laramyy

Yes, I think so. It could, though, just encourage people to study harder. Hopefully that's what it will do.

Making it mandatory to pass ATI and changing the passing grade to 78% really weeds people out. They don't have much sympathy.

And if you do get it all situated... let us know! I'm graduating in a week and already applied for my temporary license. I would love to work at a camp! :)

I recommend a diploma program like St. Margaret's. You can take pre-req's/co-req's at CCAC before you start in order to have a leg up, but I do NOT recommend CCAC's nursing program. I am finishing it up in a week and it is so unorganized and frustrating. If you do a diploma program you will have more clinical experience, a higher pass rate on boards, and (basically) a guaranteed job at that hospital. Good luck!

I am about to graduate in May from CCAC. I would recommend getting all your prerequisites there. They are very cheap and will transfer anywhere. As for the actual nursing program, CCAC is okay. You already have a degree so you might look into a diploma school such as UPMC Mercy or Shadyside. They are good programs with high pass rates for the boards. Plus, you are basically guaranteed a job upon graduation. CCAC gives you what you need and I know plenty of good nurses who came from there, but they are frustratingly unorganized. It is damn near impossible to get a straight answer out of people and they don't really care if you do well or not. Every now and then you'll stumble on a stellar instructor, but they are mostly powerless to help you out if you need it. I don't mean to bad mouth CCAC a lot, but there are better schools out there. It worked well for me because of the price and schedule, and I do feel that I got good experience. It's just something for you to think about.

Wow! All of your posts were extremely helpful and offered information about positions I didn't know existed. Thank you so much! I am definitely interested in early intervention, but I wasn't sure what I could do with that in nursing. I live in Pittsburgh, PA and we have a similar place to PPEC. It sounds wonderful! I truly appreciate your advice and suggestions. I will take them to heart and consider the possibilities. :)

Hello everyone! I am in nursing school and will be graduating in May. I plan to specialize in pediatrics or psychiatric peds. I have spent much of my career prior to nursing working with special needs, particularly cerebral palsy. I was wondering if anyone could give me insight to what kind of jobs I could find working specifically with special needs? I have worked with many populations other than CP, including behavioral (which I love), but I'm not sure what I could do with this. My ideal job in the distant future will be starting a daycare for medically fragile children and/or children with behavioral problems. If anyone could offer some information I would be very grateful! :)

Congratulations everyone!! I am in 202 right now (not sure what that means in the new curriculum, but I am in my second year), and I just wanted to let you know that although CCAC is unorganized and at times it will seem like you have no idea what's going on, it is definitely worth it. You will learn what you need in order to be a good nurse, and you will develop strong bonds with your classmates. It is a lot of work, but I have been able to work, get good grades, spend time with my husband, and even make it to a happy hour now and then. It's all what you make of it, and I have loved it all. Congratulations again, and good luck to you all!!

Hi all, don't worry too much about the books. I'm starting my second year in August, and I barely cracked open my books the first year. I'm glad I have them, though, for when I needed them. Orientation should be soon, and you'll get the right list then. If you're still not sure what to buy, just set the money aside and wait until the first class so you know for sure. It's up to you, but it's really not a big deal. Take it easy! These are your last few weeks of freedom!

I know people who work 3 12s and are fine. (Keep in mind this is my program. I think they are restructuring things.) The second year is the difficult one since you have clinical two days a week. I know some people who have no choice but to work M-F and have clinicals Sat-Sun. That is definitely not for me! Sounds like you'll do just fine since you were able to keep up with your busy schedule before. I also have a friend who works overnights and is able to do well. It's different for everyone. If you think you're up for it then you probably are!

I am finishing up 102 evening/weekend. I work 40 hours and have been able to keep good grades. There are a lot of us in this situation in the evening/weekend program. Don't fret! You will get tired and have no life sometimes, but it's all right. Take it a semester at a time and you'll be done before you know it. Also, I recommend making copies of ALL paperwork you give them. They aren't the most organized. Good luck everyone!

Yes, for the second year you are able to choose whether you want Th/Fri or Sat/Sun clinicals. The director of the program seems to be giving everyone their preference. They do their best to give you what you want.

I am in Allegheny evening/weekend program right now. Here's what our schedule has looked like so far. (I'm finishing up my first year) 101 Lecture - Tues 5:30-8:00 Lab - Wed 5:00-9:00 Clinical - Wed 3-11 or Sat 7-3 102 Lecture - T 5:00-7:30 Lab - 5-6 or 6-7 or 7-8 Clinical - Fri 3-11 or Sat 7-3 or Sun 7-3 Working until 4:30 and attending the evening program is possible the first year. Keep in mind, though, that they have restructured the program for the incoming classes. If they keep it relatively the same you should be fine the first year. The second year, though, you will have clinical 2 days a week which means you would work M-F and have clinical both Sat/Sun. You probably won't be able to keep your schedule the last semester, though, because like the previous poster said you will be following your mentor's schedule. If you can work it out, though, it's definitely possible! Good luck!

Welcome to CCAC. I just started 102 and this behavior seems to be very typical of them. I do feel we are learning a lot and being prepared for the profession, but they are extremely unorganized. I had a similar problem with my high school transcripts and had to send them 2 or 3 times. I'm not sure how to help you (sorry!), but once they do finally get them I strongly recommend you make copies of everything they ask for. Perhaps your high school could send you an unofficial copy of your transcripts? That's what I did in case I needed them. Good luck to you, and sorry you're having such a rough time!

Where did you see the grades posted?

RN. You can do it!

The PAX was not that hard! If you can't pass it the program is going to be very difficult. They're just going to accept all these people who can't get through the first semester. It's funny that at our orientation they made this big deal about the huge waiting list to get in. I guess that was a bit of an overstatement. (Also, it was good to see you the other day, Jason!)

I don't attend Kaplan, but I would highly recommend you go somewhere else. Their nursing program may be accredited, but the fact that almost all their other programs aren't is a huge red flag. I have also heard that they do not set up your clinicals and it is hard to get any hospital to allow you in individually. Also, before you do anything make absolutely sure that the credits you take there will, in definite fact, transfer to an np program. (Meaning research this and don't trust the people in admissions.) There are many other schools that offer excellent programs that you may want to look into.

No problem! Thank you for looking :) They are just irking me at the moment.

Hey Jason - I have a question about the books. We were given a list at registration (which includes Fundamentals), but there is a completely different list on the ccac central website. Was this the case for you as well? Should we buy from the registration or website list? We have called and emailed, but no one has gotten any answer. I feel like I started buying the wrong books...

Also, you'll need to buy a stethoscope, pen light, and white shoes with no markings. I don't know why they don't tell us we need these things. Luckily I was on this site when a previous class was starting so I knew to ask.

I applied for a position at UPMC (a training program for CNAs) and it took over a month to hear anything back. Also, if you go to UPMC Careers on facebook you can ask them right there for help. Sorry, I realize I have posted the facebook page before, but it is so helpful and I don't think a lot of people know about it yet.

If you search facebook for "UPMC Careers" you will find their page where you can ask any questions you have and get decent, quick answers. If you have too many questions or they can't answer them they will send you in the right direction. Also, if you have trouble finding work keep in mind smaller, more independent companies such as The Children's Institute or The Children's Home of Pittsburgh. Both are almost always hiring nurses.

Also, I believe that most diploma programs are designed to make it easy to transfer credits for a BSN. I don't know much about St. Margaret's, but I have heard nothing but good things.

Unless you are in a hurry to finish, I recommend finishing as many co-req's as you can. It can only help you!