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!

I liked the smaller class sizes too. I know our pass rate is very high. This web site: http://www.bne.state.tx.us/nursingeducation/faq_students.html shows the pass rates for all the colleges in Texas. The pass rate for 2005 was 49/56 (86.6%).

I know the LVN program is set up a little different than the RN program. In the RN program, we had classes in Gainesville (3 or 4 days/week....I don't recall which). After our last class, we'd go to the hospital (in first semester, we were all at Gainesville Memorial) and pick our patients for the next day. NCTC focuses a lot on having a good careplan. Then we'd go from 7a-3p the following day for clinical. Picking a patient, and collecting information doesn't take as long once you get the hang of it. The instructors are great in directing you on your careplans.

The other two semesters, they divide the students up to different hospitals with each clinical instructor. They try to assign students to the hospital they are closest to. I did clinicals at Grapevine and Carrollton. Some students did clinicals at Ardmore, OK, and Lewisville. I don't recall what the other clinical sites were. In second and third semester we did have to go pick patients and write up paperwork the night before. But, as I said before, this gets easier with time and practice. I was never up all night doing clinical paperwork, like some of the "horror stories"...lol.

In fourth semester, we were assigned preceptors at the hospital we wanted to go to. Most people had picked a nurse they enjoyed working with during their previous clinical. I was able to do clinicals in my home town (Decatur). You have a set number of clinical hours to complete, and you work your preceptor's schedule. I did 1 clinicals/week at 12 hours each (a few weeks I did 2 days). I enjoyed this clinical the most because by the end of the clinical, I was taking 5-6 patients on a Med/Surg floor.....and my preceptor was there for backup. When I got out into the "real world" of nursing, I didn't have the culture shock that some new grads experience.

If you do decide on NCTC, just keep in mind, the first semester is rough. I truly believe it's some sort of "hazing" (lol) to see who's going to make it and who's not. The quitters tend to give up in the first semester. It gets easier from there. As far as the (what seems like enormous at the time) amount of paperwork, I am thankful they made me do all that. At work, I got a very nice compliment from a nursing supervisor I respect very much about the quality of my first careplan I'd completed there. I know if they hadn't made me do it the long way while I was in school, I wouldn't have the skills to critically think to do the short way we use in the hospitals.

Sorry this is so long. Anymore questions, feel free to ask.

Good luck to you!

~T

I am so excited. I found out today I got accepted to NCTC. I really appreciate your post and was wondering if you could tell me how many people graduated with you that started the program. I know you mentioned "hazing" in your last post. Is there any way you can give me some idea as to what to expect?

Thanks in advance.

Melimayer

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Specializes in L&D.

I graduated from NCTC the semester after TCDTX did. I have heard horror stories about her 1st semester, but they removed the teacher who was causing all the commotion from 1st semester. My first semester was pretty easy compared to hers. Her class lost quite a few people that 1st semester and then a couple more as the semesters progressed. My class lost one person half-way through 1st semester (due to personal issues), two people at the beginning of 2nd semester (due to grades from a non-nursing class and drug use), five people failed 3rd semester, and everyone that was left graduated AND passed NCLEX.

I think I rec'd a great education from NCTC. Good luck!!!

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I graduated from NCTC the semester after TCDTX did. I have heard horror stories about her 1st semester, but they removed the teacher who was causing all the commotion from 1st semester. My first semester was pretty easy compared to hers. Her class lost quite a few people that 1st semester and then a couple more as the semesters progressed. My class lost one person half-way through 1st semester (due to personal issues), two people at the beginning of 2nd semester (due to grades from a non-nursing class and drug use), five people failed 3rd semester, and everyone that was left graduated AND passed NCLEX.

I think I rec'd a great education from NCTC. Good luck!!!

Thank you very much for your reply. NCTC does sound like a great school.

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Specializes in LTAC.
I am so excited. I found out today I got accepted to NCTC. I really appreciate your post and was wondering if you could tell me how many people graduated with you that started the program. I know you mentioned "hazing" in your last post. Is there any way you can give me some idea as to what to expect?

Thanks in advance.

Melimayer

:balloons::balloons::balloons:

CONGRATS TO YA!!

Feel free to private msg me any questions. I don't mind.

Just be ready to put a lot of time into studying.......that's the best advice I can give. No need to worry about how many people finished as opposed to how many started...etc. Just as in anything, people start that don't finish, and that's all there is to it. I don't disagree with all the hard work they made us do, I think I'm a better nurse for it.

Good luck to you!!

~T

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Melimayer I will be looking forward to meeting you at orientation. !! Have you got your CPR cert. yet? If not let me know I know of a class this weekend. Do you have your packet completed? SO excited with you!!!!!!!!! Dusty

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:balloons::balloons::balloons:

CONGRATS TO YA!!

Feel free to private msg me any questions. I don't mind.

Just be ready to put a lot of time into studying.......that's the best advice I can give. No need to worry about how many people finished as opposed to how many started...etc. Just as in anything, people start that don't finish, and that's all there is to it. I don't disagree with all the hard work they made us do, I think I'm a better nurse for it.

Good luck to you!!

~T

Thanks for all your advice. I am so anxious! I am pretty sure I am going to choose NCTC because of the smaller class size and their good reputation.

I am not sure how to email you privately but will try to figure it out.

Thanks again!

Melimayer

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Melimayer

have you heard from any other students (other then us) for the Fall NCTC class ? 6 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope oreintation is as fun as I think it will be. Do you know if there is a NCTC forum? Thx Dusty

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Melimayer

have you heard from any other students (other then us) for the Fall NCTC class ? 6 days and counting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope oreintation is as fun as I think it will be. Do you know if there is a NCTC forum? Thx Dusty

Hi Dusty!

I haven't heard of any other NCTC students or a thread. I am really excited and nervous about starting school though. It would be nice to hear from others in the program.

Are you in the LVN program? I am in the ADN program and our orientation isn't until the 21st of August.

Melimayer

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Dang I was hoping your were in the LVN program too. Yikes!!! Your orientation is 6 days before school starts!!!!! WOW that would be a BIG stressor for me only having 6 days to get everything ready. Hope to talk to you soon. I haven't figured out how to pm people on her yet but I will in time, Dusty

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Dang I was hoping your were in the LVN program too. Yikes!!! Your orientation is 6 days before school starts!!!!! WOW that would be a BIG stressor for me only having 6 days to get everything ready. Hope to talk to you soon. I haven't figured out how to pm people on her yet but I will in time, Dusty

Yeah, too bad we are not in the same program. Keep me posted on how your orientation goes. I am anxious about our orientation being so late. The thing I liked about Grayson is they got you acquanited with their program early so that you would feel more comfortable.

Talk to you later!

Melimayer

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Specializes in 2 years as CNA.
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.

I don't think the other poster seemed bitter...sounded to me like they were just giving their opinion and that is what this thread asked for. Just my opinion.

But I am curious, those that got accepted to Grayson what was your GPA like and/or how many points did you have. I am thinking about applying for next fall and I am wondering what my chances are. Thank you in advance!!!!!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

The maximum points for Grayson is 28. I was fortunate that all the prereqs that I made good grades in were the ones they were looking for, so I got a 27. I heard that this year people with 22 or 23 and above got accepted.

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