DCCCD OR CCCCD -Nursing Program

I have heard that the Brookhaven program is a lot smaller than Collin College. Maybe you should go there because they may have a smaller student/teacher ratio?

I'm in 1st semester at CCCCD. Please PM me any specific questions you have.

I have heard only good things about Brookhaven's program. I hear that the instructors are very supportive. Something I wish I had while I'm in school. I really haven't heard anything about Collin County (good or bad), I just heard it's one of the hardest to get into so congratulations!
I'm not sure about Collin County, but I know at Brookhaven, they go during summer sessions. I hear it's really intense, but must be manageable, I think their retention rate is high (A LOT higher than the program I'm currently in).

Grayson County College, Collin College, and El Centro College all have what is called an integrated curriculum. What this means is that once you have met the prerequisites and are in the nursing program, the classes you take will all be integrated into three classes: lecture, clinical, and (some semesters) a lab class in which you will learn all about nursing theory, pharmacology, nursing leadership and management, and nursing skills.

The alternative curriculum format is a block format which Brookhaven uses. The curriculum in a block format program separates the various aspects of nursing: you'll have a pharmacology class, a lab class, a clinical class, a theory class, etc. Once you've passed them, it is expected that you know the material, and doesn't necessarily reinforce the learning necessary to pass the state board exams when you graduate. However, once you pass a block format class, you've passed and won't need to take it again.

In an integrated curriculum, if you do not pass a lab class, for example, you may wind up having to take theory and clinical classes over again no matter what your grade was the first time through! So which is better? Probably the integrated format in spite of the potential of having to repeat other classes.

I hear they are both get programs. Just go to which ever one is closer to home. I know the program at Brookhaven is 16 months - not sure about Collin County though. If you live far from McKinney (that's where the program is) I would consider DCCCD. I think both schools have excellent like 100% pass rates. Either choice is a good choice.

I'm in the 3rd semester at Collin County. We don't do summer courses here, so Brookhaven will get you out faster. Other than that, I can't tell you which school is "better." Between clinicals & work I've been to quite a few hospitals in the area, and I don't think it matters very much where you go to school.

Some schools have a better reputation than others, but in the end we all get the "RN" title. I can say that Collin County has an outstanding reputation, for whatever it's worth. It also is the most cost-effective school around. I will have paid about $2500 out of pocket by the time I graduate. That includes pre-requisites and nursing school.

Hopefully someone else can give you more insight on Brookhaven's program. Collin County was the only program that I applied to, so I don't know much about other programs.