Overwhelmed...!! Starting pre-reqs in Eugene

U.S.A. Oregon

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Hello All,

I am starting my first term at Lane Community College in Eugene next term. I am so overwhelmed with the entire process. This is a 2nd career for me (I have a BA in romance language). I started seriously investigating nursing school this year, and found that I have to take about 1.5 years of pre-reqs before applying for Nursing School (I am going for BSN through LCC's OCNE program).

I am trying to plan out my years so that I can be more competitive when I apply for the program. I have heard about the need to find volunteer work while finishing my pre-reqs. Can you please share information about where one can find volunteer experience and how? I tried Sacred Heart's volunteer line, but it was an automated answering machine. What volunteer opportunities can I expect as a student? Is it more like counseling, actual hands-on training or what?

I have to plan out the next 2 years because I am worried about how I can get the necessary funding....I am just so overwhelmed :(

Thank you!

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Specializes in NICU.

I worked as a volunteer at the hospital in Albany, before I went into the Nursing program. They had an office with a real person, not an answering machine. I worked on two different services, one as a messenger, I delivered mail, specimens to the lab, patients to their rooms. I also worked on the Maternal/Child floor, answered phones, call lights, took babies out to mom for feedings, stocked the rooms with nursing supplies. Also entertained kids whose family wasn't available. I learned a lot on that unit. I worked for about 2 hours one day a week as a messenger, gave that up when I went to Nursing School. The other job was 3-4 hours one evening a week, and I did that through much of my schooling. I was given 2 scholarships from them when I got in the program.

Go to Good Sam, see if they have a real person available. If not, just leave a message. It's good experience, and looks good on your resume, too!

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Hey there JD,

I'm in Eugene and I'm taking my pre-req's at Lane as well. Who told you that volunteer experience would help in the acceptance process? From the point break down that my counselor showed me, there's no points assigned for any kind of healthcare experience, either paid or volunteer.

Peace,

Cathie

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Cathie,

Actually, I did not know that you can ask to see the point break down from the counselor. Thanks for the info...I can ask her now :) How are you enjoying your classes so far? Are they really challenging?

I have just been reading a lot of postings and people kept mentioning that volunteer work will help with your admission. Maybe I am getting too much information...

Have you been able to work since you started your pre-reqs? I am quite concerned about that myself because I want to do well on all my classes, but I also want to earn some money on the side.

Thanks!

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hi jd,

the point breakdown is on the lane web site in the nursing program info packet (i'll include a link here)

http://www.lanecc.edu/fhc/nursing/documents/2007nsgadv-aug17.pdf

i've copied the point info for you and i'll paste it at the bottom of this message.

as far as your other questions, i work full time (i have to in order to support myself). i was taking 15 credits this term....but not successfully. my grades were good, but i got into a car wreck that was my fault, i just didn't see the guy. that's when i decided i was doing to much, i dropped a 3 credit class. now i'm in three classes, a&p1, nutrition, and writing 121. working full time and going to school full time is definitely not the ideal situation.....but it's doable. it just ain't pretty :)

a&p is challenging, i'm doing well so far.....but it takes a lot of work. nutrition isn't so challenging for me, i have digestive issues, so i had a good base knowledge of nutrition already....writting 121 is challenging and a bit time consuming (lots of re-writes :) ).

what classes are you planning for next term?

peace,

cathie

admission points

1. gpa of prerequisite courses: a maximum of 40 points will be awarded.

2. anatomy and physiology : a maximum of 10 additional points will be awarded.

- gpa of a&p i - -- five (5) points for a, 3 points for a b, no additional points

for a c. pluses and minuses will not be considered. if a&p i was

repeated, points will be awarded on the most recent grade for that course.

- five (5) additional points for the completion of the full sequence of a&p

courses (i, ii and iii) with a grade of c or better.

3. prior degree: applicants who hold a prior degree awarded no later than the end of fall 2006 will be awarded the following points for the highest earned degree:

- prior associate degree - - 2 points

- prior baccalaureate degree - - 3 points

- prior masters or higher - - 5 points

4. completion of all prerequisites: 5 points will be awarded if all prerequisites have been completed by the end of winter term (official transcript deadline of april 6, 2007).

5. 2007 discretionary points: each partner school will be able to select the focus for 10 discretionary points.

at lane, for 2007 these points will be awarded for:

- lane county residence - 6 points

- obtaining 33 points in the 2006 admission process - 4 points

- obtaining 32 points in the 2006 admission process - 3 points

- obtaining 31 points in the 2006 admission process - 2 points

- obtaining 30 points in the 2006 admission process - 1 points

in 2008 discretionary points at lane will most likely included:

- points for the completion of a course in cultural considerations in

healthcare, (at lane: ho 102- diversity issues in health care)

- points for proficiency or completing foreign language courses

- no points for prior admission points.

- continuation of lane county residence points to some extent.

6. proctored essay or proctored essay/interview:

- up to 30 points will be awarded for the proctored essay, or essay/interview based on shared criteria scoring guide. it is uncertain as to whether all applicants or the top applicants (150 to 200% of available positions) will participate in these processes. proposed factors to be used for development of the essay/interview questions are:

- diversity: the applicant expresses understanding, respect for, and/or experience with varied backgrounds, cultures, ethnicity, and lifestyles.

- personal values: the applicant responds to situational questions in a manner that demonstrates integrity and values compatible with nursing core values and code of ethics.

- communication: the applicant conveys information, feelings, and opinions to others orally and/or in writing. whether oral or written, information is organized and clear, with appropriate grammar and punctuation.

- motivational fitness: the applicant identifies expectations about nursing role and responsibilities that are congruent with reality, and demonstrates suitability to the role.

- tolerance for stress: the applicant describes strategies/behaviors that would enable maintaining stable performance under pressure.

- transferable skills: the applicant responds to situational questions in a manner that demonstrates skills such as problem solving, curiosity, leadership, critical thinking.

each applicant will be notified in writing of his/her status regarding admission into the nursing program. all admission decisions are final. the nursing department reserves the right to establish an alternate list for admission if needed. alternates will be notified if space becomes available.

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Cathie,

I have not finalised my schedule yet, but I probably will take WR 121, PSY 201, MATH 95 and Spanish 101. It will be pretty light load, but I am not sure how the schedule is going to accommodate for my wanting to work close to full time. I have to talk to the counselor very soon....It is so hard to make an appt with her.

Do you have a lot of male students in your class? I have done my research that the number of male nurses are growing, but I wonder if you see many in your current class.

Good luck to you! Perhaps I will see you on campus :)

JD

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Late input about Sacred Heart's Volunteer program. When I volunteered there 4-5 years ago, they had several orientation days for volunteers which were semi hard to get into due to many people wanting volunteer experience. My volunteer duties mainly consisted of stocking supply and linen cabinets and refilling water bottles. I had much more applicable volunteer experiences at the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic and at the hospital in Cottage Grove. It was worth the drive for me. I was able to include these experiences in my nursing school application essays. Good luck!

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medsurgnights,

thanks for your input. btw, which hospital in cottage grove? was it peace health? i am going to inquire soon.

thanks again!

jd

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Look at getting your CNA (nursing assistant) training and certificate, at some point either before or during nursing school. And get a job doing that part time or what ever. Most nursing schools I encountered looked favourably at candidates with a CNA background. Plus, when you have your RN, you will be looked at more favourably by potential employers. A great plus is that you will be able to practice or at least review your clinical skills on the job while you are in nursing school.

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Look at getting your CNA (nursing assistant) training and certificate, at some point either before or during nursing school. And get a job doing that part time or what ever. Most nursing schools I encountered looked favourably at candidates with a CNA background. Plus, when you have your RN, you will be looked at more favourably by potential employers. A great plus is that you will be able to practice or at least review your clinical skills on the job while you are in nursing school.

While getting a CNA is great for the other reasons listed above, Lane doesn't give any credit in the application process for being a CNA.

Peace,

Cathie

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