Applicants to Portland area schools

U.S.A. Oregon

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Greetings fellow future nurses! I just mailed my application packets for Mt. Hood CC, Clackamas CC, and Portland CC today and excited to be done with them. I have my proctored essay for OHSU this Wednesday and am a little worried because I have NO idea what is going to be asked. I haven't been able to get any feedback on what is on any of the essays. I am also applying to Chemeketa but am probable wasting my time as I am missing 2 of the pre-recs required there that aren't required at the OCNE schools. Well, the worst they can say is no, right?

Anyway, the Oregon Nursing Programs sections has been a little dead lately so I was hoping to spark some dialogue. This is my first year applying and I'm already getting a little stressed. I kind of have a lot riding on getting in somewhere next fall. My fiance and I are kind of planning on it. I'm hoping that doesn't backfire! How's it going with everyone?

Portland medic - go for the suit. :) Or at least a shirt and tie. As an addendum to Stella's posts - I'm a current CCC student and have heard about the current mutiny at PCC. Don't take Stella's post with a grain of salt - this is really what's happening and it's terrible for all of those students who worked so hard to get there, only to be let down by their program.

As for CCC, I can assure anyone considering their program that the instructors are 100% invested in their students. In addition, they've been teaching the OCNE way since the start of their nursing program, so the switch wasn't a big deal for them at all. If anyone has a hard time with it, it's the first year students who aren't used to that style (and believe me, it's pretty much everyone); it helps that the faculty understand and are always encouraging and supportive. Good luck to you all in your interviews!

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Has anyone contacted OHSU recently? Still April 15th for the ABSN???

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@Jimithing - Yeah I was definitely going to wear the suit, was just curious what kind of attire people have worn in the past. Also, when you say "the OCNE way," to what style are you referring to? Is it a totally different style of teaching? Just preparing you differently? Focusing on certain aspects of nursing? How is "the OCNE way" that different from a non-OCNE program?

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The OCNE way, at least at CCC, is having class where it's a lot of group work and discussions vs. sitting down for a lecture. While you're expected to be prepared for class, there isn't specific assigned reading. It's more that you're expected to find the pertinent information in your texts or via reliable internet sources and do your own discoveries vs. read chapters 43-45 and memorize it all. I don't know that it could be argued if it's better or worse, it's just different than what most people are used to. I do think it helps people to think more broadly about things, though. Whereas reading a couple chapters in a med-surg book might tell you the pathophysiology, etiology, medical management and nursing management tasks, doing things "the OCNE way" makes us discuss all the other factors, too: family and social dynamic, nursing interventions, goals, and the like.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Med-Surg.

@ Portland Medic,

Last year when I was invited to the MHCC essay, most people wore "buisness" type attire, and I wore suit pants (slacks? IDK what you call them, but whatever you wear on your lower half when you wear a suit), tie and a dress shirt, which is what I'll be wearing again this year. Last year, there was one or two people in scrubs, and a guy in jeans, but I would definitely dress up like it's an interview... because IT IS! Women mostly wore business-type skirts and pants.

Jimithing112,

Interesting, input from a variety of sources, from a variety of people, just like the real world right! So I wonder how they test? There must be some sort of sylabus or learning objectives. What were tests like in Pathophys and Pharmacology?

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Hi everyone! I just received my invitation for the proctored essay for PCC in today's mail. The letter was dated yesterday.

:)

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I also got my invitation today for PCC! That's 2...now waiting for the other 2. I am slightly concerned about the issues being expressed around PCC's program. They are my third choice (if I am lucky enough to have that option). Hmmm...not sure what to really think about it. I know if makes me a little nervous because I really want to be a great nurse. I believe that great nurses come from great teachers. I wonder how bad it "really" is. Any other input out there???

Now to wait for the last two schools to notify me...fingers crossed!

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Hi all! I also received my invitation to PCC today. Now waiting for the essay and OHSU response. Good luck all!!

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Okay, I probably missed this in one of the earlier post's, but does anyone know if Chemeketa employs an interview also or bases their choices strictly by points?

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Got my PCC essay invitation letter today as well! Stoked as hell!!

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I got my letter from PCC this week.

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Got my PCC letter yesterday as well! It sounds as though the process is different than at MHCC - the letter just says 1.5 hours for the essay plus some time to print. Is there reason to dress up? What are people wearing to take the essay? It seems that since our essays will be identified by a number, it won't really matter too much whether we wear jeans or business casual. What do you think? I don't want to make a big sartorial blunder. Thanks everyone for sharing information so generously! It is very reassuring to hear your experiences.

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