Roane State & Pellissippi State 2017 Nursing Applicants

Dchall89 · Mar 29, 2017

Hi, I am almost in the same boat as you. I applied to both Pellissippi and RSCC and was accepted by both. I am going to go with Pellissippi because the Strawberry Plains location is waaaaay closer than RSCC's Oak Ridge location. This will be by first attempt (hopefully only) so I can't answer most of your questions. I was super nervous about which one I wanted to go to until I started realizing they both have high graduation and job placement rates. If I can shave 1-3 hours off my commute time per day to study or hang out with my family, that's a no brainer for me.

I REALLY wish these schools would have their schedules out a lot earlier than they are. I have no choice but to work full time, and I have no idea if the job I have no will work or not, so being able to plan months in advance would be amazing.

Pellissippi has an "Adult Learner " scholarship that would pay for your tuition if you're over 24 years old, something Roane State doesn't, that's another reason I chose PSTCC. Finally, I NEVER get an email reply from anyone in Nursing at RSCC and usually have to play phone tag if I call, but that isn't the case at PSTCC, for me anyways.

ccarolinacake · Apr 1, 2017

Ive applied to both and got put on alternate lists for both. If you don't mind me asking, what are your grades like for the science and math?

Dchall89 · Apr 1, 2017

I got an A in probability and statistics. B in A & P 1 a C in A&P2 and a B in microbiology.

ccarolinacake · Apr 1, 2017

Well, I haven't finished Micro yet, and I'm in A&P2 this semester, maybe that's why. I'm just discouraged, wondering what I need to work on. Thank you! And congrats on making it in!!

Dchall89 · Apr 2, 2017

2017 actually saw a big overhaul/change to the curriculum for the prerequisites and the nursing curriculum. It's a headache across the board it looks like. I took the entire year of 2016 getting all of my prerequisites taken care of. I would totally recommend doing that; there is just too much stress involved with these classes. Discouragement is a a normal phenomenon of degree seeking peoples. I'm here to tell you it's a pain in the ass, but I already feel accomplished just getting these prerequisites taken care of. I'm 30 and haven't been in school for 12 years, so it was insane for me to get every single prereq done. You can do it, and waiting another year will BLOW by, and you'll be able to slow down and really concentrate on your A&P classes which are indispensable for the degree we're seeking.

The admissions helps a lot when alleviating stress and worry with this stuff. I've found Pellissippi 100x's more helpful in answering my questions in email and over the phone. Roane State literally NEVER replies to my email, and I'm usually playing phone tag with them.

ccarolinacake · Apr 2, 2017

I've been at Pellissippi the last year working on finishing my associates. I'm 30 as well and I've been working as a MA and felt like nursing was really what I wanted to do, so I decided to apply to both schools and see what would happen. I like Pellissippi a lot. I know if it's meant to be, it will but I'm hoping next year since I will have my associates done, I can just worry about getting into the program and nothing else.

Lemanning · Apr 3, 2017

I got into both programs and have decided to go to Pellissippi. The number one reason is I am comfortable with Pellissippi and the location is much closer. Having looked at both programs and talking to people going through the program both seem very comparable. Excited to meet some future classmates. My grades where a C in probability and Statistics, then all A's in A&P1 & 2 and Micro. I am 30 and decided later in life I wanted to be a nurse. I do already have an associate degree and think that does help with the application. Good luck to you all.

Dchall89 · Apr 3, 2017

Congrats, and I'll be seeing you in August it sounds like! Glad to know I won't be the only 30 year old there.

jnhn · Apr 6, 2017

+1 on the 30-ish crowd at Pellissippi.

I am finishing AP1 and have yet to take AP2 or Micro. I do have an MBA and basically two undergraduate degrees, so I had all those prereqs complete (save for the science) before I applied. I did get a call from Pellissippi to inform me that I would not need a class I registered for in the Summer to complete the Nursing program... before I was even accepted. So I will say they have definitely been proactive in their communication.

Ahedwards · Apr 7, 2017

Hey guys! I am currently a nursing student at PSTCC, Strawplains campus. I graduate with my RN in MAY 2017!!! Just 30 days away! I would like to share some detail with you...

First, I am an LPN so I did the Bridge program which started in Summer (9 fast weeks). This took the place with my degree of the first year of nursing school that traditional students do, most are you on this form. So the competition was really bad. There was 65 applicants just for the Bridge to RN and only 15 of us got in! This is what I did to get in on first try:

I completed ALL prerequisites classes NEEDED and some for my BSN degree I want. You HAVE to get atleast a B in all subjects, no exceptions. I had a 3.68 going into the nursing program and there where people who had way higher than me. I was shocked really. Other things matter as well, like attendance, previous contributions to the community.

Once you apply, I received an email first, then my accceptance letter!

What you need to know: PSTCC is a good school. You will have horrible instructors and then some you are gonna love to death. I recommend you study before class, print off all material before class, and get the success books or PDF files if you can find them for free from a previous student. I had to have " pediatric success" to do questions and student due to lack of instruction to pass that part of testing.

Make sure its you get a calendar and write down where you are at for the entire semester. Then you will be organized. Check your online updates and email daily. They call it D2L. Teachers constantly post to this hourly almost!!!

The one one thing I hate the most, I feel they don't care if you work. Be prepared to only work weekends and keep Mon-Friday open. Your schedule will change from semester to semester and even at the last minute before the classes start!! You don't just go to class. You have lecture at different campuses, you travel to what ever hospital they put you at ( I had oakridge but Blount is 2 mins from me) , you have online classes, you have presentations, you have simulations that are separate from lecture times! I only have one day off a week where I'm free for house/life stuff. Be VERY organized!!!

Another Thing I hate is they don't give you the FEES and dates in advance! I found out my last semester that in 3 months time I needed 700.00 extra dollars out of pocket just to complete registration for boards and NCLEX review! Along with graduation, pinning ceremony and extra uniforms. Be prepared to dish some extra money out, cause you will! Plan for lunch in between.

As as far as the education, it is what you put in it! I only got to go to 2 hospitals but it didn't bother me cause I'm an LPN already.

Study atleast 2-3 hours everyday. We have lost 20 people cause they just didn't prepare for the test! If you can, sign up for strawplains location as your main campus cause that will be your main instructor and you want Mrs. Rogers!!!! Dr. More is the best too! Listen to them, they are very smart and know their stuff!!!

Good luck!!

Abrakapokus · May 2, 2017

Hi all! For some reason, I didn't see that there were replies to the thread. I decided to go with Roane State's Nursing program for many of the same reasons you guys decided for Pellissippi. RS is much closer to me, distance wise, and I'm already familiar with the campus. I do hope that I do my clinicals in Knoxville, and not in Oak Ridge. I have my orientation at the end of May and I wish I had insight on which professors/instructors to try to register for. If anyone has suggestions there, I'm open ears. Same with what books really helped in Pharmacology and what stethoscope to buy.