MikeinFl

219 is a shoe in. Congrats!

Thanks for the update. I am holding off on a tech position. I can't afford the pay cut just yet. I have some great contacts at some of the hospitals so I am hoping that will help out when the time comes.

117 points will not make it. The lowest scores are generally in the 185 range to get in. They go up form there into the 200's

UF just discontinued its accelerated BSN program along with the RN - BSN. It is posted on their web site. I spoke with the nursing advisor and there is no word as to if, or when, it may start again.

I will be finishing my ADN in May of 2008 and was wondering if anyone in the workforce had suggestions as to when I should start applying for positions?

I don't remember any books that were needed for orientation at FCCJ. You will get a handout with facts to memorize for dosage calc tests but that was it. You can hold off on books until classes start. Also, books are much cheaper through Amazon. Buy the used books there and you will save a lot of money. Just buy early. Everyone is cathcing on!

sbc8201, There are 3 guys in our group and 21 women. Every once in a while a patient will ask that the guys step out of the room but it is rare. We have classes at both campuses but next term all of them are at deerwood. They are trying to move most of the classes there. It is a much nicer facility. No problem with asking lots of questions. No one at the FCCJ Nursing Office will help you out most of the time.

Hi all, I am currently in the nights/weekends program at FCCJ and about to finish Term I. I would be happy to help with any questions you might have. I can tell you the cut off for our group was at 181 points. Our schedule was tests on Monday nights from 6 p.m. to whenever. For the frist few weeks we had techniques class on Tuesday nights from 6 - 9 p.m. That only ran about 4 weeks. Thursday nights was Concepts class from 6-9 p.m. Saturdays is clinical day from 7a.m. to 7 p.m. You are required to go to the hospital on Friday to gather your patient info and have your care plan written for Saturday morning. Sunday was Health Assesment class from 1 - 5 p.m. Pharmacology was online. If you are given the option, avoid this class online at all costs. It was very difficult! Our clinicals were at Baptist downtown but they do use most of the other facilities so there is no guarantee where you will end up. The first term is a lot of work but very doable. A lot of us are still working full time, with families and getting through the term. Biggest tip I can give you is to keep up with your reading. If you fall behind, catching up would prove difficult. Feel free to e-mail me with any other questions you might have.

181 was enough points for the Spring program at FCCJ.

I am also in the FCCJ program.

http://www.floridahurricane.net/ According to the web site above, Jacksonville is the least likely to be hit at odds of 1 in 100. The map shows the Tampa area at 1 in 25.

Your clinical location is assigned as well. It is part of your schedule.

The nights and weekends program for this semester is scheduled for tests on Monday night, class on Tuesday and Thursday from 6 - 10 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. We have an unusal schedule because of a delay in our start date. We hope to start 2/12. The normal schedule is tests on Mondays (this applies to all programs both days and nights), class on Thursday from 6 - 9 p.m., Saturday from 7 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. (clinicals) and Sunday 1 - 5 p.m. The NAT test is a peice of cake. The book FCCJ recommends is way overboard. I looked at the book and then put it away and scored very high on the test. A total score of 217 will get you in. The cutoff for the fall program was 182. On the day of orientation, you will get your schedule. You will be given a number for your turn to pick a schedule if you are in the day program. The night and weekend schedule is the same for everyone. Your overall score does nothing for you once accepted. Schedules are picked based upon a lottery system. The lower the number you pull out of the hat, the earlier you get to pick your schedule. As far as classes are concerned, the schedules are very similiar for everyone. The biggest difference is where you end up for your clinicals. I hope this answers most of your questions. Good luck!

Really look into Orlando and be sure about it before moving there. It thrives on tourism and the traffic congestion can really take its toll. Tampa and most of the cities south of Tampa are beautiful and less crowded. Look into Naples for LTC facilities. The population there is older and wealthier so that type of facility is prevalent. Naples is also a very nice place to live.

I spoke with Rick Garcia at the Florida Board of Nursing today and gathered additional information. Mr. Garcia was extremely helpful and willing to answer any questions I had. He explained that FCCJ submitted paperwork for the addition of students and a change in delivery method from in class lecture to online learning for the pharmacology class. The rules for these types of requests do not require FCCJ or a representative from the school be in attendance when these requests are discussed. FCCJ chose not to have anyone in attendance during this meeting. Since the Board of Nursing had questions concerning these changes, the issue was tabled until someone from FCCJ could address their concerns. Unfortunately for the 24 students in this group, the next opportunity for FCCJ to address the Boards concerns is in February. There is a variance that could be submitted by FCCJ, but Mr. Garcia stated that the Board had just approved a variance for FCCJ for the fall semester and was therefore very unlikely to approve another one so soon. Mr. Garcia said he has spoken with Alice Nied and they have discussed how we would catch up to the other groups. He said FCCJ has been very creative in devising a schedule that will allow us to complete everything we will need to do in this shortened time frame. The biggest concern for us at this point is that the Board will deny the request. The Board consists of 13 members that must approve the request. Mr. Garcia said our only option at this time is to wait and see what happens in the February meeting.