Collin College ADN Program

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Apr 21, 2010

Chris - CCCC has a 90% retention rate for their grads...those stats are at the same link I posted showing the graduation percentages of local schools through the BON I believe. It is also one of the highest in the state.
I am sorry you don't like CCCC. Most of the students are doing well and are very happy and proud to have been accepted there and are very favorably recieved in the medical community. Did they have the simulation lab when you were there? If not, you ought to visit. It is amazing.
Zero time to get together as we discussed, but it is good to see you are doing well. Rock on. :)

I am talking about how many people who start, finish. Those data are not reported and won't be published. I am not certain what you mean by "retention rate for their grads."

No reason to be sorry, and it isn't a matter of like or don't like. There are no emotions here, only facts. If I know something that will help someone, I will share it. I am not interested in spin or marketing. If it is a good school, that's wonderful. But an awful lot would have had to happen since 2003, and the way that organizations progress and develop, especially considering all the construction, the odds do not favor what I hope would be true.

More importantly, personality is pretty well set by one's early twenties. Attitude is everything, we've all heard that. The same power is in the same position, and that power dictates the ambiance, if you will, of the organization. You can dress it up, buy equipment, make a nice building, call it a college instead of a community college. The lecturers are the same, the administrator is the same, the culture will be the same, the material will be the same, the experience is not likely to be much different.

I am glad you like your school. It sounds like you are all doing well. I think at some point you will realize that love is not fact, and people who disagree with you are not necessarily mean or wrong.

Graduation must be coming soon. Good luck to you all.

I've made my points, it seems difficult for people to grasp them, even though I have used pretty basic language and tried hard to make the metaphors simple so they can be understood. I don't quite get why you all are so angry, or why my alleged emotions or affection or whatever have become the issue. They aren't! Quality education producing quality nurses has been my reason for sharing my experiences and observations, and I'll continue to do so.

Last time I looked, I didn't need anyone's permission to do that.

Of all of us in this discussion, I am the only one without anything to gain or lose. I wonder whose opinion would therefore be more credible? If I were expressing opinion instead of specific clear observations.....

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Apr 21, 2010

Christine,
There isn't a program out there that's perfect. Including ours. It's not deplorable as you've suggested. I'm sure most if not all programs have quirks that make you cock your head like a puppy and wonder, "Why on earth..."
I work in the lab to help my fellow and following students be more successful. I have a history of success in teaching others in a variety of theaters including IT, music, martial arts instruction, mentoring future nurses that were struggling through and failing out of A&P I & II... I decided to apply that penchant to benefit my program, my school, and the possibility that one of these students might be the first face I see upon waking in the hospital after something traumatic. I'm NOT all that, but one HELPS where one can, assuming you have the wiring. I don't NEED that job. My loyalty is not financially based. I don't OWE any college my welfare or wellbeing. And as an officer of my class/cycle, I challenge the status quo when appropriate and when it will benefit my friends and beloved classmates. Yeah, we all suffer through NSG school. Every one has its stories, many of which I'm sure are in common.
I'm not biased because of where I work. I left a different job making more money to work in that lab doing what I do. I work there because even very good things can be made better. We're not above that by any means. What makes Collin a great program is a persistent, constant drive to improve the program and the breadth and depth of the students' education. You can rationalize why you didn't complete that program. Baseless accusations wherein you refuse to support your assertions with facts says a lot about one's character. I'm not attacking your character, you seem like a very nice and giving person. I'm calling you to task on the insistent negativity. I'm not engaging in character assasination, you're already doing that yourself.
The statistics quoted are referenced in the links accompanying said statistics. Scroll up. Also, as previously stated, we were awarded 3rd in state not based solely on 1st-time NCLEX pass rate, but a function of that AND retention. That was also in my preceding post. As I do with anyone that likes to make unreasonable and spurious claims, please show me your source of information about the accreditation probation, from a reputable source. Otherwise, your assertions are groundless, something any aspirants to Collin or any of the other excellent N. Dallas (or N. TX, for that matter) colleges will realize.
Please support your defamatory remarks, or better yet, promote the laudable parts of your almae matres and abstain from the petty and unprofessional bashing of one of the shining stars in the constellation of Texas NSG schools that insist upon the very best from, and for, their students, in the interest of improving this honorable profession.

My source of information was my specific experience. That's a source. Kind of like the "O" in SOAP--objective. Remember that isn't the client's opinion, it is the observable fact.

As for the rest of this, I'm getting tired of the long winded slurs. Sometimes people who have very strong opinions and emotions and confuse those for facts, or who are easily upset when someone disagrees with them or doesn't share their opinion, have a need to punch down those who represent that. It's a peculiar way of feeling threatened, because there isn't anything there to really grab onto and address.

Where you think you got the right to tell me or anyone else what they can say or do is confusing. Did becoming a work study lab assistant give you some kind of special privilege?

The way you have behaved toward me speaks volumes about how you will treat colleagues and clients when you are actually a nurse. You have some time to think about that. If you can't or don't, well that speaks volumes too.

My objective experience is my objective experience. What your classmates (not all of them, but the dozen or so I know) have shared with me is not my objective experience, but I trust them because I know them to be upstanding individuals who don't have a problem with honesty. They don't seem to be threatened by anyone--they tell it like it is.

Have you ever wondered why you cannot just toss in your two cents worth and let others do the same? That's a rhetorical question. It means an answer is neither wanted or expected.

Gregorach · Apr 21, 2010

Hey Collin Applicants,

I apologize, in the pile of paperwork that you'll have to get used to (yeah, sadly we are all siblings in mountains of care plans, care maps, and other tools that are geared toward helping you think like a nurse), I posted a non-working link. If any considering Collin have any doubts about our accreditation status, follow this link

http://www.nlnac.org/Forms/directory_search.htm

and enter Collin County Community College. See you on campus or in the hospitals!

Gregory

allnurses Guide · Apr 22, 2010

Retention means percentage of people initially accepted who actually graduated. And that information IS published. I will be happy to find where and post it when the semester is over.

Chris, you have a vendetta against CCCC. We get that. But everything you have posted has been merely your opinion. Greg and I have backed up the benefits of CC with the facts. I am sorry, again, that you had a miserable experience at CC and left in the third semester. You went on to become a nurse. One has to wonder why on earth you would be this angry still when you have indeed managed to achieve what you set out to do. The opposite of love isn't hate. It is indifference. You obviously felt very wronged by the school. That is unfortunate. But so far, you have only given your opinion, based on things like "I had to be on time and I didn't like that". Nothing wrong with that, but it is, in the end, only opinion. The things you have claimed about the program are simply not true and we have shown that irrefutably.

There's nothing wrong with being proud of your alma mater. We are proud of CCCC. Nothing I said was angry or implied anger. You have, however, implied we are stupid (using simple metaphors, eh?) among other things. I am sorry you feel that way.

LGrotjan · Apr 23, 2010

Thank you all for your responses! I am no longer worrying about being accepted because I was! Woohoo! I am also considering the "Grow Your Own" through HCA. I should hear back from that soon as well. I'm sure I might meet you, Greg, at the orientation next Friday. Although there are critics of every nursing program in our area, I chose Collin because of my location and how it will fit in with my family schedule as well. Thank you for your advice Chris, but Collin's nursing program has been my goal for the past year and a half and I'm going to stick with it. Every school will be difficult in the area because they are all so competitive, but I'm going to give it my best just like I have done thus far! Thanks again guys!

Husker1 · Apr 23, 2010

Pleas note: all quotations in the following were taken from posts made by Chris at Lucas RN:

"I don't quite get why you all are so angry, or why my alleged emotions or affection or whatever have become the issue."

Because:

"Nice job, though as I said, the character assassination. So if potshots help, I have a pretty strong skin."

Yet, you began the character assassinations and potshots...

"The director is a frightening little woman who will make your life hell if you aren't young and blond and preferably extremely thin."

"There are no emotions here, only facts." "On her watch, the school of nursing at CCCCD went from being accredited to being on probation. Trust me, you don't want this."

Not fact, as it is unsupported by evidence.

"I'm getting tired of the long winded slurs. Sometimes people who have very strong opinions and emotions and confuse those for facts, or who are easily upset when someone disagrees with them or doesn't share their opinion, have a need to punch down those who represent that."

Subjective data: I call that 'rich'

"So while you quote statistics, and that's impressive for a freshman or sophomore (I'm serious, it's impressive, even if you did get them from Nell or some other staff person)"

The reporting agencies are represented with a link. Additionally, according to other posts by Gregory, I believe he has a least one BS in psychology.

"I am talking about how many people who start, finish. Those data are not reported and won't be published. I am not certain what you mean by "retention rate for their grads."

Retention rate means retention of students who graduate that are admitted to the program. I recall reading about the grant given to 3 schools including CC by the Texas Board of Education for their NCLEX pass rate and their retention (AKA attrition) rates in the Dallas Morning News.

And, the real kicker is...

"I've made my points, it seems difficult for people to grasp them, even though I have used pretty basic language and tried hard to make the metaphors simple so they can be understood."

"Have you ever wondered why you cannot just toss in your two cents worth and let others do the same? That's a rhetorical question. It means an answer is neither wanted or expected."

Ever heard of patronizing? That means you treat people as if they're stupid.

Gregorach · Apr 24, 2010

For Collin Applicants or anyone considering Collin for an ADN, here is a reply to my inquiry about our accreditation status. The original email was:

>>>>Dear NLN,

Thank you for promoting high standards and excellence in nursing! I have a quick quick question that hopefully can be answered without too much investment on your part.

Per your website, Collin College, formerly Collin County Community College, is accredited and has been since 1993. Has the school ever been on probation or had it's accreditation suspended? Please let me know. Thank you in advance for the time and effort!

Sincerely,

Gregory

The reply from the NLN Accreditation Committee was thus:

>>>>NLNAC is unable to provide the information you are seeking. Since NLNAC neither "suspends" nor puts programs on "probation" you will need to contact the program directly or their current accrediting agency.

NLNAC can provide you information on whether the Collin College was NLNAC accredited in a specific year and you can search our website at www.nlnac.org under NLNAC Accredited Nursing Programs to find out if the program is currently NLNAC accredited.

JG [privacy respected, name withheld]

Administrative Assistant to the Office of the CEO

Collin College's accreditation status is already provided above. This is the last I have to say to defend the program and the professors I've come to know thus far, at this time. *group hug* Let's move on, in a positive, productive manner.

CONGRATULATIONS LGrotjan!!!! I'll be there Friday, feel free to stop by and see the lab if you have the time. We have an awesome new birthing mannequin in our sim lab. I'll be in the hospital lab or across the hall doing laundry. If only that glass slipper had fit....

Gregory

MedSurger · Apr 26, 2010

Hi Gregory!

I am going to be up there on Friday, bright and early! :)

I will have to swing by and meet you in person.

Thanks for all your information, it has been very helpful!

Gregorach · Apr 27, 2010

Hi MyTwoGirls2010,

I'll be in the lab around 09:30, after turning in my weekly clinical paperwork and returning the wheelbarrow I used to deliver it back to the shed. Just kidding, it's not that bad, and you get a bit more used to the paperwork, and better at it, as time goes on. I'll see you Friday!

Gregory

allnurses Guide · Apr 28, 2010

Lots of us will be around that morning :)

sweet_b · Jun 21, 2010

I'm sure this is late, but I don't want to argue about what school is better. I love Collin County. LOVE IT! The classes are hard, and they do have a low tolerance for bull spit :), but you learn soooo much.

The instructors care, but you need to show them that your giving it your all and you are trying to understand what is being taught. They want to help you, don't be afraid to ask for it. Collin county isn't for everyone, but it is a good school. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but you should choose for your self, what school is the best fit for you.

To answer your question..........yes it is possible to get in with at 14. traditionally you have a better chance in getting into a January start date, than in the fall. But it is possible.

Good luck and hopefully my answer helped a little bit.

hecstar · Feb 14, 2011

Hello everyone,

I am looking for someone to take on the excelsior rn program journey with me. Is there anyone out there who has gone this route? I'm a Registered Respiratory Therapist. I'm starting in 2 weeks.