Merritt College ADN 2011

U.S.A. California

Published

Hello All,

I was accepted to Merritt College's ADN program starting Fall/11 and wanted to know who else may be attending. Im really nervous about their program because of all the bad reviews. Is it just a matter of unhappy people are more likely to complain and there are people out there who are happy with the program? If anyone in the program has any advice id surely appreciate it. Thanks!

I liked the nursing students message, it is comforting for me because they are a proof that is it doable with the hard work, I will buy the books and start studying from the moment I get them. Yes, they made it clear that it will be the hardest 2 years of our lives, but it will be worth it!!! I am just sorry that I will miss 2 years of my son's life, I get emotional just thinking about it, the only thing that comforts me is convincing myself that I am doing this for both of us, it will help me help him!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have nothing but respect for the graduating and current students that took time out of their day to come and advise us of whats to be expected. I will say that had I gotten into another school i would not have been at that orientation. All the negative comments about Merritt most likely have some truth and it is also likely that the problems are amplified by the people reporting them because they were the ones that failed. I expected the professors to be abrasive and I expect this to be a nursing bootcamp that will weed out 2/3 of the 75 people sitting there. I work at one of the hospitals that Merritt, as well as some other 4 year schools do their clinicals in and i can tell you that professors from other schools treat their students worse than ive seen the Merritt professors. The way I see it is you can put your life on hold another year and try your luck again in 2012 or you can take advantage of the opportunity given you now. Im with you ProudMom511, I went right home and got on amazon and purchased the first semester books. Over the summer I will be reading the chapters that the former students suggested and hit the ground running at bootcamp! See you guys in August!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

GetThere,

I agree with all that you say. I just ordered the books: Fundamentals of nursing & Dosage calculations. Half.com offers them at very good prices!

See you when school starts:)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I got those two and the study guides that prepare you for the type of questioning that we can expect. I will say that graduating with an ADN is definitely a disadvantage to a BSN when it comes time to apply for a job. When questioned about this they attempted to play it down a little bit but hospitals are shying away from hiring new nurses and when you go into an interview you will be competting with BSN holders. The only ADN's ive seen hired either already worked at the hospital or knew someone higher up that recommended them. So my advice is apply for a job at a hospital, volunteer and make connections or if you know someone inside, make sure you keep yourself in the back of their mind for when the time comes.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi all

First congratulations for being accepted into the program! I myself attended last year 2010. I will be coming back this fall. Last fall we started out with 80 students and that number dropped to 20 something after the first 9 weeks. Mostly due to not reaching a 75% in fundamentals. I passed fundamentals but did poorly on the calculations course, so I also had to leave before clinicals. I tell you this not to discourage anyone, but only to inform. I personally had no problems with the instructors at Merritt. I found them to be knowledgeable, helpful, and interested in the success of the students. But the program is sink or swim. It's just the way it's set up. I really want to help as many people as possible be successful this time around. So the first thing you need to know is that during the first 9 weeks you need to essentially read the entire fundamentals book. Not only read it, but master the material in it. So you are going to need to read each chapter MINIMUM twice. This means you better get started over the summer. READ THE BOOK! Don't start marking it until class starts, but you need to start getting familiar with it NOW. I recommend for the next 9 weeks, try to read through the book once. Then with your remaining time work on your calculations book. If you do this there is a pretty good chance you will make it :) To succeed in this school you need to spend allot of time reading so plan for this. I would guess that I spent about 6 hours a day reading/ studying weekdays and 8 hours a day weekends (and I had read half the book over break). And remember now that your a Merritt nursing student you can never afford to slack. Breaks are for studying because once you are in the session you will be bombarded with multiple things. I really look forward to meeting everyone! Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Agelinayum,

Sorry that you you had to drop of the program last year. I can tell that you are ready for it this time!! Did you have to go through the application process like anybody else?. Your return to the same school tells a lot about this school and its program, I am glad that you think about it in a positive way, very comforting to hear this from a student who been there! and thank you for your tips, I am waiting for the books to start reading and getting ready for the semester....See you when school starts.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi everybody! I'm in the fall program as well. I've just registered on Certified Background.com. We need to complete some med forms that should be provided by the school. Probably,i missed some info, but I don't have any paper to complete med exam, a tub questionnaire etc.Maybe we should pick these paper at school. But I don't remember they told anything like that. Do u have any suggestions?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well if your missing paperwork, you can pick it up at the school Monday or Tuesday from 9-11. Be sure to check your paperwork carefully first because otherwise they will be annoyed, although don't worry about that too much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thanks for replaying. But I really don't loose anything. We have just a paper stamped SAMPLE. You think they work only from 9 till 11 am?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

They told me to pick up my orientation packet Monday or Tuesday from 9-11 That's the only time I know for sure they will be there since it's between sessions right now.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Vlady,

I also have the same issue. I have registered with the website to do the background check, they will send us an email telling us where to go for the drug test, but I don't see the forms to be completed for the physical exam and the immunizations so I emailed the school this afternoon...weekend is coming up, I should hear from them on Monday, I will let you know what they say...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Ok.Thanks. But I have this orientation packet.There is no paper for Doctor's exam, for example. There is only medical history record,blue paper. and anotherpaper stamped SAMPLE. I don't think that using it will be correct.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment