El Centro students Spring '06

AllyRN82, MSN, APRN · Nov 14, 2005

Shelley,

yes, in a long about way I was asking about a pink stethescope being okay. I didn't know if they had strict guidelines. Thanks for answering :)

When you say pick by the instructor, which one do you recommend? :confused: I have heard horror stories about one of them.. I think it was a lady named Galloway???? I don't remember exactly....does that ring a bell?

Also, do you recommend purchasing a laptop or palmpilot? I keep reading on the boards that people highly recommend them. I was just wondering if you actually use one.

When do you take the NCLEX? Does EC place you in a job?

I'm sorry to badger you. It's just you're the first person I know that close to graduation.....what do you think about the program? :)

sunshelley · Nov 14, 2005

Shelley,
yes, in a long about way I was asking about a pink stethescope being okay. I didn't know if they had strict guidelines. Thanks for answering :)
When you say pick by the instructor, which one do you recommend? I have heard horror stories about one of them.. I think it was a lady named Galloway???? I don't remember exactly....does that ring a bell?
Also, do you recommend purchasing a laptop or palmpilot? I keep reading on the boards that people highly recommend them. I was just wondering if you actually use one.
When do you take the NCLEX? Does EC place you in a job?
I'm sorry to badger you. It's just you're the first person I know that close to graduation.....what do you think about the program? :)

I had James McCarty at Presby for first semester. Try your best to get him if you can. There are a lot of new instructors so I don't know a alot about them. And yes, you are right- stay away from Mrs. Galloway if you can possibly help it!

As long as you have a computer at home then I don't see why anyone really needs a palmpilot or anything else. I mean, they are nice and all but I made it through the program no problem without one :)

I am eligible to take the NCLEX as of December 17th but I won't take it until the end of January or beginning of February.

No, El Centro does not place you in a job or help you get one either. But I promise you will have no problem getting one on your own by the time 4th semester comes around. In 4th semester, you will take a management course that prepares you for the interview process and gets you ready for the type of questions that hospitals will ask, etc.

What do I think about the program? Honestly, El Centro's program is really difficult... a lot more difficult than other nursing programs like Trinity Valley. You will see what I'm talking about soon enough. A lot of people who came in to the program with 4.0 GPA's end up getting a huge blow to their self-confidence during the first and second semesters. Most people do not get A's on lecture exams. You may get an A every once in a while, especially in first semester, but it gets progressively more difficult each semester. The passing rate is a 78. It is not uncommon to have to repeat semesters either. There are always at least 15-20 repeat students every semester. We lost like 43% of our class back in 3rd! :uhoh3:

Sorry if I'm scaring you! I'm just trying to convey to you what to expect. Nursing school is hard, no matter where you go but El Centro is 10 times worse. A lot of people end up failing and then going to another school.

However, if you study hard and use your free time wisely, you can definitely make it! If possible, try not to work during the semseter. Some people do it but a lot of them have failed or are borderline...

First semester is not that difficult. It's 3rd semester that seems to be the "weed-out" semester.

Sorry for the rambling!

Use your time wisely, study hard, expect to be studying all night sometimes, and buy a couple of nursing study books. Keep a positive attitude. You can do it!!

sunnyjohn · Nov 14, 2005

Any El Centro graduate will tell you, the program is VERY HARD, but VERY GOOD.

It has a great reputation.

Sunshelley is right with that.

One thing though, it is not a good idea to use instructor names in a post. It is better to send a PM. Instructors read this board all the time and if you do a quick Google search your "private post" may pop up.

You certainly don't wan't someone dinging you during nursing school because of an allnurses post!

sunshelley · Nov 14, 2005

Any El Centro graduate will tell you, the program is VERY HARD, but VERY GOOD.
It has a great reputation.
Sunshelley is right with that.
One thing though, it is not a good idea to use instructor names in a post. It is better to send a PM. Instructors read this board all the time and if you do a quick Google search your "private post" may pop up.
You certainly don't wan't someone dinging you during nursing school because of an allnurses post!

I am aware that instructors read this board... and I honestly don't care if Galloway reads what I wrote about her or not. Not to mention that she is perfectly aware of her reputation, she'll even tell you that in her class.

And I would disagree that any El Centro grad will tell you how great the school is either. El Centro has so many administration issues it's unbelievable. If you want my honest opinion, had I known what I know now, I would have gone to another school.

There are good things about it though too. The clinical experience is wonderful and there are a few instructors that I will continue to keep in contact with in the future.

Hmm, how do I put this.... I don't necessarily regret going to El Centro, however, the whole "nursing school" experience could have a been a lot better had I gone to another school.

sunnyjohn · Nov 14, 2005

SunShelley,

I was laughing so hard at your post about "that particular instructor". That sounds SO like her!!!!! :rotfl:

I went to El Centro for 2 years getting a surg tech certificate, Phebotomy certificate and taking numerous credit classs, so believe me, I KNOW how difficult things can sometimes be there.

During our breaks we would watch some of the nursing students come out of lab in tears and share Kleenex and choclates with the sad ones to cheer them up!

Frankly when I graduated the last time, I swore I would NEVER go downtown to El Centro again! It was that tough and I was that frazzeled! The classes were a breeze (as I studied hard). It was the personality and administrative foolishness that wore me out. I was ready to rain hell fire on the Health Occupations office, The Testing Center, The computer lab on 4th, The BHO lab on 6th, and that A/V center on the third floor!

But then I calmed down and was able to talk to many of the nurses in DFW who had went to EL Centro. Even though many of them would say a cuss word or two when they mention the school and a few would gently try to suggest other schools in the area, they still said how much they valued their experience at El Centro.

I also realized that my tough experience did not break me, on the contrary I am tougher than ever. I dunno, maybe I just got older and mellowed out.

To their credit there are some very nice people at the downtown campus who will go out of their way to help you out.

Since I am with my fiance now, I turned down my DCCCD acceptance in favor of a school in another state.

Good luck to all my pals in DFW who will be in the program.

AllyRN82, MSN, APRN · Nov 14, 2005

Thank you Shelley for all of your advice. It's so nice to hear from someone who is actually nearing the end. What is it about El Centro that makes it stand out from the other nursing schools in the area? I had a friend in my Micro that was in her 3rd semester and HAD to take Micro but wound up dropping it and the nursing program...I really hope I don't wind up like that..........

I have to work part-time so I don't know how that will all pan out either.......AAAHHHHH :rotfl: Maybe after my husband sees how hard it is for me then he will let me quit.......

Yeah I think I will skip on the PDA.

A friend of mine told me if Micro or A&P was difficult for anyone then they might as well turn around and go home b/c they won't survive in EC nursing school. Do you think that's true???

Thank you again SO MUCH for all of the advice. I really REALLY appreciate it! :)

sunshelley · Nov 14, 2005

Thank you Shelley for all of your advice. It's so nice to hear from someone who is actually nearing the end. What is it about El Centro that makes it stand out from the other nursing schools in the area? I had a friend in my Micro that was in her 3rd semester and HAD to take Micro but wound up dropping it and the nursing program...I really hope I don't wind up like that..........
I have to work part-time so I don't know how that will all pan out either.......AAAHHHHH :rotfl: Maybe after my husband sees how hard it is for me then he will let me quit.......
Yeah I think I will skip on the PDA.
A friend of mine told me if Micro or A&P was difficult for anyone then they might as well turn around and go home b/c they won't survive in EC nursing school. Do you think that's true???
Thank you again SO MUCH for all of the advice. I really REALLY appreciate it! :)

Don't let what anyone (including me :chuckle) says about EC scare you!

This is going to sound corny but if you truly believe in yourself, and keep a "can do" attitude then you can absolutely do it.

It's going to be difficult, no doubt about it. Do your best and you will get through it!!

Do some of that just rhyme? :chuckle

LKG6 · Nov 15, 2005

Hi Guys,

We had the orientation from 2pm til now. First we talked about the lecture, skills and clinical schedule. The time of skills lab will change, but the lecture is always on Wednesday (Northlake). We also filled out some forms and bought a nice nursing pack.

We had to order our uniform before orientation. The pants are black and the tops are ceil blue. It looks good. There are three options for tops. One is the regular scrub top that has only one pocket. The other two has more pockets and one style even has a back thing that makes the whole top fitted. It looks like a vest. You have to wear black shoes.

We also chose the hospitals. I go to Presby with McCarty.

We first had to choose a poker chip with a number on it. It doesn't matter what number you choose, because they already have a list. So, you may have 3, but you may choose your hospital in the third round. I was lucky, because I was the last one who could sign up for Presby.

There was also a guy who talked about the textbooks. If you buy the books at the bookstore you get discount and also the computer version of the books. But I don't know the price of the whole 'textbook box'.

It was a great orientation, I really enjoyed it.

Have fun at El Centro!

Katie

Edit: They also give a 'Future Nurse' magazine free at the orientation and there was a prize drawing, too. (I didn't win)

Fun2, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2005

Sounds like it was a good orientation, LKG6.

The scrubs seem nice too; Which one did you choose? (Black shoes, that's good!) :rolleyes:

Is Presby the hospital you wanted, or that instructor?

sunshelley · Nov 16, 2005

Congrats on getting McCarty- you will be thankful that you had him as a clinical instructor.

And of course, El Centro changes their ugly ALL WHITE uniforms the semester that I graduate :rolleyes: I've seen the new ones... they are SO much better than what I've had to wear the last 2 years!!

Congrats :)

LKG6 · Nov 16, 2005

The scrubs seem nice too; Which one did you choose? (Black shoes, that's good!)
Is Presby the hospital you wanted, or that instructor?

I chose the top that wasn't fitted but had lots of pockets.

I wanted Presby because it is closer than Charlton or VA. Also, Shelley had the same instructor and liked him.

Thanks Sunshelley.

Katie

sunnyjohn · Nov 16, 2005

Hi everybody,

Katie, I'm gald your orientation went so well yesterday up at El 'C'!

I had orientation yesterday to up at Purdue Calumet. It made me fell much better about the whole thing.

Believe it or not, the school does not require a background check or drug screen. The director said they are just know lining up agencies to do the background and drug screen since a few of the hospitals in the area said they would BEGIN asking for them from students "sometime" next year! CAN YOU GUYS BELIEVE THAT? I am So used to El Centro and how things are doen their. You have to do a drug and backgorund test for practically everything in Texas! hahaha

Maybe it's the Midwest, I dunno?

We have to wear white uniforms, but we are allowed to pick any style we want. We can also wear any style white shoes we want.

The instructors were so nice and laid back it was scary. They were SUPER organized, but they did not stress out. They did not spend the time telling people that half of us would drop out or crazy stuff like that. They were very supportive.

We also yummy cookies and coffee and lemonade and a copy of that 'Future Nurse' magazine.

I hope all of you have as good a time as I did.

Sunny~