NGCSU feedback

I graduated from NGCSU one year ago and I loved it!! To answer your specific questions:

1. Everywhere I interviewed told me that they love North Georgia graduates. My first job was in Mother/Baby at Northside and they hired four of us at once.

2. The instructors were very supportive and I felt that they truly wanted everyone to succeed. They spent time in the lab teaching the skills and encouraged us to come in as often as we needed to practice. Lectures through distance learning was difficult at first, but I really grew to like it. They give you opportunities to ask questions at the end and it allows people who don't live anywhere near Dahlonega an opportunity to go to nursing school.

3. I felt very prepared for my first job at Northside. I went through a 12 week orientation and felt fine on the floor by myself when it was time for me to go. I decided after 8 mos or so that hospital nursing is not for me and I am now at a Pediatrician's office and I love it.

4. There were some skills that I had not learned in nursing school (like starting IVs) and others that I was not proficient at (like inserting indwelling catheters), but I felt fine about the skills I had and after talking to other new grads, I felt my skills were up to par. I didn't have any trouble getting up to speed once I started work.

5. I felt very prepared for the NCLEX. I graduated May 13th and passed the NCLEX the first time I took it on June 8th and with the minimum amount of questions. The class of 2006 had a 100% pass rate according the the Board of Nursing website.

Good luck with your decision, and I hope this helped!

I just wanted to say a belated thank you for the detailed response - I really appreciate hearing your point of view. I just finished my Prereq's so I have started reviewing information about the school again and getting organized for the start of classes in the fall. I wanted to ask you a few other questions about the first year and the intensity of the courses - is it possible to work part-time - 20 hours - and not go completely insane with the coursework? How true is it that you will have absolutely no life while in school?

Eflr:

I think you would be fine to work part time for the first year of nursing school at NGCSU - a lot of people did. The first semester of the first year is only Fundamentals and Nutrition and class only meets two half days a week and the last half of the semester you will add one clinical day. The second semester is just Fundamentals (plus clinical day the second half). So, although you will be busy, part-time work is manageable. The second year I WOULD NOT recommend it!! Both semesters you will have two classes plus two clinicals (OB/Peds, Med-Surg/Psych). You will be very busy and will need to devote a lot of time to your studies!! It is possible to have a life and go to nursing school - you just have to be very organized. But nursing school will dominate your life for sure! Just take one day at a time and stay on top of reading and written assignments and you will be fine.

Thank you so much - you have no idea how much I appreciate your feedback. I have been trying to find ways to get a feel for the program and what to expect - but it has been so difficult. Your comments have been really helpful.

I'd like to thank you both for your insights. It's been really helpful. I'm just applying for next year and I replied to a post of yours, Eflr, on an older thread before I realized how old it was.

Anyway, I asked about the pre-reqs. What did you have to take before the program and did you take it at NGCSU?

I also have a Bachelor's in Communications and I've only taken Algebra and Statistics for math and no sciences that would count.

Congratulations to you both!

I have recently been accepted to NGCSU program for nursing. I have a Bachelor's degree already and I am accepted to their Associates degree program. I have also been accepted to a similar program in Florida and I am trying to compare the two. I am interested to get some feedback from students / professionals regarding NGCSU's program.

Does it have a good reputation with hospitals?

Do the teachers offer good support and direction, or are you left on your own to figure things out? I am alittle concerned about the videoconferencing.

If you have graduated, did the program prepare you for what you experience in the field? Did the program provide you with the skills you need to get a good job and perform your job well?

Were you prepared for the NCLEX once you graduated?

Thanks!!

I would really appreciate your feedback!

was it hard to get into this program I was considering going there also

they sound very helpful over the phone any advice or warnings?

if u dont mind me asking what was ur gpa and TEAS scores like?

I think you only have to have A&P I to apply as for the sciences. But I would recommend getting A&P I&II and Microbiology done before you start. There is plenty of work to do without having to worry about those classes on top of it. I had AP math credits that took care of the Math for me. I think you will be exempt from most of the general studies electives if you have a BS - but if it was out of state, you will have to take a History or Political Science to meet the GA requirement. I would check the list on the NGCSU website for the general elective requirements and contact the admissions/registrar's office to find out exactly what you need to do. Also verify you do not need to take the Regent's exam. Applying is a complicated process - make sure you take care of all the details - make sure you apply to the Univerisity first - which is due in October or November, or else you will not be able to apply to the nursing school in February. Also start looking into the TEAS exam.

Hope this helps. Sorry about the delayed response. Let me know if I can help with anything else.

eflr