Calhoun vs. UAH

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I'm trying to decide which program to go for (I'll probably try for both anyway) and would like some input. Between Calhoun and UAH, which do you think has the better nursing program and why? What's your opinion on the instructors and how well do you like clinicals?

For those of you that chose UAH, how difficult is the program? I've looked at the course curriculum, and the 1st and 2nd semesters look particularly rough because of Patho/Pharm being taken with 2-3 other classes. I'll be working at least a couple days a week on top of taking classes and would like to keep an A/B average because I eventually would like to go on to get my MSN, so.. I'm a little worried. What do you guys think?

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I am new to the area but I am also trying to apply to nursing school because I went to get my BSN and I called UAH and they sent me some information and from reading all the information I think it's a great program. I also asked around and from what people say it's a better program and it's a BSN degree so that is good. Good luck and keep us informed on what you do.

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Hi! I graduated from UAH in May. Unfortunately, I can't really compare it to the program at Calhoun because I didn't go through the program there. :) However, I would guess that both programs are difficult. I think any nursing program probably will be. Still, from what I gathered talking to Calhoun students I bumped into in clinical, there are some differences. I think it just depends on your goals. Since you are planning to go to grad school, I would probably go to UAH, because it seems faster to do that than bridging over.

I really loved my time at UAH, and I had an excellent experience in the nursing program. I found the instructors to be very supportive and caring as long as students put forth effort. I was very satisfied with my clinical experiences. I will say that with some instructors you will get more opportunities to perform skills and give meds than with others. My instructors were great about this, and I felt that I was able to do as much as I wanted to do.

Before I started nursing classes I read a lot of horror stories here about mean clinical instructors who berate students, try to fail them, generally make their lives miserable, etc. and I was scared! I can definitely say that I never encountered anyone like that at UAH. I thought the classroom and clinical instructors were very encouraging and felt that they wanted us to succeed.

I had to make the same decision as you. I started my prereqs at Calhoun and switched to UAH after about two semesters. For me, it was the right decision. I had a blast taking prereqs at UAH. Nursing school was a wonderful experience for me, and my pinning and the day that I found out I had passed NCLEX were some of the best days of my life.

Please feel free to PM me if you have questions.

Now, if only I could find a job!

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Hi

I was wondering where have you been trying to apply for job, because I am having the same problems. I must have applied so many times at Huntsville hospital and no luck. So please let me know.

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Hi! I graduated from UAH in May. Unfortunately, I can't really compare it to the program at Calhoun because I didn't go through the program there. :) However, I would guess that both programs are difficult. I think any nursing program probably will be. Still, from what I gathered talking to Calhoun students I bumped into in clinical, there are some differences. I think it just depends on your goals. Since you are planning to go to grad school, I would probably go to UAH, because it seems faster to do that than bridging over.

I really loved my time at UAH, and I had an excellent experience in the nursing program. I found the instructors to be very supportive and caring as long as students put forth effort. I was very satisfied with my clinical experiences. I will say that with some instructors you will get more opportunities to perform skills and give meds than with others. My instructors were great about this, and I felt that I was able to do as much as I wanted to do.

Before I started nursing classes I read a lot of horror stories here about mean clinical instructors who berate students, try to fail them, generally make their lives miserable, etc. and I was scared! I can definitely say that I never encountered anyone like that at UAH. I thought the classroom and clinical instructors were very encouraging and felt that they wanted us to succeed.

I had to make the same decision as you. I started my prereqs at Calhoun and switched to UAH after about two semesters. For me, it was the right decision. I had a blast taking prereqs at UAH. Nursing school was a wonderful experience for me, and my pinning and the day that I found out I had passed NCLEX were some of the best days of my life.

Please feel free to PM me if you have questions.

Now, if only I could find a job!

It's really nice to know that the instructors were nice & helpful unlike some of the horror stories I've come across here. That's one of my biggest fears.. In my experience, an instructor can make or break a class. So..yeah. I feel lots better having heard that UAH's nursing program has good instructors. Now I'm excited about it again and hope I get accepted. :)

Thank you so much for the reply & good luck with the job hunt!

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hey :)

I'm finishing up my first semester of Calhoun's RN program. I can honestly say that I have enjoyed it. Like UAH or any other nursing program, it is difficult, but if it's what you want you'll make it happen! I don't know much about the UAH program, but I do know that is also a very good one.

As far as Calhoun...The exams are based off of the books mainly and some questions are taken from lecture. I like that they do a test review after each exam to go over and explain all the answers. They give us time to ask questions and make sure we fully understand the answer before moving on. I love all the instructors so far. I can really tell that they sincerely WANT us to do good. We are each assigned a nursing faculty advisor who we can talk to about grades/clinicals/problems/just life in general. The clinicals this semester were also very helpful.

The reason I chose Calhoun was because I just graduated high school in May. I wanted to go ahead and start a program where I can do basics at the same time. I took a ton of dual enrollment classes through Calhoun in HS so that also helped. I like that it is a 5 semester program (very intense 5 semesters if you have other classes to take with nursing) and you get your ADN. I do plan on completing my BSN in the future from UAH or UNA. Good luck to you and feel free to send me a message if you have any questions! :)

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Specializes in ED.

I am in the UAH program now. I am an older student so my experience may be different. I didn't find the content to be difficult at UAH but I did find it hard to keep up with all of the busy work, homework, and little projects. They weren't hard, just time consuming. Yes, taking Patho with 3 other classes and 2 labs is tough but I made it through with a very high B. I was SO close to an A!

I had also heard horror stories about UAH but I have yet to experience any of that.

When really looking at each program it was easy for me to chose UAH. I am pretty sure I'm going on to a grad program at some point but aside from that, the time spent in school is the same really. CC may be one semester shorter but all in all the years/semesters in school is the same.

Another consideration is that if you decide to do all the pre-reqs at CC you will have to have a pretty high GPA if you want to transfer to UAH. UAH gives priority acceptance to current, full-time UAH students.

I do know of two other girls that are in the CC program so we do compare notes from time to time. I think that UAH is really good at getting students hands-on experience as soon as possible whereas CC doesn't go into clinicals until 2nd semester. Not that doing it this way makes a better nurse but I am so glad we go to use some of what we were learning in class into real practice.

I also have several friends that work at Hsv Hospital, etc and they are sometimes prefer the UAH students because they have a BS. Why? I don't really know but I think it may have something to do with a lot of CC grads were going immediately back to school and getting the hospital to pay for it.

I do know that if you want any type of management position you have to have that BS. Not everyone wants to go that route but it is something to consider.

Another thing worth mentioning is that UAH has a higher NCLEX pass rate than CC does right now. I think CC was also in jeopardy of losing their accredidation a few years ago because their pass rate was so low.

So far, I'm pretty pleased with UAH when comparing notes with my CC friends. There are a few things that frustrate me about the program/instructors but I will say that I am learning a LOT and that I am very confident in my abilities and trusting my instincts. I think I made the right choice for me.

Good luck!

m

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Calhoun has gone through a sort of "reconstruction" the courses and the program itself. The pass rate for 2008 was 79%, in 2009 it was increased to 88.3%.

Here is the article....

Calhoun Nursing Graduates Increase

Passage Rate on Licensure Exam

Calhoun Community Col lege officials today announced that the most recent class of nursing graduates from the college's Associate Degree nursing program have posted an impressive 9 point gain over last year's class for the 2008-09 NCLEX (National Council of Licensure Examination). The graduates' 88.3% score represents a 11% increase over last year's scores.

“It would be an understatement to say that we were more than a bit concerned with last year's scores,” commented Health Sciences division dean Bret McGill. “However, we are extremely pleased with these just announced scores and the significant jump our students made this year. “

McGill credits the increase in scores to several things. “Last year, we implemented several measures to help our students do well on their licensure exam. These included implementing a system which tracks and identifies at an earlier point in the semester those students who are struggling with the curriculum and providing additional instruction and assistance for these students throughout the semester and prior to their sitting for the licensure exam,” McGill said.

We also incorporated the use of critical thinking scenarios and simulation labs into the curriculum to help reinforce their classroom instruction, he added. “And, I would be remiss if I didn't point out the dedication, commitmenr and very long hours our faculty have given to ensure the success of our students and our nursing program,” said McGill.

McGill stated that the college's scores for the Associate Degree or registered nursing program graduates this year exceed the national average of 88.2% and are just slightly under the state's average of 89.6%. The averages are based on registered nursing programs at both 2-year and 4-year institutions.

The college's Licensed Practical Nursing graduates performed just as well on their most recent exam, with an 89.7% passage rate, again exceeding the national average (85.2%) and just under the state average of 94.8%.

http://www.calhoun.edu/Prelations/releases2009/NursingPassage.htm

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I have just applied for UAH fall 2013 nursing program, I have a 3.3 GPA and 5 years work experience in a doctors office and group home. I have 120 hrs volunteer work at a nursing home, do you think I will get in ?

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What did you make on the HESI A2 if you don't mind me asking? I applied for UAH fall 2013 as well. I talked to the counselor whom stated they will mail the acceptance letters out next week. Keep your fingers crossed!

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Anyone heard anything from UAH yet? *nervous!*

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Hello! I am so glad I stumbled on this post. I have been trying to find others that are entering the Fall 2013 upper nursing division program at UAH. I just received my acceptance letter on the 12th! That was a long 6 weeks. ;) I took all my pre-reqs at Calhoun. To the poster who inquired about HESI A2 scores, I made a 93. I basically had just 8 days to study, so I pored over every page of the practice book I bought at Barnes and Noble. I truly think that book is responsible for that A. Have you guys heard anything yet? I hope to see you both this fall!

Kelly

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