You're right, there are 40 spots available for the CCC program. This last year they increased the standards that you had to pass in order to be granted an interview, so they ended giving only 50 interviews for 40 spots. The school accepted 40 people with 10 alternates. However, 22 of those people had applied to more than one school and were accepted at OHSU, Linfield, etc. The school took all 10 alternates, and still only ended up with 28 students. I'm sure they'll do something next year to prevent the same thing from happening, but I'm not sure what.
I think that most of my classmates got A's and B's for their pre-reqs. You are given points for your GPA (for pre-reqs only) during the acceptance process, but as long as you get a C or better, they don't put too much weight on good grades. If you ask any of the staff they will tell you that they believe that a person can be a great nurse and not have to be a straight-A student.
As far as the pre-reqs go, some of them were tough (especially A&P), but they are definitely passable. More than anything, they require lots and LOTS of time (time studying outside of class).
I'm doing my clinicals at Providence Milwaukee in the med-surg unit. Others in my class are at OHSU, Legacy Meridian Park, and Willamette Falls. What area you begin in really depends on which hospital you're at.
You have a chance during your second year to participate in preceptorships, where you spend time in a specific area that is of interest to you. Also, if you have an area you're interested in, the instructors are really good about trying to expose you to that field.
I think that covers about everything you asked! I know when I was starting my pre-reqs, it was SO helpful to get info from people already in various programs. Because of that, I'm very happy to answer any questions.
If you live near Clackamas and are interested in the transfer to OHSU, there's a counselor at CCC who specializes in the nursing program and has info on it. Her name is Jean Deveney and she is very helpful.
It's not techically Oregon, but I go to Clark Community College in Vancouver. They too have the agreement with WSU to immediatly go on to get your bachelors degree. I am not personally going that route, but sounds like it might work for you. Clark takes 32 students a quarter (Fall, Winter, Spring). It is a very hard program, but hey, what nursing program isn't? Thank goodness I am almost done. I just had clinical tonight and am actually starting to feel like I could actually (competently) do this for a living :0) Good luck...
Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.
The four campuses of OHSU are "the hill" (portland--main campus), Ashland, Klamath Falls, and Eastern Oregon. I think that K falls is doing away with their program but I am not quite sure. Anyway, I really enjoyed the school. I liked my teachers and I felt that the curriculum prepared me well (ok, not all the classes though). There are those that would disagree with me, I know some that hated it. But there are those with every class. I had some great teachers and some not so great. The program itself is one of the top ranked (of course I am not current in which rank now, if it even matters...). There are some grading differences between the campuses, which caused a big ruckus due to future grad schools as some feel it is not fair that one campus can get an A with a 90% and the other must get a 92% for an A. If they go head to head the one with the 90% can come out looking better grade wise....(you know, all the nit picky things stressed out students complain about :)
Anyway, I enjoyed my time there. If feel I got a good education, was able to hired into critical care and be successful due to a program that the school had (allowed me 6 months, full time in CCU prior to graduation...). It is hard work, but worth it.
I am a senior (yay!) at OHSU and could try to help you out with info about the program. If you already have a BS, they offer an "accelerated" program. This means that you take any classes you need to and then if you're accepted into the program you can graduate with your BSN in 18months (December) instead of 24 months. I'm not in the accelerated program so I can't give you firsthand info. I hear it is super challenging as far as getting everything done in a year & a half instead of 2. Some people think it is worth it to be out working that much sooner.
OHSU is competitive to get in, but not impossible. I had a 3.8 GPA.
This year they are actually adding a second junior class that is staggered so one group of I think 100 started in June and another group is starting in November.
I didn't have a prior degree so I took all my prereqs at PCC and it took me 3 years there.
Check out the OHSU website, it is usually pretty good about info. They have frequent info sessions at the school for the BSN program that you can go to just to get more info, if you're interested.
Hope some of this helps, good luck with whatever you decide.
Specializes in CCU (Coronary Care); Clinical Research.
Hello...I agree with what Beth said...also check out the website, it has a lot of good information...the admissions process is competitive, and I would guess there is a waiting list at the schools, I know for sure there is at portland and ashland...if you are going to have an ADN degree after your two years, OHSU does have an RN-BSN bridge program that takes less time (I'm not sure if this is the same as the accelerated program that beth mentioned)...I went after three years of pre-reqs so I just did the two year program to get my BSN. On the application form it asks you to rank which campus is your first and second choice...I do know some people that first applied to portland but that program was full so ended up coming to ashland or another campus...I think that portland has the biggest classes (not 100% sure though)...I know that when I was in school the class had 40 accepted and something like 80-100 applied...the next year they expanded the class to 50 accepted...Anyway...I can't remember the rest of your questions, but I hope that I answered them...I would recommend calling the school to ask...good luck...
I am attending Chemeketa Community College in Salem and can say that the program is extremely competitive to get into. There were 149 applicants for 54 spots. I never heard about the program having a "poor reputation in the 90's" as one of the previous posters alluded to. The big claim to fame of Chemeketa is that is has boasted the highest 1st try passing percentage on both LPN and RN liscensing exams of any nursing school in Oregon for the past 10 years. It has a reputation for being very difficult and certainly for "weeding out the weak". The instructors that I have met and been taught by are tough but fair. It takes very good grades and reading exam scores to be accepted into the program, and a strong work ethic and time management skills to get through. (I haven't made it yet!) I have heard good things about all the local nursing schools (Linn-Benton, Linfield, PSU, and of course OHSU) I think that if a person is dedicated to being a nurse, they will find a way to get into whatever school they want and be successful. Good luck to all that are trying!!
Right now I am applying for a CNA training position at the Salem Hospital....I'm sort of just confused about what to do at this point....
whether to go back and start prereqs for the RN program (since I already have a degree) - or try to become a CNA and then I can work while doing prereqs part time....then dedicate myself later to nursing school, I dont really expect to be able to work while doing that....
I love that Chemeketa has the option of transferring to OHSU...
my biggest fear is my GPA though...since I screwed around when I went to a junior college (but the transferred to the univ where I finished and got my act together) it hurt me....
I'll be honest - it's like a 2.8 - I'm scared
my grades were great before I graduated too - almost straight a's....I know I can do well in my prereqs too....
I'm not sure if a nursing school looks at GPA or improvement over the years
Does anyone have any words of advice here - or should I not bother trying to become a nurse or get into nursing school - will I just not be accepted....
The admission process at Chemeketa works on a points system, you get points based on what grades you get in many of the prerequisite classes. There are 8 general ed classes that are worth between 15-18.75 points, C=15, B=16.875, A=18.75 Then the bio series (A&P + micro) that are worth C=40, B=45, and A= 50 points. There is also a reading and vocab test that is worth up to 50 points. ( I've been told that anything over 25 is good) Oregon residents get 10 points automatically. The maximum possible would be 360 and the score needed to get in this year was 324. There are other classes that are also required that do not count for points, but are required to take other classes. You have to take math 70 before you can take chemistry, you have to take chemistry before you can take bio 231 (A&P 1) and 231 before 232.
I think that it is a great idea to work as a CNA before you start nursing school. It gives you a lot of exposure to many of the concepts that you will learn about in any nursing progam you will attend and it gives you experience that you will be very grateful you have once the clinical portion of nursing school starts. Salem hospital is one of the sites that Chemeketa students use and I know a few of the other students in my classes work there as CNAs. It is hard juggling family/work/school but I keep telling myself that it will pay off in the end. And time goes by REALLY fast when you don't have time for anything but those 3 things. It seems like yesterday when I started and now theres only 3 weeks left in NUR 106. (1st term) Good luck to you!
Does anyone who attends Clackamas CC know about the Nursing programs entry requirments besides passing all pre-reqs and being up to college level in reading,writing and math?
:)
Ex-Dilbert
13 Posts
Hi, Michael -
You're right, there are 40 spots available for the CCC program. This last year they increased the standards that you had to pass in order to be granted an interview, so they ended giving only 50 interviews for 40 spots. The school accepted 40 people with 10 alternates. However, 22 of those people had applied to more than one school and were accepted at OHSU, Linfield, etc. The school took all 10 alternates, and still only ended up with 28 students. I'm sure they'll do something next year to prevent the same thing from happening, but I'm not sure what.
I think that most of my classmates got A's and B's for their pre-reqs. You are given points for your GPA (for pre-reqs only) during the acceptance process, but as long as you get a C or better, they don't put too much weight on good grades. If you ask any of the staff they will tell you that they believe that a person can be a great nurse and not have to be a straight-A student.
As far as the pre-reqs go, some of them were tough (especially A&P), but they are definitely passable. More than anything, they require lots and LOTS of time (time studying outside of class).
I'm doing my clinicals at Providence Milwaukee in the med-surg unit. Others in my class are at OHSU, Legacy Meridian Park, and Willamette Falls. What area you begin in really depends on which hospital you're at.
You have a chance during your second year to participate in preceptorships, where you spend time in a specific area that is of interest to you. Also, if you have an area you're interested in, the instructors are really good about trying to expose you to that field.
I think that covers about everything you asked! I know when I was starting my pre-reqs, it was SO helpful to get info from people already in various programs. Because of that, I'm very happy to answer any questions.
If you live near Clackamas and are interested in the transfer to OHSU, there's a counselor at CCC who specializes in the nursing program and has info on it. Her name is Jean Deveney and she is very helpful.