Gloucester County College Students Sound Off!

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Hi folks!

I'm about to enter Nursing 1 at GCC and I thought this would be a pretty opportunity to set up a place to vent and get advise. I'm both excited and nervous about this fall. Maybe it's because every chance the faculty speaks to us, they make it seem we should consider forgetting everything in our lives and just prepare for the most difficult task ever undertaken by man. Not that I think it's not going to be difficult, but common! Anybody else have any thoughts?

Ohh.. and bye the way, Congrats on getting in and God help us!

Hi Dawn, if you want to talk with someone regarding the program, speak with X, he is the best!!! The science classes are the only ones that you should have done, so that they show up on your transcript when you apply for the program. The program only has day classes, but if you are done all of your pre-reqs prior to getting into the program, you are only on campus two days for about four hours one day and may two hours the second. I personally took my clinicals on Saturday, because I have small children and my husband would be home to watch them, so it made things easier. 1st semester clinical is approx. 4 hours, 2nd is approx 6 hours, 3rd is approx. 8 hours and 4th is approx 8 also but can run more. As for the teachers, they are all pretty good, but once in the program you don't really get to pick they are just assigned to you, you pick your days of the week you want to be there when you register. Hope this helps.

;)

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THANK YOU SO much GCC70tt ! I have 2 children also so I am concerned I won't be able to care for them but if only 2 days a week, that will be fine. Were you able to work for a hospital while doing the program? If so, can I ask which one? Where are you from in NJ ?

Thanks again !

Dawn

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Dawn,

After my first semester I became a nurse aide at Underwood. They let you work in the pool so you can make your own schedule. They only require you to work 16 hours a month, and you can do more if you want. You can work whatever shift you want and for either 4,8,12 hours, it is up to you. It was great for the fact that you can work it around your school and home schedule, and when the nurses find out that you are in school they tend to let you be involved more. I hope this helps, and I am from the Mullica Hill area.

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THANK you again for your help ! I am from the Mullica Hill area also; well Mickleton to be exact. I just moved here a year ago.

So I should wait until I get into the nursing program before I call the hospital right ? I have to do my A&P I & II and take the HESI yet....

I have two children also; a 3 1/2 yr.old boy and 8mth old girl.

Tks again !!

Dawn

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Dawn,

I am also from Mickleton, I say Mullica Hill area because no one ever knows where Mickleton is. I have lived here since I was 4. Unless you have any qualifications to apply for any type of job at Underwood, you need to wait until you complete your first semester, so that they can see your transcript. Once that is done, you are basically in. I also have a boy who will turn 4 on Saturday, and a daughter who is 5 and starts beginners tomorrow. I hope I have been of some help, and let me know if I can help you any further.

Theresa

;)

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complete your first semester, so that they can see your transcript. Once that is done, you are basically in

Hello Theresa,

I was looking for information on Underwood's website for applying for a CNA position; however, I was unable to do so. If you could direct me to those sources, I would greatly appreciate it, thanks alot. By the way, I believe I will be heading there for my clinical location this first semester. May I ask where you had your clinicals at? I'm looking forward to starting this program as today was my first day of classes. Take care.

Michael

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Hey Michael,

In order to apply for the nurse aide positions, you will need to contact X. They do not use a website for applications, and the one that they have does not list all of the jobs that they have available. Unfortunately, you have to go there in person, but they are all super nice. As for my clinicals, I did Kennedy in Washington Twp, for my first and second semesters, along with Bridgeton hospital for my psych rotation. My third and fourth were done at Cooper for medsurg and peds, and X for my Ob rotation. My transition to practice was done at Underwood on 6E, the medsurg ortho floor, which is what I picked and also where I will be working as a RN. Hope this helps.

Theresa

;)

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Thanks so much Teresa ! Funny we are both from Mickleton. I always say Mullica Hill also.

I start A&P I in a few hours. I will also register to take the HESI exam for Oct. so I can apply to the nursing program for Feb. 2008.

I will certainly look into X once I begin the nursing program, godwilling I get accepted..........!!! Any suggestions on what I can do to increase my chances of being accepted ??

Thanks again !

DAwn:)

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

I am starting the nursing program at GCC this semester as well... at 10:40 am tomorrow morning to be exact!:lol2: I'm both excited and scared out of my mind, but I'm so happy to be starting finally. I've never taken any classes at GCC, so I really don't know all that much about the specifics of the program yet, but I'll be happy to share my thoughts as I progress through it. I've heard through word of mouth that it is very difficult, but as long as you stay focused and work hard, you should be fine. It's nice to see that there are others here who HAVE made it through, because I only tend to hear the horror stories! Anyway, I just thought I'd post to say hello and good luck... I've been lurking on this site for about 6 months, but have never posted;) I've found this to be an invaluable (and addicting) tool!

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I've never taken any classes at GCC, so I really don't know all that much about the specifics of the program yet

That's awesome, I'm happy for you. I started tuesday and all I can tell you is it's an incredible feeling to have finally begun this journey. Don't focus on the difficulties that inevitably lie ahead, just remember you made it this far right...good luck....:balloons:

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.

while it is important to be able to network about your individual nursing programs, i ask everyone to also be mindful of the following:

(1) it is a small world - when we narrow it down to a state and throw in a dash of personal info, there is actually a pretty good chance someone may recognize you if you are not careful. your privacy is paramount to us.

(2) please do not give out personal information about others. do not name names where anyone could identify the person in any facility including instructors in your nursing programs.

and, on behalf of the admin team, i thank you.;)

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Well, here's week 2 of our odysee. :smilecoffeeIlovecofI'm so sleep deprived. I certainly see why they say we shouldn't work more than 20 hrs a week if we can help it. I work 24 and I have just enough time to do the assignments. I know a couple of people who work 40. I pray for them because they are truly pushing the breaking point.

Welcome, Ry&avsmom & Rn2berlin. I live in the Swedesboro area. We're neighbors!:cheers: I was in your shoes last fall and I know exactly what you're going through. After I got accepted, I quit my 50 hr/wk job and took a part time job at Underwood. Working at a hospital while in school is a great benefit. They are completly supportive of your education and help out with scheduling around school. If you have any clerical experience, you should consider applying for a unit clerk position. You have to know medical terminology, though. The college offers med term as a 1 credit online course. I took it and found it very easy.

Good luck and God Bless.:monkeydance:

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