Golden West College ADN Spring 2022

Published

Hey everyone,

I'm starting this thread so we can support each other through the next round of applications. It's my 3rd time applying and I now have 81 points. I think it could go either way for me at GWC, but I do feel like I'm getting in somewhere no matter what. Good luck!

4 minutes ago, Colleen Valdez said:

I haven't been approved for my physical examination in 4 days. I'm a little concerned, because our due date for our forms is on the 9th. 

I'll ask the others - please do join us via the facebook link - but mine took 4 days since I submitted on Nov 12 and got confirm on Nov 16. Worst case reach out to the nursing admin specialist A__.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMT.

Hi friends!

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who was accepted into the program! As a current GWC Nursing student, I could not be more proud of you and can’t wait to meet you! I know when I was accepted I had a million burning questions so if you have any questions for me please feel free to tag me and I will do my best to answer your questions!

Cheers! ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 hour ago, pumpkin2 said:

Hi friends!

CONGRATULATIONS to everyone who was accepted into the program! As a current GWC Nursing student, I could not be more proud of you and can’t wait to meet you! I know when I was accepted I had a million burning questions so if you have any questions for me please feel free to tag me and I will do my best to answer your questions!

Cheers! ?

Thank you @pumpkin2, and congrats on getting into GWC Nursing as well!! I forwarded the message on our cohort site. If we have any questions we will be sure to let you know. I do have a few questions so far:

1)Are there any restrictions on the colors for our stethoscopes and lapel watches? What type of Stethoscope are we supposed to have? I have a cheap one I got at CVS, but I wouldn't be surprised if I had to get a higher quality one.

2) If we wear undershirts with our scrubs (short or long sleeve) do they have to be white or can they be other colors like grey, blue, black, lavender, etc?

3) What days do we usually end up doing clinicals?

Any and all information would be appreciated. If you prefer to PM on here or facebook, let me know.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMT.
5 hours ago, Kenji12345 said:

Thank you @pumpkin2, and congrats on getting into GWC Nursing as well!! I forwarded the message on our cohort site. If we have any questions we will be sure to let you know. I do have a few questions so far:

1)Are there any restrictions on the colors for our stethoscopes and lapel watches? What type of Stethoscope are we supposed to have? I have a cheap one I got at CVS, but I wouldn't be surprised if I had to get a higher quality one.

2) If we wear undershirts with our scrubs (short or long sleeve) do they have to be white or can they be other colors like grey, blue, black, lavender, etc?

3) What days do we usually end up doing clinicals?

Any and all information would be appreciated. If you prefer to PM on here or facebook, let me know.

Of course @Kenji12345, and thank you! Yes, please feel free to ask any and all questions ?

1) There are no restrictions on stethoscopes and lapel watches! For stethoscopes, color doesn't really matter! For quality, I would say it depends on your budget. A basic one is fine, but definitely look at reviews about the quality because you will be learning lung sounds and abdominal sounds your first semester, and typically the higher quality stethoscopes will make the process of assessing those sounds much easier for you. If you want to invest in a high-quality one now, I would really highly recommend the Littman Brand. Unless you have a lot of money hanging around, I wouldn't suggest going all out and purchasing the Cardiology one because you really don't need that level in nursing school. A simple Lightweight or Classic Littman is more than enough for nursing school. The Lightweight ones are pretty affordable on Amazon; I've seen them for around $50! I've also heard good things about MDF, so that's another brand to check out! For lapel watches, any color works. I would just recommend purchasing one that is rubber and is easily cleaned with alcohol wipes! On Amazon, I bought a 3 pack and just split it with some classmates ?

2) Undershirts for scrubs need to be white! Besides the color, there's not many other restrictions besides that! I would highly recommend purchasing a white undershirt because it can get cold in lab and clinicals! 

3) Clinical days range from Wednesday-Saturday! (Classes at GWC are on Monday and Tuesday) You'll receive your clinical assignment likely a week before school starts, or hopefully sooner!

As for my recommendations for you before school starts:

- Get your titers for MMR (Measles/Mumps/Rubella), Hepatitis B, and Varicella. For our cohort, they gave us less than a month to get these done and it was kinda stressful for us to finish these before the deadline :,) Just request these from your doctor and save a copy of the results! As for timing of these tests, you'll be okay because they accept titers within 3 years. Some people in my cohort including myself came back negative for hepatitis B, so we had to go through the 3 rounds of shots but unfortunately, the entire process takes 6 months. They still let us go to clinical with our first negative titer and the first shot, but now it's causing us problems when getting paperwork ready for second-semester clinicals!

-Start saving up money because purchasing everything before nursing school is SO EXPENSIVE! Some big costs were 

Complio package (used for your background check and keeping track of your titers/certifications) ** $100 ish

Uniforms (scrubs & white coat) ** $150 ish

ATI package ** $350ish

LWW package ** $600-800 depending if you want to purchase access for 1 year or 2 years (you can purchase access now for only the first year ($600), and then pay an additional $200 for the second year). Or, you can just purchase access for 2 years for $800. 

Lab Bag **$750 ish (the price may drop because they are in the process of condensing the bags to lower the cost in the future. however I can't guarantee that it will happen because they are still working on it)

CPR class $40-60 depending on where you go (PLEASE do not take a CPR class before they tell you to! You will waste money because they want you to have your CPR license done during a certain month. (very common mistake unfortunately)

So in the grand scheme of things you will need to shell out almost $2000 before you start nursing school. Painful, I know but there are so many things needed to begin learning!

- I would also highly recommend starting to study drugs. This was a huge hit for me and I struggled to understand drugs in class and in the clinical setting. I would highly suggest purchasing a drug guide (currently have the Saunders's 2021 and I absolutely love it) and take it to school if you know you're going to be working with drugs (ie. during medication administration skills, case studies at the end of lecture, IV piggyback, ect) If you want a list to start off with, message me and I can send you a copy of the most common drugs you'll see during clinical!

-If you currently work, if at all possible, try cutting down to less than 12 hours, or as least as possible. Working during nursing school definitely impacts your stress level, so definitely think realistically and ensure you can handle it! I worked during my first semester and it was around 6 hours. Research has proven that if you work 12 hours or less, you shouldn't feel too too much of an impact during school. 

-Lastly, just go in with a great attitude and be open to learning! GWC has some amazing faculty and the professors are incredible your first semester. They're very friendly and will help you transition into nursing school very quickly! Also be kind to yourself! The first month ish is rough and it's going to be stressful. Find a balance of self-care and school to make sure you are taking care of your body as well ❤️ It's going to be rough but you are all strong and capable, especially because you got into GWC's program! It is an extremely tough program to get into but you all made it. Never give up and let me know if I can support you in any way!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Wow, thank you so much for all the info!! This will be really helpful, I will be sure to pass the word on to the rest of my cohort!

Again, thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMT.
On 12/10/2021 at 5:12 PM, Kenji12345 said:

Wow, thank you so much for all the info!! This will be really helpful, I will be sure to pass the word on to the rest of my cohort!

Again, thank you!

Of course! Let me know if you guys have any other questions! 

1
Up Vote Up Vote ×

Was there anyone that was accepted to the nursing program that was a caregiver for the work experience?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 hour ago, Rachel Rachel said:

Was there anyone that was accepted to the nursing program that was a caregiver for the work experience?

I used my work experience from a residential mental health facility, which is normally a huge grey area. I just made sure my supervisor highlighted only my medical related duties in the letter. For me that was taking BP, passing meds, communicating with psychiatrists/therapists, coordinating outside appointments, etc. They gave me full points for the hours I had. Caregiving experience is invaluable when it comes to nursing in my opinion. They should reward you for it. Just make sure you sell it in the letter. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
5 hours ago, Rich_Johnson said:

I used my work experience from a residential mental health facility, which is normally a huge grey area. I just made sure my supervisor highlighted only my medical related duties in the letter. For me that was taking BP, passing meds, communicating with psychiatrists/therapists, coordinating outside appointments, etc. They gave me full points for the hours I had. Caregiving experience is invaluable when it comes to nursing in my opinion. They should reward you for it. Just make sure you sell it in the letter. Good luck!

Thank you for answering.I appreciate it.how many points did you have?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
47 minutes ago, Rachel Rachel said:

Thank you for answering.I appreciate it.how many points did you have?

No worries! 81. Some people got in as alternates in the mid to high 70's I believe. However, I hear application cycles for fall are more competitive than Spring. 

Up Vote Up Vote ×
1 hour ago, Rich_Johnson said:

No worries! 81. Some people got in as alternates in the mid to high 70's I believe. However, I hear application cycles for fall are more competitive than Spring. 

Do you know if they called your workplace?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
3 minutes ago, Rachel Rachel said:

Do you know if they called your workplace?

Not that I know of

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion