Merritt College ADN Fall 2020

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Hello! I didn't see a forum for Fall 2020 applicants so I thought I'd start one. Good luck everyone ?

2 hours ago, ZeeZee said:

How was the group chosen for clinical? Is it assigned or do we choose? I’ve also heard that first semester was the hardest. Is that true? What was the most challenging part about the program for you? Thank you.

Groups are supposedly chosen at random for fundamentals. The stronger students academically tend to be placed in the peds/maternity in the Spring. The first semester was hard because it is a rude awakening but it was not the hardest. Everyone will tell you peds is the hardest class even if the teacher says it is not. You will never have studied harder in your life. If you get peds and pharm at the same time that will be the hardest just because of the insane amount of information you have to learn.

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2 hours ago, Nurse_Joy said:

Groups are supposedly chosen at random for fundamentals. The stronger students academically tend to be placed in the peds/maternity in the Spring. The first semester was hard because it is a rude awakening but it was not the hardest. Everyone will tell you peds is the hardest class even if the teacher says it is not. You will never have studied harder in your life. If you get peds and pharm at the same time that will be the hardest just because of the insane amount of information you have to learn.

Is there anything that you’d recommend doing to prepare for the program before hand? Also do you get assigned classes or you need to pick it?

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5 hours ago, Beaniex8 said:

Is there anything that you’d recommend doing to prepare for the program before hand? Also do you get assigned classes or you need to pick it?

You get assigned classes, the only choice you have is how many hours of skills lab you want to take. Never choose more than 0.5 because you are not limited by the hours you spend in the lab but you are not forced to do extra. 0.5 credits= 26 hrs 1 credit=52 hrs

Best advice is learn how to answer NCLEX style questions because that starts with the first test. Use whatever advantages you can get study groups, extra time on test (if you have a documented disability- ADHD and GAD count), and leave your feelings at the door. Get the Saunders NCLEX book and possibly fundamentals success book. Lastly do not be afraid of the peds teacher, if you think it will be horrible it will be for you but if you think she is the best thing since sliced bread and is gonna make you a better nurse it will be great. Lots of students have anxiety about her, I did too but I didn't hate the class and I learned a lot.

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Specializes in Medical Assistant.

Anyone got any word from admissions? Starting to get nervous with all the other programs that have cancelled their fall 2020 classes. Just heard from Los Medanos that they are deferring until 2021 but continuing their admissions process with their fall 2020 applicants.

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Nervous and confused too, you are not alone.

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1 hour ago, Kaysee said:

Anyone got any word from admissions? Starting to get nervous with all the other programs that have cancelled their fall 2020 classes. Just heard from Los Medanos that they are deferring until 2021 but continuing their admissions process with their fall 2020 applicants.

I got emailed back on Tuesday and it said I will be informed the day and time for orientation soon.

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On 6/9/2020 at 6:53 PM, Nurse_Joy said:

Hey I went to this program and would be happy to answer any questions with brutal honesty.

Hey thanks for answering to all of us !! I was wondering if you worked during the program? Or your thoughts on what the max hours a week you think are reasonable for someone in the program

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On 6/11/2020 at 4:33 PM, _Nat said:

Hey thanks for answering to all of us !! I was wondering if you worked during the program? Or your thoughts on what the max hours a week you think are reasonable for someone in the program

I was very lucky to not have to work because I had family support. A good number of my class mates worked during the program, some even full time. Honestly I don't know how they did it but when there is a will there is a way. I do know some class mates used their leave to give them more time for Peds since the curriculum is insane and the teacher is intense. If you can cut down your hours.

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If you’re waiting for when the orientation date and time is check your email. They sent out info today.

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Hey There!

I had a question for those of us who weren't qualified for admission this term. In the letter Merritt sent out they stated that we would be able to contact them and schedule a counseling appointment at the end of June to discuss why the application was insufficient. Was anyone actually able to schedule this? I'm sure they're busy planning for the incoming class, but I've emailed and called, no response.

Thanks!

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On 6/13/2020 at 6:10 PM, Nurse_Joy said:

I was very lucky to not have to work because I had family support. A good number of my class mates worked during the program, some even full time. Honestly I don't know how they did it but when there is a will there is a way. I do know some class mates used their leave to give them more time for Peds since the curriculum is insane and the teacher is intense. If you can cut down your hours.

Hi Nurse Joy,

Would you be so kind as to tell us more about the program. It does sound like a difficult program, but would you say that in retrospect it has made you a better nurse? or do you think they just made it hard for no good reason and you gained little out of it?

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On 1/7/2021 at 2:01 PM, Sergio Rocha said:

Hi Nurse Joy,

Would you be so kind as to tell us more about the program. It does sound like a difficult program, but would you say that in retrospect it has made you a better nurse? or do you think they just made it hard for no good reason and you gained little out of it?

Hi sorry for the late reply but I am gonna say it is a bit of a mixed bag. There are a lot of things I learned there that made me a stronger nurse but  that could also have just been me being a hard worker that was dedicated to perfectionism. There was also a lot of unnecessary hard parts to make up for what they couldn't or wouldn't provide that I gained very little from. Since the pandemic the program has really gone downhill. I still regret going through that program but I do love nursing. I only made it through because there were a few really amazing teachers there that made up for the couple of bad eggs that made the program hell for everyone. I would have been happier if I had just transferred programs. I wish I had applied to other programs the first semester I was accepted so that I had other options and didn't get stuck there.

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