My options for becoming an RN in Michigan

U.S.A. Michigan

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I was aiming for acceptance into the nursing program at MCC but with a 3.7 GPA and 86 on the HESI, things aren't looking too good this time around. While I'm hoping to get a nice 4.0 next semester and I believe I'm capable of getting a 90+ on the HESI if I were to retake it, I'd like to know what my other options are. Are there any other schools in Michigan, perhaps in a less populated area, where entrance into a program is pretty much guaranteed?

For HFCC is it competitive at all or are you basically in as long as you fit their standards? Is there priority at all given to those with a better GPA or anything along that nature?

HFCC is not competive; it is a waitlist based. You could have a 4.0 and would have to wait until your name comes up on the list in the order you where placed. They say the wait in 2008 is 1 1/2 to 2 years, however people have not waited that long in the past to be invited. If you have not completed all of your pre-reqs, this would be ample time to get them out of the way.

To be placed on the wait list you will need to pass the NET, have a minimum 2.7 GPA and have completed ENG 131, ENG 132 and PSY 131. In order to pass the NET, you will need to have a minimum score of 65 for math, 65 for reading and 65 composite score. Good news is that the NET is not incredibly hard - math was a breeze, reading was more challenging. Bad news is you only have 3 chances to pass or else you will no longer be eligible for their nursing school.

Good luck to you!

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HFCC is not competive; it is a waitlist based. You could have a 4.0 and would have to wait until your name comes up on the list in the order you where placed. They say the wait in 2008 is 1 1/2 to 2 years, however people have not waited that long in the past to be invited. If you have not completed all of your pre-reqs, this would be ample time to get them out of the way.

To be placed on the wait list you will need to pass the NET, have a minimum 2.7 GPA and have completed ENG 131, ENG 132 and PSY 131. In order to pass the NET, you will need to have a minimum score of 65 for math, 65 for reading and 65 composite score. Good news is that the NET is not incredibly hard - math was a breeze, reading was more challenging. Bad news is you only have 3 chances to pass or else you will no longer be eligible for their nursing school.

Good luck to you!

You also have to have Chem 131 completed and Math 080 (since 074 won't get you into the chem class)
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I keep hearing people say that the reading part was particularly hard. For what reasons is this exactly? Are there any strategies I should be keeping in mind?

Thanks everyone for your help.

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I bought a net test book and just went over the reading part until i could figure out what they wanted. I ran out of time for the english part and still passed. They only give you 35 minutes for it. so I started timing myself as I studied for it

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Specializes in ICU.

I am currently on the waitlist at HFCC and I was told I would be called probably Winter of "09". I was just curious if anyone out there can explain how clinicals work? I currently work full time days and I'm trying to figure out how i'm going to continue to earn a living once they start.:idea:

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Specializes in Adult Acute Care Medicine.

In my experience each clinical was a bit different. It depends on the instructor and the actual clinical itself....for example mother-baby is very different from psych and both of those are different from pediatrics.

Generally, you will spend a day or so a week in the hospital environment, working directly with patients, performing nursing functions (you and a smaller group of students). At first these will be basic, such as taking vitals or health histories...more will be expected from you each semester. After pharm you will pass medications under the supervision of your instructor. Near the end of school you will most likely have a full pt assignment and do nearly all pt care and charting.

Each instructor may require different paperwork, careplans etc. Some of my instructors did a post-conference so we could all talk about our pts/experiences that day.

If you have more specific questions, I'd be happy to try and help answer them.

Good luck!

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I am currently on the waitlist at HFCC and I was told I would be called probably Winter of "09". I was just curious if anyone out there can explain how clinicals work? I currently work full time days and I'm trying to figure out how i'm going to continue to earn a living once they start.:idea:

I was also told winter 09 maybe we'll end up study buddies :idea:. I was also told by a friend that I should work as little as possible during the nursing program. I'm figuring on working weekends.

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There are several different clinical configurations at HFCC. You can choose Tu/Wed clinicals from 6:50 am - 2 pm or so, then Thur/Fri lectures. Mondays are usually open during this option, though some classes use them for test days.

You can also choose Thur/Fri clinicals, same time, then Tu/Wed lecture. Same test days.

Some classes offer 12 hour Mondays - the whole day is a clinical and that takes care of it for the week. Not sure when lecture is. That is a popular option for people like you - you HAVE to work. Yet another option (for some classes) are Tu/Wed clinical, then lecutre from 5-8 both those days - again, only 2 days at school. leaving the other three to work.

These are the options that have been available lately. However, as clinical spots and instructorsd are getting harder to come by every semester, the school is getting more creative and more restrictive.

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Specializes in ICU.

Hi Tonyal,

What classes are you taken right now? Maybe we've seen each other and don't even know it.

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Now I am in A&P 2 on t&th nights and Pharma on Wed. mornings.I also have 2 online classes.

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Specializes in ICU.

I'm taking A&P on M/W and pharm on Tue. but both at night.

Best of luck to you!

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Specializes in Operating Room.
The wait seems to be a lot shorter lately. I've heard of people getting in under a year, even 9 months! They're admitting more and more people, so that wait list really got trimmed in 2007.

From what I've heard on the grapevine over a hundred letters sent out for the Fall 2007 semester were NOT accepted, so many people were bumped up.

I was put on the waiting list December 2007 and was told by my advisor I should be in Winter 2009. Whether I'm in Fall or next winter...I still graduate in 2010.....so two more years it is, and I'm fine with that. Time to finish pre-req's and maybe even a class or two that can go towards my BSN. :)

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