El Centro or Brookhaven?? Dallas ADN Programs

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Hello Everyone,

I am pretty new to allnurses. I am still taking my pre-reqs through DCCCD. I am wondering what past/current students have to say about the ADN programs at El Centro and Brookhaven. I know that Brookhaven's program is only 15 months in length.

What other differences exist?

Ease of acceptance?

Professors?

Respect in area hospitals?

Thanks for your feedback!

LG

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I began the Brookhaven program last month. It is actually a 16 month program and it is intense!! I see now why some people prefer a 24 month program. The actual class/clinical hours in the first semester aren't bad but the workload from each class is insane!! The work required outside of class requires use of a lab and I usually spend upwards of 9 hours on campus 2-3 days a week. So far, all of the instructors seem great. They are all different in their ways but endearing.......so far!

I don't know much about the program at El Centro so I really don't have anything to offer there.

Good Luck!

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It's only shorter cause Brookhaven goes during the summer while El Centro is off. The courses are also different. You can see the classes on the different web sites. I go to El Centro. I think we study systems for all ages at the same time (except pediatrics, everything for peds is in the 2nd semester) while brookhaven does it by ages or something? Idk.

The instructors are hit and miss but the good ones are REALLY good. Mr ******* is the best nursing instructor ever. For both programs you have to have all your ducks in a row before you apply, but I think as long as you have mostly A's you can get in. I had a B in College Alg, rest A's, and got in fine.

I've been to Presby, Med City, Parkland, and Baylor all in Dallas. They also go to other hospitals as well. ****** is the admissions lady at El Centro. She will talk to you like you're an idiot at first, but then she's really nice and caring a second later. Don't let her scare you! Ha! The campus facilities are super nice and all brand new too. Take the HPRS prereq and that'll let you know if you like El Centro or not.

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Thank you both! Since I first posted this, I have added TVCC to my list. I went there and was impressed. I plan to apply at all three. So far, I have all A's...but, I am in accelerated a&p (during spring semester, we do both I & II) and I am killing myself keeping my grades up! I like TVCC because there are only 2 more classes I need before applying and no support classes to try and get into such as hprs, pharma, end of life..etc. It's all done in the program. Either way...it's much tougher than I thought to get into a nursing program, which makes me want to succeed EVEN more!! Proud of you that are already there!!

LG

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Specializes in Wannabe NICU Nurse.

I am in El Centro's program, and I'm a second semester student. All my teachers have been great so far. Yet some of my fellow students haven't had the greatest of luck with a couple of teachers, but it is a great program. I am realizing how intense this program is this semester, its literally kicking my toosh and I'm looking forward to having the summer off. I honestly couldn't imagine having to go through this semester then continuing into summer. Yikes!! I actually was considering Brookhaven as well, because of the timing, but I realized that I really am gonna need a summer break before my last year. El Centro is very well respected in the hospital system. Many of the hospital such as Presby (THR), Methodist, and Medical City, Las Colinas, (HCA), all have partnered with El Centro for their employees to receive their degrees from El Centro, while doing their clinical work at their respective hospitals of employment. Many of the HR people that come to our orientations say a lot of good about El Centro and about how they hire a lot of El Centro graduates. I always hear good things from nurses as well. I do know that they have changed the system around for how they accept people now. Its went from a GPA based system to a point system. So make sure you attend a info session. :)

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I am an El Centro graduate. I have been a nurse for over a year and I have to say that I feel that El Centro did a great job preparing me for NCLEX, skills, and overall basic knowledge. All the professors both lecture and clinical were professional and caring. I rode the train so the commute for me was easy.

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This is a bit off topic, but I heard a rumor that Brookhaven students get paid during clinical rotations. Does anyone know if this is true? How about El Centro's clinical rotations?

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Brookhaven students are definately not getting paid. I am a Brookhaven student and all I've done is pay. Lol

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Thanks narussian. I figured that sounded way too good to be true. Oh well:)

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The major difference that I noticed bc it applied to me was that El Centro/Northlake have a 5 year rule on classes whereas Brookhaven does not. I took my pre-reqs about 7-8 years ago so I was not able to apply to El Centro.

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I began the Brookhaven program last month. It is actually a 16 month program and it is intense!! I see now why some people prefer a 24 month program. The actual class/clinical hours in the first semester aren't bad but the workload from each class is insane!! The work required outside of class requires use of a lab and I usually spend upwards of 9 hours on campus 2-3 days a week. So far, all of the instructors seem great. They are all different in their ways but endearing.......so far!

I don't know much about the program at El Centro so I really don't have anything to offer there.

Good Luck!

I have some questions! That would be great if you could give some input! :) Thanks!

Here's a little background:

21, female.

I have a BA in Early Development Psychology. I decided to go back to school and try to become an RN. I would like to eventually work with children in pediatrics. I'm starting my pre-reqs at Brookhaven College and would like to finish there. Luckily, I have four classes from my bachelor's that were transferred in towards my pre-requisites courses/support classes. I received all A's in them. I plan to take ALL the support classes in order to better my chances at getting accepted. This leaves me with 7 support classes left! I have a few questions..

1. For those who have gotten accepted and are currently in the nursing program: What were your acceptance stats (GPA, test scores, points) ?

2. How long does the program usually take? I would like to try and be done within 2 -3 years.

3. Did you work full time as well as going to school? everyone keeps telling me to not work full time.

4. Also, I'm taking A&P and Chem in the fall? Is that a crazy schedule??

Thanks!

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I began the Brookhaven program last month. It is actually a 16 month program and it is intense!! I see now why some people prefer a 24 month program. The actual class/clinical hours in the first semester aren't bad but the workload from each class is insane!! The work required outside of class requires use of a lab and I usually spend upwards of 9 hours on campus 2-3 days a week. So far, all of the instructors seem great. They are all different in their ways but endearing.......so far!

I don't know much about the program at El Centro so I really don't have anything to offer there.

Good Luck!

How long did it take you to complete the pre-reqs/support classes and the nursing program? I have a bachelors already. I completed some pre-reqs already and want to try and graduate in 3 years? Do you think that is possible?

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