applying to lone star colleges for fall 09

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2009

Montgomery has a wayyyyy better program.

Doubtful. This is just "grass is greener".

They get to go to good hospitals for clinicals

A hospital's a hospital. A good chunk of us are at Conroe taking care of nothing but prisoners and alcoholics.

- and it's a better teacher-student ratio.

This is untrue. Our clinicals are at the state-allowed maximum 10:1 ratio. Lecture is about 70:5.

It's more challenging but they turn out good nurses.

Well thank you!

jeneecw · Jan 19, 2009

hypocaffeinemia,

i took my HESI on Jan 7th so I am assuming that is the one I get within this application period. The actual application period started Jan 14, but i'm guessing it means once during the time that they offer the HESI which is from nov-feb. It's good to know they are accepting more people this time, but there is no mention of that on their website anywhere. In fact it seems there's not been too many updates on the website at all recently.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2009

hypocaffeinemia,
i took my HESI on Jan 7th so I am assuming that is the one I get within this application period. The actual application period started Jan 14, but i'm guessing it means once during the time that they offer the HESI which is from nov-feb. It's good to know they are accepting more people this time, but there is no mention of that on their website anywhere. In fact it seems there's not been too many updates on the website at all recently.

They switched to the HESI (it's a brand, nothing more) entrance test the year I was accepted, but when i took the NET test they were allowing people to take it as often as they'd pay for it. I see they patched up this loophole.

I can assure you there will be 40 spots next year. There were 40 in my class, 30 in 2010's class, and then one of the instructors is going back down to the first-year to accommodate the additional 10 in next year's.

Cailex · Jan 19, 2009

Montgomery has an article on their website about Memorial Hermann partnering with them by giving them money to add and pay for another nursing instructor's salary. Their site states,

"Normally, the college has 114 students enrolled in its ADN and LVN programs. With the contribution from Memorial Hermann, the college will be able to expand the program by almost 10 percent, adding 10 students for the upcoming 2009-10 academic year--and each year thereafter. "... hopefully the ten slots are for their associate program.

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jan 19, 2009

Montgomery has an article on their website about Memorial Hermann partnering with them by giving them money to add and pay for another nursing instructor's salary. Their site states,
"Normally, the college has 114 students enrolled in its ADN and LVN programs. With the contribution from Memorial Hermann, the college will be able to expand the program by almost 10 percent, adding 10 students for the upcoming 2009-10 academic year--and each year thereafter. "... hopefully the ten slots are for their associate program.

Once again, I can confirm Montgomery's ADN program will have 40 spots for Fall 2009. The instructor going back to cover the extra 10 is my actual clinical instructor-- I think she knows the inside story pretty well.

javagabby · Jan 21, 2009

Thank you for the info on Montgomery's next class. What else can you tell me about the program? I applied for fall, feel confident I'll get in as I have 11.91 points this time. I'm an older student changing careers; I've been a teacher for 25 years. What can I expect? I'm well-organized, good study skills. Who are the best teachers? Any to try to avoid? Anything else I should know? I'm taking the last pre-req, A&P 2 this term, planning to take pharmacology in the summer.

Does anyone know if it's worth my while to get a CNA before starting?

hypocaffeinemia, BSN, RN · Jan 21, 2009

Thank you for the info on Montgomery's next class. What else can you tell me about the program? I applied for fall, feel confident I'll get in as I have 11.91 points this time. I'm an older student changing careers; I've been a teacher for 25 years. What can I expect? I'm well-organized, good study skills. Who are the best teachers? Any to try to avoid? Anything else I should know? I'm taking the last pre-req, A&P 2 this term, planning to take pharmacology in the summer.
Does anyone know if it's worth my while to get a CNA before starting?

You'll almost assuredly get in with an 11.91.

As for teachers, unless they've decided to drastically change things, you won't get a choice of clinical instructor or clinical location your first year. I have my opinions on which ones are the better ones, but they all lecture on different subjects, so you'll get a mix anyways. I'm also hesitant to name names in an open forum.

It isn't really worth your while to do CNA training-- you will undergo a 1-2 week mini-course at the end of summer in order to go over the basic CNA-type skills, and after a semester of clinicals, you can be hired at most hospitals as a "professional student nurse", which is really a CNA-type role with an expanded skillset.

javagabby · Jan 21, 2009

Thank you! That clarifies the CNA for me. I don't want to spend money I don't have to but I want to have as much training and experience as possible since I'm coming in with so little medical experience. Any other suggestions for success?

Cailex · Jan 21, 2009

11.91 is a great score- I think you'll get accepted no problem! I just called Mongtomery to see if I should retake HESI he said that 11.40 was the cutoff the last couple years. I told him my score and he said I was borderline, but he said they are taking 10 more this year so that may help.

If you don't mind telling me- what did you do to prepare for the HESI? You must have aced it to have such a high score!

Thanks

javagabby · Jan 21, 2009

I didn't really do anything; my teaching experience is what really helped me. I've taught junior high and high school a lot, and the math and grammar were all the things I've taught kids over and over through the years; the reading is a lot like the achievement tests that I've also given over the years. I've done a lot of achievement test administration with the Stanford and Iowa with private schools, and the skill set with the reading passages is very much the same. When I took the NET, I found the reading part harder, but the other parts about the same as the HESI. I got the NET preparation book, and I think you could use that very profitably to help you prepare for the HESI. I think it was about $18, and I ordered it from the NET test registration site. Hope this helps! I would be glad to help anyone who needs it!

jeneecw · Jan 21, 2009

Well my application is submitted. The long wait begins for me. As for the HESI I have to say I've always done well in reading comprehension and I had the HESI study guide and even when I was taking the test I thought I had a pretty good handle on the questions, but still only managed to get an 87 so I don't know what I got wrong...

Lizzienick311 · Jan 22, 2009

So how many in here are applying to the Fall program? The next two months are going to draaaag! I scored high on the HESI so I didn't want to take it again and risk lowering my score. With a 11.91 you are pretty much a guarantee to get in..