Need some advice - Mt. San Antonio College nursing program

[barcode120x]

Mt SAC has been on the "lottery" system for awhile and they are changing to the point system starting Spring 2013. I'm well aware of exactly how it works, but I needed some quick advice. I applied for the NP at Mt. SAC in October of 2010 and did the whole process with a nursing counselor. I wasn't called to take the HESI A2 test until Fall of 2011 (I passed, it was required that all applicants take it anytime that fall). I've waited 3 semesters now, but I don't expect to get in the program this coming fall 2012 and I need some alternate options/advice since they are changing to the point system come spring 2013. My grades have not been the best which technically scores me quite low on the new NP system. It's mainly my pre-reqs for the program are low (I got a B in Micro and Anat and C in Physio which averages to like 2.7 or so). Even my overall GPA is 3.2 or so

So, it all comes down to this, what should I do? I can't retake my pre-req classes at Mt SAC for a better grade, so should I just attend another CC and retake those classes for a better grade and try their programs? Most of the colleges in my area that have the nursing program are GPA based (both pre req GPA and overall). What are some thoughts about just going to a private university to just get it done?

What are some thoughts about transferring? I expected to get in the program and start off an RN with the associates and then transfer, but my chances are getting slim come Spring 2013. Should I consider transferring to a CSU or UC? Though, I do know that some of them are impacted and also GPA based so I don't really know.

I appreciate all the suggestions and comments, thanks!

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Haha funny thing is, it's the completely opposite when the Mt. SAC instructors talk about Chaffey; however, they do it in a respectful way in that they know Chaffey has a VERY high N-CLEX pass rate so there's not much of the "oh Mt. SAC is better than Chaffey," but they did tells us back at orientation that Chaffey instructors are tough and that there really isn't much help for the students there or rather, support for them to pass.

Anyways, what info would you like to inquire about specifically? By your comment, I'm gonna guess you are wondering how the instructors are like and how the support system works? I kinda know how Chaffey nursing works because my brother went there and graduated from their program about 5 years ago and he tells me that I'm very fortunate to have a great support system at Mt SAC. All the instructors are willing to go out of their to help you and they REALLY want you to succeed. All instructors including the director and such have an open-door policy. They even hire weekly tutors for each nursing class from former Mt. SAC nursing students and they are awesome. The best thing about this program is that you can easily tell that the whole program is there to help you to succeed and there are resources that are provided for free to help you out.

[Chaffey Student]

Here's the deal with the first semester instructors. The material is simply overwhelming, even for an "A" student. Pile on top of that the daily and unforeseen things and it becomes daunting. Add to that work, and you have nearly impossible. But do they care ? Nope ! It's their way or the highway. As I told one of them, I get more simpathy from the people who pay me than I get from those I pay to educate me.

To date my grades are fine, but I've literally become sick from the fatigue of working, doing the necessary chores that need to be done at home, dealing with the assignments that are given, the extra credit assignments we're given, the two day deadlines for careplans, and 10 hours in clinicals.

Here's an example of the upcoming weekend for me. Clincals were 10 hours, the care plan requires taking information on a patient obtained during clincals and putting H&P, labs, meds, and chief complaint, into the appropriate cluster. On top of that we are required to do 5 NANDAs, and 2 workups on the patient. We also need to write up a paper on a specific test, and read 7 chapters from three different books. The care plan and report are due at noon on Sunday, but I work 8 hours on Saturday. I also work on Monday which is the only day I have off from school. Tuesday we learn a new skill that we will get checked off on a week later, and Wednesday, we have an exam on material we learned a week earlier, and then lecture. Sorry, but I went into the week to illustrate my point. There is lab time but that cuts into study time. Does that in anyway resemble a typical week at Mt Sac ?

[clairesmommy]

@ Chaffey Student- I have never heard anyone in the Mt.Sac program reference Chaffey or its program. Mt. Sac nursing is focused on their own program and helping there students prepare for the NCLEX. Mt. Sac faculty treats its students like family and encourages the students to do the same. Every instructor I've had so far has gone out of their way to help and support students. The workload is no different than what you are describing its not any easier over here. Right now we have theory, clinicals, and pharmacology going at the same time which means tests 2x every week with care plans, assessments, presentations and tons of chapters to read- between school and study were running about 60 hour work weeks (at least I am). We don't have extra credit assignments. Nursing school is intense. In orientation everyone was advised not to work because the workload was so heavy. I would not start over in a new program at this point, it sounds like you have already spent a lot of time working towards being successful and just seem a little burned out. I feel sorry for other programs that feel the need to berate Mt.Sac because it has a great reputation and awesome instructors. As my classmate mentioned their goal is to make you successful not fail you out. I choose to go to Mt.Sac for this reason, I was not interested in any other programs so I was willing to wait and now I am in and couldn't be happier- stressed out but happier :)

[Chaffey Student]

Thank you for that. That tells me a lot. I feel I made an incredible mistake by not doing a little research before applying. I don't particularly like the snobbery that faculty display at Chaffey, and I think my personality and the personalities of the faculty clash. I'm not particularly stoic when I study. One instructor even accused me of being flipant and not serious. Having been in the military, and a career police officer, as well as a field training officer, I believe levity and a light atmosphere makes for a better learning environment. I also have issues with being removed from clinicals because of making a mistake that was corrected by the instructor that was present. Would a Mt Sac instructor do that ?

If I may ask, where do you do your clinicals ? My mom has to go to DaVita for dialysis and she said 2nd sememster students were at the Upland facility yesterday. The hospitals Chaffey students go to are Pomona Valley, San Antonio, Kaiser Fontana, and Arrowhead Regional. For Psych., we either go to Arrowhead or Loma Linda University Medical Center.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Fundamentals which is Nursing 1A start at a nursing home. The only site that both our schools share according to your list is San Antonio. The rest of our hospital are more west off the 60/10 freeway such as Chino Valley, PIH, ICMC, Queen of Valley, Foothill Presbyterian, etc. In maternity and peds there are more bigger hospitals such as Pomona, and some LA ones that I forget. Psych is completely different of course, duno those sites yet.

Like claire had said, you seem to be "used to" the chaffey program and settled in and I too would recommend you try to stick to it if it's not too late. I too am glad I did not pick chaffey. My brother had it tough through it, but he's a naturally smart and caring guy and he made it through the entire program as valedictorian as well, but the one thing he told me to do was avoid Chaffey when I began applying for nursing schools. There were very few instructors he liked.

In response to your work load, I can't really say we have it easier or harder. Of course, every program is different. As of this 2nd semester, or weekly schedule basically follows 1 day of lecture which is on Monday, about 5ish hours long and we choose, either one 12 hour clinical shift or two 8 hour clinical shift per week. There are weekly quizzes for the lecture and 1 care plan per class (what I mean is one for med-surge, 1 for maternity, etc). And YES, care plans are very deadly...haha. If you don't already know, start early...I learned that the very hard way.

In response to your question about being removed from clinical. I had 2 classmates that sorta through that. One of them was unable to do IV piggybacks in the order that "THEY" want us to set it up in so my clinical instructor had him try a couple times, but didn't do so well. He recommended my classmate to go back to skills lab on his day off to practice so he can do it properly the next time. My other classmate said she gave Levonox SQ the way the clinical teaching assistant wanted it, but when she did that technique with her actual instructor, she was written up for it. The slip is signed by the student for "remediation" where they have to go back to skills lab and practice the skills in front of another RN and get "signed off." As for actually being "removed" from clinical, I have not heard of that happening with any of my classmates.

[Chaffey Student]

I already bailed. I got tired of the negative reinforcement. I want to go somewhere where I can actually learn without feeling like I'm being dogged. I have a lot of life experiences and I was doing vital signs before my instructors went into nursing. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure they know their jobs but I refuse to be treated like I'm some green teen with no life experiences. If being hammered for making mistakes with an instructor present is the norm, I think I'll just go quietly into retirement and forget about it.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Ah I see. Well then, if you actually are looking into another program, think about going to Mt. SAC! And if so, you better get started cuz it'll be another waiting period =/

[Chaffey Student]

I'm thinking I should start by taking all of my transcripts to a counselor. Do they have counselors that specifically focus on the ADN program ? Once I get an Idea what I'm working with, the next step is to make sure I have all of the necessary prerequisites. Do they give military veterans priority status ? Sorry, but I'll take whatever advantage I can get.

This is important to me because I want to work for the VA. I'm just disappointed that the school with the best reputation wasn't a good fit for me. But I do understand how they got their reputation even if I don't like their methods.

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Yes, there is one counselor, maybe two that are nursing specific counselors. I forgot their names, but if you want to set up and appointment, call the counseling department and let them know you're interested in the nursing program and they'll set you up an appointment with those specific counselors. As for veteran status, as far as I know, you have priority status in getting classes (your registration date is 1st day), but in terms of the nursing program I'm not exactly sure. 1st day registration already is a good advantage because then you can get all the classes that are the required for the program done first AND also when you get into the program, you'll be one of the first nursing students to pick whichever hospital site you want due to your early registration date. I don't know if you are aware, but they recently switched from lottery-based acceptance to this new "multicriteria" screening system which is basically the point system. Here's the link.

http://www.mtsac.edu/nursing/pdf/Multi Screening Criteria Final.pdf

Looks like you only get 2 points for being a veteran, but extra points is extra points. As long as you have a good pre-requisite GPA, you should be high up on the list.

But yeah, definitely look into Mt. SAC! Get started by applying for the school so you can get an ID number, get an appointment with the nursing counselor and get your transcripts in. You can also give the nursing department a call too for any information that you need as well.

[Chaffey Student]

Already have a number from the late 70's. Took some law enforcement courses between times in service while I waited to see if positions were going to open in '77. LE jobs were frozen so I joined the Army and was a military policeman until '81 then spent 20 years in law eforcement after that.

Anyway, that's ancient history, I'm getting pumped to get it done at Sac once again.

Since I live just down the road from SACH, I think I might be inclined to go there. Of course I'm very familiar with QVH. Worked there as security after the USAF and while I went to school.

BTW, thanks for the PDF, that's good information.

[GOODMED]

Hi Pzhu3,

Wondering what college did you retake your anatomy? Thx

May 3, '12 by Pzhu3

Hi,barcode 120x,

I have the similar situation as you. I applied Mt Sac nursing program almost the same time as you. I took all my prerequsite classes in PCC. I got English1 B, Anatomy B, Microbiology B, and Physiology A, then I went to another college to retake the Anatomy and Microbiology, I got both of them A. I did not update my score to Mt Sac yet. I passed my Hesi test last December 2n, and passed the test. This March, I got a let from school, told me that my current lottery list is position 84. I called the nursing department and asked them about my situation. they told me that I should not be accepted by the program for fall 2012 but they need to choose 60 students in the program. But I should be in the program in spring 2013 because at that time, my lottery list is at 24.