Maricopa nursing program

Published

Hi, does anyone have any information about Estrella Community College or Glendale Community College? I am currently in block 2 at Scottsdale CC and really struggling. I am going to continue these next 4 weeks and not give up but my grade is 6% under what I need. I live in Buckeye so I have a far commute everyday and don't have anyone around me to study with. I am thinking I need to transfer especially if I have to repeat this block. Scottsdale was my number 4 or 5 choice but they had a spot for me last August so I took it and figured I would make it work but with the possibility of still having 3 semesters left after this one makes me dread the drive I've been doing! I have already put 12,000 miles on my car since September if that says anything about how much I drive! I know I can do this and get through another semester of med surg, just thinking maybe I should change schools and get some more benefits out of a closer school (shorter drive, people to study with, no stress with driving in rush hour everyday before 6 hour Monday lectures, etc). I would just like some advice/input about the other 2 schools I am closer to. Estrella was my #1 choice because it would take me 15-20 minutes to get there but not sure if I should try to transfer there. Wondering how the schedule is, clinicals, etc. Right now we have 5 tests and that determines our grade, wondering if any of the other Maricopa schools give you a chance to do more to bring your grade up? Thanks in advance!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

Commuting sucks. I'm block 3 at SCC and come from Maricopa. Not quite as far away as you are, but still a cruddy hour+ drive to get there in traffic. I have not heard anything about either school, but I can tell you that if you do make it through and don't transfer, things are much easier next semester. One of the instructors test is harder than the other 2, but even with that, this semester is much easier. No lab day. Only 3 CLAs. No check offs. Just 3 tests, final, HESI, and practicum.

As for points. All the schools are supposed to have the same grading guidelines to keep it fair, so it seems unlikely that you will find another program that gives extra proctored points to bring your grade up. But if I'm wrong on that, hoepfully someone who attends one of those schools will chime in.

Hang in there. You still have like half your proctored points to earn so there is plenty of points available to bumb your grade if you study hard. GL

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm in block 2 at SCC this semester too.... don't give up! We are just now getting to the bulk of our proctored points and we can still make it! SCC is tough but its a great program. I can't believe this semester went by so fast!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mrsboots..

Any advice on Exam 4 and the Final? Any tips on how to study for these exams?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Mrsboots I appreciate your response and feedback! I am definitely looking forward to block 3. I was going to ask you the same thing; any advice on test 4/final/HESI or any tips on studying? I can only miss 38 more points. Thank you again!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you Kssable, it has gone by so fast. I am ready for a break but SO hope I pass this semester. I don't have many more points I can miss; still haven't figured out what I am doing wrong. Thanks!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Labor and Delivery.

I know someone who is in block 3 at Estrella and she has told me she likes it. Estrella is where I do my pre-reqs and it's a nice school, new and updated and also not super big so it's easy to navigate. I would not survive doing that kind of drive for school, if I were you I'd definitely look into transferring!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.

I thought exam 4 was the easiest. There is a good amount of neuro on it. There will a couple nerve and brain anatomy questions on it. If you havent figured it out yet, --------------- takes a decent amount of her questions from the lewis practice questions, the adams practice questions, and the med/surg success book. She will admit this if you ask her. She says sometimes she just really likes the questions and wants to see who uses their resources. Not enough to ace the exam, but enough to give a slight edge. The HESI is a crap shoot. You are either good at that style of test or you are not. I do very well on my in class tests but bomb the HESI each semester. The final isnt terrible. The questions seem a little easier but cover the whole semester of course, so brush up on your previous power points.

Basically, try not to stress too much. Especially for the poster who can still miss 38 points to pass. Thats a lot. Just study and do lots of practice questions. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm on the wait list for a spot. I have never heard of this hesi testing while in the program only for getting on the wait list. Can someone tell me more about this hesi that is in the program? Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Yeah, at the Maricopa community colleges, you take a HESI test at the end of the semester. It's not counted against you, but it is graded. It's supposed to give you and your professors an idea of how you will do on the NCLEX. Bonus is that you get points for it towards your final grade for the semester regardless of how you do.

It is not your final for the class. The final IS counted towards your grade. LOL, the things they do to you in nursing school...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Yeah, at the Maricopa community colleges, you take a HESI test at the end of the semester. It's not counted against you, but it is graded. It's supposed to give you and your professors an idea of how you will do on the NCLEX. Bonus is that you get points for it towards your final grade for the semester regardless of how you do.

It is not your final for the class. The final IS counted towards your grade. LOL, the things they do to you in nursing school...

Wow thanks for replying I never knew they did that. Would you say they are pretty difficult? So if you fail if it's not against your grade at all, but not a good sign about your passing the nclex? Then if you do okay on it you get some points towards your grade if you didn't do so well on your final? Interesting. If you don't mind my asking are you done with program or

Still in it? Are or did you enjoy it? Also how many classes are there per semester I've always wondered that. Thank you

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Neuro, Telemetry.
Wow thanks for replying I never knew they did that. Would you say they are pretty difficult? So if you fail if it's not against your grade at all, but not a good sign about your passing the nclex? Then if you do okay on it you get some points towards your grade if you didn't do so well on your final? Interesting. If you don't mind my asking are you done with program or

Still in it? Are or did you enjoy it? Also how many classes are there per semester I've always wondered that. Thank you

If you fail, it most certainly counts against you. It just isnt a requirement for matriculation to the next semester. But the points still count toward your proctored grade to pass the course. The HESI and the final each semester are two different tests with two different grades. Points for one does not affect the other. If you do well on HESI, then those points help boost your proctored grade. If you do terrible on HESI, those points can reduce your proctored grade. Then you take the final and get your grade for that.

And the nursing HESI is nothing like the entrance exam HESI. the nursing HESI is NCLEX style questions and it is made special for each block with only content that was learned that semester.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion