So, tonight I was talking about the classes I'll be taking this fall at my local community college (one of which is chemistry which I'm a little nervous about since I've never had a chemistry class before) with my wonderful bachelor's degree holding partner who, in an attempt to ease my anxiety makes the comment "Well, it's just at a community college so the class should be pretty easy." Wrong thing to say honey...
It did however get me to thinking about the general attitudes that people have towards not only community colleges but also to vocational/trade schools. That those of us who go to such institutions are intellectually inadequate and wouldn't be able to handle the academic rigors of a 4 year college or university. This attitude is completely inaccurate, after all if my classes were so EASY then the 4 year colleges and universities in my area wouldn't have an articulation agreement which honors the credits I take at the community college. It is a different atmosphere in a community college of course, but that doesn't mean I don't have to learn the material and learn it well in order to pass.
I remember in high school when I decided to enter the Practical Nursing program at the vocational school how I received criticism, statements such as "Well, you need to go to a 4 year college, anything less is for people who are stupid." and even now when I tell people I'm an LPN and that I've been at a community college taking classes I'm greeted with a concerned expression, a half smile, and a polite nod. A voice bubble might as well pop up above their head saying, "Well, since you're a failure at life and this is all you have, I'll be happy for you." after all since I'm going to a community college it means I can't handle REAL academics.
It may sound as though I'm jealous of those who get to receive a university education and have a bachelor's degree or above and are the same age as myself. And, yes, at times I am jealous because I would have loved to have had the same experience. But that simply just wasn't my path, one day I will "pull my time" in a four year college, my path will take me there, just not yet.
I believe no matter your credentials, whether you're doctorate degree holding FNP or a certificate holding CNA that you should be incredibly proud. Whether you're bachelor's prepared RN or a diploma holding LPN you should be proud. Because all levels of education should be revered and respected and valued. I don't feel ashamed of not already being a Registered Nurse or a college graduate nor do I have any regret at first becoming a CNA and then becoming an LPN because I still am helping people and I am still living my dream and that dream was to be independent. If you're a BSN or an ADN be PROUD of it no matter what your credentials are because you earned them.
College graduates face really discouraging odds. Many are unemployed, many more are employed in something other than their field of study, and many still are up to their eyeballs in debt. My partner for instance has a bachelor's degree yet works in job making a little over minimum wage. That is why I chose the path I did. When I was 17 and I enrolled in the LPN program, I knew due to my personal and financial circumstances that I couldn't afford to go to college just yet, I needed to be self sufficient and going to a trade school and later to a community college would allow me to do that. It wasn't the right choice for everyone but it was for me, and because of that I can pay for my school one semester at a time while minimizing and most semesters avoiding student loans, not to mention a few years head start on 401k versus my peers and that feels really good.
A dear friend of mine always wanted to be a mechanic, her family, peers, etc were not supportive "only stupid people do something like that" so instead she got 2 bachelor's degrees, is jobless, and owes thousands of dollars in student loans. All this because her dream was too "stupid" in the eyes of her parents and everyone else. Side not, I know many mechanics who make more money than I do and they're all pretty happy. I think the attitude that you go to college to "make a better life for yourself" isn't always accurate. We shouldn't be telling our children that they have to go to college in order to be considered intelligent or successful. We should be telling them that in this world success isn't defined by your credentials or where you went to school or how much money you make, it's defined by getting out of life what you make of it and what you want from it. Do what you love people, whether you're a CNA or a Medical Doctor, do what you love and love what you do and be proud but above all else never assume that someone is stupid simply because their education is different from yours.
Whew... feels good to get that out.
Oh and my partner quickly apologized for what he said. Probably had something to do with the fact I spouted off this little speech in the course of sixty seconds after his comment.
Whether or not it's smart depends. Every circumstance is different, so you can't apply a "one fits all" mentality to college.
My circumstances demanded that I attend a university, and the total debt for my BSN was about what you say your friend will owe. But guess what? I CAN AFFORD THE PAYMENTS!
So don't assume that just because someone will owe a lot of money paying for college that they can't afford it. That would be true only if they could not make the payments when they get a job.
The alternative to me NOT going to college was to stay in a job making just over minimum wage. THAT is what I could not afford to do.
Obviously, I was referencing what was smart for me. With a child and a mortgage and a serious aversion to debt, the last thing that would fit my life is digging my way under a pile of debt.
I'm not assaulting your choices, nor applying a one fits all mentality. But, no matter if it's apples, oranges, or a nursing education...I'd rather pay $8K up front, with no interest. That's just who *I* am and that is a choice that I think is smart for me.
As with my attitude to every other realm of life...to each their own, which referenced by my original statement. Smart is going to a college that YOU can afford. As you say, you can afford your payments. So you're smart, by that line of logic. My friend, who has four kids...well...I worry about her.
Well the descriptive title says it all- "Community College? You must be stupid." What we are supposed to be discussing is the quality of a Community College.
I just think going into the ADN/BSN debate is another topic. I will say that it is very competitive in my area to even get INTO the CC nursing program, let alone stay in it. You have to keep a B average all through school. Teachers only have to keep a B average in core classes in some schools. Nursing school is tough, competitive and no matter where you end up in whatever program it will be intense.
I have to tell you that the easiest classes I ever took were some of the education core classes at a major university. Nursing classes were much more difficult, though the education classes were much more writing intense. I have taken classes at 4 universities and one Community College.
How do you mean that CC in your area is "competitive?"
CC in my area only requires a minimum GPA in their pre-reqs to get on a wait list for the nursing program. Once on the list, there is no competition to get in, you just wait your turn. Having to maintain a B throughout the program doesn't mean you are competing because you get to stay in the program as long as you get the grades.
Universities, however, have no wait list. You can apply if you meet the minimum GPA, which is higher than CC. If you are chosen to move forward in the process, you must take a test and write an essay. If you are chosen to move forward after that, you have an individual interview. If you are not selected to attend the program after the interview, you may reapply and compete against a new cohort the next semester, or year, depending on how often they start a new program. Each time you apply you are competing against all other applicants for a seat in the program without any guarantee that you will ever get in. That's what competition is.
Now, all of that doesn't necessarily mean that CC isn't a quality education. I agree with another poster who said it depends on the program, whether CC or university.
At my CC, there were over 400 applicants and only 30 were accepted this year. There is a larger pool of applicants because it's considered an excellent program and the students spend much more time in a clinical setting than the local U.
Applicants are accepted by a point system, which is tabulated by GPA, co-requisites acquired, test scores, and interview. No one with a GPA lower than 3.5 was accepted.
I have to laugh when people think that community/vocational/trade colleges have it easier. I am going to a technical college for my LPN and I have to say, it is by far the most challenging experience I've ever had in school. The pace is much quicker than a university and there is no room for 'extra credit' or 'extensions' on assignment that are usually given out in universities. I have a friend who graduated a 4 year school for her RN and she was shocked out how far we are in my class and it's only the second quarter.
I think community and trade/voc schools have an advantage as well. Smaller class sizes means more one on one with instructors and more opportunities for 'hands on' learning.
I went into this thinking that I was taking the easy way out by going to a technical college but I am so happy with that I did. I have so many friends who hold bachelor degrees and have either been unemployed for a year or more or are working in a job that is totally unrelated field to their degree.
There was absolutely no extra credit offered in my BSN program. There was a small amount of extra credit offered in some of the pre-reqs that I took at CC, however.
Obviously, I was referencing what was smart for me. With a child and a mortgage and a serious aversion to debt, the last thing that would fit my life is digging my way under a pile of debt.
I'm not assaulting your choices, nor applying a one fits all mentality. But, no matter if it's apples, oranges, or a nursing education...I'd rather pay $8K up front, with no interest. That's just who *I* am and that is a choice that I think is smart for me.
As with my attitude to every other realm of life...to each their own, which referenced by my original statement. Smart is going to a college that YOU can afford. As you say, you can afford your payments. So you're smart, by that line of logic. My friend, who has four kids...well...I worry about her.
I didn't take it that you were assaulting my choices, just pointing out that circumstances vary. Of course I would have rather paid less for my education, but I didn't have that option, and in the end, it was worth every penny.
My BSN did NOT give any "Extra Credit". And, I missed an A by 0.4 of a point in one of my classes and was not "bumped up"- I got a B+. Even though it was only 0.4 of a point. They would not round up!!!
My BSN did NOT give any "Extra Credit". And, I missed an A by 0.4 of a point in one of my classes and was not "bumped up"- I got a B+. Even though it was only 0.4 of a point. They would not round up!!!
Same here, no rounding up.
And just to be clear, a B was required in all of my classes to stay in the program. If you got less than that in one class, you would be allowed to repeat it one time the next semester but it would put you behind your original graduating class. You could only do this one time with one class. You were out of the program after that.
while i was going to community college, i was tutoring students in chemistry who went to the local university. (with the knowledge i gained from taking that same class at my cc.) it was the same exact class, they covered the same information. i dont think 4 year schools are more rigorous, its just the same class for 4 times the money and a larger class size.
At my CC, there were over 400 applicants and only 30 were accepted this year. There is a larger pool of applicants because it's considered an excellent program and the students spend much more time in a clinical setting than the local U.
Applicants are accepted by a point system, which is tabulated by GPA, co-requisites acquired, test scores, and interview. No one with a GPA lower than 3.5 was accepted.
Yes, this is what I mean. You don't just sign up. You compete for a slot.
Wrong thing to say honey... 
KatePasa
128 Posts
Obviously, I was referencing what was smart for me. With a child and a mortgage and a serious aversion to debt, the last thing that would fit my life is digging my way under a pile of debt.
I'm not assaulting your choices, nor applying a one fits all mentality. But, no matter if it's apples, oranges, or a nursing education...I'd rather pay $8K up front, with no interest. That's just who *I* am and that is a choice that I think is smart for me.
As with my attitude to every other realm of life...to each their own, which referenced by my original statement. Smart is going to a college that YOU can afford. As you say, you can afford your payments. So you're smart, by that line of logic. My friend, who has four kids...well...I worry about her.