Orange County Nursing Programs

[OCstudent]

Hello! I live in Orange County and I'm currently taking my prerequisites @ Saddleback. I'm looking into the nursing programs at GWC, SAC, and Saddleback. I was wondering if anyone here has attended these programs and could offer insight on their experience. I'm also wondering how long students had to wait before being admitted to the program, what their GPA was etc. I plan on eventually transerfing to CSUF or CSULB for my BSN & MSN, so any input on those schools would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks everyone!!!

[guzzebear]

I went to SAC class 12/05. I LOVE the school. The teachers are all every supportive. I am currently working in the ER at UCLA and feel very well prepared. The program makes you love nursing and give you a great base. In my class we started with 36 students and 30 students from the orginal students graduated. We have a very high Nclex passing rate in the 90's. Regarding the waiting list...we have two list one is lottery and other list is on point system. (your grades A-4,B-3) I only had to wait one semester. I know the school received a grant form our govenor and will be able to accept 60 more students in the future. Call the school or go to our website http://www.sac.edu to get more info....

GOOD luck and I hope the info is helpful

[Haunted]

SAC class of '98 here. I was on the wait list for Golden West, Saddleback and Sac for about 1 year. SAC called me one morning with an enrollment due to a cancellation and I showed up, got the spot and began my journey.

I enjoyed the campus and made a lot of friends. I have since had opportunities to work with students from all of the above colleges during my experience as a registry nurse and, while the Golden west instructors seem to be the most relaxed and have a great attitude towards the students, the best students I have encountered were either from SAC or GW.

Saddleback seems to be difficult to get into and the demographic profile of the students is pretty textbook ( blond, super model youngsters for the most part) which didn't impart a lot of confidence among the patients. Golden West students also had more medical background under their belts (!) which was conveyed by the confidence and comfort level they displayed during clinicals.

Also, SAC has undergone a lot of staff transition in the past few years, moving 4th semester instructors to 1st semester etc. There is one instructor who had a "notorious" reputation as a student eater who I had during my 4th semester. Obviously I got thru it, passed the NCLEX and even worked with her students during a rotation. I was able to tell her that she helped me to become a good nurse by teaching me to think critically.

Overall, no one that I work with asks me where I went to school, how long I have been a nurse or whether I have an advanced degree. It took years to get thru my pre lims, nursing school was BOOTCAMP and the profession has been a wonderful adventure. You never stop learning. Good luck.