Gwinnett Tech & GPC ?

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Hi Everyone!!

I'm so thankful to have found this forum and appreciate all the info that everyone has shared!

I'm 39 years young (40 tomorrow :clpty:) and a Mom of 2 boys (grade school & Sophomore in HS). After 10 years in the Real Estate industry and the realization of not having anything "solid" (degree or job security to some extent), I've made the decision to go to shool for my RN degree and I'm VERY excited with a dash of apprehension. I've always been interested in Nursing and worked as a CNA many years ago for a short period of time and I know that this is the best career path for myself and the future of my family.:yeah:

Due to the fact that I have 2 children and need to be working as quickly as possible I've decided to find a school that offers the Associates RN program (ADN). I'm in Gwinnett County and I'm looking at:

Gwinnett Tech AND GA Perimeter College. Can anyone give me their personal opinion on these schools and share their experiences?

I'm looking for a school that will provide the academic support that I may need since I've been out of school for so long. I also plan to get my Bachelor's degree in the future, so I want to make sure that the classes I take now I get credit for as "required courses" (I spoke to someone that told me that there's a difference between credits transferring and actually getting credit for the required courses when looking to get a BSN).

Also, with such a shortage of nurses, why is the actual RN program so limited to a small number of students? Will a better GPA secure my spot or better my chances of acceptance?

Thank you ALL in advance and Any input is greatly appreciated & welcomed!!:)

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programs so limited to a small number of students because there are not enough teachers. A better GPA will secure a spot and better your chances of acceptance.

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Today, I just had the wind taken out of my sail. Found out some information that most of you probably already know. I went a seminar for the GPC nursing program and found that you have to have A&P I out of the way before one can even apply. Does this seem odd to anyone else? I have spring and summer to knock the class out and thats not enough time. I was planning on trying to get into the Fall 09 program and take A&P I and Micro this spring and A&P II in the summer to have all prereqs done. The other part is that I have already taken A&P I and II except that the classes were taken more than 6 years ago. Rules are rules and I'm fine with going by them but its just a tad bothersome that I now have to wait until next spring to even start. (if I get accepted)

I am doing this because I want to change careers and I cannot work at my current profession while taken these classes because I travel 20 ish days a month. I just don't know what to do while i'm waiting on the nursing program to start next spring, if I get in of course.

Sorry, I had to vent

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Most people who apply already have finished A&P I, A&P II, and Micro. It will be better to finish the classes first because the better you do in the classes and the better your GPA the more likely you will get in to GPC.

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Most people who apply already have finished A&P I, A&P II, and Micro. It will be better to finish the classes first because the better you do in the classes and the better your GPA the more likely you will get in to GPC.

I'm sure of that and again I do have the A&P 1 and 2. I guess I did take it first because it was done back in 2000, however, is was "too first" ago. I was thinking that one could at least apply to the program in the condition that A&P I be satisfied by the start of the program. I would have had all the prereqs done by the first day of the program, which included taking my A&P over again.

I know there is nothing I can do, I was just a little disappointed.

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Most of the people that are accepted at GPC the first go round have everything out of the way. If you are looking for academic support, I would strongly suggest you consider all options before deciding with GPC. I know Gwinnett Tech is new, and you may not want to be a part of that first class, but I think you would probably be much happier.

Just my .02.

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I have looked into Gwinnett Tech but they require all of the sciences be completed before applying. So the question would be, when could I actually be eligible to fill out the application? I can have all the classes completed before the first day of the program come fall, but it doesn't work that way. I want to start as soon as I can so GPC is one program i going to apply to. I now have to find programs that start in the spring and only want A&P 1 complete by the application deadline, even though I will complete Micro and A&P 2 before the first day of class. I have three semesters to complete these three classes and I made B's in them when I took them while going to college full time. I am on a mission to only make A's in them now.

Thanks for your suggestions

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Gwinnet is a wonderful school especially if you're planning on taking A&PI and II there. I highly recommend Dr. Scholz., becuase you will come out knowing your stuff.

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Another alternative would be to take your pre-reqs at gwinett tech or any other tech sch - they operate under the qtr system and so you'll be able to meet the deadline if you start this spring...also there are severals schools that offer A&P online, with onsite meetings every so often for lab...best of luck

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One little reminder. If you are attempting to start the nursing program at GPC in the Spring semester you need to have completed A&P I & II because during the summer you will be in nursing classes and completion of A&P II is required before you can take Micro. I'm going into my final semester at GPC and I would strongly recommend having all of your prereqs done before you enter the program because it is really intense.

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GPC and Gwinnett Tech are not on the same schedule. Gwinnett Tech is on the quarter system and GPC is on semesters.

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Gwinnett tech was very good about offering support to the students in my program (non nursing). The instructors even made the labs available to us on the weekends so that our study group could practice for check offs. I got a great education from Gwinnett tech. The only caution I would have is that some of my classmates who did a bridge program with me at GSU had to retake their core classes because they wouldn't transfer in. Lucky for me I had taken most of my core classes at 4 year institutions.

Having spoken with people who were in the GPC program that were doing clinicals at my job, I would be a little skeptical of GPC. I've only heard one student say that she liked the program. Another half dozen or so stated they hated it. They felt the were left to fend for themselves in the program. There may have been changes made though to improve the program. Who knows?

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

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