Published May 5, 2011
Braga92
6 Posts
Hi everyone. Im 19 years old, leaving for Basic Training in the Army in 3 weeks and come back in October. I want to get my Associates in Nursing at CCRI but ive heard that the acceptance to the program has changed? That its no longer a 'first come, first serve' sort of thing where as it is now a 'whoever has the best grades, gets in first', atleast that is what i was told. I didnt do very well in High school. I took College Preparatory classes, but i would get Cs, and maybe 1-2 B-'s. I didnt really care too much about High School but now i realize how important getting good grades were. Anyway, Is CCRI like that? Im just afraid of being on the waiting list forever and finishing my pre-reqs and waiting even longer to be accepted into the actual nursing program. Thank you guys!
mgalano, ASN, BSN, RN
84 Posts
Hi, I am at the end of my first semester in the nursing program at CCRI. They no longer do the "wait list". If you don't get in when you apply during that semester you must apply again during the next application period. It isn't necassarily the best grades get in. I got in on my first try with a 3.2 GPA and others that applied the same app period I did with a higher GPA didn't get in. I am unsure of their exact system that they use to accept or deny people. You must have all of your pre reqs done before even applying, which is 3 semesters worth of classes. Your highschool grades do not matter. The pre reqs classes has a minumum grade of either B- or C for microbiology, if you do not recieve that they you have to retake the course.
You should just get started on your pre reqs as soon as possible because you can only apply AFTER they are all done. Hope all of this helps.
-Michelle
Hi, I am at the end of my first semester in the nursing program at CCRI. They no longer do the "wait list". If you don't get in when you apply during that semester you must apply again during the next application period. It isn't necassarily the best grades get in. I got in on my first try with a 3.2 GPA and others that applied the same app period I did with a higher GPA didn't get in. I am unsure of their exact system that they use to accept or deny people. You must have all of your pre reqs done before even applying, which is 3 semesters worth of classes. Your highschool grades do not matter. The pre reqs classes has a minumum grade of either B- or C for microbiology, if you do not recieve that they you have to retake the course. You should just get started on your pre reqs as soon as possible because you can only apply AFTER they are all done. Hope all of this helps.-Michelle
So in total to get an Associates in Nursing from CCRI, itll take 3 and a half years ? If i was thinking of advancement in the healthcare field, should i just go for the BA since its another semester worth?
What most of the people I know do is take all the classes that they can at CCRI to save money and then transfer those credits to like RIC or URI and start their nursing program. I went with CCRI because it is overall cheaper, has better NCLEX pass rate than both URI and RIC. When I graduate from CCRI it is only 2 semesters at RIC to get my BSN. So overall it will be cheaper and I have more odds on passing the NCLEX.
Oh wow. Cool! I think thats the best idea. Thank you! :)
melissaplexy
17 Posts
I went to CCRI first and transferred to RIC and it is a great way to save money. As far as their NCLEX pass rates, RIC has had the highest pass rate since 2007 according to http://www.health.ri.gov/data/2008-2010NursingExamPassRates.pdf. The ability to get into CCRI's program is not just based on classes and GPA. I know this because I was on the waiting list at CCRI when they changed their rules and applied with a GPA of 3.98 with all prerequisite nursing classes finished and was turned down the first semester. I found out through the grapevine that student that work for Caremark were put before students that had been waiting with higher GPA's because of an acceptance of a grant by the school. They don't want the students to know this though. I transferred to RIC as soon as I found out and took the 2 chemistry classes that were required (not required at URI) over the summer. I couldn't apply to the nursing program until that Jan. because of the deadline and RIC wants you to take a full semester there to prove you can handle their classes. So I enrolled in 16 credits (in gen ed's for the BSN) that Fall and received straight A's in everything and was accepted into the program on the first attempt. Other people get rejected because of lower GPA's and RIC gives a total of two attempts but I hear that it is like this everywhere. There are lines to get into programs and not available jobs when you graduate unless you shine as a student and choose the right area to specialities in your preceptorship. At least RIC offers a preceptorship in your senior year so you have that edge. So, save money until you are ready to transfer and then get the best grades you can. In RI you have to be working on a BSN by law and companies seem to be hiring BSN's over associate degrees - so get it done anyway. As far as preparing for your NCLEX, RIC grads say they have no problem passing because of all the ATI and Hesi mandatory testing at RIC. I graduate this week from RIC's BSN program and have benefited from the testing and greater emphasis on research. Good Luck in whatever you choose!!
So what do you think i should do? Get all of my prereqs done at CCRI and then just apply or RIC and go for the BSN? is Caremark CVS? Really i dont want to be waiting forever just to get accepted into the nursing program. What would be the best route? Im getting 31k total from the Army to go to college, so money to me isnt an issue unless i have a huge chunk i have to pay from exhausting that 31k.
That website is not up to date.
I agree that something is up with the way they accept people into CCRI, I guess I was just lucky and got accepted in on my first try. I don't work for caremark or anything.
Try this site if you don't like the other. http://www.bestnursingdegree.com/programs/bachelors-in-nursing/. Same results.
CCRI has a sister "college compact" with RIC so you can take your general education credits and pre-req's for nursing and transfer them. CCRI has many summer classes so you could get those gen ed's out of the way and take your pre-req's during the regular school year so you'll retain the information better. Spend less money and transfer when the time is right for you. You can't apply for either nursing program until the pre-req's are done anyway. If you think you would be happier on campus and want to stay in a dorm then move into RIC from the beginning and get the full college experience. :)
Try this site if you don't like the other. http://www.bestnursingdegree.com/programs/bachelors-in-nursing/. Same results. CCRI has a sister "college compact" with RIC so you can take your general education credits and pre-req's for nursing and transfer them. CCRI has many summer classes so you could get those gen ed's out of the way and take your pre-req's during the regular school year so you'll retain the information better. Spend less money and transfer when the time is right for you. You can't apply for either nursing program until the pre-req's are done anyway. If you think you would be happier on campus and want to stay in a dorm then move into RIC from the beginning and get the full college experience. :)
Well the only thing is, is my fear of being declined into the program and waiting 2 years untill I get in. Waiting that long, i couldve just went to RIC instead, you know? =\
I went back and read your first post. If you want to do well, go to CCRI and save money to start off and then transfer to get the benefits of the RIC nursing program. CCRI is better at assisting students that have been out of school for awhile or need help developing better study habits. They have greater resourses for new students. Don't kid yourself that these sciences are going to be a "cake walk" no matter where you go but if you need some help at first then it's good to have it in place. Transfer after your pre-req's are done and your feet are on the ground. Just do well at RIC after you transfer and apply to the nursing department when the next application can be submitted.
Thanks Melissa. I appreciate all your help!