New Dallas Student...help!

Ned the Red · Dec 26, 2003

I don't like the sound of this one - I'm also planning on going to El Centro but haven't heard anything bad about it. What have you heard???

mysunmoonstarz · Dec 29, 2003

Just that they are being "watched" because of low pass rates in the past. I was a patient in a Dallas hospital last week & was told by a nurse there that it could actually be a good thing though (knowing they were being watched - rather than not being watched, i guess) she still told me to keep my eye out for other schools in the area, but I have been unsuccessful so far. People have told me about Brookhaven & a new program next year in Irving but I believe those are just satellite programs of the El Centro program as they are all under the DCC. What are your thoughts??

Ned the Red · Jan 2, 2004

You're right - Brookhaven and Northlake are both satellite programs for the main program at El Centro. I guess my feeling is that I don't care that they're being watched - as long as they prepare me to pass the license testing after I've graduated. Next week I start night school to go after my last pre-req and if that works - full time at El Centro starting January '05!

mysunmoonstarz · Jan 2, 2004

Hello~

I was wondering if you had heard anything regarding Brookhaven moving its nursing program to Irving?

Thanks for your help!

Cyndi

2005 Nurse · Jan 5, 2004

Actually, Brookhaven has their very own program now. They will be accepting 30 students for the next 3 years. This program will be strictly Brookhaven and will not be considered a "satelite" program.

As for Irving, they are saying that Northlake may be the new alternate campus (satelite) but I haven't got a confirmation on that for the program starting next fall.

brent · Jan 25, 2004

When I was looking at nursing schools in this area I had 2 friends of mine (who are nurses) tell me to go to NCTC (North Central Texas College). One of these friends graduated from El Centro and told me that the doctor she works for wants NCTC grads. In fact, a representative from this doctors office came to our class trying to recruite. The military recruites more nurses from NCTC than any other school in Texas. It really does have the best reputation. I have never heard anything but possitive feadback from doctors and other nurses about NCTC. They have 3 campuses in the area. If you want more info, let me know and I can get you in touch with some people. I can tell you from first hand experience that the quality of education you get at NCTC is excellent. Good luck to you. (No, I am not an employee of NCTC, just a proud grad of their nursing program) [email protected]

brent · Jan 25, 2004

When I was looking at nursing schools in this area I had 2 friends of mine (who are nurse) Tell me to go to NCTC (North Central Texas College). One of these friends graduated from El Centro and told me that the doctor she works for wants NCTC grads. In fact, a representative from this doctors office came to our class trying to recruite. The military recruites more nurses from NCTC than any other school in Texas. It really does have the best reputation. I have never heard anything but possitive feadback from doctors and other nurses about NCTC. They have 3 campuses in the area. If you want more info, let me know and i can get you in touch with some people. I can tell you from first hand experience that the quality of education you get at NCTC is excellent. Good luck to you. (No, I am not an employee of NCTC, just a proud grad of their nursing program) [email protected]

PMHNP10 · Jan 25, 2004

Originally posted by mysunmoonstarz
I am planning on attending nursing school in dallas after I finish my pre-req's here in nm...i have heard more bad than good on my school of choice, el centro, any other options on dallas schools that someone can help me with would be greatly appreciated. I heard that they were under watch, just heresay so I don't know...Thanks!

I have no idea who is telling you about el centro, but if you'd care for some facts about them, I can give them to you. As of April, they were given "continued full accreditation with commendations" (whatever that means) which so happens to be the only school to have this standing with the BNE since then. Unfortunately I don't have pass rates for 2003, but in 2002 they had a 85.7% pass rate; 93.7 the year before; and 89.9 the year before. By comparison, the Brookhaven branch had a pass rate of 92.9% in 2002; 95.8% in 2001; 90.5% in 2000. And further comparison: NCTC--93%; 78%; and 90.9%. I will make the same disclaimer as a previous poster did about their school, but I went to none of the above--in fact none in the DFW metroplex, so I'm not giving a biased opinion.

Good luck in whatever decision you make.

Ned the Red · Mar 3, 2004

Brent,

I looked at NCTC too (I live in Denton County) but somewhere I heard that their clinicals are in Oklahoma, or at near the TX OK border. Too far for me and I'd rather be in the Dallas area hospitals - better training.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Mar 3, 2004

I've never heard of NCTC, but stranger things have happened.

If you are interested in the NCLEX pass rates, go to the BNE site and look them up. Much more dependable than something someone else tells you.... I was just at that site yesterday, and the pass rates are posted for like, the last ten years.

Brookhaven is part of DCCCD (Dallas County Community College District) and as such won't be moving out of Dallas County. They have been a "branch" of El Centro for quite a while but are starting up their own, freestanding, independent program.

If you can get into a school with a class of 30, go for it. I cannot imagine the luxury of such attention! I attended Collin County (you guessed it! CCCCD) for 3 of the 5 semesters of their program (they are now down to 4 semesters rather than 5), and we had 70 in our class. I transferred out and am now very happy elsewhere, thank you.

I do have friends attending El Centro. They are happy there and not inclined to change schools. I took Micro there, the summer before I started my program, and if I hadn't felt obligated to CCCCD, I'd've gone to El Centro--and paid the higher out of county tuition.

IMHO the DCCCD programs are excellent, you will be well trained and you will be a good nurse when you come out the other end!

If you have the option of living in one of the suburbs north of Dallas (say, Allen, Plano, McKinney or those parts), you might consider Grayson County. They have a much larger class size, a lower attrition rate (fewer people flunking out) and a slightly lower NCLEX pass rate (probably because more of their students finish the course and thus get a shot at the NCLEX, as opposed to other schools who weed out and weed out and weed out, but then have higher NCLEX pass rates). The differences were rather neglible IMHO.

Welcome to Texas, in advance!

nearlyERRN · Mar 6, 2004

Being a very tired 4th semester El Centro nursing student, I can speak from experience when I say that nursing school is truly what you make it. While I can attest to the program's high degree of difficulty, we are not taking a class in underwater basket weaving! Yes the program is challenging and yes there are many, many, many frustrating situations everyday, but if one is very determined to be a good nurse, you will succeed.

El Centro, like all nursing programs, has its pros and cons. A majority of the faculty could care less whether or not you graduate. However, there are those that I will forever be indebted for their patience and wisdom. The school is not "being watched" and has only recently been honored once again by several accreditation groups.

If you go to El Centro, and you're very committed to becoming a nurse, you will do well. If you go and really aren't that sure you want to be a nurse, rest assured that you will find out all too quickly!