Moving to WA, need advice please..

dukesgal · May 15, 2008

Clark has a very good nursing program. When I went took some of my pre-req's there, it was very difficult to get into but was a lottery at the time. They have now gone to the points system which is more fair in terms of GPA. It appears you need at least 42 of the (I believe) 52 possible points to be somewhat competitive, depending on what quarter you are applying. I had 42 points, am still waiting to hear from them...so I will let you know how that turns out. According to the stats, the spring application looks like it may be easier to get in, but like I said, I'll find out soon enough.

Also, from what I have heard, the program there is more based on book work and less clinical experience than other programs - which is sort of what turned me off about it. But this is just heresay from other nursing students, nothing firsthand.

There is also a program up in Longview, the college is called Lower Columbia. It's a really nice little campus and I have a few friends currently in the program who really like it. There you have to take the TEAS test in addition to the pre-req's. This year I believe they also gave more points to students who lived in Longview or had been enrolled there for a quarter or two prior to submitting an app for the program. Besides that, if you lived in Vancouver it's about 40 minutes north of there, so it's a bit of a commute.

There are a few in Portland, but they are even more competitive to get into. Portland Community College and Mt. Hood Community College, to name a few. You can check out their websites for details, PCC is still using the lottery system for another year or so, and Mt Hood uses the points system, but you need at least a 3.8 GPA before they'll even pass your application onto the interview portion.

Anyway, hope this helps. If you have anymore questions, let me know!

peatie · May 16, 2008

Thank you for your advice. You reconfirmed everything i read about, but wanted to hear it from a warm body too. :)

I'm not too fond of the book vs practicum theory either, but a lot of Bachelor's programs are like that, and heck, if they turn out ok, well then... haha. I just learn so much better with hands-on experience.

Good luck with school and hope you hear soon about where you'll be attending!

aloha

smk1, LPN · May 16, 2008

I just graduated from Clark so I can tell you that the book vs clinical is not true. It is very self paced as far a lectures and reading material. You have modules that need to be completed with the unit tests done by a certain date. Many of the teachers do not require you to show up to class (much like in a university setting you are responsible for your own learning). There is a state of the art skills lab that you take a class in to learn nursing skills the first two quarters and to practice in as needed for the rest and for mock "codes" etc... Clinicals are one day a week for the first 2 quarters and 2 days for the next 3 and then the last quarter is clinical preceptorship which means you have 160 hours to complete and will be working whatever schedule 8 hr or 13 hour days that your preceptor works that will allow you to finish your hours in time along with all of the other requirements. I would try to at least have 46 points to feel safe for entrance. Clark weighs GPA and science GPA highly so that is how you get the bulk of your points. You need to at least have a 3.5 or higher in cum GPA and same for science GPA. For maximum points you should have 3.7 or higher in both. You also get points for having all other applicable classes done and a point or two for WA residency. THe good news is that Clark just added some seats to its nursing program so for the time being anyway some of the people with fewer points (low 40's will get in) don't count on this because it will eventually correct upward as it always does. FOr the past 2 years that the system has been in place 46 and above has basically guaranteed entrance, however I only had 50 points and was in the first selection to use the new point system and I was really worried. I got in but historically at Clark the points needed to get in eventually max out. The old 7 point system meant you had to get 7 points to get in. Sometimes after acceptances and declines came in people with 6 points would get in. I say this not to be discouraging, but to give you some realism about entrance requirements. If you aren't ready to apply yet, expect the points needed to get in to rise with time. Good news is that you are completely in charge of how many points you get. It is all grades and residency and completion of prereqs. No subjective interviews or nepotism. It is a well regarded program and is academically tough. Know your stuff before you get in because it moves fast and there is TONS of reading. Most of the faculty is pretty nice. There are always a few people that are difficult personalities. Lots of papers and all tests (except for the quarterly math test) are NCLEX style computer multiple choice/select all that apply format. Campus is beautiful and located at the Washington State University -Vancouver campus. Clark grads are sought after and many have jobs by graduation. Down sides to this program include the pay for parking campus (added fees!), if you don't do well in a module learn it yourself kind of format. If you are a weak paper writer this will be an issue as well. Good luck.

peatie · May 16, 2008

Thank you so much Shannon! Very very helpful and i really like your candor! I pretty much have the attitude that I cannot accept anything less than an A in all my pre-req courses. Since I am also a CNA, i know I have some points there. I will take anything I can get! :)