Georgia Perimeter's Nursing Progran

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 1, 2012

FitMommyRN · Mar 1, 2012

Hi there. I'm in my first semester of nursing courses at GPC and I pretty much love it. I was also pretty apprehensive about their past issues and got myself worked up into a frenzy prior to starting classes.

I absolutely adore most of the teachers. The time constraints are insane but the information load is doable. We're three exams in and I'm holding onto my A average and am still able to find free time for family and mental breaks.

As far as I can tell the big past complaints have been in the realm of unhelpful instructors and disorganization. I have yet to meet an instructor that hasn't been helpful when I came to them with a concern or a question. The clinical practice lab is a little wonky with their organization but they had to bring in an interim lab coordinator and are working on making a lot of changes that will be beneficial.

Another complaint I've heard over and over is how difficult the exams are, that they're more difficult than the actual NCLEX. Well, if these are more difficult than the NCLEX then my class will nail it. Our class median average for our last exam was 92%. Sounds doable right? Furthermore, I'd rather spend four semesters taking exams that are more difficult than the NCLEX and NAIL the NCLEX when I graduate than take easy exams and fail my first NCLEX attempt. Plus, I'd like to be the most efficient nurse I can be, after all it's MY license on the line if I screw up.

GPC is quick, 4 semesters. It's inexpensive, at around $1200 for tuition this semester. I REALLY like 99% of the instructors I've encountered so far. GPC grads have a great reputation in the area hospitals. We have all run into GPC grads working at the various hospitals where we do our clinicals. You'll be busier than you've ever been, but only you can make the choice to learn the material and do the best you can.

And BONUS: GPC is under review to start an RN-BSN online bridge program possibly as early as Fall of 2012.

I couldn't be happier with my choice to attend GPC.

Stewart22 · Mar 1, 2012

What a relief. Could you tell me what your weekly schedule is like for the first semester?

Thank you so much for your feedback.

FitMommyRN · Mar 1, 2012

We have lecture on Tuesday and Wednesday. For the first couple of weeks the lectures run from about 9am to 2pm, maybe less some days. They try to front load the information before we get into clinicals because that's when the schedule gets tight. Now our lectures are 9-12 Tuesday and Wednesday.

Clinicals are Thursday and Friday (every other week) from 6:30am to 2:30pm. The course coordinator does her absolute best to put you in the hospital closest to your house. Our hospitals this semester are Forsyth Northside, Emory, Grady, John Glancy and Rockdale.

Clinical practice lab is up to you. We do learning modules on ATI (the TEAS folks) to learn about the specific check off, then we are required to do at least 1 hour of practice in the lab at your own schedule. Two instructors are always in the lab and are available to watch you, help you, show you, and support you. You have three attempts at each skill check off. If you are unsuccessful for your third attempt, you are withdrawn from the course. Keep in mind though that you have THREE attempts, hours of open lab for practice, and faculty to boost your morale and help you along. Our skills this semester are Vital Signs, Sterile Dry Dressing Change, Oral Meds and (I believe) sub q meds. We've yet to lose anybody to an unsuccessful third attempt.

Exams are just about every other week. You must have a 75% average to move on to the next semester. They don't round up a 74.9%.

It's intense, I'm not gonna lie. You're thrown in at 90 miles per hour and before you know it, you're thinking like a nurse even with your limited skill. If you are unsuccessful with a skill attempt, you must go sit with your advisor and talk about what happened and how to pass the next attempt. If you make below a 75% on an exam, you must meet with them again and go over the exam and clear up any questions. The department has their OWN counselor you can meet with about stress, test anxiety, study habits, any issues with faculty, time management, etc.

It really is a great program and absolutely doable. Don't listen to the naysayers. I listened to them and almost didn't apply. We've only lost three of the 71 students in our class and none of them have been for academic reasons.

If (WHEN!!) you get accepted, attend the bootcamp they offer before classes begin. It's a three day session of study tips, time management skills, reading comprehension, pep talks, and sessions with a lot of the faculty.

It's my pleasure to answer your questions! GPC got a bad rep from issues in the past. It also gets a lot of loud folks who failed out and like to complain that the exams are too difficult and the faculty unapproachable. I greatly disagree with both accusations. My class is going strong and sticking together and we've been wildly successful so far.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.

Cheers!

peachshan, BSN, RN · Mar 2, 2012

I am glad this post was started because I had questions about the program. I am suppose to start taking prereqs this summer (hopefully, its just a few since I have a bachelors already). Since I have a family, I wanted to find a good program that didn't cost too much.

maccheese · Mar 2, 2012

Current first semester student here. I second both of the above comments.

maccheese · Mar 2, 2012

I feel GPC is very understanding of people who have families and possible work obligations. Things are not made any easir for you, but you are given support for balancing the rigors of the program with everything else.

I am glad this post was started because I had questions about the program. I am suppose to start taking prereqs this summer (hopefully, its just a few since I have a bachelors already). Since I have a family, I wanted to find a good program that didn't cost too much.

groovycindy · Apr 3, 2012

I am in my final semester at GPC . Go to Georgia Board of Nurses and look up NCLEX pass rates - we are tied for send place ( above Mercer, Emory, all the big schools.) In all the hospitals I have had clinical in, the staff has told me( and even one HR director at a big Atlanta hospital system) they would hire GPC student over ANY school because we are the most clinically prepared. The program is tough, but you will learn a lot and be very clinically sound. I am glad I chose it - first it was a money issue, but I would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to succeed in nursing :nurse:

I have applied to the GPC program for FALL 2012. Are there any current nurses attending GPC that can tell me anything good about the program? I have only heard bad things and people are telling me to get out while I can.

watashi · Apr 3, 2012

groovycindy,

could you tell us where you did clinicals? I have been accepted at GPC for fall 2012, but I am a bit worried now since I have heard that several big Atlanta hospitals are no longer hiring associates nurses. I am wondering how widespread this is, and if it is a problem as you and your classmates look for jobs.

Also, I am curious about where I will have to travel for the clinicals, or if there are sites close to home.

watashi · Apr 3, 2012

groovycindy and RockabillyMommy,

could you tell us where you did clinicals? I have been accepted at GPC for fall 2012, but I am a bit worried now since I have heard that several big Atlanta hospitals are no longer hiring associates nurses. I am wondering how widespread this is, and if it is a problem as you and your classmates look for jobs.

Also, I am curious about where I will have to travel for the clinicals, or if there are sites close to home.

maccheese · Apr 4, 2012

I'm not sure if clinical sites change (with any school, its really a task to get clinical spots in these hospitals each semester.) Students in our class are at Crawford Long, Dekalb Hillandale, Northside Forsythe, Rockdale Medical, Joan Clancy in Duluth, Gwinnett Medical, and Grady. I'm at Grady. As far as I know, we are going to rotate instructors next semester so even though I'm at Grady now, I may have to be prepared to go to Rockdale or Gwinnett next semester. I would say, no matter what nursing program you go with, you may want to be prepared to travel at least 30 min from your school to your clinical site.