Portland Community College Fall

Jenna2016 · May 25, 2016

When I spoke with the advisor yesterday she said that most students prefer to do 12-12-9 credits the first term. It's pathophysiology 1 & 2 that bring it to 12 credits, but you can go either way. You can start with 9 credits the first term to ease yourself in or if you have to work, then take patho the 2nd and 3rd term.

kcheck5, MSN, APRN, NP · May 25, 2016

So these are the classes the first year:

Health Promotion, Chronic Care 1, Acute Care 1

Patho 1 & 2

Pharm 1 & 2

Your first term, you can opt to take Health Promotion (NRS110) only. Which consists of lecture twice a week, clinicals, skills lab, and sim lab. A small group did this. I did health promotion and patho 1 only because I didn't have to work as much, and I didn't have to take other classes. Some had to take micro in the fall if they had not done so already. I knew a handful who worked full time, too. So whatever example of my schedule that I explained in an earlier post, omit Patho if that is not what you are thinking of doing for your first term.

Your 2nd term, you will take Chronic Care (111), Pharm 1 for sure, and Patho 1 if you hadn't already or will continue on to Patho 2 if you passed the first term. This term is the hardest of first year. I honestly have no idea how the time had flown after all that craziness, haha. I felt there was an exam each week for about four weeks.

Your third term, which is what I am currently in right now, you will take Acute Care 1, Pharm 2, and Patho 2 if you took Patho 1 in the winter. Or if you're like me and took Patho in the Fall and Winter, I didn't have a third class! So I'm currently in Acute Care 1 and Pharm 2. So yeah, the 12-12-9 credit route :)

I knew of a few people who worked full time during the weekends, but 2nd and 3rd term you might have clinical on a Saturday rather than on Thurs or Fri or both. I worked part time first term, not at all 2nd term, and since I only had 4 weeks of clinicals this term, I have been working 3 days a week for the last 6 weeks of class. Unless there's a SIM lab or a meeting with your clinical instructor.

I hope that information helps!

bella0707 · May 25, 2016

Oh hm, didn't even realize that was possible. I need to talk to the advisor about financial aid so I guess I could be bothering them with these questions lol thank you for the reply

bella0707 · May 25, 2016

Ah my post came before I got to read your second one. Thank you, this really helps. I just got a better job and they are aware that my schedule will be all over the place for nursing school... But I wanted to get more hours in (and $$ saved) before working less. I only have one elective class to do and then my upper division classes so the program will be mostly nursing classes for the time being.

I don't know what I'd do if I had to take all those too!

rebeccajm · May 27, 2016

Hey kcheck5, thanks SOOO much for this info! It is incredibly helpful.

You mentioned that clinical are either Thursday or Friday but sometimes both. In which cases would it be both? What would the reasoning be for that?

Also, when do you get to sign up for a mentor and then when do you get to meet with your mentor? I am all ready to meet with someone asap to just start to feel acclimated.

kcheck5, MSN, APRN, NP · May 27, 2016

In regard to clinical, totally dependent on site. Sometimes they can only take students once a week or twice a week. Other nursing programs in the area may be using that same facility. Also dependent on the availability of the instructor. You'll hear, "It just depends" a lot in nursing school. Haha

As for the mentor program, I'm not on the "team" that coordinates it, but have volunteered to be a mentor. We just got started on doing a survey that would fit us to a mentee. You'll probably be contacted about that after orientation. I know we found out about mentors in early September, too.

12thirtyfour · May 27, 2016

Thank you for all your info Kcheck5. I'm curious, were you in long term care clinicals all year, or just first term?

kcheck5, MSN, APRN, NP · May 27, 2016

You get "post-acute" care two terms at most, but some will only have it for one term. I was lucky to begin the year with post acute care and had acute carw rotations at Providence St. Vincent and Tuality Community Hospital's med-surg units. Luck of the draw, I think! We're in the process of making our top 3 preferences for rotations and final practicum during our 2nd year. Excite times ahead for ya'll!

rebeccajm · May 28, 2016

So here's another question Kcheck5. How's the support at PCC? I've heard varying things about instructors and resources as well as rumors that there are many staff retiring this year. How has your experience been thus far?

Last question, I promise!!!! :)

Pdxstudent · Jun 13, 2016

So is anyone else anxiously waiting for orientation this Wednesday?! :yes:

12thirtyfour · Jun 13, 2016

Pdxstudent said:
So is anyone else anxiously waiting for orientation this Wednesday?!

Totally excited! Can't wait to meet everyone.

Eileenjp · Jun 14, 2016

Hey guys! I was just wondering if there was any important information regarding orientation on that paper that was handed out at the essay portion of the application process? I misplaced that sheet and am now a little worried that I am missing something since they have told us nothing more than where to go and what time to be there.. Other than that, see you all tomorrow!