marcieg

Airis, I wonder-did you have any healthcare experience before you went into the RT program? It's sounds like radiology will work out better for you. I have worked in hospice as an aide for 4 years now, and ALL my patients die, it would be nice to see some people get better. I am just tired of poop, poop, poop, and all the other bodily fluids that are collected in various tubes and bags (usually poop related, lol). Good luck on your new program.

Thanks for the info. I am much more interested in the RT program. It has been a good 17 years since I took the ACT, lol. I feel like I have been burned on nursing programs too many times now anyway (changing pre-reqs after I have already been waitlisted, etc, etc). I wish I had known about RT's years ago, I would have done by now. I just never worked anywhere where I came into contact with any RT's.

Hi all, I am looking into the Respiratory Therapy and the Nursing program at MCCC, wondering if there were any other appliciants or students here? What do you know about MCCC? What's the amount of competition for each program? Thanks!

Kharing, I have a couple of questions for you, if you don't mind. Were you able to work while you were attending school, and if you did, was it related to RT? Thanks!

You might also look into being a home health aide, I have been one on and off for about 12 years, and I have never been certified as a CNA. The hours are very flexible and you also get milage reimbursement. I work as an HHA for a hospice and I love my job. I have learned more in the past 6 months seeing hospice patients than I ever did working with the general elderly population. Assisted living facilities also hire nursing assistants without certifications.

The difference is the tuition costs between the community college and the private college- 340.00 a credit hour (jumping to 381.00 when nursing classes begin) vs. 67.00. I can take 5 credits at the CC for every one at the other college. I was awarded a Stafford Loan at both locations, but the community college amount will go a lot further. I didn't mean I was going to do nothing but take fun classes from now until then, but my schedule is certainly more free to take something interesting worth 2 credits here and there. We can't afford to take on any more monthly payments right now, so the 3500 is out of the question, period, that would be for every year, a little more when the nursing classes were to have started. The Stafford doesn't get paid back until graduation. I just feel foolish that I didn't realize they would cut so much out of my aid when I got married. I certainly didn't expect Pell Grants anymore, but I never thought that we couldn't cover it with Stafford Loans. I am also kicking myself for not getting on the community college waitlist, but I didn't want to take up someone elses slot.

Wow, do I feel stupid... I had been taking my pre-reqs at community college (with a 2 year waitlist for their ADN program). I was accepted into a private college for the BSN program after months of admission hassles, and was planning on starting clinicals in 2006. I called last week and asked when they were sending my financial aid info, I still hadn't heard anything. They gave me some excuse and mailed it the next day. I can't afford to go. There was nearly a $3500 difference between the aid and the expenses. I called the school and the only response I got was "try an alternative bank loan" (out of the question) I had always been a single mom, so financial aid wasn't a problem, but now I am married, so that's why I am shocked, I guess I assumed Stafford loans would cover it all. Like a fool, I didn't get myself on the ADN waitlist, because I was so sure the BSN was a sure thing, so now I just that much futher down. So, here is the silver lining, I have only 7 classes to take in the next 2 or so years before I can start clinicals at the Community College, so I guess I will have plenty of time to take French and Ceramics and all the other classes I wished I had time to take! This actually is working out better for our family financial situation, work schedules, etc. so I'm trying really hard not to be too dissapointed.

Thanks everyone, I will have my husband read all these too. Unfortunately, there is basically nothing else to cut back. We rarely eat out, cell phones are a necessity for our jobs, we are both on the road all day, and have the mininmum plans that meet our needs. We already traded in his beloved pickup, but with all his negative equity on it, we had to lease a car. Not to bore anyone with all the details, it saved us money each month and the negative equity willl be gone in three years. My new/ used car is the only reason that I was able to even think about being able to get to school, my old one was on it's last leg (tire?). We both agreed a reliable car was a must for me. I changed jobs at work to become a hospice home health aide, so I work 10 or so less hours a week and bring in more income. My hours are a little more flexible, and I have the opportunity to work in our hospice residence at some point to work nights and weekends if needed. I like the idea of collection boxes at the gas station, lol. I am the queen of cheap, I hardly ever buy anything new, just redecorated my living room for like 20 bucks. I was a single mom working up to three jobs and getting state aid and food stamps for years, so believe me, I can stretch a dollar until it screams. Well, we still have a little more than a year, so we are looking for all the advice we can get. I just want my husband to know we aren't the only ones going through this, and that it's worth it. Oh by the way, he has an awesome budget made out, runs like clockwork, so we know where every penny goes.

I am going to start my actual nursing classes in September 2006, and my husband is freaking out (to put it mildly). He knew this was coming, and now that I have been able to find out what semester for sure, he is in a panic about money. We have been working hard to pay things off before then, because we are anticipating that I am either not going to be able to work or only work reduced hours, but we will still have car payments, mortgage, etc. and not all our other debt will be paid off. Were any of you able to creatively finance the gap in pay while in school? I am willing to go to school part time and work full time if needed or vice versa, but we both agree the sooner I can get done and bring more income in the better. I plan on getting a Stafford Loan and any other aid the school can offer, but we are afraid that it still won't be enough to keep us afloat. He already works 2 jobs, while I work full time and also attend classes. We also have a 13 year old that someone needs to be keeping an eye on. There is not much more we can cut down on, the only luxury items we have are basic cable and DSL for the internet (mostly because I need that for school). Everything else goes to pay down debt. Any ideas? Thanks for any advice!

Thanks for everyone's input. I was accepted into the BSN program, and I will start Madonna in the fall, but I will still be working on pre-reqs for a couple more semesters. I think no matter where you go, there will be a mix of students, some good and some not so good. This was true for any nursing program I looked into. I based my choice of attending Madonna based on the experience and excellence of some of my co-workers and the reputation for the program. I am eager to hear of everyone's experience at Madonna, good or otherwise, I have been waiting and working for so many years to become a nurse! Thanks again

I'm taking Gen. Psych for 8 1/2 weeks at the community college- then July and August off, then I am starting classes where I will get my BSN: Sociology online Nutrition online Pathophysiology Spanish for Health Professionals I work full time as a home health aide at a hospice. I recently switched from an office position that I worked in there for 2 years. I think this one of the best educations I could get.

I live in SE Michigan, I found that I will finish my 4 yr program in about the same amount of time as an ADN program with the waitlist at my local CC. I am choosing to go to a private school, so that cuts down on the waitlist, I have heard some scary things about Eastern and U of M as far as waitlists, pre req grade requirements and vary large class sizes.

At our school, we haveI and II of them combined into a 15 week "anatomy boot camp hell" (instructors words on the first night of class) and the level has stayed the same throughout- fascinating but very overwhelming. Some things came easier because of interest- loved cardiovascular, endocrine left me confused. You absolutely get out of it what you put in. I failed a test that I only spent about 8-12 hrs studying, got a B on a test that I worked maybe 45- 50 hrs on. 2 more weeks, and I have 2 major exams left- whew!

Got my acceptance letter today...only 6 days after I kicked a** on the NET retake...I'm official :balloons:

Agggh, no. I called AGAIN, and talked to the admissions counselor. This is a little confusing, but I had taken the NET in January and was only eligible for probationary admission. I said I would just retake the NET in April so I could be fully admitted, but then I got antsy and called and said admit me anyway. She said all that the probationary meant was that I had to go part time for 2 semesters and maintain a certain gpa. I said go ahead and just admit me now so I know I am in, and I won't bother with the NET again. I called last week and asked why I haven't recieved anything, and she never changed anything over and then this time told me a whole different story about what the probationary status meant (I would have to do the nursing part in 5 semesters, not 4). Well, since the NET retake is next week now anyway, I am just going to retake it and be done with it. She tells me something different each time, and she is so hard to get in touch with... :uhoh21: SIGH

Thanks, I am starting to get a little anxious...

Is anyone else going through the application process at Madonna in Livonia? I have spoke to the Admissions director twice now and both time she confirmed that I have been accepted- but they haven't mailed me anything- it's been 1 1/2 months since the first conversation. Anyone having similiar experiences?

I live here in Ann Arbor, and I don't work at either, but I do work with a lot of RN's ( I am still a student) and what I have heard since I have lived here is that if you need major techinical things done, like transplants, etc, go to U of M, if you need more personal care, go to St. Joe's. Both have great reputations. There are smaller hospitals all over too, Chelsea, Garden City, lots of options.

I talked to the Admissions director twice, and both times she said I was admitted, but I still haven't recievied anything "official" in the mail or otherwise- it is going on a few weeks now. Anyone else having any admission experiences? Should I call again?

Yes, Fun, we were at a cadaver lab. Not to gross anyone out, but we not only got to see, but touch and explore a little bit (cadavers were already dissected, we didn't do any of that) but the organs, spinal column, etc were sitting in place, like a puzzle, and the some of the organs were opened so you could pick them up and look inside. It's amazing how everything we have studied so far really "clicked" on for me after that. What a gift these people left!

I had the most amazing field trip last night! Our A&P instructor also teaches Gross Anatomy to first year med students, so we got to go to the Gross Anatomy lab. Wow. I can't even describe it. It is a whole different ballgame to actually see where everything is and how it all connects. If any of you get an opportunity like this, don't pass it up.

I start Monday night- our school crams A&P 1 and 2 all into one semester! We really didn't have many books that were required to buy either, just the text and lab manual. I did buy the coloring books, one of the nurses I work with said they were really helpful for her.

Thanks everyone, I asked my DH for the study guide for Christmas, I will be taking the test in mid-January. Just finished my Algebra class last night, (my last pre-req!!!) so it all should be fairly fresh.

Has anyone recently taken the NET (Nursing Entrance Test)? How much of it was regular math and was there any algebra? Thanks!

I did it last semester, it was tough, but some of the material crossed over, so it was actually helpful, especially near the end of biology. I am glad I did it, but I would never do it again, mostly because I had Chemistry from 9-4 on Saturdays for 15 weeks.