Fall 2010 applicants for ccac

U.S.A. Pennsylvania

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Hello all you beautiful RN's or soon-to-be RN's.:loveya: I just wanted to begin a new thread for all CCAC students who are applying to the program for FALL 2010. It should be exciting, we will be applying in only a couple of weeks!!!

message me and good luck to ALL!!!

Specializes in ICU, Step-down, CCU.

the seminars are generally posted somewhere in the nursing department/floor. From what I have been told they are a couple of times throughout the semester, then again during the summer break. Generally a week or two prior to starting the semester. While that may work, I would suggest getting one before that so you are not surprised.

When the next one comes out I will try to post it, regardless, keep an eye out at your campus for posting. All 4 campuses should have the seminars this summer just prior to classes starting.

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Specializes in Abdominal Transplant.

Just took my app to the records department.. My stomach is doing flips, and it's a nowhere near May!!!!!!

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Hi. I am having the worst trouble with CCAC too. I am so glad it is just not me. I finally got to take the NET test on Jan 6. I was previously scheduled for the Dec. 19th, but we had snow that day and the test was cancelled. I got my scores today. Finally, felt like forever and I got a composite of 78. I was hoping for better, but it will do. Now Jan. 15 is when I finally recieved the application packet. There is not an envelope in there. Can I just send it in any envelope? or does it have to be a special one? I think they should have extended the deadline to get all that information in, but what I think is there are so many students already on a waiting list that they don't even need many more to apply. I'm kinda nervous bc I really do not want to wait another semester to start. Although if that does happen i could do the fast track option and take classes in the summer.

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Specializes in ICU, Step-down, CCU.

the "envelope" is the large envelope all the paperwork came in. There are check boxes on the outside to validate you did everything.

A 78 on the NET is fine, I know many people who did not do as well as that and they are in the program now. Copy your scores (front and back) just in case you choose not to take the fall and hold out for the spring.

Right now just keep moving forward, keep your grades up and to be 100% honest look at other programs as a back "just in case". CCBC, Shadyside, any of the hospital programs. Not saying that you will need it, but for peace of mind AND to keep your mind off of the waiting game, why not?

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Specializes in Not really sure yet, maybe teaching.

i am wondering about the fast track program? anyone know all the details of this program im interested in what classes to take and when with that??? this is my last semester of classes, i only have the nursing classes to take. and im also applying for FALL 2010 so im hopeing to begin then....

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Specializes in ICU, Step-down, CCU.

I am presently in the fast track program. There are minor differences from the traditional program.

Presently it is evening/weekend only at Boyce, they had a day fast track option last Fall, I don't see one for Fall 2010.

It is available for SPRING 2011 for NRN 101, you take NRN 102 over the summer and that Fall you are in NRN 202 (basically you shave 5-6 months off of the 24 month program). If you are accepted into Fall 2010, the Spring 2011 FAST TRACK students will graduate with you.

It is more independent study/on-line study than traditional lecture. You have a bit more pressure/workload than those in the traditional program.

I cannot compare syllabus to the traditional program, so if there are other differences I do not know. I do know you can switch from Fast Track to traditional at the beginning of a new semester. Can you go the other way? perhaps, but I have heard they are not fond of that.

As an aside, the 1st weeks reading assignments were 174 pages, week 3 (where I am now) is 255 pages :uhoh3: and that is lecture only. Next weeks is about 60 pages:D. Hint, if you are thinking about fast track, try to have all other courses done so you are left with NRN only.

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Specializes in Not really sure yet, maybe teaching.

wow that sounds crazy. please tell me more about nursing school itself, for yourself that is...:nurse: like what is it like? what is a normal lab/lecture day for you? do you get to work in the hospital the first semester and then on? did you get to pick which hospital you go to? and do they change which hospital your at every semester???

lots of questions, not to overwelm you lol im just so curious about what to expect....:lol2:

thanks for the info about fast track too...;)

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Specializes in ICU, Step-down, CCU.
wow that sounds crazy. please tell me more about nursing school itself, for yourself that is...:nurse: like what is it like? what is a normal lab/lecture day for you? do you get to work in the hospital the first semester and then on? did you get to pick which hospital you go to? and do they change which hospital your at every semester???

lots of questions, not to overwelm you lol im just so curious about what to expect....:lol2:

thanks for the info about fast track too...;)

Good questions.. they say the stress is all self induced and I tend to believe it. Yes, there is a ton of books, ton of information, lots of cash expenditures, a ton of stuff they want 2-3 weeks BEFORE you start and it all comes at you quickly and what seems like all at once. So, yes the initial shock is "what did I get myself into?"

the good part, there are no secrets once you are in, you have the syllabus, calendar, what is expected, when it is expected so you can organize yourself. It really is not that bad, once you get organized and wrap yourself around the program.

I have lecture just one day a week, about 45 students in the early session. The instructor gets down to business and it is all powerpoint and you are expected to supplement with the text. This is day 1, about 3 hours

Lab(s), there are two of them, skills and assessment, the run every other week, so week 1 is skills, then week 2 will be assessment, then back to skills and so on. So, day 2 is lab about 3 1/2 hours with 13-14 students to 1 instructor

Skills is simply that, learning the skills, mostly reading and watching DVD's of the skills, then practicing them first on mannequins and you test off to be able to practice them on patients.

Assessment is more of the theory or what you are looking for from the patient, how they respond, feel, react. it is more interpersonal at this point with some technical skills of what you are to look for. It is more powerpoint, discussion/lecture and reading. I think it will be more as we move forward, I've only had 1 assessment lab so far.

day 3 is clinical, you start on your first week at LTC, that is usually 6 or so weeks then finish the rest of the semester at acute care (hospital). Clinical is 8 hours long, and you are hands on with a resident/patient. Not all 8 hours is hands on (maybe 6 1/2), there is the paperwork, preparing for next week, and pre and post discussions. 1 instructor to 6-8 students.

How does it all work? well it is somewhat of a lottery system on where you end up. At Boyce they break the classes into choices, thus you can have early/late lecture on day 1, early/late lab(s) on day 2 and clinical on a weeknight or weekend. You rate/rank your preferences from the selections they offer. At boyce I believe we had to chose between 6 selections. You are given a ticket with a number and they randomly call out numbers, when your number is called you pick your selection from what is available. You may get your 1st or 6th choice depending. I was called about 1/2 way through the 80 something people and I got my first choice with plenty of seats still open. I think most campuses do the selection process similarly.

Clinical location assignment you have no choice over, you will find that out days before you start class where you will be going. In 101 you split between 2 sites, in 102 you split between 3 sites. All I know each semester the amount of clinical time increases.

What to expect? go in with an open mind and no preconceptions. If you are a CNA or already in some health field you may have a leg up in some area's. Although, they treat us all like we are on square one regardless of experience. The instructors so far are great, they are all willing to help and ask constantly if anyone needs anything. Ask me again in a few weeks after a few tests and skills being signed completed, I hope not to have a different opinion then :eek:

What you are doing now is a good thing, ask current 101 and 102 students what they think, learn from our experiences.

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Specializes in Abdominal Transplant.

Has anyone heard about a drug calc seminar yet??

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Just what is a drug calc seminar? I tried to apply to CCAC ADRN from 75 miles away, and they put so many d*** stumbling blocks in my path that I blew CCAC off as a possibility for Fall 2010. The test company closed the testt, I could not test before Feb 15, so I' out. And haha, their test dates got fouled up and delayed by weather anyway. I took that test elsewhere. I have a 94% composite on that PAX, and I didn't even get to study more than Thursday evening & Friday, then took that test on Saturday. Somehow, I feel that CCAC disqualified a qualified applicant.

And nobody even mentioned that drug calc thing. Just how are we applicants outside the country supposed to know about it, or work with that school?

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Oh, and another thing with that PAX: The testing company closes out the classes 2 weeks in advance, full or not. There's no flex in that. And that rule about 6 month wait before you repeat the test: That is set by the school. Any school can waive that if they so desire. They can void out your old result with the EvolveReach folks, have you pay another fee, and repeat it, at any site.

CCAC is just very inflexible about everything, that's all.

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Specializes in ICU, Step-down, CCU.
Has anyone heard about a drug calc seminar yet??

On the summer 2 schedule NSG 104 is a drug calc course at North. Don't ask me how you get into it. At one point they had 4 courses, online I only see 2.

Last week I saw at Boyce and North posts about ongoing drug calc "help" classes once a week. If you stop up on the 7th floor in Allegheny it is on the bulletin board. Boyce I think was on the 2nd floor on the north side (near N209).

Boyce had the drug calc test 2 weeks ago, 25% failed it. I believe everyone passed the retest. Allegheny just had their Drug calc test this past week, I have not heard about the pass rate yet.

Overall, NRN 101 drug calc test is not that difficult in the grand scheme. Those who bust it usually are because of labeling issues or conversion issues. I don't think anyone busted it on the actual math.

Realistically, they give you plenty of time to prepare for the test, they just don't "teach" the math, formula's, or calculations. It is all self study with you and your drug calculation book. If you really want to play around with it, go to amazon and look up drug calc books and buy one, it will be no different than what you will get in class.

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