Has anyone gotten into Mt. Sac's nursing program for Spring 2009? There is an orientation week that starts on Monday. Does anyone have any insights or knows about what will happen during this orientation? I know there's a HESI exam for Tuesday. Do they select the final candidates based on the results or are you in regardless? It's all very exciting!
Is anyone already in the Mt. Sac program or has recently graduated? What's it like? Are the instructors fair? What clinical sites do you go to?
I know that as an LVN student, I've seen Mt. Sac students at Intercommunity Hospital in Covina. Where else do you guys go?
Hey Bella, thanks for the reply. At least now I know I'm not the only one that didn't get any e-mail. It was really odd that you couldn't see your results on other subjects (I took the test in the library). When I took mine, the score for each section was shown right after I finished that part. My worst score was 75% for the Anatomy/Physiology. It's been a long while since I took those two classes (Anatomy in 2002 and Physiology in 2005). So, I can't say I was surprised to see that number (LOL). If I remember correctly, one of the ladies said that you needed at least 67.5% (or around 70% to be sure) to "pass". This is, I assume, for the composite score. Though, the secretary also mentioned that there was a minimum score for which you can't go below (for each section). However, she didn't say what that was.
My breakdown is (from the piece of paper that I wrote on):
Anat/Phys - 75%
Grammar - 98%
Reading Com - 80%
Vocab - 88%
Math - 94%
My composite score is 88% (which is lower than my TEAS score actually). Well, hopefully this is good enough for them.
PS: I agree that we should ask them about the Department ID thing tomorrow.
There is a study manual for HESI (you can try google that). I didn't use it though cause when I found out it was going to be HESI, it was already too late to buy one (like a week before the test date). I used the study manual for TEAS to study from.
If you have taken TEAS, you could just use the study manual for TEAS to study for the HESI. However, if this is the only entrance exam you'll be taking, then just get the HESI study manual. Sorry, I can't say how good (or bad) the HESI study manual is since I don't have one.
There are 7 sections on the HESI; Chemistry, Biology, Vocabulary/General Knowledge, Anatomy/Physiology, Reading Comprehension, Grammar, and Math. What sections you need to complete depend on the school you're taking the test for. Mt.SAC doesn't require Chemistry and Biology. So, make sure you check with the school about this.
Math section covered fraction, ratio, percent and decimal (on top of those addition/subtraction/multiplication/division). No geometry or algebra. Questions are very straight-forward. You just need to know your basic calculation, that's all. By the way, we weren't allowed to use the computer calculator even though they said we could (the day before the test). It was disabled for the Math section.
In Vocab/General Knowledge, there were quite a few questions asking about healthcare terms/words. Some of them were senario-based (like a mother brings in her child and the doctor says she has XXX. What does it mean?). There were some scientific terms as well (like osmosis, etc.).
Reading Comprehension had short passages (like 5 or so questions per passage). Very simple reading, mostly stories. Though, some of the questions were confusing and tricky. Make sure you read the question thoroughly and understand what it asks you (conclusion, fact, implication, intention etc.).
Grammar was very basic. Just know your tenses and how/when to use them. There were several questions like "If I had known it would be this terrible, I would not have attended the party". Overall, it wasn't difficult though.
I didn't take Chemistry and Biology parts, so I can't comment on those. For HESI, you have plenty of time to answer questions, so take your time and don't rush. Good luck. I'm sure you'll do just fine.
Thanks for the breakdown.....i will certainly start reviewing....i"m a little rusty in math
How many semesters did you have to wait for Mt. Sac's Nursing Program?
Sharingan...thank you so much for your time!
I was very lucky. I waited for only one semester before I got called. I applied in April this year and I received my acceptance a week before Thanksgiving for the Spring 09 class. I attended the 5-day orientation last week and now I'm waiting to see if I'll get to take pharmacology during Winter (instead of waiting until Spring). I'm so excited to finally start the nursing program.
I hope to be in your position soon!! Do you know how Mt. Sac makes their selection for the program? I submitted my application in September, 2008.......and from what i understand there is a 2 semester wait or is it based on the lottery #??
I hope to be in your position soon!! Do you know how Mt. Sac makes their selection for the program? I submitted my application in September, 2008.......and from what i understand there is a 2 semester wait or is it based on the lottery #??
They indeed use the lottery system, so how long you have to wait depends on the number you are assigned to from the lottery. Sometimes, people get in at other schools and this could free up more space on the list. I don't think there is a specific wait time to get into the program. Most people wait for 2 semesters but I bet there are others (like myself) who don't have to wait that long. Good luck!!
I just finished my 3rd semester this week (whoo hoo!!) and plan to sleep for an entire week! :) Mt Sac is one of the only schools that still uses the lottery system versus a waiting list. I applied in May 07 and got my acceptance letter in June 07...pure luck!!
But if anyone has any questions about this program feel free to ask...
studentnurse00, it must be exciting to be in a nursing program!
So let me get this straight...everyone who applies, for example, the ones that submitted their application in Sep.2008, will eventually get in its just a matter how long everyone has to wait?? :lol_hitti
When I applied at Mt Sac they also require an ed plan to be completed by a counselor. I guess this ensures all the prereqs are completed and so on. But when I got the thumbs up on my ed plan they stated since they use a lottery system, my wait time could be one to three semesters. I just got very lucky and was accepted the following semester. Some of my classmates waited a year before getting accepted so I guess it's just a matter of when you'll get the acceptance letter.
Sharingan
50 Posts
Hey Bella, thanks for the reply. At least now I know I'm not the only one that didn't get any e-mail. It was really odd that you couldn't see your results on other subjects (I took the test in the library). When I took mine, the score for each section was shown right after I finished that part. My worst score was 75% for the Anatomy/Physiology. It's been a long while since I took those two classes (Anatomy in 2002 and Physiology in 2005). So, I can't say I was surprised to see that number (LOL). If I remember correctly, one of the ladies said that you needed at least 67.5% (or around 70% to be sure) to "pass". This is, I assume, for the composite score. Though, the secretary also mentioned that there was a minimum score for which you can't go below (for each section). However, she didn't say what that was.
My breakdown is (from the piece of paper that I wrote on):
Anat/Phys - 75%
Grammar - 98%
Reading Com - 80%
Vocab - 88%
Math - 94%
My composite score is 88% (which is lower than my TEAS score actually). Well, hopefully this is good enough for them.
PS: I agree that we should ask them about the Department ID thing tomorrow.