Glendale Community College - CA

I started in 2012 and just graduated June 12th. It's a very good program and they are a little aggressive when it comes to preparing your for the ultimate exam, the NCLEX. A few things that I wish I knew before I started.

1.Each semester, you will have to volunteer 8 hours. This is usually med-surg related, and there are plenty of opportunities but get it done early.

2. There are these "study guides" that are emailed around from previous co-horts. It is not cheating, there are no test questions or answers, as it is just summarized readings and info to help you focus on the main ingredients of your readings. Use them if you want but personally I prefer studying on my own.

3. Simulation. Each semester you will have to demonstrate competencies such as foley catheter insertions, enemas, even physical assessment. Pay attention to those procedures because it is extremely anxiety provoking during the pass/fail simulations. You will also have med-math exams on the first day of each med-surg class, each semester. Study the practice exam as it is EXACTLY the same type of questions.

4. Yes, read the book.

5. Everyone will pass. Only a few people in our entire co-hort either dropped out or failed.

6. Pharm is the hardest class for most, not all, so study your butt off!

7. Every semester, plan to pay $112 for Kaplan and only take 1 or 2 kaplan tests the entire semester. You think its a waste of money but really you are buying a package that includes a NCLEX 4 day review class after you graduate.

I think it is reasonable to work while in school, especially if you have no children or huge responsibilities. The last year of school I worked as a student nurse at a hospital in which I did my clincals. I also precepted at this hospital.

You will love it! Nursing school was not meant to be easy but it was not meant to be med school either. I did it with 2 kids and then 3 kids (stepson) towards the end, and I lived 25 miles away.

Congratulations! I will be applying for Fall 2015 and I was wondering what were your stats?

3) Can we put in any preference for what site we'd like to do clinicals at or is it totally random? Do people usually stay at the same site mostly or did go to all different ones? (I'd love to do at least one rotation at the hospital where I work.)

CONGRATULATIONS! I'm already thinking about how happy I'll be when I'm in your spot 2 years from now. (I heard it goes by fast.)

It's a conflict of interest for you to have a rotation where you work, unfortunately. I think that could land you in big trouble if you don't tell them, are placed there and go to clinicals. At my school we can't choose the location. We change sites each semester but it's possible to be placed at one site more than once.

I started in 2012 and just graduated June 12th. It's a very good program and they are a little aggressive when it comes to preparing your for the ultimate exam, the NCLEX. A few things that I wish I knew before I started.

1.Each semester, you will have to volunteer 8 hours. This is usually med-surg related, and there are plenty of opportunities but get it done early.

2. There are these "study guides" that are emailed around from previous co-horts. It is not cheating, there are no test questions or answers, as it is just summarized readings and info to help you focus on the main ingredients of your readings. Use them if you want but personally I prefer studying on my own.

3. Simulation. Each semester you will have to demonstrate competencies such as foley catheter insertions, enemas, even physical assessment. Pay attention to those procedures because it is extremely anxiety provoking during the pass/fail simulations. You will also have med-math exams on the first day of each med-surg class, each semester. Study the practice exam as it is EXACTLY the same type of questions.

4. Yes, read the book.

5. Everyone will pass. Only a few people in our entire co-hort either dropped out or failed.

6. Pharm is the hardest class for most, not all, so study your butt off!

7. Every semester, plan to pay $112 for Kaplan and only take 1 or 2 kaplan tests the entire semester. You think its a waste of money but really you are buying a package that includes a NCLEX 4 day review class after you graduate.

I think it is reasonable to work while in school, especially if you have no children or huge responsibilities. The last year of school I worked as a student nurse at a hospital in which I did my clincals. I also precepted at this hospital.

You will love it! Nursing school was not meant to be easy but it was not meant to be med school either. I did it with 2 kids and then 3 kids (stepson) towards the end, and I lived 25 miles away.

Ty so much for your post. It's so helpful! Which hospitals are used as clinical sites? Any county facilities?