Golden West College Fall 2019

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Hello fellow fall 2019 applicants!

God willing, we will find out if we made it into the fall 2019 cohort at Golden West the latter part of April. I have been waiting for someone to start a post so we could all "calmly" wait this process out together! I know I am not the only one out here so please join me as we "patiently" wait for our acceptance emails/mail! All positive vibes, I am low key an internal wreck, if you cannot tell by the words I strategically placed within "quotes", lol.

On 4/8/2019 at 7:44 PM, duachangesthings said:

No, I think they are really sticking to their word this time and waiting until end of April!

Ugh...patience. Count down. Longest 20 days ever...

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who knew becoming a nurse was as hard to do as winning a good metal in the Olympics...... geeeezzzzzz ?

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This is starting to be torture!!! ?

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1 minute ago, ashleynhRN said:

This is starting to be torture!!! ?

On the bright side we have about 2 more weeks to go ? (no sarcasm intended).

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On 3/22/2019 at 4:50 PM, duachangesthings said:

Welcome! Since you have been a student at GWC, do you know of anyone that is currently in the program or have you heard anything about how the nursing program is? How many points do you have?

I'm currently in 1st semester at GWC and I love it! It is tough as hell, but we have seriously learned so much, it's amazing! The schedule changes at Week 5 or 7 when you start clinicals. Then it changes again at week 10. If you all have any questions, let me know 8-)

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3 minutes ago, Nurse2bSummer722 said:

I'm currently in 1st semester at GWC and I love it! It is tough as hell, but we have seriously learned so much, it's amazing! The schedule changes at Week 5 or 7 when you start clinicals. Then it changes again at week 10. If you all have any questions, let me know 8-)

Oh that is great! I am so glad you responded, so now I can drill you, lol. How many points did you have to get into the nursing program? How is the work load, for example are you given a test each week? Where is your clinical site, and how often do you attend clinicals (hours of clinicals)? Do the instructors support the students, is there anyone we should "beware" of, lol? As far as schedule changes, what do you mean? What is your typical schedule, like when would we be in class and clinical Mon-Fri, and for about how long? I thank you in advance for catering to my nervous array of interview questions...?

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18 minutes ago, duachangesthings said:

Oh that is great! I am so glad you responded, so now I can drill you, lol. How many points did you have to get into the nursing program? How is the work load, for example are you given a test each week? Where is your clinical site, and how often do you attend clinicals (hours of clinicals)? Do the instructors support the students, is there anyone we should "beware" of, lol? As far as schedule changes, what do you mean? What is your typical schedule, like when would we be in class and clinical Mon-Fri, and for about how long? I thank you in advance for catering to my nervous array of interview questions...?

No problem! Ask away! I'll share whatever I can. 8-)

1) How many points did you have to get into the nursing program? 83pts

2) How is the work load, for example are you given a test each week?

There are 2 classes you take. G130 & G131.

FOR G130:

- TESTS: There's a 20 q math exam Day 2. We have four 50-question exams (2/19, 3/12, 4/9, 4/23). We have one ATI Exam (5/6/19) that you have to pass at 90% in order to take the final 65-question comprehensive exam (5/21/19)

- SKILLS ASSESSMENTS: These include skills like taking BP, performing a physical assessment, injections, inserting catheters, etc. These usually occur every week. There may be 1-2 weeks out of the month where we aren't being assessed.

- CLINICALS: They're 1 day/week. You have either an 8hr or 12hr shift. You don't get to choose your site or hours. There is a lot of paperwork that is associated with clinicals. You go the day before to pick your patient. Then you fill out a 6 page form (Form A) about that pt. You have to fill out med sheets for every medication your pt is on. Sometimes it can be up to 20 meds. Then you fill out an 8-pg form (Form B) after your clinical day and a 2-page form as well (Form C).

- HPS (Human Patient Simulations): There are 4 of these classes throughout the semester. You have a scenario with a high-functioning mannequin to simulate a real scenario.

- GROUP PROJECT: There is 1 group PPT project

FOR G131:

- QUIZZES: There are 10 weekly online (at home) quizzes

- GROUP PROJECT: There is 1 group PPT project

3) Where is your clinical site, and how often do you attend clinicals (hours of clinicals)?

My clinical site is Orange Coast Memorial in FV. I do an 8 hr day, 1 day/week, starting on Week 5. There are groups at South Coast Global in Santa Ana, Los Alamitos Medical Center, and Huntington Hospital as well. Most of the clinical groups have a 12-hr day that started on Week 7.

4) Do the instructors support the students, is there anyone we should "beware" of, lol?

Everyone has their own personal experiences with instructors. I have personally had great interactions with them and like them all. Some may have been more intimidating than others, but they are all great, yet so different.

5) As far as schedule changes, what do you mean?

Weeks 1-5 Schedule starts out:

- MON: Lab 8:00-9:55, G130 Lecture 10-30-12:30

- TUES: G130 Lecture 8:00-10:30, Lab 11:30-2:15, G131 Lecture 3:00-4:05

- WED: Lab: 8:00-1:30 (or 3:30, depending on the week)

Week 5: the 8-hr clinical groups start.

Week 7: the 12-hr clinical groups start & the WED lab days end

Week 10: the G131 class switches from in-person to online

6) What is your typical schedule, like when would we be in class and clinical Mon-Fri, and for about how long? I put all the info in the question above. 8-)

I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any follow up questions. 8-)

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32 minutes ago, Nurse2bSummer722 said:

No problem! Ask away! I'll share whatever I can. 8-)

1) How many points did you have to get into the nursing program? 83pts

2) How is the work load, for example are you given a test each week?

There are 2 classes you take. G130 & G131.

FOR G130:

- TESTS: There's a 20 q math exam Day 2. We have four 50-question exams (2/19, 3/12, 4/9, 4/23). We have one ATI Exam (5/6/19) that you have to pass at 90% in order to take the final 65-question comprehensive exam (5/21/19)

- SKILLS ASSESSMENTS: These include skills like taking BP, performing a physical assessment, injections, inserting catheters, etc. These usually occur every week. There may be 1-2 weeks out of the month where we aren't being assessed.

- CLINICALS: They're 1 day/week. You have either an 8hr or 12hr shift. You don't get to choose your site or hours. There is a lot of paperwork that is associated with clinicals. You go the day before to pick your patient. Then you fill out a 6 page form (Form A) about that pt. You have to fill out med sheets for every medication your pt is on. Sometimes it can be up to 20 meds. Then you fill out an 8-pg form (Form B) after your clinical day and a 2-page form as well (Form C).

- HPS (Human Patient Simulations): There are 4 of these classes throughout the semester. You have a scenario with a high-functioning mannequin to simulate a real scenario.

- GROUP PROJECT: There is 1 group PPT project

FOR G131:

- QUIZZES: There are 10 weekly online (at home) quizzes

- GROUP PROJECT: There is 1 group PPT project

3) Where is your clinical site, and how often do you attend clinicals (hours of clinicals)?

My clinical site is Orange Coast Memorial in FV. I do an 8 hr day, 1 day/week, starting on Week 5. There are groups at South Coast Global in Santa Ana, Los Alamitos Medical Center, and Huntington Hospital as well. Most of the clinical groups have a 12-hr day that started on Week 7.

4) Do the instructors support the students, is there anyone we should "beware" of, lol?

Everyone has their own personal experiences with instructors. I have personally had great interactions with them and like them all. Some may have been more intimidating than others, but they are all great, yet so different.

5) As far as schedule changes, what do you mean?

Weeks 1-5 Schedule starts out:

- MON: Lab 8:00-9:55, G130 Lecture 10-30-12:30

- TUES: G130 Lecture 8:00-10:30, Lab 11:30-2:15, G131 Lecture 3:00-4:05

- WED: Lab: 8:00-1:30 (or 3:30, depending on the week)

Week 5: the 8-hr clinical groups start.

Week 7: the 12-hr clinical groups start & the WED lab days end

Week 10: the G131 class switches from in-person to online

6) What is your typical schedule, like when would we be in class and clinical Mon-Fri, and for about how long? I put all the info in the question above. 8-)

I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any follow up questions. 8-)

Bravo for your response! I really appreciate your input! I really hope I am chosen to embark on this nursing journey! It sounds so overwhelming, but very exhilarating at the same time! Time management is at the core of succeeding in such a challenging environment like nursing school. I congratulate you for getting into the program and I wish you so much success as you move on from semester to semester until you graduate!

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15 minutes ago, duachangesthings said:

Bravo for your response! I really appreciate your input! I really hope I am chosen to embark on this nursing journey! It sounds so overwhelming, but very exhilarating at the same time! Time management is at the core of succeeding in such a challenging environment like nursing school. I congratulate you for getting into the program and I wish you so much success as you move on from semester to semester until you graduate!

Thank you! Yes, I agree with you on time management. In the program, there is a TON of reading. More than I've had with any of my classes combined. Most of it is expected to be done, prior to the lecture. In addition to time management, in nursing you always have to be willing to adapt to what's thrown your way and roll with the punches. I wish you guys all the best of luck!

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18 hours ago, Nurse2bSummer722 said:

No problem! Ask away! I'll share whatever I can. 8-)

1) How many points did you have to get into the nursing program? 83pts

2) How is the work load, for example are you given a test each week?

There are 2 classes you take. G130 & G131.

FOR G130:

- TESTS: There's a 20 q math exam Day 2. We have four 50-question exams (2/19, 3/12, 4/9, 4/23). We have one ATI Exam (5/6/19) that you have to pass at 90% in order to take the final 65-question comprehensive exam (5/21/19)

- SKILLS ASSESSMENTS: These include skills like taking BP, performing a physical assessment, injections, inserting catheters, etc. These usually occur every week. There may be 1-2 weeks out of the month where we aren't being assessed.

- CLINICALS: They're 1 day/week. You have either an 8hr or 12hr shift. You don't get to choose your site or hours. There is a lot of paperwork that is associated with clinicals. You go the day before to pick your patient. Then you fill out a 6 page form (Form A) about that pt. You have to fill out med sheets for every medication your pt is on. Sometimes it can be up to 20 meds. Then you fill out an 8-pg form (Form B) after your clinical day and a 2-page form as well (Form C).

- HPS (Human Patient Simulations): There are 4 of these classes throughout the semester. You have a scenario with a high-functioning mannequin to simulate a real scenario.

- GROUP PROJECT: There is 1 group PPT project

FOR G131:

- QUIZZES: There are 10 weekly online (at home) quizzes

- GROUP PROJECT: There is 1 group PPT project

3) Where is your clinical site, and how often do you attend clinicals (hours of clinicals)?

My clinical site is Orange Coast Memorial in FV. I do an 8 hr day, 1 day/week, starting on Week 5. There are groups at South Coast Global in Santa Ana, Los Alamitos Medical Center, and Huntington Hospital as well. Most of the clinical groups have a 12-hr day that started on Week 7.

4) Do the instructors support the students, is there anyone we should "beware" of, lol?

Everyone has their own personal experiences with instructors. I have personally had great interactions with them and like them all. Some may have been more intimidating than others, but they are all great, yet so different.

5) As far as schedule changes, what do you mean?

Weeks 1-5 Schedule starts out:

- MON: Lab 8:00-9:55, G130 Lecture 10-30-12:30

- TUES: G130 Lecture 8:00-10:30, Lab 11:30-2:15, G131 Lecture 3:00-4:05

- WED: Lab: 8:00-1:30 (or 3:30, depending on the week)

Week 5: the 8-hr clinical groups start.

Week 7: the 12-hr clinical groups start & the WED lab days end

Week 10: the G131 class switches from in-person to online

6) What is your typical schedule, like when would we be in class and clinical Mon-Fri, and for about how long? I put all the info in the question above. 8-)

I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any follow up questions. 8-)

Thank you for answering all these questions, it's so helpful to have an idea what the schedule is like! I know they have the program set up so you take health and illnesses 1, 2, 3...and so on. Is pharmacology spread throughout each class, or is there an individual pharm class that you take one of the semesters? Is there any sort of preceptorship they offer in the program? Thank you again for letting us bombard you with questions lol.

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30 minutes ago, lkl96 said:

Thank you for answering all these questions, it's so helpful to have an idea what the schedule is like! I know they have the program set up so you take health and illnesses 1, 2, 3...and so on. Is pharmacology spread throughout each class, or is there an individual pharm class that you take one of the semesters? Is there any sort of preceptorship they offer in the program? Thank you again for letting us bombard you with questions lol.

There is 1 high-level lecture on Pharmacology, but we do med research all throughout the semester for case studies, simulation, real patients, etc. There isn't any preceptorship during the program, other than the instructors & their assistants that are with us during clinicals. I believe, after you graduate, you apply for a job that has a preceptor, but don't quote me on that.

I don't mind the questions! I had a TON, TON, TON! 8-)

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On 4/18/2019 at 12:35 PM, Nurse2bSummer722 said:

There is 1 high-level lecture on Pharmacology, but we do med research all throughout the semester for case studies, simulation, real patients, etc. There isn't any preceptorship during the program, other than the instructors & their assistants that are with us during clinicals. I believe, after you graduate, you apply for a job that has a preceptor, but don't quote me on that.

I don't mind the questions! I had a TON, TON, TON! 8-)

What about starting your BSN early with CSU Fullerton? How does that work and is it a guarantee that students are able to do it if they meet certain qualifications? I saw something on the nursing website about it with the "roadmap to BSN" but it doesn't really explain how it works

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