Howard CC Nursing Program Feedback

Hi, can anyone shed some light on Howard CC's nursing program? I'm really interested in their weekend/evening program but any insight would be great. Thanks!

I first heard about Howard CC's nursing when I visited Johns Hopkins U School of Nursing. The admissions director said that any of Maryland's CC's were great places to get pre-reqs & RN!

I am planning on going to CCBC Essex...I am sorry I do not know more than that. Good Luck!

-gab.rielle

If you want to go straight through with pre reqs and into the nursing classes, then go for HCC. The hospital is right next door (a big plus). However, if you are transfering credits in... be carefull... they expire science classes. I believe A&P is good for 4 years and Micro and Chem are good for 10 yrs. They are not willing to consider applied knowledge or time in field that keeps A&P fresh. Their solution... Take a cummulative exam (similar to the final exam) for the expired class. The thinking is that if it has been 4.5 yrs or more then you should be able to pass the final exam again. This was my experience. However, other CCs in the area do not expire coursework.

how competitive would you say the program at hcc is to get in? both the traditional and accelerated

I would say it is pretty competitive. As of 2007 they had a wait list. I do not know if they currently have one, however, I am not sure what would have changed to increase enrollment or decrease applicants. They have a point system to rank applicants. You get points for being a HoCo resident, For having top grades etc. Go to an info session when they have one and they will give out all that info.

Thanks, I did. All of the information that was provided at the info session I had already obtained online via HCC's LPN/RN Handbook.

I guess I was expecting the info session to not only address what you need to do to apply but also provide more information to students on what to expect once you are in the nursing program - - -ie. typical schedule of a weekend/evening student or day student, when/where do you go to clinicals, stats on how many applicants complete the program, etc. When I asked the presenter if the clinical sites on the webpage was an up to date list. She didn't even know the webpage existed.:stone

I can not speak to the clinical experience/typical day for HCC, however, at FCC in the evening weekend program we meet one night a week (Wed) from 5-9 or 9:30. Then, on Fridays (the day before clinical) you typically go to the hospital to get your assingment (patient, diagnosis, and treatments you will need to know about - bandage change, NG tube care etc). You go home that night, and look up all your meds (1-25 sometimes), and create a 'care plan' for that patient. Then, you go to the hospital for Sat and Sun from about 6:45 am (shift change and report are at 7am), until about 12-1. Usually after clinical you will have a post-conferance for 30 min-1hr with lunch.

There are other required days. For example, to observe OR/PACU (recovery), you need to go on a weekday - perhaps a monday. Then, you might have to go and take a Math Mastry/Drug Calculation test before a semester. Don't forget, most hospitals want their piece of the pie and want to train you on THEIR computer system - another day. You might also have to go to a hosp during work hours to get a photo id from security. Just food for thought.

My program is 4 semesters with 2 summer classes.

Thanks a bunch HappyDay!!!!! That's basically what I was looking for. I just wanted to get some general idea of what to expect while in nursing school. I work full time now and want to be realistic in planning my work day w/ my current employer (and myself) regarding my class schedule and clinicals.

I can not speak to the clinical experience/typical day for HCC, however, at FCC in the evening weekend program we meet one night a week (Wed) from 5-9 or 9:30. Then, on Fridays (the day before clinical) you typically go to the hospital to get your assingment (patient, diagnosis, and treatments you will need to know about - bandage change, NG tube care etc). You go home that night, and look up all your meds (1-25 sometimes), and create a 'care plan' for that patient. Then, you go to the hospital for Sat and Sun from about 6:45 am (shift change and report are at 7am), until about 12-1. Usually after clinical you will have a post-conferance for 30 min-1hr with lunch.

There are other required days. For example, to observe OR/PACU (recovery), you need to go on a weekday - perhaps a monday. Then, you might have to go and take a Math Mastry/Drug Calculation test before a semester. Don't forget, most hospitals want their piece of the pie and want to train you on THEIR computer system - another day. You might also have to go to a hosp during work hours to get a photo id from security. Just food for thought.

My program is 4 semesters with 2 summer classes.

I also hope to get into FCC's evening program. When you go on Friday to get your assignment, how is that handled? Is there a list at the nurse's station? Can you go anytime that day?

I sounds like a great program. I really hope I can get in this January.

Friday Assingment pickup: It depends on the clinical instructor. They go to the hosp when they can and look at the patient census before making assingments. They pick the "good" pts or best pts for learing. It really depends on their schedule as to when the list goes up. For me it has been as early as 5pm on Thurs or as late as 2pm on Fri. The more time to work, the better.

Good luck with applying to FCC. It really is a great program.

Friday Assingment pickup: It depends on the clinical instructor. They go to the hosp when they can and look at the patient census before making assingments. They pick the "good" pts or best pts for learing. It really depends on their schedule as to when the list goes up. For me it has been as early as 5pm on Thurs or as late as 2pm on Fri. The more time to work, the better.

Good luck with applying to FCC. It really is a great program.

Thanks for answering. Can you call the hospital ahead of time to see if the assignments have been posted? Also, I assume the patient you are assigned is yours for the weekend. I think it's actually nice that you can continue your care 2 days in a row. What if your patient is discharged Sat night? Would they assign you another patient for Sunday, and would you have to do another care plan? Of course, I would do whatever they ask- I am just so anxious to get in!

Yes, typically you have the same pt for the 2 days. It is good for continuity of care. However, many times, the pt is discharged. Then, you are required to do a 2nd care plan. It can get old. However, you still need to know the meds your pt is on and know about treatments. After a while, the care plans become much of the same -- there are only so many things you can do as a student. Invest in a good care plan book. That will save hours of time. As far as calling the unit... I think that the nurses and instructor would not be so happy. The instructor will generally tell you when you can expect the posting. I even had one that was willing to text us. The weekend instructors are great! Hope you get a really hard one -- that way it is easier on you in the long run.

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions.