Macomb CC or Bakers Program??

tipi27 · Apr 29, 2010

From what ive heard i would go with MCC.. but i dont really know first hand

I am in a similar situation... I have been accepted at OU for over a year now and ive been on their waitlist. I have every prereq and gen ed required for OU's BSN program ive just been waiting to start. My start date isnt untill winter 2012 semester. I also just got my acceptace letter from macomb today. I need a little advice... should i go to MCC and then transfer to OU and do the RN-BSN program.... or should i wait for the BSN program not this winter but next????? I leaning towards MCC path because I am sick of waiting around I want to start acctually learning about what im interested in. let me know what you guys think.

shawnb · Apr 29, 2010

Congratulations to both of you for being accepted to two programs. That's a tough decision either way. I wish you both the best. I would make a list of the pros and cons of each choice. Maybe when you see it out on paper, it will help you make your decision. Good Luck!

LauJen · Apr 29, 2010

thank you both for answering. tipi27, thats a LONG time to wait. wouldnt it be faster to go to MCC and just do the BSN bridge program? thats what I plan on doing, no matter which school i go to, and im pretty sure it looks the same on paper. if you can start now, then why not?!

im leaning towards macomb because of the NLN accreditation that MCC has, where as Baker is only accredited through the state of MI, and my husband and I arent sure we want to stay here in MI forever, and i dont want to go through the hassle of trying to move my nationally unaccredited license elsewhere. also, i like the semesters instead of quarters idea, so you're not forced to shove info down your throat.

the ONLY 2 problems i have with MCC is the distance (im in grosse pointe) for the daily drive, and the potential that im probably starting later because my points werent that high. best case scenario, im looking at january, but thinking march, unless a miracle happens, whereas i'd be starting in august at baker. so much to think about!

SnowStar4 · Apr 29, 2010

Lau,

I would NEVER go to a school that is not fully accredited. You will have problems pursing other degrees in the future. MCC also has a better reputation and is cheaper.

As far as the drive from GP- I wouldn't worry about it. You are at MCC 1-2 days a week only, with the exception of some random added days for lab days etc. Not a bid deal. Plus, lots of clinicals are in your area!

Oh, and while MCC is semesters, they are split into 8 weeks sections so the classes aren't really longer than Bakers trimesters. They are very short, but it's nice.

Good luck with your decision!

LauJen · Apr 29, 2010

A4L4S-

Thanks for the info! I knew that coming from a school that wasnt accredited probably wouldnt be a good thing, but thank you for confirming that. I want to go on to eventually get at least my BSN, and don't want any trouble trying to do that. I was settling with Baker because I didn't think I was going to get into MCC... but I couldn't be happier that I did, because now I'm realizing that Baker isn't all that they make it out to be.

I'm taking it that you're in the program right now, or maybe just finished? How hard is it to get the clinical site that you want when you're in the program?

SnowStar4 · Apr 29, 2010

Yep, I'm in the program. Last year they decided they would assign the clinicals. What they do is allow you to email the front office and request days or evenings, no weekends etc and she will acoomodate you if she can. They do not let you select a site or specific instructor. That being said, one they assign you your clinicals they let you swap with classmates for a few weeks. It's usually pretty easy to get into what you want. The hard part will be the first semester when you don't really know anyone to swap with! After you start class though, have someone compile a list of emails and phone numbers so you can contact eachother because swap time is always over winter or summer break.

Sometimes they do switch times on you last minute though which is kinda annoying. It doesn's happen all that often. Also, when they send you your placement it is just the section number. Don't look it up in the pdf catalog- look it up in webAdvisor. The pdf is usually incorrect.

It is very easy to transfer to Oakland or UMD after completeing your ADN at MCC. They have the proograms all set up. Oakland has an online program and UMD is at the university center on campus. Or you can do MSU, or any other college.

LauJen · Apr 29, 2010

Do they take into consideration where you live when assigning? My biggest fear is being somewhere out in like, Pontiac. That would take me FOREVER, I hate driving, and I don't want to spend half of my life in my car. It took me 25 minutes 1 way (with no traffic) to get to MCC today to go pay for my seat. I think I need to invest in a radar detector as well, as I saw a bunch of speed traps.

CorazonDeOro · Apr 29, 2010

Do they take into consideration where you live when assigning? My biggest fear is being somewhere out in like, Pontiac. That would take me FOREVER, I hate driving, and I don't want to spend half of my life in my car. It took me 25 minutes 1 way (with no traffic) to get to MCC today to go pay for my seat. I think I need to invest in a radar detector as well, as I saw a bunch of speed traps.

I don't think they take into account where you live but as far as I know Macomb only has clinicals at hospitals in Detroit, Grosse Pointe, Mt. Clemens, Troy, Royal Oak, Warren, and....I think thats about it, unless they add new sites...or unless I am missing some. Plus if you got one that was too far away, it is very possible you could swap with someone who lives near the one you got and vice versa.

I would go with MCC also, due to the accrediation factor..especially for how much more expensive Baker is.

SnowStar4 · Apr 29, 2010

Some people go to Children's in detroit for peds. But no one goes to pontiac now but things could always change. They do not care where you live.

25 is a long drive to school? That's pretty basic for everyone since there are no highways near by.

LauJen · Apr 29, 2010

I consider that long.... and actually, add about 10 minutes to it, since that was just my driving time once on 94. So, more like 35 minutes, without traffic. Baker took me about 15 minutes to get to, and about 20 for MCC south campus, tops. So, yeah. Thats kinda long for me. I would love to be assigned somewhere downtown, that would be so quick for me... the place I would love more than anything would be St. John's main. Its less than 5 minutes from my house, and thats where I (think) I ultimately want to work. I had my daughter there, and I have a horrifying MCC nursing student story to go along with it! To make it short, one of the students talked through my ENTIRE labor (I allowed them in the room when I was about 6cm dilated), about herself, and how terrible her labor was. I wanted to scream SHUT UP! GET OUT!!! but I thought "im going to be in this position one day, and would want patients to let me in on their labor," so I let them stay. Note to self: Do NOT speak unless spoken to during someones labor!! :)

I only threw Pontiac out there because Baker goes out there, and thought that they kind of had some of the same schools in common.

Carebear77 · Apr 30, 2010

Not sure where you heard baker is not accredited, but it is, I went/go there. If you have questions about it call the school and ask to speak with the nursing director who can explain things to you. Also, as long as you pass your boards and have a license it doesn't matter, you can move and no state is going to turn you down in transfering your license. But regardless of where you go make a list of pros and cons and decide from that which program is best for you. I wish you lots of luck in your journey.