Austin Community College (ACC) Admissions Fall 2014

I got my clearance to register today. I registered for classes already but I'm wondering if anyone who has already completed level 1 has any suggestions on professors?

Are you EVC Jennhome? I too, would like suggestions on profs at CEC.

Yes, I'm at EVC.

You don't get to choose your professors. You just have to register for a section of each theory class and a section of each clinical (for the traditional track, Level 1 is split into two 8-week blocks, each with its own separate theory and clinical section). The instructors listed next to the sections on the registration page aren't necessarily the ones who will be teaching. The only reason you're registering is so the nursing department can get a final headcount for each campus and list of students who will actually begin the semester. It's kind of like a place-holder. Instructor-wise, you get whomever the department assigns to teach Level 1 at a given campus. Same for clinical sites and instructors. You find out those assignments at orientation.

Keep in mind--we're not allowed to mention instructors by name on AN per Terms of Service. In general, I can say the Level 1 instructors at CEC are fantastic--they are expert nurses and really take an interest in developing the first-semester students. You'll look back at the end and feel astonished at how far you've come. But don't worry too much about the instructors. Focus on getting your work done and supporting each other, and you'll have a great semester!

Do you guys these shoes would work? I know they said that they had to predominately white/black but I still wanted to put some extra color so they aren't completely boring.

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As a recent CEC graduate (May 2014) of the program, I will tell you that it really depends on the instructor you get for clinical. Some of them are a little lenient on the dress code and others (most) are 100% not. My instructors were somewhat lenient with us in level l, level 2, and level 4. However, in level 3, they were very strict and everything had to be by the book. There is always that one instructor in each level that is tougher on their students than the others. Never fails. lol

Honestly, I would play it safe until you get to know your instructors. Some of them would probably have a problem with those. If you get these, it might be wise to have a backup pair that you keep just in case you get one of those instructors that wants everything exactly by the book. There is nothing worse than getting sent home from clinical because you are not in appropriate dress code.

Another problem you might have with those is that the clinical sites really want the students to be color coded by school. There are going to be times when you will be with other schools at the hospitals, including UT Austin. They wear orange to clinical. As ridiculous as it sounds, I could see someone saying something about you wearing orange.

Thank you Austin404. I really appreciate your advice. I guess I will stick with completely white until I see other students doing it. I graduated from UT back in '10 ... that's why I wanted to add a little pride to my shoes but I guess better safe than sorry. If you don't mind me asking, now that you are graduated, what do you plan on doing? Are you going to go into a ADN to BSN program or work for a bit?

You're very welcome! I am currently working right now, and I am trying my best to get comfortable in that before I start school again. The first year on your own after school is the hardest. So much to learn as a new nurse. I will say that ACC was an excellent program and it really prepared me as best as I possibly think that they could have. I cannot thank ACC enough for that.

I do plan to start my BSN next fall. I think I am going to apply to UT Austin. Many of the employers around town are getting strict with ADNs and requiring them to complete a BSN degree within 5 years of hire, so I pretty much have to. My best advice to those of you still waiting to get into the program is to get your pre-reqs for a BSN degree done as soon as possible. Many are still hiring ADNs, but they are really starting to show preferential treatment to new grads with BSNs when it comes to getting hired.

Austin404,

Thanks for the info again. What are the prereqs for the UT BSN program if you don't mind me asking. Will the fact that I graduated from UT be enough? If possible, could you share a link with those pre reqs.

Also, if you don't mind me asking, did you work while you were were doing the nursing program? Does the fact that we are nursing students allow us to apply for CNA jobs? Also, between St. Davids and Seton, which one did you hear was a better employer and more likely to fund BSN educations for their employees? Any help you could offer would be much appreciated.

I am pretty sure that they specifically want a BSN degree. I graduated with several people who already had degrees and they are all having to do the RN to BSN. Any college you're interesting in should have a web page that will tell you all about their pre-reqs. UT has them listed on their nursing website under the RN to BSN program. They also have an advisor that you can contact for specific questions.

I did not work while I was in the program. However, I know that quite a few people in my class did work as a CA at the local hospitals after level 1. I think it is definitely good to do that. It kind of gets your foot in the door and allows you to get experience. If I remember right, ACC gave us a form when we finished nursing skills that we could take to an employer showing what skills we knew. Don't know if they still do that.

I don't really want to comment specifically on employers, but historically many of them have offered incentives to finish education.

Good news. I sent Tammy a picture of those shoes and she said they were fine. Im probably going to go with white laces just to avoid any problems.

Congrats! If she gave you the ok, you're golden. Good luck to all of you this fall! I wish you all the best.