El Centro students Spring '06

mysterious_one, ASN, RN · May 13, 2006

i remember reading this post on the door, too. But i thought it was for radiology students , as far as i remember.

JaxiaKiley · May 13, 2006

Exactly, Fun! I studied my butt off and worked hard to learn everything. But, just reading these boards, some students at other schools said they didn't have to know this, or they didn't have to know that. Heck, there were times I even felt like someone with a multiple choice test had an advantage over my class, because our tests were just blank lines -- we just had to know! We didn't have a 25% chance of getting it right on every question, ya know? But, I'm over that now

Some classes get more bonus point chances, or easier bonus point chances. Some have better curves. Some are better about telling you *exactly* what will be on the test, instead of saying "know chapters 1-9." That is why I wish there was something standardized.

It is hard to believe that someone could get through A&P and not remember what renal means. That is scary!

Amy - don't stress out. When I went to a session in late March, nobody mentioned it. She did say something about they were looking into making changes eventually, but they would give a 1 year notice. With our apps due a mere couple of months from now, that doesn't seem like enough time. Be sure to let us know what you find out!

a_clay · May 13, 2006

I was TOTALLY freaked out about this! I just hate not knowing what's going on and feeling helpless about a situation. But I did find out that both are offered this summer. Both are offered online or in classroom. I went ahead and registered for both of the online classes for this summer just in case I do need to take them. I just hope taking both classes at the same time will not be too difficult with working full time. Surely if I can take A&P and another other class for 2 semesters with my work schedule and keep my 4.0 then I can do this. Both are 10 week classes and neither have a lab like A&P and it won't go as fast as a 4 week class. I was just so worried that I wouldn't be able to register because the classes might have already been full and E-connect was down for maintenace and I couldn't check to see if they were full or not or register. I feel much better now that I have the situation under control. I really wasn't planning on taking summer classes this summer, but I am willing to do whatever I need to do to get in this program! I need both of these classes for the RN-BSN program that I want to take so this will mean that I won't have to take them later! In the meantime, I am just going to sit tight and find out for sure on Monday when I go for the info. session.

Katie, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for posting this info. and giving us a head's up on the situation! I am not even in the program yet and I am so glad to be a part of this supportive little group. The support and encouragement here really makes a huge difference. Thank you so much guys! Here's a hug for each of you: :icon_hug:

Jaxia, there's still room in both of these classes if you want to reserve yourself a spot for this summer. It doesn't have to be paid until 5-22 so you can always drop it if we find out we don't have to take them and we will know for sure what the deal is before then. Myself, I HAD to register for them so I won't go crazy before I make it to the info. session!

Yes, make sure you let us know what happends at the info session. I have good friends wanting to get into EC/NL in the near future. They would go ahead and take those classes online or this summer.

a_clay · May 13, 2006

I studied my butt off too for A&P 1 and 2! It just irriated me so bad that some people in my class wanted my sympothy and they weren't even working! If I can work 45-50 hours per week PLUS take another class along with A&P both semesters and make A's then ANYONE can, IF they apply themselves. I also made my own notes, flash cards, and study guides. Sometimes my labeling diagrams that I made for a test would be 50+ pages but my lowest grade of either semester was a 89. People would ask me for a copy of my study guide and I was like NO WAY! I worked hard on my study guides and for my grades, they were never handed to me, and I am not handing them to anyone else. That's not doing them a favor and it's not going to help them in nursing school. Maybe I am too harsh, but I know it CAN be done if someone works hard. I am going to step off my soap box now.

Exactly, Fun! I studied my butt off and worked hard to learn everything. But, just reading these boards, some students at other schools said they didn't have to know this, or they didn't have to know that. Heck, there were times I even felt like someone with a multiple choice test had an advantage over my class, because our tests were just blank lines -- we just had to know! We didn't have a 25% chance of getting it right on every question, ya know? But, I'm over that now
Some classes get more bonus point chances, or easier bonus point chances. Some have better curves. Some are better about telling you *exactly* what will be on the test, instead of saying "know chapters 1-9." That is why I wish there was something standardized.
It is hard to believe that someone could get through A&P and not remember what renal means. That is scary!
Amy - don't stress out. When I went to a session in late March, nobody mentioned it. She did say something about they were looking into making changes eventually, but they would give a 1 year notice. With our apps due a mere couple of months from now, that doesn't seem like enough time. Be sure to let us know what you find out!

sunnyjohn · May 13, 2006

Maybe instead of the NET, El Centro should administer a standardized A&P exam or an A&P exam combined with a basic math and reading exam. If you pass then at least they'll know what you've learned and won't have this problem.

Or maybe they should require the NET and an A&P exam. I know I took A&P a few years ago. If it wasn't for the fact that I see open bodies in the OR and as a Pathology assistant, I would have forgotten a lot more. Even still I have my study guides I use to keep myself fresh. I would be mortified if I didn't know what RENAL meant; scared for the patient and terrified of a failing grade.

They could always use the HESI during the program as a predictor of NCLEX success if they got rid of that NET

a_clay · May 13, 2006

You should ask her if she knows what hepatic means.

The other day in class a girl asked me what renal meant! I know for sure some of these people don't know their A&P!!! How do you almost complete first semester and NOT know what renal means????????????? Isn't it good to know some really good candidates were turned away for someone who obviously cheated their way through A&P......it's disgusting.

sunnyjohn · May 13, 2006

You should ask her is she knows what hepatic means.

Goodness, then she'd really be stumped! :lol2:

JaxiaKiley · May 13, 2006

Amy -- Thanks for pointing that out. I might just do that. Your session is this coming Monday, right? Like in two days? I need to see if I can log on to E-connect. Since I don't have any classes in DCCCD, last time I tried to register, I had to go to campus and talk to a counselor.

I was thinking about what it takes to get in...the problem I see with making it harder is that *if* things ever slow down, then they might not be able to fill up their classes and would have to lower the requirements again to require fewer classes. If they require us to have all the support classes finished, then it is not a full time program for the sake of financial aid. Eh, I don't know what the answer is :)

At least we all take the same test once we get out of school!

a_clay · May 13, 2006

Jaxia,

Yes, I am going to the info. session this coming Monday (2 days). I was thinking the same thing. Not everyone will want to keep jumping through extra hoops to get in. I'm getting tired of jumping already...I mean, you have the prereqs., then all the shots, the NET, all the transcript stuff, and with so many peeps trying to get in you also must do support classes, etc. That packet is already 22 pages of stuff. Isn't that enough? They almost make it feel like TRYING to get in is harder than nursing school itself. I think if they make Pharm and Patho prereqs. that it will make alot of people look elsewhere.

BUT, why aren't Patho and Pharm required for the RN program already? The RN program is at the top of the food chain of all the healthcare programs that EC offers and I think most the others are required to take them. Seems like RN students would have to take them before any others would be required to take them.

Does anyone have any specific questions they want me to ask while I am there on Monday about something you need to know about??

Amy

Amy -- Thanks for pointing that out. I might just do that. Your session is this coming Monday, right? Like in two days? I need to see if I can log on to E-connect. Since I don't have any classes in DCCCD, last time I tried to register, I had to go to campus and talk to a counselor.
I was thinking about what it takes to get in...the problem I see with making it harder is that *if* things ever slow down, then they might not be able to fill up their classes and would have to lower the requirements again to require fewer classes. If they require us to have all the support classes finished, then it is not a full time program for the sake of financial aid. Eh, I don't know what the answer is :)
At least we all take the same test once we get out of school!

a_clay · May 13, 2006

Has anyone taken a class taught by Thames? He / she teaches at El Centro and so far I haven't been able to find out much about him / her. So if anyone knows about this professor please PM me with some feedback. Thanks in advance.

Amy

BrieRN07 · May 13, 2006

Has anyone taken a class taught by Thames? He / she teaches at El Centro and so far I haven't been able to find out much about him / her. So if anyone knows about this professor please PM me with some feedback. Thanks in advance.
Amy

She's awesome!!!! I'm taking her this summer... she works for THR (Resource Faculty) and she is very interesting and bubbly!! If you have any other questions, let me know.

-Brianna

a_clay · May 13, 2006

Brianna,

Is her first name Gina? On the Summer schedule it says Gina but when I looked on the DCCCD site it only had a Mark G. Thames as an instructor at El Centro. There was no other listing in the whole DCCCD for that last name. I didn't think they were the same person but maybe they are. Have you taken her before? If so, for what class(es)? I have signed up for Pharma and Patho this summer and she's teaching both. I have no idea what kind of study time either of these classes involves. I was trying to get ahold of the instructor to find out if this is do-able for me because I do work full time but also want to keep my 4.0.

She's awesome!!!! I'm taking her this summer... she works for THR (Resource Faculty) and she is very interesting and bubbly!! If you have any other questions, let me know.
-Brianna