Advice for School Consideration

Headhurt, ADN · Dec 7, 2003

I'm going to PVCC and have one more semester til graduating with an ADN.

As far as nursing programs go, I think PVCC is okay. If I had to do it all over again, I probably would've gone to Avila. They take transfers into their nursing program, many of them disgruntled nursing students from PVCC. There's a lot of BS that goes on in the nursing division, and most students feel like we are being taught to jump through hoops and kiss butt instead of being taught the science of nursing (which I am under the impression that there is a distinction).

I don't know if that is standard for most all nursing programs...I've heard horror stories from students in all programs. I guess it comes down to what your tolerance is. My recommendation is to look at other schools as well (but PLEASE, don't go to Stanford Brown!!)

Besides, ever nurse I've talked to has told me that "actual" learning doesn't happen until AFTER graduation.

As far as working full time...I started the program working full time, as did many other students. I had to drop back to part time...as did many students. Working full time and juggling a full nursing class load is quite a challenge (in this program anyway). I've seen some students do it, but they are part time nursing students and finish in 3 years instead of 2.

Good luck!!

Heather:roll

melessia · Dec 9, 2003

Heather, thanks so much for the reply. From what I was told at PVCC (who really did not know much since I couldn't talk to anyone in the nursing div.), that it is basically an 8-5 everyday and there would be no part-time option and virtually impossible for someone to work at the same time. So we basically chalked it up as a "no-can-do". I will look at Avila's programs and see what they offer. Right now we are also looking at Deaconess web-based program out of St. Louis, however it is so horribly expensive. In your research of a school do you know of any schools in our area that offer night classes for nursing?

Again, thanks for the info, it was invaluable!

Headhurt, ADN · Dec 10, 2003

Whoever you talked to about the PVCC nursing program is wrong. The 8-5 program is that of the LPN. The RN program DOES have a part time option...and you pretty much decide which classes to take together.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

Heather

ksrnstudent · Dec 13, 2003

I'm attending nursing school at a community college down by Wichita, and my program is definately a full-time program with little time to work. Those who worked their first semester full-time and went to school struggled with their grades.

With that said, I know Excelsior College has a distant learning program for those who are in healthcare (LPN, EMT, Parametic). They are accredited by the NLN. I really don't know too much about them, but I have heard that a couple of EMT's in the Wichita area are going through this program and like it. Here's Excelsior's website: http://www.excelsior.edu/nur_home.htm

Another option to look into other than Excelsior is to contact PVCC Financial Aid Department and schedule a time to go in and discuss grants, loans, etc. You can also apply for financial aid to cover some living expenses. This is what I'm doing now. Also check into a Workforce Investment Act (WIA). This is a federal fund that helps individuals (regardless of income) to get grant money that pays for tuition, books, etc. We had a representative from Wichita come over and talk to our class last week about it, and it sounds good. I go in this Monday to get the paperwork started so that I can get the grant money in time for spring semester. The Kansas City WIA website is: http://www.centerforbusiness.org/wia.htm

Maybe with a combo of financial aid your husband may be able to work part-time or not at all depending on what he can get financially. Just my two cents. Hope this helps and good luck!

ashemson · Jan 12, 2004

melessia - I also am transferring to Penn Valley hopefully this Fall. There is a part time option there. I was told that once you start on the actual nursing courses, you have to take the first two fundamentals classes together. After that, you can take one class a semester, or a full load. I also live about 30 minutes north of KC - we must be close!!

Good luck!

melessia · Jan 14, 2004

ashemson - thanks so much for the reply. Its good to hear what you found out at Penn Valley because I haven't been able to find out anything! We was told in the Counselor's office that there is no part-time option. I keep getting conflicting answers. Its actually my husband that is going. He is starting his generals next week. He has not yet filled out his application to the Nursing program, (this is his first college, so he has all the generals to do first) so what I think he needs to do is get it filled out, send it in and then maybe, maybe we can get an appointment with a counselor there to actually talk to us and find out what is going on. He really, really wants to be an RN, but the quitting work to go to school full-time is really wiggin' him out (although we figure it will be about 18 months before he has to). He is going to continue working now and just do generals part-time and through the summer. We're hoping he can start the nursing courses in the fall of '05 (after he finishes the generals and sciences, A&P, etc.). What were the two classes that had to be taken together? Are you going part-time or full-time? We live in Lathrop (straight up I-35 about 15 min. N or Kearney), where do you live?

Headhurt, ADN · Jan 14, 2004

I forgot to mention that the nursing division office secretaries at PVCC are of no good use. Two of the three people that work in that office are rude, crude and hateful to nursing students...and they are the ones the students will come in contact with first. So, when they tell you that there is no part time option for ADN students, they are merely blowing smoke up your butt. There is a part time option, even for freshmen semester nursing students. I know students who had families and such who had to use this option so they could complete their degree. However, I remember hearing something during my freshmen orientation that you had five years to complete your ADN (this only counts the nursing classes, and not the academic classes).

So, you have office personnel, who for some reason or another, seem to hate their jobs and hate dealing with nursing students (I've seen them lock the office door so students can't come in to ask questions). If they hate it that much, they should quit...but they have become permanent fixtures there.

If you are getting nowhere, ask to speak with the division chairperson, or make an appointment to speak with a counselor in the nursing division. Most of all, don't get discouraged, and don't give up.

ashemson · Jan 15, 2004

I agree with the Penn Valley office comment! I haven't had to actually deal with them much yet, but I have heard that from ALOT of people! Melessia - I work at Liberty Hospital with a girl who is currently in the program at Penn Valley. She said that the first two nursing classes - (1) Fundamentals and (2) Essentials of Nursing Concespts HAVE to be taken concurrently. After that, you don't have to take anything concurrently. She is in class with alot of moms, dads, etc. and alot of them do that. I am done with all my generals, have all of my prereq's done from MWSC, so I am ready to start the program. I am going to take the NET in February. Also, if you didn't know this - they fill the nursing program "spots" according to file completion date. For example, you have to have your application, transcripts, NET test completed. Whoever gets theirs in first and complete, is accepted. Sooo, hopefully I will pass the NET and be able to start in the August '04. If you haven't done so already, call the nursing dept (759-4175) and leave a voice message to send you an ADN packet. It has all the info you need, and I got mine within about 2 weeks. Good luck and hang in there! I am fighting with financial aid right now, and very frustrated!

OH, I live in Platte City, but grew up in Edgerton, which isn't too far away from Lathrop!

Headhurt, ADN · Jan 15, 2004

They must have changed the Fundamentals/Concepts rule since I have started. Paint me corrected!

If you are uncertain about the NET, they have study guides in the campus bookstore, and the school also offers a workshop. I strongly encourage folks to go to the workshop. It gives you a heads up on what to expect.

With the nursing office being as bad as they are, I would strongly suggest you keep constant contact with them as to the progress of your file. The office lost my NET scores AND my high school transcripts, so I had to take the test over again, and my high school had to resend the transcripts...even though PVCC had copies of their own, the nursing office would not accept copies of those, they wanted their own transcripts. I personally think those bitter women in the office sit and think of ways to make students miserable. As if we were not miserable enough...

I currently live in Parkville, but I used to live in Smithville, and Cameron before that. Something about small towns...

melessia · Jan 15, 2004

That is so wonderful to hear that there are part-time people in the program! That will make my hubby sleep so much better at night knowing he doesn't have to jeopardize our family's well-being for his goals (which I wouldn't have thought that way, its just him). Ashemson - what do you do at Liberty Hospital? That defintely is cool that me, you and Headhurt all are in the same vicinity (and very close at one time). I can't tell you how appreciative I am of the advice you two have given me about PVCC!!!!! I'm sure it will save us a lot of headaches just having a heads-up on everything.

We have the ADN packet, however, he has to take Math20 (because he's 39, Algebra was toooo long ago) as a pre-req to Biology. So he has to complete Math20 before they will let him take the NET test. Other than that he is sending his application in this week, and going to the high school to request the transcripts. Other than waiting on the NET, I think that's about all he can do right now.

Good luck to both of you too and I'm sure we'll keep in touch as we move forward.

ashemson · Jan 15, 2004

Headhurt - just wondering how it was when you started there - regarding the fundamentals...Did you have to take more classes than that together, or how has it changed? If I don't get my financial aid worked out, then I will be paying out of pocket, and I don't think I can afford any more credit hours than that at one time!

Thanks you guys! It's great to talk to someone at the same school, going thru the same BS!!!