Anyone in Enterprise or Dothan area?

LoriAlabamaRN · Feb 22, 2006

Hi! I went to Wallace in the ADN program, graduated two years ago. It's a great program, with a high pass rate. I work in Dothan now. I was lucky, when I applied there wasn't a wait list, but I've heard that now there is a wait list of up to two years. The best thing to do would be to call and talk with the program director.

militaryspouse98 · Feb 22, 2006

Hello, I did call but they never said anything about a waiting list. she just told me what I needed to do to apply. Do you know how many people apply versus get accepted? Are they strict with the GPA and all? I am full of questions. My GPA is only 3.13 because I took an upper level course which wasnt needed for nursing a few years ago and got a C in it. It brought it down. She told me I needed to take a Math compass test and a reading Compass Test. I am wondering what to study for on the math one. Any info you have will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Amy

LoriAlabamaRN · Feb 22, 2006

Hi Amy,

The Compass tests may be a new requirement- I didn't take them. As far as the waiting list, perhaps you are getting in at a good time then! I know that about 8 months ago a coworker was trying to apply and was put on the waiting list.

When I applied for the program, I had to do an admission packet which included all the immunizations as well as a form with questions pertaining to my ambitions, including an essay on why I wanted to be a nurse. I'm not sure how they made the decision, all I know is that about two weeks later I got my acceptance letter in the mail.

I don't mind the questions, let me know if and how I can help!

Lori

militaryspouse98 · Feb 22, 2006

Hey, well the application was basically a generic type application. No essay or anything. The nursing director emailed me and told me regardless if you have already had a College English, that I still had to do a reading compass test. And of course I have been doing all my sciences and didnt take any maths because I dont care for math and I am not good at it, so I have been putting it off. I know I will need math for nursing so I have been studying Algebra for dummies..hehe.. Anyway. I might call there today just to verify the waiting list thing. I was hoping to be accepted and finish in two years, not to just be starting. Wishful thinking huh? I will keep my thoughts positive though. How long of clinicals did you have to do?

Thanks for your help

Amy

LoriAlabamaRN · Feb 23, 2006

Sounds like they have revamped a lot of the program, huh? As far as clinicals, we certainly did our fair share. The first semester in the nursing program, we had one clinical that met once a week for 8 hours at a local hospital. The amount of clinicals increased gradually each semester. I believe in total I did 3 semester-long clinicals on a med-surg floor, one for pediatrics, one OB/GYN, 2 psych (one OP one IP), went to state mental hospital; for a day, went to Birmingham during peds for 3 days, 40 hrs ICU, 8hrs home health, 8 hrs hospice, 8 hrs supervisory, 75 hrs preceptor, 8 hrs ER, 8 hrs surgery, 8 hrs children's therapy, 8 hrs community health, 8hrs health fair. I believe that was it... whew! Maybe they will have dropped some of those hours.

militaryspouse98 · Feb 23, 2006

Well it sounds like they gave you alot of opportunity for learning, although you will probably never learn everything in each field for a short amount of time. How did you like L&D? I want to go into L&D but some of my friends that are nurses and my sister in law is BSN said she didnt like L&D. I think she tried to put in a catheter on a woman in labor and did it wrong and it scared her to death. Basically it scared her away from the whole L&D all together. But I think its great that they give you the opportunity to see alot of different aspects of nursing such as surgery, ER, ect... I might even like something that I didnt think I would like. For example the ER scares me to death. I think people coming in, in such a hurry with stuff going on like gun shots, stabbings, ect.. that scares me, but who knows I might like it. I am just hoping to get accepted. My husband is really counting on me getting in and getting through school before he retires from the military in 2008 for financial help as well. I have been a stay at home mom for 6 years now and its time to get back into full time school then work. I was checking out the hospitals in the area. Do they pay new graduates pretty good? I am sure they consider the cost of living as well. You have been very helpful.

Thanks

Amy

military spouse · Feb 23, 2006

Hi military spouse (that's my name too :roll )

I just wanted to say congratulations on making the big decision to go to nursing school! Also, the wiregrass is a great area. We were stationed there several times (hated it at first, but the last time I loved it). We lived in Dothan, off Hwy. 84. Many people will have you believe that is waaaayyy out there, but if you are going to live in many places in Enterprise, it's just as far. I'm excited for you!

militaryspouse98 · Feb 23, 2006

Hello again. I am excited to be applying to the nursing program and nervous of not getting excepted. Where we live in Germany now is very slow pace and quiet living, so I am sure we will adjust to Ft Rucker area just fine. I cant wait to be around good ole southern folks again. You cant beat southern hospitality. hehe.:chuckle

Amy

military spouse · Feb 23, 2006

Hello again. I am excited to be applying to the nursing program and nervous of not getting excepted. Where we live in Germany now is very slow pace and quiet living, so I am sure we will adjust to Ft Rucker area just fine. I cant wait to be around good ole southern folks again. You cant beat southern hospitality. hehe.:chuckle
Amy

Where in Germany are you? We went straight from Germany to Ft. Rucker and I was definately ready to move back to the U.S. Have you been to Larry's Barbeque? Best baked potato with chicken in the universe!

Erin

militaryspouse98 · Feb 23, 2006

Hey, we are in Landstuhl, Germany. We have been here 4 years. Its been a great experience. We have been all over Europe. I have heard about Larry's BBQ and I hear its to die for. I will get some for sure when we get there. I have only been the Ft Rucker area once to visit my cousin and that was basically on post. I didnt get to see much of Enterprise or Dothan. Where were you stationed in Germany?

Amy

military spouse · Feb 23, 2006

Hey, we are in Landstuhl, Germany. We have been here 4 years. Its been a great experience. We have been all over Europe. I have heard about Larry's BBQ and I hear its to die for. I will get some for sure when we get there. I have only been the Ft Rucker area once to visit my cousin and that was basically on post. I didnt get to see much of Enterprise or Dothan. Where were you stationed in Germany?
Amy

Hi Amy!

That's great! We were in Schweinfurt. There are times that we really miss living there and travelling, but the deployments.........I guess I should say that I lived in Germany and my husband was able to visit occasionally :)

We think about moving to AL all the time. We talk about Dothan and Huntsville. It is sooo inexpensive. Hubby just retired and took a job in PA, but he's been hinting around that we could move somewhere less expensive and he wouldn't have to work. We'll see how that goes! Wait until you see how expensive Polish Pottery is in the U.S. I couldn't believe it!