HACC in Harrisburg, anyone go there?

U.S.A. Pennsylvania

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Im considering going to HACC in Harrisburg, but have some concerns about getting into Clinicals. After you did your Pre-Req's how long did it take for them to accept you into clinicals?

On the website it said that clinicals can be anywhere from 6:30am to 10pm at night. BUT I NEED to work my full time job. Im willing to do my job in the evenings and go to school during the day. Just concerned if they actually schedule clinicals in the evening if you do the full time day program for LPN or even the RN program.

Anyone know how long the LPN program and the RN program take? The website doesnt exactly say. Thanks for any info you can provide!:typing

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I'm also considering going to HACC for nursing, hopefully this fall, so I'm also interested in hearing about experiences there.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych.

Ok here's the deal (I also responded to your other post).

I am currently in the LPN program, just started 2nd semester (plan on bridging). They take applications once per year between August and September 15th. You will get your accept/deny letter sometime in October. First semester starts in January. You MUST complete your pre-req's first, since they use a point system based on grades for acceptance. This should work fine for you. For example:

This Fall 2008:

English

Psych

Biology/AP I

Spring 2009:

Micro

Math

Sociology

Thats just an example to show you what your course load should look like. Then in August 2009 you would apply for a Spring 2010 start. You want to make an appointment with Betty Smith, she's located at the Select Medical building on campus. She's awesome & will give you all the info you need.

Make sure to keep your grades up, way up. The LPN program is competitive as heck. We lost 10 first semester and I'm sure most of them will be applying next year again. They have 50 available seats.

Honestly, I don't see how you are going to work full time. First semester we had clinicals M-W-F from 7-2 and lecture Tues-Thurs. 11:30 - 2:30. It doesn't sound like much but that is addition to spending enormous amounts of time in the lab working on and videotaping skills, writing up diagnosis cards and med sheets (due every clinical day), assessment sheets, lab sheets, online quiz's, and concept maps. Oh...and studying for tests.

This summer semester we have M-Tues-W clinicals from 7-3 and Thurs. lecture from 8-4. Fridays we have off. But again, enormous of study time.

It's doable to work part-time but I would atrongly advise against anything more than 15-20 hrs/week. The program is so intense and concentrated, but you do learn a heck of a lot, lol......just really quick.

The program is extremely strict, which I like. They do not tolerate tardiness, sloppiness, poor clinical skills, or failing test grades. Thats another reason to make school your top priority (and not work).

Good luck to you and I'll be around if you have any more q's specific to the program. :D

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Im just not "fortunate" enough to be able to work part-time. But I do have down time here at work that I would be able to study.

My husband is on disability and only gets a check monthly that does not come close to what he made when he was able to work. So Im the bread winner. My in-laws are moving in with us so we can at least split the main bills, (Ill be able to quit my 2nd job)and I can pay off some credit card debt and pay for whatever financial aid doesnt cover.

I highly doubt my employer would let me go part time. If worse comes to worse Ill just go to school part time evenings if I have to. Right now I am gonna go for the LPN. What r u going for?

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Specializes in LTC, Psych.

Oh, I forgot to add that yes, they do have some students attending 3 clinicals this summer from 1-9 pm. It doesn't seem to be the norm, I think they are covering instructors vacations.

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Specializes in LTC, Psych.

Then I would say the RN part-time evening program is about your best option. That will take 4 years (not including pre-req's). I know they do alot of clinicals on the weekends.

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As far as I know Harrisburg does not have a PT program. I know Lancaster does ( I attend) and possibly York. It meets 2 nights/ week. 1 class night and one clinical lab. Hours for us right now are 5-8 on class night, lab/ clinical varies. It too meets one day and times range from either 4-8 if in lab or 3-9 or 4-10 if at site. There are many people that work full time. The program is 8 consecutive semesters after prereqs which takes 2.5 years. Hope this helps. GL to you!

ETA- this is the RN program. ;)

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Just wanted to add that we are 8 consecutive semesters through summers as well which is why it only takes 2.5 years. We haven't heard of any clinicals on weekends.

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I've registered and will be starting full-time in 3 weeks. Most of my classes will be online as I get the prerequisites out of the way, I'll still be working 35 hours a week as well.

It's going to be tough but I'm very excited about my journey to a new career.

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part time clinicals is 2 1/2 years without prereqs!!!

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