Polk State College Fall 2020 Hopefuls

[FlNurse248]

Hello ? I wanted to start a thread for those applying to the fall 2020 ADN nursing program at Polk State College. I know the application period isnt open until May, but I was wondering if anyone on here was planning to apply and what your points are? Best of luck to everyone!

[Amelia24]

Oh, I didn't see that... just the course requirement.

Are you a PCT? If so, is it worth the pay?

[nurse_stare_decisis]

I'm not a PCT, but I worked with them while completing clinicals in my LPN program. I think the starting pay is about $13-$14 an hour. I don't have any experience with the Baycare hospitals in Polk County, but at Countryside Baycare in Clearwater, PCTs had an insane amount of patients. My niece completed her RN program and was hired by Baycare before she sat the NCLEX. Her title was something like "graduate nurse." Essentially she was a tech with nurse pay. Once she passed her NCLEX, they wanted her to remain as a tech for another payroll cycle, with RN pay mind you, and she refused. She had worked as an LPN in SNFs for years and she wasn't used to the physicality of tech work. That said, I think Baycare is an excellent company to work for. As a PCT, you'll gain invaluable experience and they offer tuition reimbursement. I say, go for it and if it gets to be too much, request to go PRN. At least you'd have a foot in the door.

[JP.32792]

11 hours ago, nurse_stare_decisis said:

You don't have to take any classes. Just challenge the test. There are many free resources available. Are you wanting to work as a CNA while you're completing the RN program? Another alternative is getting a job as a tech at Baycare. Baycare doesn't require a CNA license - they train you before you hit the floor.

Yes, the 12 hour shifts would be better for me so I can consolidate my working time vs. school time. Thank you so much I’m gunna look into that! I also heard once we finish nursing 1 we can easily get hired on as a CNA or PCT, so if anything I suppose I can wait til next semester.

[nurse_stare_decisis]

6 hours ago, Breezy.33 said:

Yes, the 12 hour shifts would be better for me so I can consolidate my working time vs. school time. Thank you so much I’m gunna look into that! I also heard once we finish nursing 1 we can easily get hired on as a CNA or PCT, so if anything I suppose I can wait til next semester.

That's even better bc you'll have a chance to get a routine going with school. It's best to take on one challenge at a time.

[CoeurCommeHepburn, ASN, RN]

I'm trying to find info on if it's possible to transfer nursing courses to their associates program but I can only find it for their RN-BSN :(. I already started at Rasmussen and didn't even think Polk would accept me.

[JP.32792]

We're supposed to pay for the fingerprinting appt right? in the instructions it says do this so you are not asked for payment, but I was asked to pay $50? is that right?

[nurse_stare_decisis]

1 minute ago, Breezy.33 said:

We're supposed to pay for the fingerprinting appt right? in the instructions it says do this so you are not asked for payment, but I was asked to pay $50? is that right?

yes

[JP.32792]

11 minutes ago, nurse_stare_decisis said:

yes

Thanks!

Has anyone bought the Vsim gerontology thing yet?

[nurse_stare_decisis]

1 minute ago, Breezy.33 said:

Thanks!

You're welcome!

[nurse_stare_decisis]

3 minutes ago, Breezy.33 said:

Thanks!

Has anyone bought the Vsim gerontology thing yet?

Are you Generic or Transition, Breezy?

[JP.32792]

I am generic

[nurse_stare_decisis]

Just now, Breezy.33 said:

I am generic

I missed the first few minutes of the 12:30 meeting so I was worried that I missed hearing about the VSIM too. I guess when we get on Canvas in the morning I'll be able to see everything.