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!
@Pogues60...just heard from a friend (she's a nurse) - she said a CNA she works with just got offered a spot in CCC's program. Cool, because it looks like there's still some movement on the waitlist. But, kinda bummed I still haven't heard anything :-(
@Pogues60...just heard from a friend (she's a nurse) - she said a CNA she works with just got offered a spot in CCC's program. Cool, because it looks like there's still some movement on the waitlist. But, kinda bummed I still haven't heard anything :-(
Man, it's dragging on. Was she offered a spot today? I just want to know so I can figure this financial aid stuff out sooner than later and be able to relax. I feel lucky to be attending PCC and all, but knowing that I have another option keeps be wondering. It' funny, because when I was applying to nursing schools, I was totally set on going to PCC, no question and just applied to CCC for the heck of it, even though I only had 54 points going in to it. Didn't think I'd even get an interview and, now here I am. I'm sure they are both great schools and all. I just haven't heard enough positive feedback from current PCC students to feel 100% confident, ya know what I mean? CCC has gotten rave reviews from everyone who has attended, so....still up in the air. Who knows, may not even be offered a spot anyways. I don't want them to finally contact me like late summer. Thanks for the update. I'll see ya on Wednesday and we will see what orientation has in store for us=).
I know, right? It was yesterday, 6/2. I'm with you on the financial aid stuff. I have to file a time frame appeal no matter where I go cause if the financial aid I've gotten over the years (including my under grad degree).
Too funny how PCC was your first choice and then throughout the process you changed your mind - me too! I've always been loyal to PCC cause I took all my pre-reqs there, I know and like the campus, and it's closest to my home. But, the fact remains...my heart is saying I want to go to CCC. I just have a feeling I won't hear anything until late this month...but, I don't want to wait that long, and I definitely don't want to wait all summer either. That'll drive me NUTS!!
Hello Nursing Students! First I want to say congrats to everyone who will be in the class of 2016! To those of you who are still waiting to get in, don't give up! :-) It took me 7 long years for me to finally become a Student Nurse. I'm currently attending the PCC Nursing Program, and unfortunately the legends are very true. If you have a choice between PCC and another program, I would choose the other program. To those of you who were only offered a spot at PCC, my only advice is to take it (because we all know that Nursing Programs are hard to get into), but do so with this in mind: You will go to your orientation this summer, and it will seem as though the first-year teaching faculty are a hoot, and that PCC is the best EVER! They really put on a good show. They want to ensure that you will get their endless support, and that they are there for your success. With the exception of about 3 instructors, this is simply a show that their actions do not back up. You will get a second-year student for a mentor, who will be a great resource regarding what's really going on, and what to be aware of. However, there will be no words they can give you to fully prepare you for an entirely new world of education -- one that is both very rewarding and highly stressful. The stress isn't what you put into it, it's oftentimes what you get out of it. For example, spending two weeks on a research paper, while frantically studying for your weekly exam, only to get a 'C' because the APA format wasn't perfect. You will be told the a 'C' is the new 'A' in nursing school -- I didn't believe it until I was experiencing it. Before I started in the fall, I thought to myself, "I'm not afraid of hard work! I'm a 4.0 and I've made it this far with straight A's..." The Nursing Program is an entirely different beast. Sometimes you just have to be happy that you are passing. I, too, took all my prerequisites at PCC, and was over the moon to get a spot in a place I considered my second home. I, along with many of my cohort, were thoroughly disenchanted by Winter term. The teaching faculty are oftentimes unprofessional, disorganized, inconsistent, rude, overtly bitter, and highly indifferent. Furthermore, they sit upon their laurels quite comfortably, and turn a deaf ear to changing their ways. If you have a concern, first address it with you advisor; if your advisor is unable to help with your concern, take it to the Nursing Director; she is very helpful and approachable. Do not waste your time trying to get any concerns resolved through the teaching faculty -- and trust me -- you will eventually run into problems. However, it's not all bad, but I would feel terrible if I didn't caution the new first-year students going to PCC. I wish I knew what I was in for. With that being said, every Nursing Program has it's weaknesses -- there will always be those instructors who are difficult, and there will always be politics. However, there are a few gems in the PCC program, and I was thankful to have their support. My advice is to just keep looking forward, avoid the drama (oh the drama!), answer the exam questions the way they want you to (even though there are at least 2 right answers -- pick the one that is the most 'right'), show up on time and ready for lectures, lab, and clinical, and get the APA program, 'PERRLA' -- I would have lost my mind if I didn't have that program to write my papers! Most of all, you all worked so hard to get where you are, so get the most out of your experience and know it's only for a few years. You will form amazing and life-long friendships with your cohort, and be among people who share your passion! Good luck, and have a fun journey! :-)
I have accepted my spot at OHSU for the fall BSN OCNE program but , I just got an email from MHCC that I was accepted into their fall term as well. I was alternate number 9. I was so excited about OHSU and I still am but I feel like MHCC also has a great program. Im not sure what to do at this point. Any suggestions or thoughts?
@Pogues60...just heard from a friend (she's a nurse) - she said a CNA she works with just got offered a spot in CCC's program. Cool, because it looks like there's still some movement on the waitlist. But, kinda bummed I still haven't heard anything :-(
Hey! Did I see you today? I was really happy with the orientation! How did you feel?
I would go to OHSU. It's more expensive, but you will be attending an excellent Nursing School that is ranked 7th in the nation. You will get more out of it, trust me. I wish that I was going to OHSU, but I was offered a spot at PCC last year, so I went for it. Not that I'm not grateful to be in any program, but you have been offered a great opportunity to go to an awesome program. You won't have to mess around with transferring to OHSU when you're done with your Associate's at MHCC as well. Good luck this year, and have fun!
Hey! Did I see you today? I was really happy with the orientation! How did you feel?
Hey alewis513! I think you are referring to me pogues60, if not, sorry. Yes, I did attend orientation todat at CCC, even though I am an alternate. I was wearing the bright black and yellow striped shirt near the front left of the room. Did we chat? I so want into CCC so bad! Oh, wait, I just realized you were probably talking to Born4This. Anyways, I though orientation was great and it makes me want into CCC even more now.
Hey alewis513! I think you are referring to me pogues60, if not, sorry. Yes, I did attend orientation todat at CCC, even though I am an alternate. I was wearing the bright black and yellow striped shirt near the front left of the room. Did we chat? I so want into CCC so bad! Oh, wait, I just realized you were probably talking to Born4This. Anyways, I though orientation was great and it makes me want into CCC even more now.
I was talking to whoever wanted to answer who went to orientation! I loved it! Come join our CCC forum if you want. We were probably close to each other but I cannot picture you. I am too excited! yay!
pogues60
102 Posts
Got it Born4This! Think I got you email wrong so I just IM'ed ya back=) Still pretty new to this thread and didn't even know about PM, ha!