CCAC Spring 2010

[Bobsdaughter]

Just curious if any who have applied have heard if they've been accepted to CCAC Nursing program for Spring 2010 admittance?

Also, does anyone out there know what the likelihood is of getting your fist choice?

[dondk, BSN, RN]

The only other thing I was told by a department head that they have a 25-30% washout rate, with a good 10% being washed out in the first semester, this was for both spring 2009 and fall 2009.

As this was mentioned, they stressed the importance of having at least 1 or more of the A&P and/or Micro with a B or better. The grades in those classes are factored after everyone is given a standing score, those grades are a bonus so to speak. I am still trying to find out how a person is scored, that seems to be the biggest mystery of them all.

They mentioned that a 75 or better on the NET was good, although they do get a considerable amount of 90 or better on the NET. When I asked about that, the response was odd. The theory is those with prior degree's or considerable college experience tend to do worse than those right out of high school. I know I asked several of my classmates what their scores were and their background and the correlation seems to be true. I have not found someone with a previous degree getting above an 80. Go figure!

Those under a 70 on the NET are accepted, so the NET does not carry as much weight as they claim. SO, if anyone has a low NET, don't be discouraged. This seems to be more GPA driven than anything, one person mentioned CCAC GPA was VERY important.

One last thing, those not accepted for the Spring, reapply for the fall. There are very few cases where an applicant is not accepted on the second attempt. The only difference in the fall is that with the addition of North and South the competition for certain locations are very high. Yes, you have to completely re-apply. Since your transcripts should be on file, the reapplication should be very easy.

[Bobsdaughter]

EXACTLY! It mentions in the admissions packet that you get a ".75" added to your "score" if you have an "A" in either A&P 1 or 2 or in Micro but doesn't mention what the "scoring" system is. Perhaps it simply means that if you have shown you can do good work in those classes, you are given more consideration? Or maybe it means that literally .75 is added on to your GPA, (assuming the NET is nothing more than a "weed out", that they don't actually consider the score but just make sure you achieved the minimum score). Just a thought.

In any event, it sounds like it's a bit more competitive than I had originally thought. I can't help but think though, from the few that have responded on this post, that we have are all in good shape. Retention is key, it keeps money in their pockets, so I can't help but think that those with previous degrees are in better shape, (meaning we've proven that we can make it through a program).

[dondk, BSN, RN]

EXACTLY! It mentions in the admissions packet that you get a ".75" added to your "score" if you have an "A" in either A&P 1 or 2 or in Micro but doesn't mention what the "scoring" system is. Perhaps it simply means that if you have shown you can do good work in those classes, you are given more consideration? Or maybe it means that literally .75 is added on to your GPA, (assuming the NET is nothing more than a "weed out", that they don't actually consider the score but just make sure you achieved the minimum score). Just a thought.

In any event, it sounds like it's a bit more competitive than I had originally thought. I can't help but think though, from the few that have responded on this post, that we have are all in good shape. Retention is key, it keeps money in their pockets, so I can't help but think that those with previous degrees are in better shape, (meaning we've proven that we can make it through a program).

I agree with your thinking on the NET. The more I brought it up over the last few months the more I took away it had little impact. There are two I believe on the decision board that want the NET to be thrown out, they feel it is not representative of the applicant. They feel current and previous course work is the most relevant.

Previous degree's... the good and the bad on this. Through my digging, most of the people told me that CCAC current GPA carries the most weight. Previous degree's carry "some weight", more if that degree has bio courses, less if it did not. It does not matter if the degree is 2 years old or 10 years old, carries the same weight. I know of several applicants with Masters, more than one was told their masters meant very little to the application.

The real problem I have been told is not retention, it is satisfactory NCLEX scores. CCAC has been slipping over the past few years. It is also well known some campuses have issues with their clinical instructors. Supposedly there has been or there is going to be a shakeup/shakedown of some of the faculty.

[mz.one1]

Got another question you mentioned CCAC GPA is important, I had to transfer all of my credits in does this have a negative outlook on my app.? seeing I have not taken any courses at CCAC? If you know the answer to that one.

[tokidoki7, ASN, RN]

The only other thing I was told by a department head that they have a 25-30% washout rate, with a good 10% being washed out in the first semester, this was for both spring 2009 and fall 2009.

I wish a thread like this existed when I was applying to CCAC earlier this year. It's really hard to get information about CCAC in general. I sent in my application in the begining of January and didn't get a response until the beginning of May. I'm a first semester student and after we had the big dosage calc exam earlier this month, some students have been missing. You only get 2 tries to take the dosage calc exam, so I don't know if people just didn't do as good or if it's because people are on medical leave, which is what I'm hearing a lot of. Lecture is smaller and my clinical group is even smaller.

[mz.one1]

Wow that's scary but I hear that's how it usually goes the group gets smaller as you get further into the semester's. How are you holding up? pretty good I hope..

[dondk, BSN, RN]

Got another question you mentioned CCAC GPA is important, I had to transfer all of my credits in does this have a negative outlook on my app.? seeing I have not taken any courses at CCAC? If you know the answer to that one.

I don't think so to be honest, 95% of my course work is transfer credit. I am retaking one course not because I did poorly, but they did not think it was a direct match (scary, it is Micro and I had a A from the university where I took it).

I wish a thread like this existed when I was applying to CCAC earlier this year. It's really hard to get information about CCAC in general. I sent in my application in the begining of January and didn't get a response until the beginning of May. I'm a first semester student and after we had the big dosage calc exam earlier this month, some students have been missing. You only get 2 tries to take the dosage calc exam, so I don't know if people just didn't do as good or if it's because people are on medical leave, which is what I'm hearing a lot of. Lecture is smaller and my clinical group is even smaller.

I spoke with a few 2nd semester nursing students who provided some decent numbers. They started with about 90 in the class, the dosage calc exam you mentioned trimmed their class by 12, by the end of semester 1 they were down to 72 students. Mid 2nd semester they are at 69, which agrees with the wash out rate that I was told. Honestly, that is why I asked what the washout was, that says a lot about either the program, the applicants or both. I don't know if you wash out, if you are able to reapply or what it takes to get back into the program.

I hate to say this, but it appears you really have to network to get some information on the CCAC program. Which is really odd, you would think they would want this info out there, it only helps people making informed decisions rather than trying and failing or not being selected.

[Bobsdaughter]

I'm SO glad there has been traffic on this blog! No, CCAC doesn't give out a ton of information. As a matter of fact, the adviser I met with back in June actually gave me "bad" information, but that's neither here, nor there.

For anyone looking at this blog that is attending CCAC's nursing program currently; How does scheduling work? Are the students able to chose their schedule, or is it assigned? Also, are you able to "switch" programs ever, (ex. switch from Eve/Weekend to Day program say like the second semester)? I'm just curious about the "feel" of the program since the information I've gotten has been so limited. Thanks again and best of luck to all!

[tokidoki7, ASN, RN]

When I started this fall, there were 90 students in the program. I don't how many are in the program now. I'm doing very good in the program. There is a lot of reading to do and we alternate between a quiz and an exam every week. Things are getting a little more intense because the material is becoming more complex. There's more paperwork to fill out in clinical. It's challenging but doable as long as you do what you're supposed to do.

As for scheduling, 2 days were assigned for scheduling and we had a lottery. There were 6 scheduling options to choose from and I was lucky to get my first choice. The registration form was already filled out, so all we had to do was take it to the registration office. That's how it is at Boyce; I don't know how it is at other schools. For 102 next semester, there will still be a lottery but the scheduling will be different: lab every other week, 10 hour clinicals, and clincial at some places starting at 1pm and ending at 11pm. A lot of students are concerned about that because they work and/or have families.

I'm not sure about being able to switch from evening to day, although what I've seen on the school's website makes it seem possible.

[dondk, BSN, RN]

I asked that question about switching. Provided there is a seat, it is yours for the taking. Same goes for locations, if there is a position you can go for it. I was told there tends to be a lot of movement between Boyce and Allegheny, North and South not as much movement. You can technically start at one campus and graduate elsewhere. I found everyone had different opinions on which location was better for clinical's.

I appreciate the info on scheduling, what I was told was extremely vague (like they didn't know). No one mentioned a lottery, all I was told at North was three shifts for clinicals, day, evening and weekends, no one told me how it was selected, I assumed the day class had day, evening had evening and weekend was weekend.

Again, Thanks Cocobean, great info.

[Danyelle_SWPA]

I am not yet at the point to apply to CCAC for nursing, but I am a student there now, originally I was taking prerequisites to go into Social Work and transfer to Pitt, but in the past 2 weeks I have decided to take a crack at prerequisites for nursing. As of now I have 24 credits @ CCAC, most are Social Sciences. Now let me tell you a little bit about the advisors. Do your own leg work, and networking. Most of the advisors don't know very much! In order to become a college advisor, most positions require a sales and marketing background, and that is major universities, now mind you this is Community College, so that right there should tell you alot! Bottom line is the longer the school can keep you there, the more money they make! Which is why you really need to be your own advisor! My daughter graduated from High School this past May, and when we went up to register her for classes for Fall, I knew more than the advisor did! I had my daughter's schedule all done, but even though all the classes were available on the days and times we picked, the advisor tried to interject her knowledge in the scenario, and for each suggestion she made, I had ample reason to shoot her down and correct her. After walking out of there I thought "My God, I can just imagine how many ppl this place has taken for a ride"! As for the teachers there, let me tell you, if you look them up on www.ratemyprofessor.com, which is what I do whenever I pick a class, so far everything said about a teacher has rang true! So beware, because some are really pretty crappy teachers! And really I don't know what it is with nurses that teach, and even many nurses in general, but alot seem to want to be sadistic at alot of programs, like they have some envious issue to square away!

So to all of you that are sweating it out, I feel for you! But just remember all things happen for a reason, and even if at the time they happen you can't see the "Why", trust me later down the line life will make sense of it for you!

[dondk, BSN, RN]

I agree about most of the advisors. I was floored that at North some of the advisors are department chairs that have to donate X amount of days/hours a week. The preferred advisors, you never get to meet because they are booked weeks in advance!

As an adult student, I did my homework and walked in a told them what I wanted, not what they wanted to give me. The way I look at it, I am paying for a service, If they make a mistake I pay for it, if I make the mistake they can tell me they told me so. I also have seen classmates taken for a ride or worse yet, submit because they don't know any better.

I will add that the disparity between locations and professors are incredible. My A&P1 we had a ton of hands on labs, we dissected everything. My carpool mate is in A&P 1 at Allegheny and has not dissected anything, nor has she used the microscope more than once (I used mine almost every lab in my A&P). I don't get it personally how there can be such a difference.