HCC Spring 2012-Houston Community College

U.S.A. Texas

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Hi Everyone,

I'll be applying for HCC Spring 2012. I was intending on taking my prerequisites in the Fall, but I've decided to knock out A&P II and Micro this summer to avoid any complications in the application process. I'm getting conflicting reports that prereqs have to be complete BEFORE the application is due, then others say that I'm allowed 1 course in progress. Not sure, so just to be on the safe side I've opted to register for both courses over the summer.

I hope this thread will bring together all the Houston Community College Spring 2012 applicants.

Goodluck Everyone:D

Has anyone heard about the upcoming pharmacology course? I'm extremely nervous about this class and I have no clue as to what to expect.

You'll be OK! I just passed the class with a B and that's the first B I've gotten in a long time. The class is definitely challenging and you will be reading EVERY DAY and creating various drug cards. :uhoh3: Make sure you learn the basics to all the drug classifications you will be learning and do EVERYTHING your teacher assigns to you. Those assignments might just save you from getting a D, which isn't a passing grade. Just breathe, relax, and remember why you are doing this and you'll be just fine :D

Thank you for all the great advice!

hello all,

i just stumbled upon this discussion and thought i'd chime in. i'm also applying at hcc for the spring 2012 track. i received the pharm letter giving me the "okay" to take pharmacology. i just spoke to one of the secretaries at hcc, and she said that immunization are not required prior to orientation. the will just go over expectations and requirements should you get accepted into the nursing program. did anyone sign up for the 5pm-8pm pharm class (57777)????

very important shots info:

i don't know what they have told you all but, you need to make sure you get your hep b vaccinations out of the way. you also need to get a titer done for varicella (chicken pox), to prove you had it. they will not accept a letter from your doctor for us, they wanted valid proof. if you didn't have chicken pox, you need to get your varicella zoster vaccination asap. you now need to have your meningicoccal vaccination, which we weren't told until the last second. good thing for me i was in the army and have every vaccination known to man inside my body. :lol2: remember, never wait to do anything at the last second. they were turning away students left and right because they didn't have certain vaccines in a certain time frame. be prepared! you do not need your physical and drug test until you get the proper paperwork from coleman college, which you will receive on your 1st day of orientation. on your 1st day of orientation, they will check off everyone who has their vaccinations completed. now, wouldn't you like to be one of those lucky students who have everything (shots) completed so you don't have to mess with the hassel?

immunization list:

meningicoccal vaccination

tdap

mmr (2 different times)

hbv (3 different times)

chicken pox titer or varicella zoster vaccination

flu shot (seasonal) if in season*

tb test or x-ray, if known + (lasts only 1 year)

i hope i helped! :D good luck, everyone!

That is extremely helpful! Just to confirm that I understand the time frame: they will go over these requirements on the first day of pharmacology and we must fulfill them prior to the first day our actual classes within the nursing program begin. Is that correct? Thank you for your help!!!

That is extremely helpful! Just to confirm that I understand the time frame: they will go over these requirements on the first day of pharmacology and we must fulfill them prior to the first day our actual classes within the nursing program begin. Is that correct? Thank you for your help!!!

They say you can wait, but do yourself a favor and do your shots ASAP. I'd hate to see you turned away because of some shots. When I said, "certain time frame," I meant, some shots need 2 different vaccinations and some, 3. You need them all completed by your first day of orientation. Please pass this valuble information. :)

I certainly will pass on this infirmation! Thank you very very much! I have completed my immunizations except for my final hepatitis shot. I still need to do the drug and background check though, as well as find a CPR class that they will approve.

One more from me: VERY IMPORTANT

Within the first week of Pharmacology, you will receive a packet filled with very important information. This packet consists of your actual Physical Exam papers, a list of everything you need before the last day of orientation, and your finger-printing and background check paper among other things. Within this packet, they will also tell you whose CPR they will accept.

The first thing you need to do, is turn in the orientation invitation to the ADN office, stating that you will be there for those days of orientation at Coleman College. You will see that that tiny invitation card is due in a few days anyways. You need to turn this in to save your seat!

Secondly, you need to find the finger-printing background check paper and make an appointment to get this done ASAP. After you get finger-printed, it takes about one week to get a tiny BLUE card in the mail, from the Texas Board of Nursing, proving that you are CLEAR. This will cost you around $43.00 max.

Third and most importantly, make a COPY of EVERYTHING! When they ask you to turn everything in, they will want a copy of everything EXCEPT, your Physical Examination. They want the ORIGINAL copy of your Physical Examination.

I think that’s it. If you want to know more, please ask me and not your teacher. My teacher didn’t know anything since it’s not her job to know. Another thing, she will be bombarded with questions and WILL get annoyed. I’m here if you need me.

GOOD LUCK!

You are an angel and answer to my prayers! I have been trying to sort through all these details for weeks now and you taking the time to help means so much. Thank you for providing me with much needed clarity and detail.

You are an angel and answer to my prayers! I have been trying to sort through all these details for weeks now and you taking the time to help means so much. Thank you for providing me with much needed clarity and detail.

Anything for a future Nurse :nurse:

You are AWESOME mmbero82!!!!!!!!! I'm soooooo glad you stumbled across our discussion. Thank you so much for this information!! It is VERY helpful. Can I ask you a couple of more questions...

You mentioned something about Orientation. I'm assuming this is seperate from the Orientation that is on the 1st day of the Pharm class. Is this orientation during the day or evening? Is it more than one day??

Also, what vaccine is the HBV???

About the books for Pharmacology....are the access codes for the text books neccessary for the class? I really want to buy these books used, but if the access codes are going to be required then I will have to purchase them New.

One more thing, about the shots you said that some of them are needed multiple times....what do you mean?

Thanks again for all your help!!!

You are AWESOME mmbero82!!!!!!!!! I'm soooooo glad you stumbled across our discussion. Thank you so much for this information!! It is VERY helpful. Can I ask you a couple of more questions...

You mentioned something about Orientation. I'm assuming this is seperate from the Orientation that is on the 1st day of the Pharm class. Is this orientation during the day or evening? Is it more than one day??

Also, what vaccine is the HBV???

About the books for Pharmacology....are the access codes for the text books neccessary for the class? I really want to buy these books used, but if the access codes are going to be required then I will have to purchase them New.

One more thing, about the shots you said that some of them are needed multiple times....what do you mean?

Thanks again for all your help!!!

Thank you, CareAngel! Your words are very kind. :D

To answer your questions, yes, the orientation I'm speaking of is different than the 1st day of Pharmacology and you will be receiving that information around the first week within your Pharm class. The orientation, for my class of 2013 students, happened to be 2 consecutive Fridays. It lasts ALL day, so gear yourself up to spend a lot of time with frantic prospective students who know absolutely nothing and WILL be moody. Ha-ha. Be patient, and know that everything you need to know will be told to you, so don't try to ask them question beyond question. Another thing, you will all be taking your drug test with Coleman College on your last orientation day so, don't worry about getting that done. That drug test will cost you at least $39.99, and don't worry about that info; you'll receive that within your packet with detailed instructions.

About your Pharmacology books, if you are using the same books as I did, you'll need to purchase used or new: Pharmacology Connections to Nursing Practice by last names, Adams and Koch. You also need the book: Calculate with Confidence by Deborah Gary Morris (I have the used, 5th edition). IMPORTANT; for the book: Pharmacology Connections to Nursing Practice, you WILL NEED YOUR ACCESS CODE! Your teacher will assign you a LOT of busy homework to complete using "MyNursingLabs" by the book's web site listed here: http://pegasus2.pearsoned.com/Pegasus/frmLogin.aspx?s=3

If you buy a used textbook, you WILL have to purchase a new access code. Be prepared to spend money; it's not cheap. I don't remember how much it was, but I do remember I thought it was extremely overpriced.

HBV vaccine is simply your Hepatitis B vaccines and you need 3 of these to be complete. Another vaccine you need more than 1 of is your MMR. You need to have gotten your MMR at least 2 times in your life. If you don't have proof, get yourself a titer. This is a new concept and some people had to get another MMR.

Ask away if any of you have any other questions, especially before I start my Nursing courses.

How far into the semester did this orientation occur and how much notice do they give you? Can you select which days you attend? I work Fridays so this concerns me.

I am referring to : "To answer your questions, yes, the orientation I’m speaking of is different than the 1st day of Pharmacology and you will be receiving that information around the first week within your Pharm class."

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