Collin County Community College

I hope I won't be one of the 4.0s turned away, but if so....then, I will take the next path available to me to get to become a RN, so here I come LVN.

Hi,

I graduated from collin county in 02. I thought at the time that it was a good school, if a little disorganized. All of the students who graduated with me passed their boards on the first attempt, which is a good sign! I had no problem getting a job before graduation- went to ER at Parkland with two of my classmates. I now work ED at a suburban hospital. If you have any ? about specifics of the program, I'd be happy to answer them.

Sanuk, thank you for the support!

I just called CCCC and they are sending out letters this week! So I will be in contact if I do get in.

Hello,

I currently have a BS in Accounting, but have decided to change careers and pursue nursing. I am taking my prereqs for Nursing at Collin Community College this fall. I am taking Anatomy and Physiology I. I am still trying to debate on whether or not I should take Statistics along with it. Does anyone have any advice on whether or not I should do that? My plan is take 2 classes in the Fall and then take A&P II and Microbology in the Spring 09 to be able to apply for the nursing program. Is this doable or will this be too much? I also work full time and two boys ages 4 and 6. Am I putting to much on my plate? Any advice would be helpful. Is there anyone else taking A&P this fall that would be interested in a study group?

Thanks.

Is it really that competitive to get into a nursing program? That is ridiculous that it is that competitive especially since there is a need for nurses and there is a shortage of nurses in general. I am not saying that the schools let anybody in but there has to be a range of GPA's that they will accept. B's aren't bad grades after all. I am usually and A/B student, and I really don't know if I can honestly get all A's in the three classes that I need to apply to the nursing program at CCCCD. I need A & P I, A & P II and Microbiology. I already have a B.S. degree and CCCC said that my previous biology classes from SWT were "too old" and I was told that I had to take the freshman biology as a pre-req to take A & P. Most of my basic classes math, english, psyh. etc were taken almost 12 years ago and I got a mix of A's and B's in them (and I am not retaking those!). I took the CLEP Exam for Biology and tested out of all the freshman biology classes. Taking the CLEP is an option that might help some people out of having to take basic required freshman classes. Just thought I would let people know about CLEP as an option. It saved me a semester's worth of time and money.

I have to say FINALLY I found someone in the exact same boat I am in- I just refuse to take these classes again its very frustrating- I dont mind A&P but these other science courses I almost completed Pre- Med

Thank you for the insight- I m determined and I hope I can make this work

I am currently in the nursing program there. I agree with everyone out there, all of the programs are very competitive. The program at CCCCD is quite rigorous as well. Don't give up on your dream, if one way doesn't work, try another. Also try to get the most possible points on the PSB, that makes a huge difference. I wish you all the best of luck!:icon_hug:

I'm currently a 3rd semester student at Collin. I got in on my first try having made one B (A&P II when I herniated a disc that semester). You can make a B and still be awarded the most points possible for the grade category (doesn't require a 4.0 - maybe a 3.8? - to get max points). The PSB test is the thing that gets a lot of people. If you'll take the time to practice this so you can earn the most points on the real try, it'll help out. I took it under the dental hygiene program as a practice, and no one told me I couldn't. Really helped.

Regarding the "shortage of nurses" vs "tough to get in a nursing school" debate, a lot has to do with how hard it is to STAFF the nursing program with nurses willing to teach. That's the main reason for the limited availability. Also, I just spoke with my director of nursing today about this, and Collin's program is tough not to be mean but to prepare us to pass the NCLEX on the first try with developed critical thinking skills. It's "easy" to make an A on prior courses that only require memorization; but nursing courses require an advanced level of thinking that most of us find tough. Makes us into much better nurses on the back side, so the pain is worth it. Collin's nursing program has the best record in the area for highest graduation rate AND 1st-pass on NCLEX rate (only one of 3 nursing programs in the whole state of TX to just recently get awarded for these achievements).

Good luck!

Is it really that competitive to get into a nursing program? That is ridiculous that it is that competitive especially since there is a need for nurses and there is a shortage of nurses in general. I am not saying that the schools let anybody in but there has to be a range of GPA's that they will accept. B's aren't bad grades after all. I am usually and A/B student, and I really don't know if I can honestly get all A's in the three classes that I need to apply to the nursing program at CCCCD. I need A & P I, A & P II and Microbiology. I already have a B.S. degree and CCCC said that my previous biology classes from SWT were "too old" and I was told that I had to take the freshman biology as a pre-req to take A & P. Most of my basic classes math, english, psyh. etc were taken almost 12 years ago and I got a mix of A's and B's in them (and I am not retaking those!). I took the CLEP Exam for Biology and tested out of all the freshman biology classes. Taking the CLEP is an option that might help some people out of having to take basic required freshman classes. Just thought I would let people know about CLEP as an option. It saved me a semester's worth of time and money.

This is where i am getting frustrated..... i am currently going to CCCCD and going for taking my classes and on top of the pre-reqs.. and i just hear tons of different stories....

This is what i hear.....

1) Being on the list is just numbers, it is a gaurantee to get it in,..... just the process having to wait... and depending on what number you fall on to that they are starting to grab the number of students to start the program....

2) due to the fact that the only problem with getting in the nursing program and why it is competitive is due to the staff to teach the program.... (this part i know of...)

I am retaking my some of the few classes i am just wanting to retake due to the fact that at CCCCD they replace the lowest grade with the highest.... AS they tell me that is what they do..... and hopefully that will be allowing me to prove that i can make a better grade in those areas...

And obviously making high grades in the classes is what everybody needs to aim for Especially pre-reqs. i mean i dont see myself having a problem with it its just hearing all the scattered information everywhere that is confusing me....

I heard that ~120 app;ied for this fall...40 spots. http://www.ccccd.edu/nursing/selection.html

Their point system is set up so that the 4 prereq's count for alot:

-up to 4 pts for prereq completion

-up to 3 pts for prereq GPA

-up to 3 pts for combined GPA (prereqs and coreqs)

so that's up to 10 points for these 4. I'd try for A's. (10 out of 16? Thats 63%, with the other 6 from the PSB)

And have all your p's and q's in order...I had a friend denied admission (yeah, saw his transcripts) because of the immunization records. ALWAYS save a copy of what you turn in!

Do they only ask for those kind of records when being accepted into the nursing program? then after being accepted they tell you all the things they need in a certain amount of time, and if not that's when they deny?..

I'm currently a 3rd semester student at Collin. I got in on my first try having made one B (A&P II when I herniated a disc that semester). You can make a B and still be awarded the most points possible for the grade category (doesn't require a 4.0 - maybe a 3.8? - to get max points). The PSB test is the thing that gets a lot of people. If you'll take the time to practice this so you can earn the most points on the real try, it'll help out. I took it under the dental hygiene program as a practice, and no one told me I couldn't. Really helped.

Regarding the "shortage of nurses" vs "tough to get in a nursing school" debate, a lot has to do with how hard it is to STAFF the nursing program with nurses willing to teach. That's the main reason for the limited availability. Also, I just spoke with my director of nursing today about this, and Collin's program is tough not to be mean but to prepare us to pass the NCLEX on the first try with developed critical thinking skills. It's "easy" to make an A on prior courses that only require memorization; but nursing courses require an advanced level of thinking that most of us find tough. Makes us into much better nurses on the back side, so the pain is worth it. Collin's nursing program has the best record in the area for highest graduation rate AND 1st-pass on NCLEX rate (only one of 3 nursing programs in the whole state of TX to just recently get awarded for these achievements).

Good luck!

Bolded- thats exactly what i know of and hear about....

now i think i had posted this question somewhere else in a thread but ill ask it again....

When trying to get in the nursing program at CCCCD or JUST to get on the list are we able to do this while we are taking all of our classes or is this something we would have to wait for until all the pre-reqs are finished then apply for the program and get on the list....

another thing that i hear about is that there are a few test or just test or something we take before applying..

Is that when the PSB is taken? before or after being accepted or awaiting on the list?

The only reason i may be frustrated or confused is i am new to this and i am just trying to get things going....

Thanks for the help hear from you guys soon...

They offer information sessions about the nursing program. You can call the nursing department and ask when the next one is. It will answer a ton of your questions. The nursing department also has a web site. If you go to the main college website, click academics, click nursing, then a little down the page there is a link to the nursing web site. There is all the information about the PSB ect...

Good luck!!

I am in the Collin ADN program now if anyone has any specific questions you can send me a message.

Unless you work for a hospital and can take advantage of one of their nursing training routes all the programs in DFW are hard to get into-

Peace-

I am in the Collin ADN program now if anyone has any specific questions you can send me a message.

Unless you work for a hospital and can take advantage of one of their nursing training routes all the programs in DFW are hard to get into-

Peace-

i do have a few or actually many questions since i am now just getting myself back to school and serious since i am still at an early age this is something i honestly want to do but i have been having just a bit of a hard understanding on how certain things work....

well i do understand how the point system, etc stuff works just a few questions on what i want to hopefully know to see if it will effect me due to grade wise.. i will soon pm you more about it...

thanks