I know that it's early, but I really wanted to get a jump on this. I have read the past two years' threads from start to finish and have seen the amazing support given by everyone involved. Considering how competitive it is for nursing school admission, it is extremely informative and heart-warming. I will be applying to all the schools in the Portland/Salem area to which I will qualify. This next year is going to be rough, but ever since I started on this journey I have loved every moment.
A little about me:
I am 33, married, no kids.
I live in Salem and have taken the bulk of my prerequisites at Chemeketa.
I have been working as a Dental Assistant for 2 years and feel that it is supremely unfair that many of the OCNE schools do not count dental assisting towards their "direct patient care" discretionary points. (I went to school for a year to become a dental assistant. I have dealt with medical emergencies, bodily fluids and have had my fingers in mouths on a daily basis! I'm grumbling, I know.)
I have a 4.0 GPA (so far) for all of the OCNE prerequisites (My single B in one of three Chemistry classes will haunt me when I apply to Linfield)
I am still one term away from finishing my prerequisites for the majority of the schools to which I plan on applying
I don't really think that I will be lucky enough to be accepted to any of the Portland-area community colleges due to my lack of necessary discretionary points (if any of you CURRENT students have found otherwise, I would be very interested to find out what you know!)
I will be applying anyway, because I know that I should at least make it onto a waiting list or two and as I have seen in previous threads - they do go through their waiting lists!
I sincerely hope that all my hard work will pay off and that I will be accepted SOMEWHERE
Again, I know this is early, but I look forward to seeing the responses from everyone!
The community colleges like PCC, MHCC, and CCC seemed to range from around 15-18,000 and I believe for in-state OHSU is around 48,000 for 3 years BSN. If you get your BSN from OHSU its one year and about 15,000
Also OHSU pass rate % 2013 cohort- 93.67%, PCC 98.11%, Clackamas 84.21%, Mt hood 91.3%. Looks like PCC had the highest rate last year. Also they only include the first time someone takes the exam, and different percentages account for different numbers of people from those schools taking the exams...http://www.oregon.gov/OSBN/pdfs/passrates.pdf
third year at OHSU is all online, you can see allthe details on their website. THere are several upped division classes you have to take before you can metriculate, none of which are offered at OHSU so think about that too. Many people in my PCC class are going to PSU over summer full time to get them done
Thanks all for the info. I think you are right missjordie, there is no one perfect program for everybody as people and their circumstances are different. hearing people's experiences and looking at the data such as NCLEX pass rates help a lot in making your decision and give you an idea what to expect once you'd start a program. At the end of the day, it boils down to educational goals and personal circumstances. pcc is releasing their acceptance on Monday, right?
alewis513-- That is my exact dilemma as well! I am torn btw CCC and OHSU. CCC is so close and convenient (like 5 min away close), while OHSU is one of the top 10 nursing schools in the US and since we are all finishing there with our BSN's anyway - does it matter where we do our first 2 years? I DON'T KNOW!!
As a member of 2015 PCC cohort I can tell you YES it does matter. If you got into OHSU GO THERE. THere is simply NO comparison at all.
Also OHSU pass rate % 2013 cohort- 93.67%, PCC 98.11%, Clackamas 84.21%, Mt hood 91.3%. Looks like PCC had the highest rate last year. Also they only include the first time someone takes the exam, and different percentages account for different numbers of people from those schools taking the exams...http://www.oregon.gov/OSBN/pdfs/passrates.pdf
The PCC Numbers are very skewed. You will see that only 75% or less of the original class size graduated and went on to take the NCLEX. Do not be misled by the numbers. PCC program is flat out awful. Our teachers are totally unqualified for their jobs.
Although, keep in mind that this was from a few years ago. I do remember a student from a few weeks ago saying similar things.
It seems frustrating, as a nursing hopeful, trying to decide what to do with that information. I think the biggest red flag for me, was reviewing the NCLEX pass rates, and although they score well- very few students out of 80 actually took the exam (I think 37 one year).
I try to keep in mind that each program will have its pluses and minuses, and not every student will be a good fit for every program. Excellent nurses will come out of PCC I'm sure, and unfortunately you can never truly know the dynamics of a program until you are actually experiencing it for yourself.
I just read the 2012 review, and I have to say NOTHING has changed. If you want more info, private message me.
alinewhall
20 Posts
The community colleges like PCC, MHCC, and CCC seemed to range from around 15-18,000 and I believe for in-state OHSU is around 48,000 for 3 years BSN. If you get your BSN from OHSU its one year and about 15,000