miswend78

I am a MA, but recently became a RN........there is a HUGE difference. If I thought I was a nurse, I wouldn't have gone back to school to become one! I know exactly what you're saying. When I was working as a MA (Certified.....not registered!) I never claimed to be a nurse. Guess it just makes her feel better!

MATC has a GREAT program! I'm going into 4th semester next week and wouldn't have changed a thing. Don't go to Bryant & Stratton. They don't set their standards high and you only have to pass with a 70%. Most, if not all employers will hire an ADN, especially coming from MATC and they offer tuition reimbursement to go from ADN to BSN upon hire. ADN and BSN take the same NCLEX and actually have better preparation because they have more clinical experience. The program is no joke. It's intense and the instructors are phenomenal!!

I took my NCLEX-PN 6/25/2011 and got the "good pop up." Checked my passing status 48 hours later on the Pearson website and passed! I was skeptical at first, but it did work. I will definitely use this trick when I take my NCLEX-RN next year. Good luck everyone!!

Is there anyone out there who has completed their 3rd semester of the ADN program at MATC? I'm finishing up 2nd semester and looking into classes for next semester....I was told that 3rd semester is the hardest and it's difficult to get through on a full-time schedule!! Has anyone taken 109 or 110 online? Any input on what instructors to take? Any insight will help at this point!! Thanks to everyone that posts!

I got in on my 3rd petition, but I've heard alot of students get in on their 2nd. I was getting very discouraged and looked into other colleges, but it's the same everywhere. Many of the RN's I work with have told me that MATC has a great program, despite what others may say. Maybe you'll be able to get in sooner, seeing that you've already completed your first few classes.....

I have finally gotten accepted to start my core classes in fall!! Any advice for semester 1? I've been out of school for a year and a half during the petition process.....I'm excited to get started again, but nervous too!

FINALLY got accepted! Start core classes in Fall!! I'm SO excited. I guess good things come to those who wait. My time is here!

I heard there is a rather long waiting list, but it's definitely worth looking into! I'll give it some thought! Thanks for your help! It's nice to see somebody my age going through the same things I am.........I always felt like I was too old for this!!

I have not looked into WCTC yet. Is that where you go? I met with a counselor @ Bryant & Stratton tonight, but they are over $7000/semester. Too expensive for me at this point. I'm trying to be patient with MATC, but I lose more and more hope every semester. I've worked so hard to get to this point, and now I sit here with no classes to take until some day when my petition gets accepted......

Thanks for your response. I have a meeting with a counselor tomorrow night and found out that the program is now nationally accredited. Thanks so much for your input!

I'm currently trying to get into the MATC RN program. I've petitioned twice now for my core classes, and didn't get in. I have always gotten good grades and passed my NLN with passing colors. Counselor's say placement is based on a lottery. How fair is that?!?......I'm now looking into Bryant Stratton, but don't know much about the school. Does anyone have any advice / info on the RN program? Can you take the program part time or do they have any online or evening/weekend classes? Any info would help. Thanks!!

Well, my 2nd petition is a no-go! Now considering looking into different schools. :thnkg:

Hello! I just submitted my @ MATC for the 2nd time, and PRAYING that I get in this time!! Just out of curiosity, to those who have petitioned in the past and have been accepted, how many times did you petition before you got in? Thanks in advance to all that answer!

I have to petition again next month....it will be my 2nd time. Let's hope for the best!!

I'm not planning on changing schools. Stritch, Alverno........they're way to expensive. It's great to hear that someone else did just what I want to do. So you got in on your second petition? That gives me some hope!! They suggested I do the LPN program first, but it's totally inconvenient for me. There are no evening clinicals and no online courses. Class times are very limited. It's very frustrating when different counselors tell you different things all the time.

Hi everyone! My name is Melissa. I've been a Certified Medical Assistant for 10 years and about 3 years ago decided to go back to school part time to get my RN. I finally finished all my pre-reqs and was able to petition for next semester. Of course my petition was denied because I wasn't lucky enough to win the lottery! After many phone calls and emails asking how they determine who gets in each semester, the answer I got was a "random lottery." I asked if someone that petitions 3 times will get in over someone petitioning for their first time.......NOPE! "They simply don't have the resources to determine how many times a student petitions!" BS!! I've done some investigating into other schools including, Gateway, WCTC, and Madison Area Technical College and they all base it on date of enrollment into the program. THAT makes sense! At least there is some kind of organization! I emailed my findings to the Dean of Health Occupations at MATC a few days ago but have heard nothing back. If I hear nothing back by Monday, I am going to the Vice Pres. or President of the school. If I get nowhere with them, I go to the media. I'm sick of complaining about it and hearing other complaints from students in the same position I'm in. If there are other schools doing this same procedure in a more fair way, there's no reason MATC can't either! What else do they do in the 60 day window?!? An instructor of my husband's from a different program told him that I have to go the top and that's what I intend to do. The squeeky wheel gets the grease right? MATC gave me another semester to be PO'd and I have plenty of time on my hands now! If anyone else is interesed in forming an alliance with me let me know. We can do something about this for ourselves and others in the future. We need to stand up to this school.:lol_hitti

I'm in the same position. I am a Certified Medical Assistant, decided to go back to school part time for my RN. Took me 3 years to get all my pre-req's done, but I'm finally ready for my core classes. I petitioned and got my denial letter last week. After many phone calls and emails to the associate dean and the dean I find out that the petition process is done by a random lottery. They take nothing into consideration like how many times a student petitions or date of enrollment.......I've done some investigating into tech schools in the area including Gateway, Madison, and WCTC. They all base it on date of enrollment into the program. I've emailed that info to the dean at MATC and haven't heard back yet. What is the point of petitioning if we have NO hope of getting in. Our chances are as great as winning the lottery! If I don't hear back from the Dean of Health Occupations, I'm taking this to the vice president and president of the school and if I don't get anywhere that way I'm going to the media. This is BS and if we all just sit around and complain about it there will be no justice! They just blessed me with an entire semester of nothing to do but cause trouble. My husband's instructor from a different program told him I have to go the top and that's what I intend to do! The sqeaky wheel gets the grease! If anyone is as mad as I am and wants to form an alliance. let me know! We can do this!