GPC Students - how was your semester?

Hey rollie,

I have recently decided to go to GPC's nursing school. Well actually, I've been accepted for sp-06 (January). You said this will be your 4th semester....do you have any pointers for an incoming student. With all the stories going around I need something positive.

Thanks

I just finished my 4th semester, and am now gearing up to study for the NCLEX.

rollie, if you want a heads up on what type of material you'll be covering next semester pm me.

studentque, it is a hard program but it can be done. Don't just rely on the lecture notes...you need to do the reading assignments. There will be questions from the reading that might not have been covered in class.

Good luck

Bo

Thanks Boe. Did you attend the GPC-Clarkston campus. And do you have any other pointers ie. the med-math portion? Oh & does it matter if

you've never used a stethoscope b4?

As a new student, I would suggest NOT listening to other students when they badmouth the program and tell their stories because it will just bring you down. I'm not finished yet but this is a VERY difficult program and lots of people fail out every semester. You need to keep up and be nice to all the instructors. Also, get some of those NCLEX books to help you study because the test questions are not like anything you have ever seen before. Hope that helps!

What I mean is some questions on the test will come from the reading you were assigned, but the information was not covered in class. So if you only study your notes you may miss something.

There will be math questions on every exam, and a math test that you must pass. The instructors do a good job teaching the conversions & formulas.

I had never used a stethoscope before either. It is just something you'll have to practice with. The more you use it the better you will feel.

Oh, that's great advice & I'm happy to know that there are some positive GPC students with info. to share. Thanks Again Rollie & Boe.

My semester went well. I passed despite all of the negative hype that was spread on this thread prior to my entry into the program.

I found the professors at GPC to be extreeeeemly helpful which is the complete opposite of what I have read here. I have heard of so many people avoiding GPC like the plague because of negative hype that has been spread. All I have to say is I have truly seen for myself that you cannot believe everything you hear.

They're doing something right to have a 100% NCLEX pass rate and graduates that find the boards considerably easier than the exams from nursing school.

I am very pleased with my decision to attend this nursing program. I'm glad I did not decide to drive hours away to attend another program because of something negative I read on a thread. Remember there's always more than one side to a story.

Yeah, I decided to take a shot at it myself despite the horror stories & due to the 100% passing rate on the NCLEX too. I'm still a little afraid of the whole unknown thing, but confident at any rate. I also found that the faculty (that I met at orientation) was really friendly & encouraging students to seek help when needed. They also stressed utilizing all the resources that are available. Are you on the Clarkston campus? Is this your first semester?

Just finished my 3rd of 4 at GPC also! WOO HOO!!! I can't believe it is almost over.....

It is a very hard program but from talking to other nurses I really do not feel it is any harder than any other nursing program.....

IMO....the teachers are great and very supportive....yea...there are some that are not so nice or supportive but I am sure there are those in any program.....

Like someone else said.....try not to listen to all the negative....make the program work for you! It is doable, until you get a bad additude. Stay positive, stay focused on YOUR dream, stay away from the negitive people and READ READ READ and oh yea....did I mention you have to read alot!!:chuckle

(for me personally, this last semester was the hardest because of Psych and Maternal/Child being in one semester......my advise.....take Psych in the summer by its self if they offer that to you!!!!)

Hello BEANURSE,

Yeah I've figured that part out about studying . At orientation we were givin' a reading assign. sheet for the first 2 wks of class & seen that it only had 1-3 & 7,8,12,22&23. I thought we were going to read thru the whole book? Can you give me any kind of heads-up or pointers. What campus do you attend?

Oh, & with 2920 & 2924 we are to take both of them in the fall'06 since we are to take 1930 in the sum'06....I know it will be tuff in 10 wks alone so trying to take Psych with it I don't think I will do that:nono: .

Yeah & I also, as you know, heard all the horror stories that are really inspiring me to really want to work hard despite the negativity. Everyone has a different frame of reference. What counts is how you dissect what others say & let it work with you instead of against you & that is what I plan to do.

Congrats to you:balloons: ...you're part of an elite few.....I strive to get to that point.

Studentque,

My main advise is to stay on top of the reading.....You WILL read just about the whole book in Fundamentals and Med/Surg (and Maternal/Child 3rd semester)...Like I said.....LOTS OF READING......Be sure to keep these books throughout the whole program because you will need all of them in future semesters....in this last semester I used my Med/Surg and Fund book A LOT....especially to write care plans!!!!! I wish I could give you the secret to the dreaded test questions but I don't know it! Just read and re-read each question and answer and make sure EVERY part of the answer is right before you choose that answer....if one part of the answer is wrong the whole answer is wrong.....

Also, take the time to get to know the instructors and let them get to know you!!! This will pay off for you BIG TIME in the future!!!!! let them know you care and WANT to learn......when they know that you are taking responsibility for your own education and not expecting them to spoon feed you they will respect you and help you (that has been my experience!)

With you starting in January you will not have the option to take Psych in the summer since you will be taking Med/Surg in the summer. So just go ahead and prepare yourself for taking both in the fall!

If you have any more specific questions, feel free to PM me!

BEANURSE