Durham Tech Fall 2015 ADN Program

U.S.A. North Carolina

Published

Hello everyone! How are you? I am starting this thread because I intend to apply to Durham Tech's ADN program that begins next fall. I know this may be a bit early, but I would like to have a place where all of us who will be applying can share our doubts, frustrations, and excitements, while helping one another. Anyone who is currently in the program or has already graduated is more than welcome to contribute your valuable experiences and opinions, and all of us will be extremely grateful.

I just took the TEAS at Durham Tech this past Thursday, and thank goodness I passed. When I first got there in the morning, I was a bit worried because I was the only person there to take the test. For the students who already took the TEAS before me, how did your tests go? I hope you all successfully passed the test and gained experiences. I thought the reading section was a bit harder than I expected, but it could be due to the fact that I wasn't in the test-taking mood yet so early in the morning. Now I am just waiting for the online admissions packet to be updated to the 2015 version. I am actually surprised that it hasn't been updated yet, has it been the norm for past years? I cannot say I am not getting anxious! ;)

Specializes in Plastics/Reconstruction, General.

Thanks! I have been working in the OR for almost 6 years now and really enjoy what I do. I know that the nurses have better benefits/salaries/bonuses/ etc, so it is time for me to have that too! I'm really looking forward to my career as a nurse.

I got an email from the school saying that my application was received and completed, and that I would know about the status of the application at the end of March.

At least now I know they have it, and now I just continue waiting!! :)

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Specializes in Surgical.

Wow, that is such a long time. It's going to help you make an easier transition to nursing school and being a nurse. I definitely agree it is time to advance ourselves while pursing a higher living standard. Are you applying to any school other than Durham Tech? Maybe we will be classmates in a few months!

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Specializes in Plastics/Reconstruction, General.

Hopefully so!

I have not applied to any other schools. So, really hoping this works out!

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Specializes in Surgical.

Same here! I cannot wait to start!

Btw, your avatar picture is lovely!

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I am a second degree student and i applied to duke, Unc and durham tech. I have to say the durham tech app/ process was by far the most challenging. If i do have to go to durham tech this fall, i still have to go for my cna....

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Specializes in Surgical.
I am a second degree student and i applied to duke, Unc and durham tech. I have to say the durham tech app/ process was by far the most challenging. If i do have to go to durham tech this fall, i still have to go for my cna....

That is interesting! I would think the application processes for Duke and UNC would be harder and more complex than Durham Tech. They require a personal essay whereas Durham Tech doesn't require one for the least. Would you like to share why Durham Tech's application process was more challenging?

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Specializes in Surgical.

I just received my acceptance letter today! I hope all of us get accepted to their schools too!

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Specializes in Plastics/Reconstruction, General.

I'm in too! Wooo!!! Congrats! This is so exciting!

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Specializes in Surgical.

Thank you! Congratulations to you too! I guess we put our eggs in the right basket!

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Specializes in Surgical.
I'm in too! Wooo!!! Congrats! This is so exciting!

Tiffany, did you receive any further directions after the acceptance letter, minus the one that says don't accept twice? I remember the letter said that we are going to receive more information before or on 4/1, so I am just puzzled. Thanks!

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Well i got into unc. So that should open up a spot on waitlist for someone at durham tech. Good luck everyone.

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Good luck to you all that were accepted into DTCC's Fall 2015 ADN program!!

There are a few things that I wish someone had said to me before beginning, and I will say them to you--

** It doesn't matter which school you get into. Nursing questions are unlike anything you've ever seen.

** Get into study groups EARLY

** Be kind to your classmates, you never know when you will be the one who needs help--and you never know when one will

end up being your boss someday

** Complaining about the instructors will get you NOWHERE. This is the same boat that everyone in Nursing school is in. If

you think it's better elsewhere, you're wrong.

** Do your best. If you have trouble, ASK FOR HELP AS SOON AS YOU START STRUGGLING. Giving attitude to the instructors

isn't going to get you the points, it'll get you on a short list of students who won't get a good recommendation

Now for the DTCC specific stuff:

** My class accepted 64. By the end of Fundamentals, we lost 6. By the end of Med-Surg I, we lost 11. I think you get the

gyst. This isn't indicative of lousy instruction or lousy students. It's indicative of the

rigorous program and amount of information.

** This isn't memorization. You won't make it if you try that tactic. Some things you will have to memorize, but most of it is APPLICATION. If you don't understand what this means (not trying to be snarky), you need to get a firm grasp on it before you begin Fundamentals. The instructors will listen to a well thought out argument on a question...but do NOT expect questions to be thrown out because you didn't like it. If you argue, have the book in hand to back you up.

** The exams are difficult. The amount of info is massive. Your experience as a Surg Tech, EMT, CNA--isn't going to help. In fact, it might just hinder your ability to understand what the questions are asking you to do. Forget what you THINK you know.

** LISTEN to what the instructors are saying to you. Record the lectures and LISTEN to them. They are telling you what you need to know in order to pass exams successfully. Not coming to class is a BAD IDEA.

** Shooting for the "minimum needed to pass" is also a bad strategy. TRY YOUR HARDEST with all exams. The minute you say "All I need is a 78 on the final to pass this class"---you will get burned. Study for all of the exams as if you are studying for the final. They are all comprehensive, BTW---so no more of that "last chapters only" on the finals.

** COMMUNICATE with your classmates and the instructors. They can help you. Most of the classmates of mine who did that, aren't going to graduate with us.

** If you fail Fundamentals at DTCC, you get kicked back to the following fall. Once. You don't get more chances to pass it. Study as if your whole career depends on it, because it just might.

** The program will seem chaotic to you. It's no different anywhere else. This wasn't different in all of the classes before mine and it won't be any difference past mine.

It will seem at times that the instructors "want" you to fail. They don't.

When I finally accepted this, it was because I thought of Nursing School just like military boot camp. They are pulling all of the things that you "think" you know about medicine and patient care out of you and putting in what will make you a good Nurse. It's almost like "break you down in order to build you up into something new".

Accept that the instructors collectively have forgotten more than you or I will know by the end of the ADN program.

One last thing. Gossip and hateful talk--getting others into trouble because you are jealous or just don't like someone---is going to get you nowhere. If you are a busybody or a hypercompetitive person, you will probably not do well under DTCC's instructors. They DO NOT put up with that rubbish. EVER.:no: Mind your business, do your work, study hard--and you will get through this program without a problem.

GOOD LUCK!!!

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