ACC Spring 2014 Hopefuls...........

jena5111, ASN, RN · Oct 25, 2013

I submitted my background check on 10/19, got an "all clear" from PreCheck on 10/23, and received an email from ACC with registration instructions this afternoon (10/25).

It seems like the process moved pretty fast! I won't be able to register until Monday 10/29 since I have not taken very many credit hours at ACC; most of my prerequisites came from another college. I look forward to getting registered first thing on Monday morning!

In the meantime, I plan to get my flu shot this weekend and to schedule my physical.

Jus3 · Nov 2, 2013

Anyone else who will be at CEC next semester live up north?

Austin404 · Nov 7, 2013

I just wanted to wish all of you entering the program in the spring good luck! You guys are going to do great. This program goes by so quickly. You guys will be done before you know it. I will be in Level 4 in the Spring at CEC. So ready for graduation in May! :yes:

BFlores20 · Nov 27, 2013

Thanks Austin404!

So, who else was excited to see that they aren't requiring WHITE shoes only for Spring 2014??? We can do black, grey or white now, WHOOHOOO!!!

And I'm also super stoked that I dropped my packet off at the Nursing office yesterday... I can't wait until January :roflmao:

Austin404 · Nov 27, 2013

You're welcome!

No more white shoes is definitely a good thing! I can't wait to get rid of mine.

One of the best things for you guys is the fact that they have changed the grading scale for Spring. It used to be that an A was a 91-100, a B was 83-90, and a C was 75 -79. Thankfully they have changed it to a more traditional scale. Now, an A is 90 - 100, a B is 80 to 89, and a C is 75 - 79. This will definitely help you guys be more competitive in four year universities by helping to boost your GPA. The old scale definitely put us at a disadvantage with students at other schools.

ruddergrl · Nov 27, 2013

Oh wow! That IS good to know! One thing though........My best friend is in Level 1 right now. They were just told that the NCLEX has changed from a "one answer" format to there being a possibility of multiple answers.....and, because of that, that ACC's tests would follow suit.

Thanks so much for the encouragement. What helpful hints, advice can you give to make life a little bit easier for us in level 1? ...Anything you wish that you'd known or want to pass on?

jk4185 · Nov 27, 2013

Hello! Congratulations to all those who have made it in for Spring 2014. I'm excited to start! In regards to the textbooks... does anyone recommend purchasing the books or renting them? I was told that using later editions would be fine for level 1 students but that the diagnosis book would have to be the newest edition? Any tips for the textbooks? Thanks!

Austin404 · Nov 27, 2013

I think you are right about that. They are trying to incorporate more of those questions in their testing. I think they have always had the "select all that apply" on the N-CLEX. However, ACC was never able to get the software they use for testing to do "all that apply" questions. They did give us some questions like that in Level 3, but they did it using A, B, C, D options where one was "all of the above" kind of stuff.

The best helpful hints I can give you:

1. Try to relax and enjoy the experience. Looking back, I think I freaked out way too much in the beginning.

2. Don't listen to all of the rumors that get spread around about the program or job processes afterwards. People start so many of them, and 95% of them wind up being not true. I have stressed so many times only to find out that I had nothing to worry about.

3. Every Level has it's challenges, and everyone has different opinions of which ones they think are the most difficult. In my opinion, Level one was the most stressful so far. Everyone is new and they don't really know what to expect or what they're doing. It seems like there are checkoffs and tests happening every week to get you ready for clinical. If you can really focus, go to class (

4. One thing I really wish I had done in the beginning is bought the Saunder's Review. The 6th edition is the current one. It is published by Elsevier who also publishes all of the textbooks ACC uses. You can get it online of at the ACC Bookstore at Eastview or Round Rock. Starting in 1341 (second half of Level 1), it will be incredibly helpful to you. Most of the people in my class use it to study for exams. Using it has definitely brought my grades up. It is also a great thing to use to study for the NCLEX. It breaks down the subjects and focuses only on what the nurse needs to know without all of the fluff that is in the textbook.

ruddergrl · Nov 27, 2013

Thank you so much for sharing all of that! I really appreciate your taking the time!

Austin404 · Nov 27, 2013

JK4185,

Personally, I would purchase the ones in Level 1 and Level 2. You can probably get away with renting the ones in Level 3 unless you want to do specialty nursing when you get out. The Taylor book you will only use in Level 1. However, most of your skills are in that book, so it is very handy as a reference throughout the program. You are going to use the Lewis textbook in Level 1, Level 2, and Level 4, so I would buy it.

I tried to buy previous editions in Level one, and I ended up purchasing the current ones after the third week. They do update really important information with each edition. The issue that you're going to run into is with readings. The instructors are going to assign different pages for you to read. Different editions have different pages numbers. The second problem you're going to run into buying older editions is the professors are always going to say "we go by whats in the textbook." Well, if the new edition has updated information in it, the older edition isn't going to help you very much and it may negatively impact your grade.

As far as the Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, I have used an older edition all through the program. It has worked just fine. I have compared mine (8th edition) with several of the newer ones and I don't see a difference at all. Another handy hint about the NDH is the Elsevier website has a "careplan constructor" that is free and you can access 3/4 of the handbook on there.

jena5111, ASN, RN · Nov 28, 2013

I turned in my new student packet today! I felt really proud and excited when the admin handed me the clearance ticket to begin clinicals and said, "Congratulations!"

Austin404, your insight is invaluable! I was thinking about trying older textbook editions for Level 1, but I'm rethinking that after reading your advice.

jk4185 · Nov 28, 2013

Thank you so much, Austin404! I've been contemplating about the textbooks and your advice has helped tons.