TinkRN8

Thanks for the input. We change all tubing out q24 and lipids q12. For those who change out q72 or q96 did you get those guidelines from CDC? Have your clabsi rates improved?

For those of you who work in the valley NICU's, I have a couple of questions. 1) Does anyone use statlocks on their PIV sites? If so, what do you think of them? 2) How often do you change your TPN/lipid tubing? Any input would be appreciated, thanks!

It depends on which hospital system you work for. Some hospitals do not allow you to work as a tech, cna, huc once you get your RN license. However, some do. The hospital system I worked for allowed me to keep working as a CNA until I found an RN job.

There is a HESI PN study guide, by Elsevier that i used for my exit HESI. it has a disk with practice questions. I did the questions on the disk several times, plus hundreds of NCLEX questions. Did very well on HESI. In regards to block 3. When I graduated in May 2010, Gateway told our class there would be absolutely no spots available until January (2010), and then only maybe a few of us would get in based on HESI scores. I didn't want to wait, so i turned in my application and then started calling and emailing all the colleges: scottsdale, MCC, PVCC, PCC, CGCC, etc. I just kept emailing and calling, even when they told me no spots available. When time came for selections, I actually got a call from Gateway, Phx, and CGCC within a 24 hr period. I ended up selecting CGCC because of clinical sites and distance from where I lived. So, don't let them tell you 1 yr wait. If you are proactive and work at making contacts, you will get in right away. Just be persistent. I can't speak for anyone else, but I know in my case they did look at my HESI score. In fact, I had to submit that with my paperwork for block 3. I have since graduated with my RN (May 2011) and now working on a PCU. So all you students don't give up, it can be done! Good luck to all!

I graduated May 2009, and that last semester the practicums were done in clinicals, observed by clinical instructor. As opposed to first semester, where practicums were done on lab days at the school. As far as testing, ANYTHING was fair game, whether it be from lab, clinical, lecture, or reading. My biggest advice in studying for tests, and I will go to my grave stating this same advice, I feel so strongly about it...is to do NCLEX questions, NCLEX questions, NCLEX questions. In fact, after block I, I rarely read any of the texts, I just studied my notes, powerpoints, and did..you guessed it... NCLEX questions. Can't really stress enough the importance of doing those NCLEX questions. I have several NCLEX review books, flash cards, and did the questions online from the textbooks (can be downloaded to evolve). Evolve is also a wonderful resource. And, those case studies they have you do.... study the questions. You may or may not see them again.

Have you tried going into HR at the hospitals? The recruiter for that hospital will be there. Also, call the 1-800 # posted on their career website and ask for the recruiter specific for whichever Hospital you are applying. That way you get an actual person to talk to. This is what I did when applying at Banner.

Interesting, hopefully that means they are starting to make calls? Who knows, on facebook it just states the 09/19/11 start date and encouraging more applications. Hopefully, they will have a larger cohort, as that means more spots. Good luck!

Has anyone heard anything? Program start date is now less than 3 wks away and I saw on Abrazo's facebook page they have re-opened the opening for additional applications.

Hi all! I am in the same boat. My status still says my application is being reviewed...etc. I have tried calling Abrazo, but either I get put on hold for a REALLY long time, or I am put through to a generic VM. Hopefully, we will hear something soon! Good luck to everyone!

Ditto what AZMOM02 said. I also got in right away, but that was 2 yrs ago. I just had 2 friends graduate, and I believe they had to wait 1 semester after applying. 1-2 semester wait seems to be the average. But that is better than a 2 yr wait with the RN program. And yes, NCLEX questions are the best way to prepare. Buy an NCLEX-PN book now and start doing questions.

I graduated from the LPN program last May and just graduated the RN program. Can't say enough good things about the program. Will more than prepare you for the RN program. Good luck!

I just graduated from CGCC in May. Yes class 1 day (ours was 8-12 and 8-11) a week with lab days here and there, mostly at the beginning of the semester. As for clinicals, it really depends on your clinical group. My clinical group had 2 12's back to back for OB and peds for 2 wks and then 1 12 hr day per week for med surg. Others had 3 12's back to back, even 4 12's back to back. Especially for peds and OB you have to take what you get. In block 4, psych was from 1230-930pm x 4 shifts. that was same for all groups. Critical care was 8 12 hr shifts, again depends on which group. My group was 2 12's back to back for 4 wks. Preceptorship, you work when your preceptor works, so you could have 3 12's in a row. I remember during my preceptorship between work and preceptorship I worked 7 12 hr shifts in a 9 day period. Also, just a study hint: NCLEX, NCLEX, NCLEX!!!! Good luck!

Coppercurlz12, I was in your same position. I graduated the LPN at Gateway May 2010. I had offers from Phx, Gateway and CGCC for block 3. I ended up choosing CGCC because it was a lot closer to where I live. I had a very good experience at CGCC. Block 3 is pretty much just a review of what you learned in the LPN program (Peds, med surg, OB). In fact, I used J & F's notes to study. Block 3 was really awesome. Block 4 is psych and critical care. Again, if you had K in block 1 use her notes to study for psych. I never read the text books, I just used my LPN notes and NCLEX books to study for exams. I did very well grade wise. I graduated in May, only 3 in our class didn't pass block 4. Are there issues? Absolutely. Nothing that you didn't encounter at Gateway though. Believe me, I know. Nursing school in and of itself sucks. No matter where you go, there will be teachers and things you don't like. I got along with all of my instructors, even though a couple were .... interesting. If I were you, I wouldn't hesitate to go there. Good luck to you!

Just FYI, before you spend money on a recorder, check with faculty to see if they are allowed. There was an incident during my last semester where a student recorded one of the test reviews and put it on the internet. We were then no longer even allowed to record lectures. Friends in the next cohort were also not able to use recorders at all. Also, the book box is expensive, but totally worth it because you get a code to download all the books onto your computer. I did not buy the book box and bought everything separately. I saved about $100, but it would have been worth it to buy the book box for the ability to download everything to my laptop. Easier carrying around a laptop than all those books! Good luck to all who are starting this Fall. I graduated May 2009 and just graduated with my RN.

I would not hesitate to recommend this program. Were there issues, sure. I encountered similar issues at Gateway. Some instructors better than others. Same as at any of the Maricopa colleges. If you want to get in to the RN program, just get in. No matter which Maricopa school you go to there will be good and bad. You just have be be flexible and willing to do whatever work or project they throw at you. I went to gateway for blocks 1 and 2 and CGCC for 3 & 4. Funny thing was complaints I heard were the same at both schools. Similar complaints from friends attending blocks 1&2 at Gateway this past yr. CGCC was more convenient for me and clinical sites closer. Also, to anyone considering the RN program, I recommend getting your CNA certification. I think you are better prepared for clinicals if you do. Just my 2 cents. I wish they would require it to get in. It helped me immensly. It also has opened a lot of doors for RN jobs.

I would contact the nursing advisor at the college you want to attend to find out exactly what you need to do to apply. You do need to pass the HESI-PN with an 800 or higher before you can apply. You also have to have at least a 75% on the HESI A2. Really, just contact the nursing advisor as they would be best able to help you as the application process is kinda crazy. Good luck.

Congrats on getting accepted! I am graduating from CGCC in May. I know there have been a lot of poor reviews, I was concerned as a transfer student (I transferred from the Gateway LPN program) as well. However, I can say that my experiences have been positive. Yes, there are negatives and some instructors are better than others. However, I have to say, a lot of the complaints I hear about at CGCC were echoed verbatim when I was going thru Gateway. Nursing school is just hard and they don't coddle you AT ALL!! If you study, work hard and look for good experiences in clinicals you will succeed. Start doing NCLEX questions now and continue to do so throughout school. Those will help immensely as the tests are not like anything you have taken before. Also, do the questions on the evolve sight. I used NCLEX questions to study for all my tests and HESI and did very well. You just have to get into a whole new mindset. Good luck to you!

Just FYI, I would bring the entire completed application packet with CNA license info, vaccination info, dr. signature form, BLS card, Fingerprint card with you when you go to turn it in. THis is from experience. Trust me, whether ---- has checked it off or not, they faculty at the application drop off want to see ALL of it again. I took only what ---- said I needed to bring, and I ended up having to go home and come back with the rest of the documentation. They re-check it all again. Good luck to all applying this go round!

Sorry, yes, I was responding to Mica, who has sent me an email to which I will respond. Oh, I believe that there is a difficulty with this particular instructor, I had her, I know EXACTLY who it is. I am also hearing the same complaints from others in the class, which, by the way are familiar as I heard them during my course as well. You can't change who the instructor is, so I am just hoping to give a little perspective so others can get thru like I did. Good luck to all.

I just have to make a comment. I graduated from the program in May and am now in block III of the RN program at CGCC. I absolutely LOVED the program. I had the teacher that is being mentioned in block I. Yes, she is difficult and has exceptionally high expectations and seems to be all over the place in lecture, etc. HOWEVER, she is an awesome teacher and I learned so much from her. There is a method to her madness. Now, to be honest, I didn't appreciate her fully until block II, as without her I would not have been as prepared for the many different situations we were in. I had her for theory for the first few months and yes, there were days I would be so overwhelmed I was physically exhausted. There were days I would drive home crying. She was tough. But she was also willing to listen and help you understand the material. She came back for a lecture at the end of our block I semester to go over what her portion of the final would be. I can say that the difference from the beginning of the semester to the end was like night and day. She gave us same info, but it made more sense. She didn't change lecture style or anything. But we had learned so much and had so many different things going on, it all came together. There is a method to her madness. If you just be a little bit more patient, I promise you it does get better. I KNOW it is hard and frustrating right now, trust me I know. I never thought I would get through that first semester. But I survived and so will you. Plus, you only have for lab days, and those are about up right? I have 2 friends in your class :), so I get all the scoop. Just hang in there, it does get better. You can certainly PM me if you have any specific questions, which I would be happy to answer. I had the same 2 teachers you have now, plus 2 others over the course of the program. Good luck, hang in there!

So very true! I have a couple of friends that started the LPN program at Gateway last week and said that already there are some complaining. After the first week. I also have a friend who started the accelerated program (block III) at Gateway in June and she said it is so difficult and the teachers are hard. And, for anyone out there still wondering, I did further research on the claim that CGCC was being investigated by the AZBN. That is simply not true. Last year ALL the MCCD schools were up for renewal and also they were looking at adding an online curriculum, so the board sent in evaluators to each school. As a whole, there were some areas of improvement that were recommended and then each school had some recommendations as well. In no way was CGCC singled out, nor were there any major deficiencies. In fact, as I stated in earlier post, they were commended for such a high pass rate on the NCLEX. I have orientation tomorrow...so excited! Can't wait to get started!

I just thought of something, possibly. I am going to PM you as I have to give out names and I can't do that on this open forum.

You have to take BIO 202 now over again?! That sucks. I am so sorry. You just can't win for losing! So they have a "list" for block II like they do block III? I would think it would be easier to get into block II because you aren't having to compete with all the LPN students who just graduated from Gateway. You never know, classes don't start for a couple more wks and you still may get a call. I know it is hard. I would be burned out too! You are right, you will get there eventually and you will be a great nurse. Good luck to you!

Thanks, will definately keep you and anyone else who is interested posted. With the amount of time you have to wait and with Banner now shutting down their program and the LPN program now having an extensive wait list, options are becoming more and more limited. I am not trying to defend CGCC out of any sense of loyalty...I haven't even started there yet. I just want to be fair and make sure that ALL the facts are presented so that if someone is considering going there, but is afraid because of "reputation" they have all the facts so that maybe it opens up another option. Maybe it isn't as bad as rumors state it to be. I don't know. I am the type of person that researches everything to the max when making a major decision. I appreciate all input so I can make an educated decision as to what is best for me. If you don't want to go there fine, but at least you have the information to make that decision. I just want to get thru school and get my degree and pass NCLEX. Hopefully, though, I will have good things to report. I hope so.

I know I have said this before, but please don't give up. I would stick with applying to block III. I had 3 offers for spots for Fall ( I kept emailing and responding w/a thankyou) and 1 was from a college that never responded back and one that said there is absolutely no way there would be spots open for Fall. I also just got an email from Scottsdale offering me a spot for Spring. I would concentrate on Gateway, PC, CGCC, and SCC. Those seem to be the ones offering spots. My friend applied later for block III and kept getting told no spots and then just got calls last week from PC and SCC on same day. It does happen. You just have to keep at it. I KNOW it is frustrating and you jump through a billion hoops but you WILL get in. That is my pep talk for the day...LOL!