Clark College Nursing Program?

Published

Hi,

I live in Portland but in January I am starting the RN program at Clark College in Vancouver.

Are there are any former, current, or future Clark students here? I'd love to get some insight into the program from someone who's been there, or perhaps get to know some folks who will be starting there this year.

Kris

:redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hi Pacifica,

i am a current nursing student at Clark College. i am about to begin my 3rd quarter of nursing school next week. i will be studying OB/Peds this quarter.

what kind of information are you curious about?

my first quarter of nursing school went pretty good. i know i was way more nervous than i needed to be. don't get me wrong, it's a lot of work, but i made it through o.k. just be prepared to do a lot of work on your own. there's a lot of reading (it increases each quarter). all tests are done on your own time in the testing center. clinical rotations were hard for me because i'd never really cared for clients before, but the instructors are all very helpful.

hope that helps a little bit... let me know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
hi Pacifica,

i am a current nursing student at Clark College. i am about to begin my 3rd quarter of nursing school next week. i will be studying OB/Peds this quarter.

what kind of information are you curious about?

my first quarter of nursing school went pretty good. i know i was way more nervous than i needed to be. don't get me wrong, it's a lot of work, but i made it through o.k. just be prepared to do a lot of work on your own. there's a lot of reading (it increases each quarter). all tests are done on your own time in the testing center. clinical rotations were hard for me because i'd never really cared for clients before, but the instructors are all very helpful.

hope that helps a little bit... let me know.

That's very helpful, thank you! I look forward to the independent study but I know it will take extra diligence and motivation on my part.

That's cool that you get to study O.B./peds this quarter. I eventually want to work in Critical Care/ICU. Do students get an opportunity to choose their clinical interests early in the program? Are there internship/externship opportunities at Legacy Salmon Creek or any of the other clinical settings? I'm hoping to get an opportunity to do an extended rotation in a critical care unit before I graduate.

Thanks,

Kris

:redbeathe

Up Vote Up Vote ×

hey,

each quarter you study a different area of nursing, but the main focus is Medical/Surgical. Clinicals break down like this: 1st qtr @ a nursing home, 2nd qtr Med/Surg, 3rd qtr OB/Peds, 4th qtr Med/Surg, 5th qtr Med/Surg Team Leading & Mental Health.

the last quarter (6th) is management and a preceptorship. i know students get a say in where they want to do their preceptorship (pick an area of the hospital), but i don't know all the details. i've heard of students choosing Mental Health and Med/Surg.

as far as the ICU, i don't know... i think that might be too much of a specialty area.

i know that Legacy hospital has a program for students called "Bridge to Practice." they hire nursing students with the idea for them to transition into a nursing position with that hospital. i'm not sure if their offering that at Salmon Creek, but for sure in Portland.

check out Legacy's website for employment and click on nursing opportunites. there will be a link for the bridge to practice program.

good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion