For those of you on the waiting list for the MCCD nursing program, I would just like to give you a heads up. I wound not pick CGCC for any of your choices for your program. I was a student there, so I I have firsthand knowledge of this. I had been warned not choose this program from others, but unfortunately, I didn't listen. Block one was not bad, and I didn't have any trouble passing. The Block 1 teachers were actually great. Block 2 is another story. The instructors just didn't seem to care. The lectures were a waste of time, because they had no relevency to what was on the test. There are too many things to list what is wrong with this program. The last two, block 2 classes had about a 50% fail rate, and Banner actually pulled their program from there because of such a high failure rate. Something is wrong with a program that has that high of a failure rate. For those that did pass, they just passed by the skin of their teeth. This program is fairly new compared to other programs, and they have lots of bugs to work out. They are not considerate of the students, and seem to forget that we are paying their salaries! Practicums are totally disorganized.
I have many friends that attend either Mesa or Gateway, and they are doing well in these programs. These programs have been around a lot longer and are more established. If you do go there, please try to transfer after block 1. I wish that I had!
I agree with you. Before I go on, let me state to wmg246, that this is not directed at you. I don't know if you are in nursing school or not, but sadly, this is the way some treat their peers. They have a "superiority" complex and think that just because they are doing better than you that they belong there and you don't. These are also the type of people who alienated most of their peers, and have few friends in school. We are all different and learn in different ways. School is what you make of it to a point, but if you don't have good instructors, it can make a difference. I would rather be a "C" student with decent people skills, than an "A" student who just has book smarts and lacks good interpersonal skills.
Nursing school is not easy at all and you have to learn what works for you when it comes to studying because a lot of the material is self taught or self directed learning. Nursing school teaches critical thinking. I would say that it isnt as hard as I thought but I am sure block 3 will kick my butt :). Study groups help and clinicals help a bunch. Good Luck everyone.
I'm sorry some of you are having such a hard time-- some instructors are better than others for sure. I just wanted to encourage all MCCC students to break open the Saunders NCLEX book and install the CD early on. The chapters list everything in outline form that you need to know to pass the NCLEX and the CD has lots more practice questions. Be sure to look at the rastionale for the ones you get wrong, and there is a reference for what pages to read in Lewis on that topic.
Pretty much in Block 2 so far (I'm not at CGCC) we are doing a lot of self-teaching at home and then we come to the lectures for highlights of the material and critical thinking through discussions. It's impossible to cover it all in a lecture. It's also difficult to get much out of the lectures if you have not read ahead of time.
I'm glad you guys are doing well, and yes nursing school it is very challenging. I am, however, sick of hearing the mantra " nursing school is what you make of it". It sounds very judgemental. That statement indicates that a student, somehow didn't care enough, study enough, or wasn't smart enough to "do the right things". Please be a little more sensitive in your postings people. It is easy to be critical of others when things are going your way. As far as instructors go, there are some good and some bad. At CGCC we started out with 37 people in block 2. 4 people withdrew due to dissatisfaction with the program (I know this because I have spoken to them), at least 13 people for sure failed, there may be a couple more, and the remaining students passed. Of those students that passed, 4 were students who had taken block 2 already. I wish everyone the best of luck!
Bella45 You are absolutely right. I don't believe that the people who didn't pass didn't pass because they didn't study or they didn't care. I've seen you guys study your butt off. What helped me were nclex questions and rationales and test taking techniques. I would do hundreds of nclex questions a day and I will try to answer the ones I didn't know using test taking techniques. You know how our exams were, some questions didn't make sense at all, no even if you read the entire Saunder's book, but I rememender something a block 1 instructor said during a lecture, she said that if you don't know the answer just go through each option as if they were true or false and that is what I did in a lot of the questions and believed me, that saved my butt. I hope this helps, and I hope to see you soon. I know that around 16 people didn't make it and at least one of the block 2 repeaters didn't pass either, it is really sad because we had a really good group adn I will miss you guys a lot. Please let me know if I can help you with anything and who knows, maybe some day we will be co-workers :). GO NURSING!!!
Thanks for the support and the advice. You are right, it is important to study those Nclex questions. We did have a good supportive group, with the exception of a couple of people. That is the case though, where ever you go, to school or work. Good luck to you, and who knows, maybe we will work together some day. :)
bella45
10 Posts
joie427,
I agree with you. Before I go on, let me state to wmg246, that this is not directed at you. I don't know if you are in nursing school or not, but sadly, this is the way some treat their peers. They have a "superiority" complex and think that just because they are doing better than you that they belong there and you don't. These are also the type of people who alienated most of their peers, and have few friends in school. We are all different and learn in different ways. School is what you make of it to a point, but if you don't have good instructors, it can make a difference. I would rather be a "C" student with decent people skills, than an "A" student who just has book smarts and lacks good interpersonal skills.