Gloucester County College Students Sound Off!

Skeletor · Jul 31, 2007

congratulations as well. i too will begin the nursing program this semester. time management and dedication to study consistently will help to quell some of that natural nervousness you are feeling. regardless of what faculty may tell you, we will get out of any program what we put into it, be it from a community college or harvard. i'd say good luck, but luck obviously didn't get anyone into their respective nursing programs, hard work and discipline did. by the way, maintaining some semblance of a social life is imperative to keeping one's sanity. you know the old adage, all work and no play make for a dull day. enjoy yourself throughout nursing school; just do so in moderation that's all.

Crimsonking · Aug 26, 2007

Wow! I knew it was tough getting in but, jeez, only 2 of us. :uhoh21:

gcc07tt · Aug 29, 2007

I just graduated from GCC Nursing program this May, and I will say that most things in your life will get put on the back burner while you are in this program. I know of some people that tried to work full time jobs while in the program and either had to quit, reduce their hours, or ended up failing the program. Don't get discouraged though, it is possible to have somewhat of a life while in the program. I did it with two kids under the age of 5, a husband and alot of animals to take care of. I would tell you that if you are not already working, once you finish your first semester, try to become a nurse aide at a local hospital, one that allows you to work in the pool, so that you can make your own hours around your school schedule and gain alot of hands on experience at the same time. That is what I did, and I only worked when I could. I hope this helps, and you are the only one that can make a difference in whether or not you succeed, so GOOD LUCK!! (but you will be fine)!

p.s. If you need any good books, I have alot for sale - let me know.

Skeletor · Aug 29, 2007

I just graduated from GCC Nursing program this May

Hey GCC07TT,

I start their program next week and I'd just like to know how informative your clinicals were overall. Do you feel well prepared for working in the field is what I would like to know? Also, since this is a completely new cirriculum as the faculty has mentioned, do you think it will be more beneficial to the new incoming students than say the previous program would have been? Thanks for your time.

gcc07tt · Aug 29, 2007

As far as the clinicals go, once again, you get more out of them if you put more into them. Some students try to fly under the radar, and some succeed, but they don't really learn as much. If you put yourself out there and are up for excepting the harder patients,(trach, amputee, stage iv ulcers, HIV, kidney failure, stroke, etc.) then obviously you are going to learn more skills. I myself had, I think, the best clinical instructor for my 3rd and 4th semesters - XX. She is by far the toughest, but you will learn so much from her. I also was at the best learning hospital for both of those semesters - , I felt as though when talking with other students who had not had clinical, our group definitely made out better as far as patients and different things to see. Our group was able to do rotations in the ER, TICU, ICU, and OR. As far as the new changes they have made regarding the curricullum, I don't really know alot about that. I do know that they took out the Pharm class and are just incorporating that into the other classes, which I think makes more sense. The care plans were a bear, so hopefully they have changed those too, but I don't know. I can also tell you that you do not graduate from GCC without being prepared to take the NCLEX and pass. As for preparing you to work on the floor of a hospital, I am not sure anything really prepares you fully for that, but your transition to practice at the end of 4th semester will start you on your way. Hope this helps. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.

Crimsonking · Aug 30, 2007

I just graduated from GCC Nursing program this May, and I will say that most things in your life will get put on the back burner while you are in this program. I know of some people that tried to work full time jobs while in the program and either had to quit, reduce their hours, or ended up failing the program.

Hey,

Thanks for the response. :welcome: I have a question concerning the amount to study needed. Would you say that you would have to study considerably more for NUR classes than you would for A&P or Micro. Forgive me if I sound ignorant, but I am. I just don't know what to expect. I've been to 2 Patriot League schools and they all said the same thing. "Look to the right and left, only one of you will graduate." I'm wondering if is that scared straight tactic or if it is really that hard. From what I've read on this board, it seems that it really is that hard.:sofahider

Crimsonking · Aug 30, 2007

I was at the Book store today, just picking up a few supplies, and noticed a long line of nursing students about to riot. It seems that the Book store did not have the 2 fundamental books needed to do the assignment given over the summer. I know Amazon had the books in stock. If you need to get them, I suggest ordering them online and get them overnighted. I don't know how forgiving the professors are, but I would venture to guess that those who don't get the assignments done, won't be allowed to use the book store as an excuse. Although I think it's the school's fault, I'm going by my general feeling of the program and how they like to weed out people.

gcc07tt · Aug 30, 2007

Yes, you need to study more for the nursing classes. The micro and A&P tests are based on knowledge questions. The nursing tests may have a few (maybe 3) questions based on knowledge, but the majority are critical thinking questions. You need to know how to apply the knowledge that you have learned and put it into different situations. The tests are also made so that more than one answer is correct, you need to figure out which one is more correct for the situation that you are being given. The best advice I would give you is to not fall behind on your reading, and take good notes, and you will be fine. As for the bookstore not having the books in yet, that is typical and not surprising to me at all. The assignments should be done before school starts, but the first day you will spend most of your time going over the syllabus, so you have some time. The weeding out of people by the faculty is somewhat true, the strong do survive, but that is the individuals doing more than the faculty. The first semester is really when that takes place, but if you follow their rules to the T, than you won't have any problems. The second year of the program, although more difficult, is actually more fun. You start to feel more like a person, than a doormat, and you get to do so much more stuff at clinical. Hang in there and don't worry about the small stuff, or you will drive yourself crazy.:balloons:

Skeletor · Aug 31, 2007

Thanks alot gcc07tt, I become more and more aware of what to expect and how to succeed in this nursing program from your informative posts. I can imagine how that line of nursing students reacted when they found out, five days before a boatload of reading and written assignments are due, that they cannot yet purchase their required textbooks. Crimsonking & I will definitely use your advice to our advantage...thanks again;)

ry&avsmom · Sep 4, 2007

HI everyone !

I have a BA in Psychology (graduated in 1993).....Just registered for A&PI this fall (this Wed. ahhhh!) I met with an advisor that told me I really only need my sciences before I apply for nursing school 2008.

Can anyone recommend someone at the college in charge of nursing that I can speak to? I want to make sure these are the only prereqs I need for sure. I am registering to take the HESI test in Oct.

Also, do they only offer the classes for the program during the day ??

What teachers does everyone recommend ??

THANKS so much !!

Dawn

Skeletor · Sep 4, 2007

What teachers does everyone recommend ??

Dawn,

PM and I'll give you the details on professors...