A question for Michigan nurses

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Feb 22, 2009

I dont know about either but I would apply to both as there may be a waiting list. Some people have been known to have to wait a couple years if not longer. With that in mind if school A is your first choice and you can go in a year or go to school B now what would you do?

Michigan30 · Mar 1, 2009

Hi Mandy, I have just finished the LPN program at Alpena Community College last Dec. I don't know anything about the other school but I can tell you the instructors at ACC are awsome! The program is very competitive to get into, but it's worth it. If you have any questions i'd be more then happy to try to answer them.

MandyinMichigan · Mar 4, 2009

thank you for your responses. i am registered for the pre-nursing for acc. i still am not 100% i heard petoskey is great. i've heard that it is very comp. for both colleges. i do have a quick question for you though. are you going just for the lpn or the rn as well? i see that you have to pass and receive an lpn license before you can apply for rn course is that true??

Michigan30 · Mar 4, 2009

Yes, I plan on continuing to RN this fall. They do require you to get your LPN licnese before going on to RN. You can apply for the RN program right after geting your LPN license but you must have a 3.0 in Nur courses from LPN program to go directly in, but this doesn't guarantee a spot in RN program, they go by GPA of applicatnts. But if you work for a year as a LPN then apply for RN program you are chosen first over people who just finshed thier LPN program.

MandyinMichigan · Mar 5, 2009

Thank you for the information. I am afraid if I step away I might not go back. Thanks for the heads up! I am sure I will be full of questions it is nice to get information from someone whose been there! Not many people from northern Michigan on here, well that I have seen. It's very nice to meet you.

Thanks again,

Mandy~

Michigan30 · Mar 6, 2009

Nice to meet ya too! I'm with you, I'm worried if I don't do RN right away I wouldn't go back, so fingers crossed I get in this fall but I wont know till June.

MandyinMichigan · Mar 12, 2009

Good luck and I hope you arent stressin to much. If your anything like me lol luck isn't enough.

I have been sick with flu for a week and a half. I wanted to reply sooner.

Have you been working throughout school (I know most people do however some are lucky not having to) If so is it PT, FT? What type of work do you do?

Michigan30 · Mar 12, 2009

Sorry to hear you had the flu, nasty thing has been around my house too. Yea I worked while in the program but I only worked weekends. When my clinical required longer hours while doing Med/Surg at the hospital I went to 1 day a week. I worked as a housekeeper at a local hotel. Tomorrow I have an interview with a nursing home and hope to continue there untill Im done with school, if I get hired. Kinda nervous since it would be my first job as an LPN, but Im also excited!

guest337992 · Mar 26, 2009

Hello there,

I am also applying for a spot in the Fall 2009 Level I nursing program at Alpena Community College. I've been out of school for 10 years now and am hoping to get back in. I have all the pre-reqs and a good GPA. I'm currently not in the area and so I will have to move back there, but I was wondering when you (Michigan30) heard back from them regarding your acceptance into the program? They say we would hear by June 30th at the latest, but I'm just wondering when you were actually notified.

Also, could you explain a little more how they do their acceptance for continuing students who want to go into the Level II program? If you complete Level I and get great grades, are you guaranteed a spot in the next opening of Level II? Is it possible you could do great in the first year and then have to wait a full year before you could get into Level II?

Lastly, what's your take on the nursing employment situation in the general Alpena area? What did you think of AGH? What are the starting pay rates up there for LPN and RN?

Thanks.

Danih3000 · Apr 10, 2009

I am thinking about attending Alpena for the nursing program too. I actually live in SE Mich but all the nursing schools around here are waitlisted for 1 1/2 - 2 years. My in laws live near Alpena so I thought I'd give it a shot. I have a BS from another school so my basics should be covered. I would only need the LPN and RN classes I think. Is there a wait to get into the Level 1 classes? What about Level 2? Any info you guys have would be helpful!

guest337992 · Apr 10, 2009

Hey there,

The application for Fall 09 was due this April 8th. They have 16 openings that they give to level one students each semester. 4 more openings are given to people who are on a waiting list that have finished all the pre-requisite and core-requisite courses. The people who get those sixteen slots are determined by the GPA of the applicants in their four pre-requisite courses, (1) Human Anatomy, (2) English, (3) Chemistry, and (4) General Psychology. This fall they instituted a new guideline that give priority within those 16 spots to students who have completed 6 or more credits at that community college. Also, another note is that the current nursing director will be leaving shortly so things could change considerably after this fall. You just never know. So, the first thing you have to do is apply for admission into the college, then you have to have all your transcripts sent over, as well as appropriate test scores (AP, ACT, etc.) and then if you have completed the pre-reqs then you can apply to the program and see what happens. In state tuition rates were currently $124 per contact hour. $164 for out of state, and $84 for those in-district. Also, level II openings are 30 per fall semester and are only open to either progressing level I students or nurses who already have their LPN and want to get their RN. The latter receive preference over the former, but to date they have never turned away a continuing student.

Hope that helps.