Any Info on Grayson or NCTC?

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Hi,

I have been accepted into the RN program at Grayson County College in Denison, TX. I am waiting to see if I get into North Central Texas College as well. I hear good things about both school. Just in case I had to choose between, I wanted to find out from other people how they felt about these two programs.

Thanks in advance for your time!

Specializes in LTAC.
Wow! Thanks for all the information. I have heard nothing but good things about NCTC. It sounds like you were well prepared when you graduated.

I took the DET last week and am waiting to hear if I got in or not. They said we would hear something by the 21st but I hope it is sooner. The wait is killing me!

What makes the first semester so rough? Also, how many do you think dropped out of your class?

Thanks again for the great reply!

Melissa

Yes, it always seems like an eternity waiting for those test results. And when you take Boards, it'll seem like another eternity...lol. I'm sure you'll be ok.

I don't remember how many dropped out of the program. By the end of fourth semester, it was hard to recall people who'd been there only in the first semester. I'm thinking we started with 40 and lost between 5 and 8.

Some of the students were "weeded" out by the math tests. Each semester, you have to take dosage calculation tests and if you score

I think what made the first semester the hardest was feeling like I was on information overload! I think we had 3 or 4 nursing classes first semester. We had a dosage calculations class my first semester, which they were not doing anymore (so I don't know if that's changed again). We also had Assessment class, Assessment Lab, and I don't remember what the other one was. Then going to clinicals one day a week on top of that and learning to write careplans. It just feels overwhelming the first semester.

As long as you stay organized and focused, you'll be alright. It gets easier the further into the program you go. Mainly because you learn what the clinical instructors expect from your paperwork....and that makes clinical prep go faster. You get a base of knowledge in the first semester, and the following semesters build on that knowledge so eventually, it all comes together.

Good luck to you!!

~teresa

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I would definitely think twice about Grayson. Grayson does not have a good reputation outside of the Grayson County area . If you are planning to stay here then that shouldn't matter but if you ever want to make more $$$ and work in the DFW area then I would say go to a better school. The clinicals are horrible at Grayson and most of the teachers have not worked in a clinical setting in years and alot changes in healthcare in a short time.

I don't know anything about NCTC but I have heard that Collin County is pretty good and Dallas County at Brookhaven in Farmers Branch is excellent. I realize it is quite a drive but in the scheme of things it is worth it.

Good luck to you!!!!

I completely disagree with your comment. I graduated from GCC, and got a good job at Baylor in Dallas. Most people that have heard of it say that they get really good nurses out of it, and I know that I'm a good nurse.

My clinicals were great. All of my instructors had quite a bit of nursing experience, so I'm not really sure where you got your ideas from.

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Ok, now you guys have me scared! I was also accepted at Grayson. This is where I did my pre-reqs. I didn't apply anywhere else because I had really good grades and I didn't want to have to drive from Sherman to anywhere else. Anyway, I know it is going to be a tough 2 years, but I am really ready for the challenge. I have been lurking amongst all of these message boards because I am so bored this summer without taking any classes. I am trying to prepare myself for ADN as much as possible!

:sofahider

Don't worry. Grayson is a really good school. Some people that didn't pass might be a little bitter, but I wouldn't worry about that.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.
Don't worry. Grayson is a really good school. Some people that didn't pass might be a little bitter, but I wouldn't worry about that.

That's exactly what I was thinking too.

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Melimayer,

Did you decide on Grayson or NCTC? I have been accepted to Grayson, too.

I am still waiting to hear from NCTC. Based on how I feel like I did on the entrance test for NCTC, I will probably be going to Grayson. It was a tough one.

I do feel like either school will be good. That's why it is so hard to choose.

Maybe I will see you at Grayson in August!

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I completely disagree with your comment. I graduated from GCC, and got a good job at Baylor in Dallas. Most people that have heard of it say that they get really good nurses out of it, and I know that I'm a good nurse.

My clinicals were great. All of my instructors had quite a bit of nursing experience, so I'm not really sure where you got your ideas from.

Thank you so much for saying that. I am going to GCC in August. I too want to work at Baylor - at least at this point that is what I am wanting. Do you mind if I ask you the range in salary for GN at Baylor? I was just curious. Thanks

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Specializes in LTAC.
I know what you mean about being scared. It seems like everyone talks about how difficult school is and nothing about the positive. It is a little unnerving!

Congrats on your acceptance! The program at Grayson seems good. The staff also seems like they actually care. I am sure we will both be fine.

Hang in there! Maybe I will see you in August.

I hear ya, Melissa...too much negativity on this thread!! That's why I've tried to point out things to ya'll that people can look at negatively and tell how they positively affected me. Every school has their share of "whiners"...you just can't listen to them or let their opinions get to you.

Nursing school is HARD. There's nothing easy about it, no matter where you go. The profession is based on life and death, so I'd personally prefer school to be hard so I feel prepared.

Just hang in there, ya'll will be fine!! :yeah:

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Specializes in LTAC.
Thank you so much for saying that. I am going to GCC in August. I too want to work at Baylor - at least at this point that is what I am wanting. Do you mind if I ask you the range in salary for GN at Baylor? I was just curious. Thanks

I had friends that started at internships at Baylor hospitals making $19/hr. This was a little over a year ago, so base might have gone up since. That was pretty much the standard for a new RN in the DFW area.

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Specializes in Education, Administration, Magnet.
Thank you so much for saying that. I am going to GCC in August. I too want to work at Baylor - at least at this point that is what I am wanting. Do you mind if I ask you the range in salary for GN at Baylor? I was just curious. Thanks

This year they came to our school @ GCC to recruit nurses, and they were offering $20.50 start pay with a sign-on bonus (I think it was $2000-not 100% sure) and a large shift diff. They also have a nice career fair every year in March, where they hire most of their GNs.

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Thank you so much for saying that. I am going to GCC in August. I too want to work at Baylor - at least at this point that is what I am wanting. Do you mind if I ask you the range in salary for GN at Baylor? I was just curious. Thanks

Well, I'm not a GN anymore, but when I started, I made 19.50/hr. I got a 1500 dollar sign on bonus, plus nclex fees, and a moving bonus. Then after my first year, I could get another 1500 for 1 year, or 2500 for 2 years. Baylor is a really great place to work. Good luck in nursing school.

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I hear ya, Melissa...too much negativity on this thread!! That's why I've tried to point out things to ya'll that people can look at negatively and tell how they positively affected me. Every school has their share of "whiners"...you just can't listen to them or let their opinions get to you.

Nursing school is HARD. There's nothing easy about it, no matter where you go. The profession is based on life and death, so I'd personally prefer school to be hard so I feel prepared.

Just hang in there, ya'll will be fine!! :yeah:

Thanks for the encouragement!

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I think I received a great education at GCC.

In the end it really doesn't matter which school you choose. None of the hospitals I interviewed with cared which school I attended. All they wanted to know was when I was going to graduate, when I had the NCLEX scheduled and when I had passed the NCLEX.

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