.

You know what is the worst thing about PCCC Nursing Program. That preys on people like us single mothers that can’t afford to go any where else. All that we want is to improve the lives of our children and ourselves.

Re: Passaic County Community College

Hi.. I was trying to present the facts to the above poster but just wanted to let you know I don't completely disagree with you. It does take a thick skin to get through the program; I'm thinking of one professor in particular and I'm wondering if you are too. Still if you can put your dignity aside for 24 months I really do believe the program gave me a good foundation and a strong clinical background. Not to mention the skills to deal gracefully with a whole lot of b.s. Which is pretty necessary in this field as I am quickly learning

Re: Passaic County Community College

Hi,
Now I am officially scared....lol...is there certain professors you are speaking of that I could possibly avoid???
It sounds like you had a horrible experience, and that is really sad. I would hope that the people that are there to teach us, would be helpful and supportive. One of the reasons I did choose this program is because the pass rate on the Nclex is pretty high compared to other schools, and being a resident of the county I figured I had a better shot at getting in the program.
If you could give me some specific examples of the poor treatment I would appreciate it, maybe it could help me in some way.
How is your career going? Did you recently graduate?

Re: Passaic County Community College

Hi,
Wow, I am freaking out now...what did I get myself into??? lol.....I am taking ma007 and sc-004 the last of the pre-req , except for chemistry, which I will possibly take this summer. I was also told by an advisor to take the NET this summer while the math is fresh on my mind, so I wanted to start to prepare for that too. Any advice on how to prepare for that? Is it difficult?