ADN OCC or HFCC

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I'm currently working as an MA in Dermatology. I have experience in OB/GYN, and did autopsies for two years and now I'm ready to make the transition to nursing. I'm looking at Henry Ford CC and Oakland CC. I heard that Henry Ford CC has an accelerated program (which would be great because I work for HFHS) but Oakland CC is closer to me. Can anyone give me advice on which program is better, and what to expect so I can prepare myself. :rolleyes:

Specializes in Med-Surg/Trauma.

I think the accelerated program through Henry Ford no longer exists due to the "economy." I know a couple of the CNAs on the floor during my clinical rotation were really upset because they had planned to use that option, and, for the foreseeable future, it is no longer an option. Someone feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but that was my understanding of the current state of the program... Check for yourself-- since you work at Henry Ford it should be fairly easy to obtain info if that accelerated program for employees still exists.

If you wanted to go through Henry Ford I believe you now have to get on the waitlist like everyone else so it could be a while. If you're done with all the prereqs by December you can apply for the OCC nursing program and might be able to start a semester or two sooner.

Have you already finished your prereqs or are you still in the process of taking them?

Specializes in Med/Surg.

I am pretty sure she is right. I heard that about Henry Ford program as well. I graduated from there however I was a winter admit through the school. My program was accelerated as well however it does not count as the accelerated program for some reason. We went for 16 months straight through. There is not a different place to sign up for it...that is just when I was accepted into the program.

I'm still in the process of taking the pre-reqs, that program was the only reason I was going to stay at HFCC, but OCC is so much closer. Thanks for the comments!

according to dean (dean's initials removed by moderator). at one of the meetings, the accelerated program was dropped due to a "greater than 50%" failure rate. :(

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Yeah my winter program had a huge failure rate too...I just don't know the exact numbers. But a lot of people I started with did not finish. I would highly discourage a lot of people on the winter admit. It is not meant for most people. Same would go with the accelerated program. But for those who can it's great to get it over with!

That is unfortunate, I was really looking forward to that program. Does anyone know what the wait-list time is currently?

I heard it was up to two years now but you should call the nursing office to get a more accurate time line. Most people don't wait that long to be invited.

I have to echo oguesswhat on the winter start at HFCC. We started together last January and have seen more than half of that class fail. It's really sad.:cry: But I heard from one of my instructors they were going to modify the winter start becaue the fail rate is so high. Instead of going 16 months straight with little breaks in between, you start in the winter and will have the summer off. It will take a little longer to graduate but the burn out rate won't be as high.

I heard it was up to two years now but you should call the nursing office to get a more accurate time line. Most people don't wait that long to be invited.

I have to echo oguesswhat on the winter start at HFCC. We started together last January and have seen more than half of that class fail. It's really sad.:cry: But I heard from one of my instructors they were going to modify the winter start becaue the fail rate is so high. Instead of going 16 months straight with little breaks in between, you start in the winter and will have the summer off. It will take a little longer to graduate but the burn out rate won't be as high.

I am doing this right now and will graduate in the dec '10. I am enjoying my break and Since I was very sick during the last 6 weeks of the semester it has gave me some much needed recoup. time. I also like that I can kinda study ahead if I want.The whole fluid & electrolytes chapter is going to be well known by me. The downfall I see with this though is i am having to wait 5 months between the end of the 1st semester and the begining of my 155 class. I am worried about how much I will forget. esp. since we had just learned sterile technique and were checked off not even 2 weeks before school was out.

Specializes in Med/Surg.

Oh wow I didn't know they were already doing that. So you will have 2 summers off? Full summers?

yep I'm off from may to the end of august. both summers. with having kids it worked out great. My daughter graduated this year and I wasnt stressed (well besides the normal water heater blowing up the day before the party and flooding my laundry room stress) i had visions of having to leave the party for some school thing or miss her graduation for clinicals. i am very happy with the program so far.

I am doing this right now and will graduate in the dec '10. I am enjoying my break and Since I was very sick during the last 6 weeks of the semester it has gave me some much needed recoup. time. I also like that I can kinda study ahead if I want.The whole fluid & electrolytes chapter is going to be well known by me. The downfall I see with this though is i am having to wait 5 months between the end of the 1st semester and the begining of my 155 class. I am worried about how much I will forget. esp. since we had just learned sterile technique and were checked off not even 2 weeks before school was out.

That is the one downfall for taking time off after your first semester. If you can I would recommend you practice, practice, and practice during break on your kids, spouse, friends, etc. Is the lab open during the summer? If yes, take advantage of it. That way your skills will remain fresh once you start med-surg/phsych. Keep in mind that everything you learn in 126 is the foundation and every semester will build upon it.

You are also doing the right thing by reading ahead for med-surg because you are now in a whole new ball game. Get to know those electrolytes, their normal values, s/s of hyper and hypo and what effects it has on the body. That is one of the hardest test in nursing school so if you get your modules and start studying early for it you will be way ahead of the game.

Question, have they completely eliminated the original winter program: 120/126 winter, 150/155 summer, 221/222 fall, 250/255 winter, graduation.

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