OCstudent

I just found out I got in!!!! I applied to 3 local community college programs and I got in on my first try to Saddleback College! Woohoo! I was hootin' and hollerin' outside when I open my letter - I just can't believe it! Go class of 2009!

Last semester I took Anatomy & Chemistry together: Anatomy - tons of material to memorize, 18 hrs/week studying Chemistry - not that bad, 3 - 6 hrs/wk studying This semester I took Micro & Physio together: Micro - lots of material but it's interesting stuff so I'm having fun learning 10 hrs/week studying Physio - everything is conceptual so you just need to understand the material, not memorize it like Anatomy. 3-6 hrs/week studying. Overall I would say Anatomy was the hardest because there was so much memorization and it was the first intense science class I took in college. Also, our instructor was very demanding with tons of tests & quizzes so I had to study a solid 18 hours a week just to keep up. I ended up receiving an "A" in Anatomy, Micro & Physio and a "B" in chemistry.

Hey Luv2shopp - You have to keep in mind that Hoag is very much in a beach community so there are tons of traffice jams (I lived down the street from Hoag for a while). The closer you are to the beach - the more congested it will be. Besides, I don't recall there being a Walmart anywhere near that area. Good luck with whatever you choose!

Hi there! I'm very familiar with the OC area as I have lived here all my life. However, I am not a nurse yet so I can't offer you any insight at to what it's like to work in those facilities. But here's what I've heard: Hoag is great and location is beautiful. All of there new grads still start out doing night shifts so plan on lining those bedroom windows with foil! They also pay time and a half after 8 hours for 12 hour shifts. You might want to consider living in the Costa Mesa area as it's not quite as expensive as Newport. It would probably take you 20 mins from there. I hear Saddleback is nice but has a lot of geriatrics patients as it's right next to Leisure World. They also have the Laguna Hills Mall across the street which is a nice little bonus. I see tons of nurses over there on their breaks. Mission Hospital is my favorite. Great facility, good location. They offer tuition reimbursent which is what I plan on signing up for. They also have an excellent children's facility if you're interested in pediatrics. Well good luck in whatever you decide!

Hey girl - hang in there! Everyone has pretty much said what I wanted to say, but below are some really good movies that will totally intrance your little girl. My daughter leaves me COMPLETELY alone when I put these in the DVD player. High School Musical Sky High Beethoven 1 & 2 Good luck!

I gotta put my .02 in and advise you not to take Chemistry online. I tried that a couple of years ago and it was a really bad experience so I'm taking it again this Fall in person. In my online Chemistry class I had a really terrible professor who just said read the book and I'll see you at the final. I'll never forget feeling so lost. At first I thought maybe I'm just not good at "online" courses, but I ended up doing very well in an online English class the next semester. I think because Chemistry is really intense and has lab work - it's best taken on campus. Good luck to you in whatever you choose to do!

Okay I'm a little bit worried about the TEAS - specifically in the math area. I'm really good at math - I passed the AP Calculus AB exam 4 years ago, but I haven't touched it at all since then. Should I take some classes to refresh my memory? Maybe start at Intermediate Algebra and work up from there? What would you do? I still have a year before I'm eligible to apply for the nursing program.

OMG - I was just thinking of starting a thread like this! I love ER, Trauma: Life in the ER, and EVERYTHING else on Discovery Health Channel. I have to record everything though and watch them all when my husband is not around. He can NOT STAND the sight of blood...so I have to sneak around him so I don't gross him out. :) I haven't tried Grey's Anatomy or House yet, but I've heard they're really good so I think I'll rent the first season and catch up on one lazy Sunday.

Thanks for all the responses - very encouraging. I don't plan on taking any other classes with Micro & Physio so I'm confident I'll have enough study time for both. I have a daughter who's 4 and she'll be in preschool during the day which will make the house very quiet. :) My main concern was that I needed to know Micro before Physio or vice versa. So many people have said different things, but I think if I get A's in both Anatomy & Chemistry this semester I'll be well equipped for Micro & Physio in the Spring. Here's to hoping! Thank you again everyone for all your responses!

Wow - it's crazy how different everyone's opinions are! My school actually recommends pre-nursing students to take the Anatomy & Chemistry together as they are in similar in many areas so going over material twice should really help. I'll let you know what happens at the end of the semester. I won't be working so I'll have nothing better to do than study. Oh by the way - has anyone ever taken Micro & Phys together? I have yet to come across someone who has but the counselor is recomminding it - um yeah, might have to go with my gut on that one and take them one at a time LOL!

I'm also quitting in about 3 weeks. I've managed working full time and going to school part time for the past couple of years and it is soooo stressful when you have a family at home. To me it's just not worth it. I've completed some Gen Ed classes but I have to take my science pre-reqs which will take me 3 semesters including next summer. And I REALLY need to focus all my efforts on them and get A's or I won't make the cut for an ADN program - I'm hoping to start in one by Spring '08. So I won't be working for the next 3 years (gulp)...I think we'll make it though. :)

thanks ddd - that makes me feel better! my husband works however it's commission only so it fluctuates. but realistically i'll probably have to take out a few here and there to make ends meet and ease worries. so i'm estimating it'll be about $36k total. on the other hand, i know that i'll be better focused on academics knowing the bills are being paid. :) by the way, what is a "prn" position? 5 years is nothing so i'd like to know more about that! thanks again.

The programs around here strongly advise against working+. Also, I have to keep my family in mind. Working mom + school = stress & average grades. I really can't afford that since nursing is so competitive. That's awesome that you were able to walk away with no debt - good for you! I'm hoping to have very little. :)

To all you graduates - what kind of debt did you walk away with from nursing school? How long do you estimate it will take to pay off? I hate the idea of taking out student loans but it may very well be necessary for the living expenses which are about $36k a year for my family of three. Fortunately, the grandparents are covering all the eduction costs of the ADN program so that's one less thing to worry about! Sooo...everyone please dish on the financial aspects of surviving nursing school! I'd really like to know what other people did. Thanks so much!

Hey everyone, I spoke with a counselor and was advised to take Anatomy with Chemistry in the Fall and Health Microbiology with Physiology in the Spring. I know doubling up on science class will be very time consuming but I don't plan on taking any other classes so I think I'll be able to handle it. Any advice? Has anyone ever done this before? Thanks!