Niagara County Community College

]Hey everyone, I am planning on attending NCCC this fall for nursing (extended track) and was wondering if anyone who has gone to school there can give me the heads up on what to expect. What are the instuctors like? and what area hospitals are used for clinicals?

Any info would be greatly appreciated :)

Hi Labrys:

What is the extened track like? does that mean you finish the program in 3 years instead of 2 years?

I've applied to NCCU, but cannot go this year go due to various reasons. I've heard the school is tough and they have a very high drop-out rate to keep the accrediation.

Hi Labrys,

I'm in the RN program at NCCC :). So far my experience has been good, but... overwhelming? I think that's typical of all nursing programs, though. The beginning is tough. Just trying to figure out your schedule, where you classes are, what section you're in, when everything will be happening (like clinical and lab), and whatever else is stressful, but everything starts to fall into place after the first couple of weeks; you start to have an idea of what's expected of you, what to expect from the instructors, how the tests/evaluations are, etc.

As far as I can tell, the instructors are really diverse and helpful. Janet Trinkwalder is the head of freshman nursing and she makes herself really accessible to you, as do all the other instructors I've come across. I've been at school at 9:45pm at night and seen them still there working, so I've really started to respect them for the time/effort they put into the program for us. And for how disorganized and stressful things seem to be, they do a good job of trying to help everyone understand lectures/lab/clinicals and attempting to keep everyone calm about upcoming tests/evaluations.

For clinicals there are about 25 different places you can go, and it's basically a first come, first serve type deal when you register. Off the top of my head, I know they have clinicals at St. Mary's, Odd Fellow, Schofield, Our Lady of Peace, DeGraff, Mt. View, Lockport Memorial, Millard Fillmore, Briody's, Beechwood, and a whole lot of other places that I can't think of right now :).

Oh, and rhp13, "extended track" just means that she's getting all the non-nursing classes required for the degree out of the way before she goes into the nursing program/takes nursing classes.

I hope this information helped. If you have any more questions, just let me know.

- Jenn

Hi Labrys,

I'm in the RN program at NCCC :). So far my experience has been good, but... overwhelming? I think that's typical of all nursing programs, though. The beginning is tough. Just trying to figure out your schedule, where you classes are, what section you're in, when everything will be happening (like clinical and lab), and whatever else is stressful, but everything starts to fall into place after the first couple of weeks; you start to have an idea of what's expected of you, what to expect from the instructors, how the tests/evaluations are, etc.

As far as I can tell, the instructors are really diverse and helpful. Janet Trinkwalder is the head of freshman nursing and she makes herself really accessible to you, as do all the other instructors I've come across. I've been at school at 9:45pm at night and seen them still there working, so I've really started to respect them for the time/effort they put into the program for us. And for how disorganized and stressful things seem to be, they do a good job of trying to help everyone understand lectures/lab/clinicals and attempting to keep everyone calm about upcoming tests/evaluations.

For clinicals there are about 25 different places you can go, and it's basically a first come, first serve type deal when you register. Off the top of my head, I know they have clinicals at St. Mary's, Odd Fellow, Schofield, Our Lady of Peace, DeGraff, Mt. View, Lockport Memorial, Millard Fillmore, Briody's, Beechwood, and a whole lot of other places that I can't think of right now :).

Oh, and rhp13, "extended track" just means that she's getting all the non-nursing classes required for the degree out of the way before she goes into the nursing program/takes nursing classes.

I hope this information helped. If you have any more questions, just let me know.

- Jenn

Hi, Jenn:

Thanks a lot for such detalied information.

The school said I can apply for re-admission for 2006. By that time, I should have finished A&P I, II.

I am going to apply to several other schools as well.

Actually, I was not surprised you said the faculty and staff work hard. When i called them, one lady from the department answered the phone, she was very nice and patient.

I wish you the best in your program!

Maggie

Just a word of advice from someone who was passing nursing III and still didn't pass because the instructors pick who they want to pass and who they don't after nursing II. Watch what you say and don't expect the instructors to be so nice in III. The oxygen clinical rotation will be the most difficult thing you've ever done. You can get U's in your clinical tool for EVERYTHING! I was a great student who didn't say boo to anyone. I had friends and got along with all instructors but for some reason, my clinical instructor was informed to fail me clinically because of paperwork (care plans are a nightmare). Two rotations like that and BANG, I'm out of the program until 2006 and have to take nursing III all over again, even though I was passing academically. When you go for help, they turn you away. There was a list of students to be "weeded out" in nursing III and that's exactly what they did. Believe me, if I slacked off, I'd admit it. I wanted to graduate in May of 2006 more than anything in the world! I'm not a spring chicken anymore and don't have years and years to finish school. I need a job now. But NCCC willingly took my money in Sept. 05 even though the nursing department had no intentions of passing me in nursing III. Sometimes you can do the best you've ever done and it's still not good enough. Good Luck and don't take clinicals with anyone with the initials of JW. If you do, you'll know what hell is like!

Just a word of advice from someone who was passing nursing III and still didn't pass because the instructors pick who they want to pass and who they don't after nursing II. Watch what you say and don't expect the instructors to be so nice in III. The oxygen clinical rotation will be the most difficult thing you've ever done. You can get U's in your clinical tool for EVERYTHING! I was a great student who didn't say boo to anyone. I had friends and got along with all instructors but for some reason, my clinical instructor was informed to fail me clinically because of paperwork (care plans are a nightmare). Two rotations like that and BANG, I'm out of the program until 2006 and have to take nursing III all over again, even though I was passing academically. When you go for help, they turn you away. There was a list of students to be "weeded out" in nursing III and that's exactly what they did. Believe me, if I slacked off, I'd admit it. I wanted to graduate in May of 2006 more than anything in the world! I'm not a spring chicken anymore and don't have years and years to finish school. I need a job now. But NCCC willingly took my money in Sept. 05 even though the nursing department had no intentions of passing me in nursing III. Sometimes you can do the best you've ever done and it's still not good enough. Good Luck and don't take clinicals with anyone with the initials of JW. If you do, you'll know what hell is like!

Hi there, and welcome to the site. This is a slightly old thread, so you might not get a response.

I encourage you to visit the Introductions and greetings area, so you can introduce yourself to the members.

Just a word of advice from someone who was passing nursing III and still didn't pass because the instructors pick who they want to pass and who they don't after nursing II. Watch what you say and don't expect the instructors to be so nice in III. The oxygen clinical rotation will be the most difficult thing you've ever done. You can get U's in your clinical tool for EVERYTHING! I was a great student who didn't say boo to anyone. I had friends and got along with all instructors but for some reason, my clinical instructor was informed to fail me clinically because of paperwork (care plans are a nightmare). Two rotations like that and BANG, I'm out of the program until 2006 and have to take nursing III all over again, even though I was passing academically. When you go for help, they turn you away. There was a list of students to be "weeded out" in nursing III and that's exactly what they did. Believe me, if I slacked off, I'd admit it. I wanted to graduate in May of 2006 more than anything in the world! I'm not a spring chicken anymore and don't have years and years to finish school. I need a job now. But NCCC willingly took my money in Sept. 05 even though the nursing department had no intentions of passing me in nursing III. Sometimes you can do the best you've ever done and it's still not good enough. Good Luck and don't take clinicals with anyone with the initials of JW. If you do, you'll know what hell is like!

Sorry to hear your unpleasant experience. Thank you for your advice. And wish you luck in your future.

Just want to say Hi to my fellow western NY'ers. I am from Rochester! Welcome and good luck!

Just want to say Hi to my fellow western NY'ers. I am from Rochester! Welcome and good luck!

Hello WNYers ! Born and raised in good ole Wyoming County - been in KY for 12 years now - miss everybody back home

Winters are much nicer here though

just want to say hi to my fellow western ny'ers. i am from rochester! welcome and good luck!

i'd understand your worry. i'm not sure you'll get this sine you posted a while ago. if you need any advice, feel free to im me. i'm in nur 4. i'll (hopefully) graduate this may. the poster that failed 3 was correct on their way of "weeding out" students so watch your back. mind your p's and q's and study every night. practice your skills and do not pay attention to what other people in class say about anything unless you trust their judgment and opinion. this school is excellent. but their way of making excellent nurses often make students resentful and physically ill with the stress that's put on us. i'm not crying a river or throwing a poor me party. it's proven that nccc is the best in western ny, but their idea of making good nurses is a walking contradiction and emotionally abusive.

watch me fail now that i posted this...lol

I have her now and she's awful. I get sick every noght before clinical and in the bathroom the following morning after. Nothing is good enough for her. And I work my butt off too.

I'm sorry that happened to you. I don't know if we know eachother, but I wish you the best luck upon your return and you wiull return cause you'll kick a$$ this time. I have my notes typed if you want me to email them o you. I'll help you with skills too. It sounds like you're a good egg (lol) and I hate to see hard working students go through this crap. Email me anytime.