Collin College ADN Program

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Feb 17, 2010

Hello All! I've recently applied to Collin College-previously Collin County Community College for the Fall 2010 cycle. I was wondering If I had 14 points is it possible that I get in? I know it's so competitive. Did anyone get in recently with 14 points. My overall GPA is a 3.6 and I got 5 points on my PSB. If anyone has any insight on this please respond! I need all the help I can get because everyone I've talked to has told me different things. Thanks to all!

Hi there! I'm your neighbor, probably, as I live 20 miles from CCCCD, and I started nursing school there.

You would do well to apply to Brookhaven and Grayson. I know Grayson is a drive, but you will enjoy nursing and survive your instruction with your sanity.

I started at CCCCD and survived 3 semesters of a 5 semester program. I was shocked at the poor quality of instruction. There are a couple of instructors who go out of their way not to let you read their power point slides during lecture. That would have seemed to be the point to me!

The director is a frightening little woman who will make your life hell if you aren't young and blond and preferably extremely thin. I have yet to meet anyone who likes her. She is pretty condescending, and she has no problem sharing inside info with her selected few, but I have seen her censure another instructor (who had been her friend) because that nurse offered to work with us to learn the material.

On her watch, the school of nursing at CCCCD went from being accredited to being on probation. Trust me, you don't want this.

You also need to know that even though you are an adult, you will be required to arrive early and to sign in. If you are tardy three times, that's an absence, and if you are absent three times you fail the course.

I am grateful every day that I ran into a student from another school, and within a few weeks of researching, I "transferred." Actually, had to take all the didactics over again, but it was a real pleasure because the new situation allowed me to learn with enjoyment. I passed my boards with the minimal number of questions, and in 40 minutes. Some of my classmates who had done well (the director's buds, not their fault though) failed their boards the first time. One never got licensed.

I'd strongly, strongly encourage you to go elsewhere. El Centro has a very solid program but it is extremely strenuous. Grayson has a good pass rate and I have seen their students in the clinical setting, they know their stuff. Plus they are relaxed and happy.

I cannot say enough to feel like I have warned you away from Collin County. I guess, enter at your own risk.

You can sure email me privately, if you like.

Christine RN CHPN LMFT (FNP-S)

dcRn2b · Feb 21, 2010

I'm a Grayson student love love love the program its worth the drive our instructors are awesome and go out of their way to make sure you know your stuff I enjoy nursing school I can even say I love it. I also heard stories of Collins program so chose not to even apply there...good luck with your nursing journey :)

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2010

I am currently a student at Collin in the nursing program. I am sorry Christine had a poor experience there. There are many of us there who feel quite differently, and the employers in the area definitely feel very positively about the Collin College nursing program. The program director has been nothing but kind, motivational and a good mentor and I am far far far from young, thin and blond. Two tardies count as an absence. Three absences get you a trip to the Student Affairs Committee to explain why you should hold your slot when others are able and willing and anxious to be there on time. We are adults. This should not be shocking nor a problem, to be at class on time. The purpose of this policy is that another nurse will be waiting for you to arrive when you are due for your shift at the hospital as an R.N. Collin College has been named the best nursing school in the state of Texas, no small feat. They have a student retention rate of 90% and an NCLEX pass rate of 95% within 90 days of graduation - those are the highest numbers in the state of Texas. Is it tough? Absolutely. I go home energized and happy every day, so my experience has been nothing but positive. I have heard good things about Grayson. I have heard nothing bad about El Centro. I don't know when or if CC was ever on probation, but they certainly aren't now. The NLNAC website shows Collin as being accredited for 8 years continuous.

Entry is very competitive, you are correct. It is possible to get in with 14 points but not exactly likely. I had 14 points when I was admitted (still had a pre-requisite to finish) but also have another degree and have MANY hours taken at Collin plus exceptionally high PSB scores. There are many applicants with 14 points. Your PSB scores, whether you have another degree and whether you are a Collin County resident are a few of the things that determine whether you are on the favorable side of a tie breaker. 16s get in. 15s usually get in. A few 14s get in. Below 14s do not get in.

Collin has also recently partnered with TWU and will be offering a BSN bridge at the new advanced education center they have opened at 75 and 121. (Doubtful that a reputable institution like TWU School of Nursing would partner with Collin if the program were in any way sub-par). You'll be able to pursue your BSN, MSN and Ph.D. in time at that center with a degree from TWU at Collin College prices. Acceptance is automatic if you graduate from the Collin nursing program and pass the NCLEX.

Good luck!

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Feb 21, 2010

I'm very glad you are enjoying your experience at CCCCD. I wish I knew that everyone shared your experience, but in fact the contrary is true. Both students and professors have suffered for no reason, because of the attitude and behavior of the director. She can be and has been hateful without cause. There is no reason for that in any kind of education, much less one that hopefully is grooming us to be kind, caring, nurturing and assertive. No reason at all.

I was actually actively sought by the school and encouraged to apply. I took the entrance exams with a friend, on a lark. My scores were so high, and my previous academic record so strong, that there was no difficulty in being accepted. Competitive entry. Could be. I do have a sterling academic record, a lot more academic experience and achievement than your average applicant to any associate degree program. Consequently, I also have a lot of experience (both as a teacher and as a professor) in higher education, and I know quality and integrity when I see it. I didn't see it at CCCCD.

Maybe the nursing program at CCCCD has improved, but again, that's not what I hear from your classmates. I hear that they just put their heads down, stay out of the line of fire, pass the exams, get it done, one day at a time, and cry a lot. I tell them to take good care of themselves, remember why they want to be nurses, take a deep breath, put one foot in front of the other, and remember than once they graduate, they are out of there and in the world of nursing.

I reported accurately (but by no means completely) my experience at CCCCD, and I am daily grateful that I found a better way that worked better for me. It was more grueling, and in some ways more worrisome, because we didn't go to class and be spoonfed, nor did we have classmates with whom to study, nor instructors to meet with. We were on our own, to learn the material on our own, either with suggested readings or online with credible sources. We learned to be resourceful and disciplined. We didn't have to worry about any pressure to sign in, and no one punished us for tardiness or absence. It is a much more adult way to learn, and I am excited to see it spreading in popularity.

I am and have been in contact with a lot of your classmates, and have not had a single person describe the director as kind. And I haven't had to ask, they have come to me, knowing I had the earlier experience, and shared. They got support and encouragement, and kudos for toughing it out. Good for you that you met whatever her criteria might be for a person worthy of fairness and attention, and congratulations on your success.

As to the local employers, there is a lot to be said about the quality of care in some of the local hospitals. You would do well to be cautious about where you work, and more importantly, where you and your family seek care. Again, I draw not only on my own observations and experiences as a competent professional, but the reports from my former classmates as well as credible consumers. I hope as a nurse that you advocate for good care for patients, not just your own but for anyone you see being mistreated, neglected or abused. You will see it. It will be up to you to stand up and be counted.

I actually had a clinical instructor inform me that a dying patient crying in pain with a DNR in place, who was not being cared for, whose pain was not being medicated, was none of my concern. I shut up and prayed. Now I know I should have gone over her head and talked to the charge nurse, and if that didn't get the poor woman help, I should have called the DON. So much for beneficence. That's one example of many.

Is CCCCD off probation? I hope so. It would be a shame to see all the heavy investment in the program not worth the NLN's approval. The school I graduated from had and still has recognition as a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education, and my program was specifically cited as contributing to that quality. Quite a difference in terms of recognition.

I do hope the director feels better than she must have felt when I and my classmates were her students. LOL, members of the class or two before yours actually researched the director and based on what they found online and in their own observations, had developed a diagnosis of a particular personality disorder. I have to say (and I am credentialed to do so), they were pretty much spot on.

I'm glad you are happy where you are! And loyalty is a wonderful trait, I hope the director appreciates you! But I would never recommend that school to anyone, so long as the director remains in place, until and unless I know personally that she is healthier than she was when I knew her. The director before her was a giving, decent person. Had I realized what was coming in the form of your director, I'd've gone elsewhere. Oh, yeah! I did! :)

It worked out. I'm a very good nurse, and I'm competent, caring and my patient's lives and those of their families and caregivers are better because of me and what I do. If you can say the same when you are a nurse, that will be great, no matter how you got to where you will be.

I would suggest, though, that you remove the name of the director in your post. Even she deserves the dignity of not being named in a public setting.

Good luck to you.

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2010

I am happy to remove her name. I just figured since she is obviously named on the school website it is a nonissue. I certainly would never want her name smeared.

I am glad you are successful. I believe I will be too. I have heard literally nobody echo the sentiments you have stated here, so wanted to put a fair dissent out. I have a lot of experience with local hospitals due to having had two kiddos with cancer - you are very correct that there are some local institutions I would not want to be affiliated with.

I am glad you found a situation that worked for you. Perhaps Collin is more difficult than it needs to be, I don't know. I find it difficult to believe that the numbers and accolades that have been given both to the director and to the school would be there if it were as bad as you say. The director herself has been selected for induction into the National League for Nursing’s Academy of Nursing Education. She joins the academy’s 65 fellows representing nursing schools and programs throughout the United States.

I wish you the best of luck and thank you for the good thoughts. I am sorry your experience at Collin was poor. Those looking at Collin for their education can take from this that there are definitely differing opinions on the subject and YMMV.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Feb 21, 2010

I am happy to remove her name. I just figured since she is obviously named on the school website it is a nonissue. I certainly would never want her name smeared.
I am glad you are successful. I believe I will be too. I have heard literally nobody echo the sentiments you have stated here, so wanted to put a fair dissent out. I have a lot of experience with local hospitals due to having had two kiddos with cancer - you are very correct that there are some local institutions I would not want to be affiliated with.
I am glad you found a situation that worked for you. Perhaps Collin is more difficult than it needs to be, I don't know. I find it difficult to believe that the numbers and accolades that have been given both to the director and to the school would be there if it were as bad as you say. The director herself has been selected for induction into the National League for Nursing's Academy of Nursing Education. She joins the academy's 65 fellows representing nursing schools and programs throughout the United States.
I wish you the best of luck and thank you for the good thoughts. I am sorry your experience at Collin was poor. Those looking at Collin for their education can take from this that there are definitely differing opinions on the subject and YMMV.

I'm sorry to hear about your babies, and also sorry to hear that you too have experienced poor care locally.

I did look to see about the top nursing schools in Texas, and CCCCD was not named (a bunch of UT's, Tarleton, Baylor, and one other, I think, but not CCCCD). I did see on the "last action" was well within the NLN review period of 8 years, so there were distinct problems. As for her induction into the NLN, the members of the NLN are the schools of nursing, not people. Perhaps she is being inducted into something else.

My issue with CCCCD was that nursing school should be challenging, but the challenges should be academic, intellectual, cognitive, anything leading to the development of good nurses. The challenges shouldn't be about being in trouble or sent to the office or whatever. That's not very adult.... And that was what was a problem for me. I was on time, no problem. And I never had an absence. But one can come to resent pressure to sign in on time--sometimes standing in line to sign only to have the instructor snap up the sheet because it is 9 a.m., never mind that you have been there for 5 minutes or more. I did wind up going to a school where the challenges were only about learning and integrating the material, developing critical thinking skills, that sort of thing. And I continue to mentor 2600 students in my alma mater, in a Yahoo group, in emails, posts, even phone calls. I don't remember anyone reaching back at CCCCD. Even the student assigned to mentor me was too busy. I hope that your experience is better, I know that you are strong, you'll succeed. And I'll be proud to work along side you (or have you take care of me, should that be the case).

christine

Perhaps our paths will cross some day. I hope so. I think you are going to be great.

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2010

Thank you Christine.

I didn't find any reference or specifics on the probation so either it was long enough ago to age off, or once overcome, evidence of it is not public. The award given to the director was actually cut and pasted from the CCCCD website verbatim. I admit to not knowing enough about that particular entity to argue the validity of the award or what it refers to.

The pass rates for Collin and all other colleges can be found here:

http://www.bne.state.tx.us/nursingeducation/edudocs/RN-5YR-passrate.pdf

All the local ADN programs seem to be about on par with one another. Tarleton was significantly lower.

I would enjoy meeting you too and again, thank you for the positive thoughts. Pursuit of this is a dream come true for me and I am happier than I have been in years given the sh*t sandwich that life is when dealing with serious illness. Perhaps then the politics of nursing school just don't register with me as they might with others.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Feb 21, 2010

I stand corrected with regard to the top nursing schools in Texas. That was what I googled, and that's the title of the site, but it was actually the largest, which is of course by no means the best.

Understand about that sandwich. Have had to nibble from it myself, particularly with my husband who was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer last spring. We managed to keep him out of the hospital, managed to keep his weight stable, managed to keep him hydrated, and eventually got his pain under control. Along the way I saw nurses and doctors who have no business being in health care.

I know you know what I mean, and I pray that your little ones are well and healthy and cancer free, and that you have found some peace yourself, which I know can be quite a feat in and of itself, after months of 24/7 worry and care.

We should get together and have coffee sometime. I suspect you are nearby, since I only live about 20 miles from CCCCD.

In any case--take care, keep up the wonderful work, and I'm proud to "know" you.... (BTW, what does YMMV mean? All I could find was "your mileage may vary," LOL.)

christine

allnurses Guide · Feb 21, 2010

Lol! That is exactly it...Your Mileage May Vary. :)

I am so sorry about your husband. Cancer is an insipid and horrifying enemy and to come up against 'caregivers' who add their own unique spin to hell is infuriating to say the least. The illness (AML) stole my oldest son (age 13 when he passed) but my youngest (age 12 now, 5 when diagnosed - brain tumor unrelated to AML at all) continues to thumb his nose at it and thrive. One tragedy, one miracle. Probably should take this to PM at this point as it has nothing to do with Collin and I am rambling. My heart goes out to you about your husband. I am glad you were able to meet your goals, even as the breadth and depth of them shrank in the face of his illness.

I'm a coffee junkie - nursing school and all that Get in touch and we'll see what we can figure out.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Feb 22, 2010

Just so no one wonders (then I'll go to PM or email), he is considered NED (no evidence of disease) although his last PET showed "something" in the mediastinum. Medicare won't cover another PET for at least three months, an no more than 3 in any calendar year, even for cause, so I am praying particularly fervently until March 9 when he goes again.

He feels good, he's a wee bit anemic but otherwise blood counts are good. He is now losing weight, because he wants to.

It's all good.

Christine

allnurses Guide · Feb 22, 2010

Losing weight because he wants to already makes him a better person than me I can't accomplish that very well and I have nothing like his excuse for not bothering to try. Sent you a PM and I hope we get to meet up soon!