Lone Star vs. HCC Nursing program

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Hi everyone, this is my first post. I just started Pharmacology yesterday, yikes! I've been told this is the toughest class I will take. Anyhow, I have a question. I live West of Houston and am trying to decide which nursing program I should pursue. I've been 'conditionally' accepted by HCC, provided that I make a 90 or better on the big Math exam at the end of Pharm. I have also applied to Lone Star, and will find out whether I'm accepted there in late October. I am weighing pros and cons, but don't have much info about Lone Star at all. If anyone out there knows anything, please let me know.

Thanks so much,

MrsFish

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You should check out the Texas student section. You will probably get more responses there.

I've heard nothing but good stuff about Lonestar. I've heard very little about HCC but what I've heard wasn't very good. I found HCC to be very disorganized and difficult to deal with, to the point that I didn't apply there, even though I live within the loop.

Edit: They say Pharm is a tough class because they use it to weed out people. It has a high fail rate because they cull the people who won't do well in the program. I doubt it is any harder than the rest of nursing school. Don't let them convince you that Pharm is harder than it really is.

Sorry, I really dislike it when programs try to psych out students.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, school nursing.

I am a second-year student at Lone Star-North Harris, and I really like our program most of the time. It has its problems, as I am sure they all do, but the first-year teachers are amazing, and they try their best to support us. There are students in my class who started at HCC, but didn't like their program, and I have also heard that hospitals prefer to hire Lone Star students over HCC students. That's just hearsay, though, and not proven. Good luck with your decision; in the end, you'll get out of the program what you put into it.

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Trailerparkmedic, thanks for that tip, I'll look at the Texas forum as well. That's good to hear about Lone Star. I've heard the same about HCC being disorganized and I can see that already, too. I appreciate your encouragement about Pharm....I am studying like crazy and so far it seems to really be ok.

Alanaransley, so happy to hear from a Lone star student. Good to hear that their program is well respected. Where is Lone Star Harris? I will be at the Cy-Fair campus, if I attend there....Do either of you know whether it is difficult getting a job in a hospital with a ADN vs. BSN?

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One suggestion for Pharm--if they are asking you NCLEX style questions, take the time to get used to them. Otherwise, roll your eyes and keep studying when they give you the "look to your left, look to your right, only one of you will pass this course." Do what works for you, learn the info, and you'll be ok.

North Harris is off of the Hardy Toll Road near 1960. They accept twice as many students as the other campuses, so it is easier to get in there. I've heard Cyfair is competitive, tough and a good school.

It's easier to get a job with a BSN than an ADN, especially in the medical center. Methodist won't hire ADN new grads. There are 4 BSN programs in the city, so hospitals can be picky. That doesn't mean ADNs can't find jobs, just that they have to look in the less "cool" areas like suburban hospitals instead of the med center, or in places like nursing home, corrections, etc. It also helps if you do well in school.

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Great, thanks so much. I've heard about some good BSN programs also, and apparently Texas Tech and SFASU offer online options. Guess I've got lots of things to consider....I am leaning toward Lone Star, if I get accepted.

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I'm a student a Cy Fair Lone Star. Yes, it's competitive and tough, but the last set of RN graduates passed NCLEX 100% on their first try. I think that speaks volumes. Last semester I ran into an HCC student who used to be a student at Cy Fair (but failed out) "There is no comparison between Cy Fair and HCC."

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Wow, that's exactly what I needed to know. I hope I will be one of the lucky few accepted into Lone Star. Where do you go for your clinicals?

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It just depends on what level student you are, but locations are varied: Memorial Hermann Memorial City, MH Katy, MH Willowbrook, North Cypress, Texas Children's in Medical Center for pedi, West Oaks for Psych, etc. Good luck. I know a few students who applied and didn't get in first try, but got in their second. Just keep A's in the classes they look at or retake them. I think HCC accepts students with lower GPAs because they fill the seats. They accept 100+. Cy Fair Lone Star accepts 40 students and they have many applicants so they choose top students. Another thing to consider is HCC does not have a nursing lab whatsover. Their practice manequins come in broken pieces and get set up that day in an auditorium (heard this from someone who went there last semester). Cy Fair has an awesome nursing lab with all kinds of simulation stuff. Good luck to you!

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Thanks so much:) The advisor at Lone Star told me, he could 'almost' guarantee that I would be accepted based on my grades/score, but I can't just assume that will be the case. I will find out in a month and a half or so....seems like it's taking forever. Thanks again for all the great info everyone!

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