Just applied to Pima CC Nursing

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Well, I just applied to Pima Community College Nursing and Im waiting for my paper application and what semester I will be admitted to! I just have a very general question: What should I expect? I know that there is a loooooong waiting list, but just wondering if anyone who is in the program or has gone through it can give me a heads up on what to expect? I only have 2 classes left that I can take before the program starts (Mircrobiology and FSN) which I plan on doing ASAP. Im so exicted to get in, Pima dosent seem to give much information on what I should do in the meantime (study related). Any info will be MUCH appreciated!

Specializes in Cardiac.
...all of which you will do as a nurse....but with less poo :rolleyes:....

Patients have less bowel movements in the hospital? I deal with pleanty of 'poo' as an RN TYVM.

Well Cardiac, I have 2 close friends that applied to the PCC program 4 &1/2 weeks apart. The one who applied later who happens to work in the cath lab at UMC got accepted into the program 2 full semesters before the girl who applied first as she is a SAHM. I think the hospitals "hold" spots with in the PCC program as a part of their promise to pay the tution in return for a work committment. I can't think of any other reason this could have happened. When w bring it up to others in NS several people have noticed that trend. Now of course PCC will not admit to this so it really is all speculation but actions do speak louder than words.

Coincindence. I can name plenty of people who got in with no wait at all and who had zero experience in hospitals and I have name even MORE who have been waiting many semesters who are PCTs/CNAs/EMTs, etc.

BTW, when I entered there wasn't even a space to include where I worked on my application. Is there one now?

Do you have any idea how many PCTs/CNA, etc are applying to nursing school right now at Pima? Hundreds! Most of the PCTs I know are applying. So, if they gave priority to applicants with hostpial experience, then NOBODY from the outside would ever make it into the program. There are more than enough experienced hospital employees to fill the program.

That being said, I think the wait will turn out to be much longer. I suspect all the offsite programs may close soon, as there is not a demand for new grads anymore. Pima, NAU, UofA can't afford to keep paying for education on students who they won't have jobs for. It's a tough, tough time to be a new grad or nursing student.

I just can't believe that everyone tells you not to work during NS because of the course load, the instructors encourage you not to work but the people that do work get into NS earlier than someone who doesn't work.....

If you don't mind me saying...there is a reason that the teachers and school encourage people not to work while in nursing school. It's impossible for most. And like I said, working prior to nursing school has no benefit in admissions. Working during nursing school is a recipe for disaster for some students.

There are students who don't work, have supportive spouses, have no children and can devote thier entire time to studying nursing school who don't make it through.

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Specializes in Acute Rehab.
Say EDRN, where do you work?

I work at a call center . I have hospital experience only through the respiratory therapy program ((i quit that prgm, wasn't for me)).

But many in the orientation weren't working at hospitals and have no hospital experience.

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Specializes in Acute Rehab.

CardiacRN2006,

Are there really no jobs for new grads? I was afraid of this. I really want to work in phoenix after i graduate but I was thinking about staying in Tucson b/c i thought it would be easier to get a job at hospitals i've had clinical at previously.

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Specializes in Cardiac.

Did you read the paper recently? TMC was unable to find jobs for the majority of their new grads. These are the new grads who TMC paid for their school for a 2 year commitment.

They don't have the jobs for them.

And I said in another post that it's even hard to find a job as an experienced nurse right now. Times are tough.

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Wow, if I only had to wait one semester, I think I would fall over. I've been anticipating a long wait although Im not going to get my hopes up too high...thanks for the info!

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Im going to look into MVCC. Im just not sure if I actually want to work right now, still waiting for my acceptance letter and how long I'll be waiting... but, I really do appreciate the info...right now Im a SAHM and another income would be awesome!

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Specializes in Emergency/Trauma.

i'm not sure how it is for pima, but in maricopa county several hospitals have partnership/fellows programs. several spots at each of the community colleges schools who are involved in these partnerships are reserved for their employees whom are going into the program. so, if you work in one, instead of the average wait here of 2-3 semesters, you're usually placed in 1-2 semesters.

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I applied in December 2008. I just receive a letter saying that I have been accepted to the nursing program and will start Fall 2010. That is a long wait!!!! I have a 3.9 GPA, I guess grades don't have any impact.

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Looks like we will be in the same class! Keep in contact ;)

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Say nidigm, where do you work and do you have hospital experience?

EDRN2b applied May 2008 and is starting the program January 2009

NIDGM applied December 2008 and is starting Aug 2010??????

Why is there such a huge difference?? Maybe because EDRN2b had some hospital experience?? There has to be something that is affecting our positions on the waiting list..............

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Specializes in Acute Rehab.

I have two other friends who applied at the end of summer 2008, around july and august and got accepted into fall 2009...but i guess due to someone dropping out of spring 09, one got bumped up to spring 2009. I'm not really sure if any other factors besides when you apply go into consideration b/c my gpa is 3.6 and i started sooner than NIDGM. I START TUESDAY GUYS! I'M SO EXCITED :-D ..yeah that was a little side-bar, but i couldn't contain myself lol.

**Denaa -- you cannot trade classes ... you get what you're given...i asked for you :-)

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Thanks EDRN2b, please keep us informed of your experiences. And best of luck to you!:up:

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