CaffeinePRN

I'm not sure how many they let in each semester...but there are two sections of each semester in the nursing program: Traditional and ECP (extended campus program, in conjunction with St Joseph Hospital). in the traditional section we've gotten only 3 new students each semester after first...not sure how many ECP has gotten. asaik the waitlist is something like 150+ students for 3rd, and less than that for 2nd and 4th but don't quote me on that. grades by far are the best way to get in quickly, hands down. a year after submitting my application i was taking the TEAS and the following semester i was in.

Good luck on getting in! Whatever school you decide on, just make sure they'll accredited with the CA Nursing Board... http://www.rn.ca.gov/schools/rnprograms.shtml

just yesterday i got my real acceptance letter to sac, start in the fall. i got onto the list in early feb of 2008. for the pre-reqs i got 35 of the 40 pts possible. sac apparently has two lists...one based on the chronological order of the applications as they're received and another based on your pre-req points (and maybe gpa?). the latter they don't make public. when i got onto the wait list i was number 460 something...then by october of 2008 i was 350ish. so then i get a letter telling me to take rn 112 and rn 103 (rn 112 is cake, rn 103 not so much). next thing i know i got my letter telling me my name came up as possible candidates for fall 2009 and i should take the teas. but be careful, sac loves to send out those enticing "you may get in...." imo they do this to keep people holding out hoping they'll get into sac rather than just going to cypress/goldenwest/etc. speaking of which...i've heard that cypress, at least, has done away with their wait list altogether. you may be able to just get right in if your grades are good enough. i will say this tho...i did hear from a classmate that someone had a bad experience once and got yelled at by an instructor. no doubt that all of us at some point will get yelled at by some douche-bag with a chip on their shoulder but for what it's worth, that's what i was told. or so the story went...i take everything with a grain of salt.

Just got my acceptance letter today! This day has finally come!! Class of 2011!

Well, let me tell you I don't know where two years has gone. I just got my acceptance letter today...I start in the fall. Finished the 3 of the 4 requirements in two semesters (Anatomy/Micro, then Phsy; already had English completed) and was on the wait list for a year (which I hear they're going to do away with in a semester or two), took an EMT class (and passed the nat'l exam) during that year, currently taking two "entry" nursing classes this semester (Nursing Concepts & Nursing Pharm) and time has flown by! It will for you too...good luck!!

Where are you applying? Santa Ana College (Santa Ana, CA). What is your GPA and/or points for your school of choice? 35 out of 40 points possible for the pre-req classes. Overall GPA of 3.3 if I'm not mistaken. When is your schools deadline? Actually, I was on a wait list for a year. When does the acceptance letters go out? Actually last Friday they were sent out, just got mine today! What is your plan A, B, C...? Well for the college itself, I already have my AA. For the nursing program I'm coming in with no prior experience. Got my cert as an EMT but never practiced before...so just the "normal" ADN. 4 semesters of sleep-deprived goodness.

I submitted my application in Jan of 08 at my school. I was number 746 or so on the wait list. But this was more or less a chronological list. They also have a list based on the grades in the pre-req classes just to get on the wait list (English, Anatomy, Micro, Phsy)...I got 3 A's and a B. It only took me a year to get to 350 on the chronological list and then I got my acceptance letter...just took the TEAS last week. Now I'm just waiting to see if I'll get in this fall or next spring. I was speaking with a classmate and found out there were 6 students who passed the TEAS last October and were supposed to start the program this semester (Spring '09). However, due to lack of funds they had to wait until this fall. Wether or not this means anyone from this most recent TEAS exam will have to wait, I dunno... [keeping fingers crossed..]

The test I took was paper and pencil. Took it on a Saturday and was told the results would be up on ATI's website by the following Wednesday. But I checked early Monday afternoon and my results were posted.

I just took the TEAS last week. Studied from the book that ATI has, felt it did prepare me alright. I agree with the above post, wasn't a very difficult test. I heard from numerous sources that a majority of the science was on earth science...but there was only a few earth science questions on mine. Looks like they do a decent job at randomizing the test.

Tables, tables...and more tables. Maybe some flash cards too just to mix it up. I'd suggest using Word, or maybe Excel, and create tables outlining drug classifications (antibiotics, analgesics, antihypertensives, etc). Then for each classification list the most important "nuggets" of info you'll need to know for each on subjects like Side Effects, Major Nursing Implications, Pt teaching, or any other important info to know (like other antibiotics you can use for a Pt with an allergy to penicillin -- a "Misc" category.) However, in each category list only the unique things to remember. Per my Pharm professor, the goal would be to weed out only the absolutely necessary info, employ some critical thinking to do this...she tells me I should be able to fit an entire drug classification onto a single 8.5x11 sheet. If you have a color printer, awesome! Use colors to create easy to recognize commonalities between the drugs of one classification. I'd suggest getting ahold of a drug guide. I use Davis's Drug Guide and i definitely list the s/e in red caps, or any thing else that would seem important (like teaching a Pt on rifampin that discolored red-orange urine is a normal s/e; otherwise that'd scare the hell outta them.) I'm taking a intro nursing pharm class this semester...it's one of the hardest classes I've taken. I'm definitely gonna review the material again over the summer and refine/redo my tables for all the drug classifications we've covered. sigh... Good luck!

Wow...the actions of your school just blow my mind. What school in their right mind would act this way in a post-Columbine world? Yeah, they tell you not to tell anyone...screw them, your life was threatened! I wonder what your state's Nursing Board would think about the actions of your school. Not very ethical, don't you think?

Yeah, she's in Cali. SJSU...San Jose State U. You shouldn't have any issue...you got your meds with a script. IMO, those drug tests are in place to filter out people using ILLEGAL drugs so the admins at your school can't say ****. But if they did refuse you even with an Rx, I think that'd be good grounds for a nice, healthy lawsuit. Good luck!

Personally, I didn't apply until after I completed the prereqs. [This was because when I called the office where I had to turn in the application, unbeknownst to me, an utter and complete dipsh*t answered the phone and told me they were completely backup, and wouldn't even be able to process my application until early the following February (this was in December, toward the end of the semester). This turned out to be completely incorrect as I verified (or is it "unverified"?) what I was told when I actually did turn in my application.] I had talked to other classmates before who stated they were getting something like letter from their professor stating something to the effect of "this student currently has a grade of ___ and based on their prior performance I anticipate that the student will wind up with a grade of ____." They got such a letter shortly before their final in the class. Really? People line up like crazy just to turn in an application? Or is there an actual interview? I heard for the longest time that there was an interview required at my school...heard that from numerous sources. But when the time came I was blown away by just having to put an application in an "In Box" and be done! Maybe they were just sick of having to interview all those people on the wait list. Last I checked the list at my school was at like 700-something. Took me one year to get to 350ish and I just took the state-mandated TEAS, if there's room I'll be entering this Fall. If not, (and I'd likely be edged out by only 10 people or so) I'll have to wait until next Spring. sigh....

Disneyland...how exciting. Growing up as a kid my sister and I used to climb up on the roof so we could watch the fireworks at night. Times were different back then; nowadays parents letting their children climb up to the roof in the dark would have CPS all over them. But I digress... Yeah every school is different regarding their deadline for accepting applications for the following semester. I would imagine it would be towards the end of the semester...depending on when your semester began you may or may not be too late. But don't let me worry you...just call 'em up first thing Monday morning. But if you can, I'd just contact the nursing department directly...call them or go down in person. I've had bad experiences with counselors before so that's my thing...I'd rather just go right to the source: the nursing department itself, rather than someone in the counseling department. Thing is though, I would imagine that somewhere on the webpage for the nursing department they'd state when their cutoff date for accepting applications would be. There's nothing there? My school had a wait list...and when I turned it in I just simply put an application in a special "In Box." No formal meeting/interview with anyone. Good luck!!

Hey, I understand your frustration! I'm 31 and haven't set foot in a "actual" nursing class yet. Just keep it up...it'll all be worth it in the end.

Honestly, I wouldn't recommend taking a Chem class, an AP class, and a critical thinking class in the same semester. If you yourself can admit that "you weren't the best student in HS," then you shouldn't overwhelm yourself right off the bat in college. You should ease yourself in first. This isn't to say or imply that you cannot be a good student...you can. Just apply yourself 100% and you're golden. You were probably like me in HS...I excelled in college. But it took me a semester or two before I got to that point.

I agree with the posts above...no need to take those classes over again. You'll just be creating more work for yourself. I've never had a Chem class and I did pretty well in Anatomy, Phsy & Micro. But for the love of God, don't take Anatomy & Micro in the same semester.

i just got off the phone with someone in the nursing dept at SAC. she stated that after June 2009 (or thereabouts) they will no longer be accepting new applications (i'm assuming this applies to 1st semester applications, i did ask her to specify, sorry). everyone already on the wait list will remain on the list, and retain their position. they are basically gonna deplete that list before accepting new applicants into the program, which should "take about 3 years." also, everyone currently on the list will be admitted in the same manner as done in the past...so the new state law will not effect us. (so...good news?) they have a link available to download a .doc of the wait list, current as of 10/2008. i'm in the 300 range now. if it's not too much trouble, maybe others could call the nursing dept, ask them how this state law will effect students already on the list (maybe even play 'dumb' a little, i did), then come back and post what they said? and if you do, be sure to get the name of who you spoke to. i figure if we get enough people being told the same thing then we won't have to take this explanation with a grain of salt.

funny, i was supposed to have received a similar letter in July as well but never did. somehow that letter never made it to me...either on their end or a family member of mine accidently got it mixed up with the tons of junk mail that like clockwork seems makes it into the mailbox everyday and through it away...i dunno. as a result, i now get to take those two classes (RN 103 & RN 112) next semester and then finally be solid for a possible Fall 2009 entry. >insert sarcastic remark here but talking with the gals in the nursing office it prolly wouldn't have mattered if i took those 2 classes this semester...it sounded to me like the nursing dept like to way over book each semester with anticipation of people failing the TEAS test so that way each semester will be filled. meh. there's really nothing i can do about it. just suck it up and deal with it, right?

THX!!!!!1!! haha...my bad. my brain's going a million miles a minute... i was accepted at SAC. i got lazy...that was the only school i wound up applying to. just as well, i love SAC so much, i wanted to just go there anyhow. i would have applied to more schools last semester but i was so busy taking an EMT class there...

actually, i just got my acceptance letter today! i'm being "considered" for the Spring 2009 class. as long as i get my letter to them before all the slots are filled, i'm in. today is friday @ 4pm...i'm gonna personally take it in to the nursing department monday morning. i turned in my application this past February...so less than a year to get my acceptance letter. looks like my life as i know it now is OVER! lol in reference to your statement regarding preference to men at LB... my aunt was a teacher of a nursing class at a community college in southern california once...he was personally told by the director (or whoever) of the nursing program that she must give as much attention to the male nursing students in her class...they requested that she do everything within reason to help them pass. so i have no doubt that other schools would bend the rules here or there to get men into and thru their programs.

ouch! yeah, I also ran into a little trouble with those people multiple times but nothing nearly as bad as you. Not that it really matters, but I technically could have graduated a semester early if it hadn't been for one counselor. now what does that teach us? hmmm.... I called the office of Gloria Lewis one time towards the end of the Fall 07 semester to get info about putting my name on the list. I was told by someone who answered (a guy) that they were so backed up that I couldn't even schedule an appointment to get my name on the list until the first week of February the following year. why I was told this I have no idea - you don't need to make appointment to meet with anyone. you simply fill out a form and place it in an "In Box" to be processed. guess they hire anybody.

I turned in my paperwork at the beginning of Feb. I'm now at #465. oh, happy day! the letter I did receive also stated the average was about 4 semesters or so but then went on to state that 'better grades' on the pre-reqs will result in lesser wait time. the letter you get is just a form letter, a generic letter generated with your number hand-written in. I would not be surprised in the least that whatever this letter states in regard to one's wait time is inaccurate. I've also heard that the average wait time is 4 semesters, but not from people who have already been admitted into the program. I dunno, being the ever-pessimist I would imagine not having all As would mean a few extra semesters waiting, at least.

apparently like the other 400+ people before me on the waiting list at Santa Ana College:cry:, I'm wondering how long did it take to get in? I did pretty good in my pre-reqs: Eng 101, A Micro (Health), B Anatomy, A Phsy, A this would give my 35 pts on their ranking system. my overall GPA was about 3.2 at the time of my application. no prior certs (LVN, EMT). does/did anyone else have grades similar to these? and if so, how long did it take you? the letter that I rec'd stated was vague in regards to my expected wait time, which I'm sure is what they were going after. I've was told by a counselor @ SAC before that they cannot truly have an accurate idea of exactly how many people are ahead of me as they encounter a number of individuals that are on their list, but for one reason or another will no longer attend once their names come up (people move out of state, go to another college, change majors, etc). in addition I wonder how many of those names ahead of me are those of people with LVNs, who will be entering on the 3rd semester of the program. and furthermore, has anyone had to take that TEAS test yet? was that thing intense at all? are their any study guides you can recommend?

You know, I made this mistake a few semesters ago ... took "Health Microbiology" class (main focus on pathogenic microorganisms) and "Human Anatomy" in the same semester. I was coasting most of the semester but when it came time for finals ... different story. Bombed the Micro final, wound up with a "B". By the skin of my teeth got an "A" on the Anatomy final & got an "A" in the class (90.001% or so). Wouldn't recommend it. -1.