rmtocc

So eager! I remember feeling that way...Now I just want to have a good cry and a nap.

no I dont...I only know of one that has quit so far, but it was for a personal family emergency...not because she couldnt take it....BUT I am only exposed to about 1/3 of the class(if that)...maybe there are some that actually quit because its too tough for them.... I get together with classmates when there is time and we complain and get things off our chest... we support one another because we all have those feelings of "I cant take much more!"...because it is a lot of work....so far, even though Ive had my bad days...I feel supported by the friends Ive made and I offer support to them...that I think is the key to success...that and keeping your goal in mind.

Actually, I dont think they are ABUSIVE...that was probably too harsh a word to use...I have not had one that I would consider abusive. The worst I have experienced is a clinical instructor that is critical but in no way helpful...She would laugh occasionally at a question a student may ask, and is known to tell students they will not make it...on a daily basis. I was fairly confident in clinical until I got her and she had me question my ability to succeed... My opinion of her is that she is trying to toughen us up and is determined not to baby us, which really wouldnt do us any good. She is just trying to be "real" about what we will face and what will be expected of us as nurses. Nursing is a tough job...mentally and physically....I imagine it wears down a nurse who's done it for dozens of years like a lot of instructors have... I think that is what a lot of these instructors are trying to do...prepare us for the harsh reality...consciously or not. Then again people are individuals and have had different life experiences...what one person might view as "tough love" or directness might be considered mean or abusive to others.

then it might be worth your while to get certification as a CNA or aide and work in the medical field to see if you would want to do it. dental hygiene, I would think, would be a less stressful option.

Well most of my classmates have questioned their resolve to endure seemingly purposeful abuse by instructors...Its not uncommon for me to hear "I wanna quit!!!" from someone at least once a week....but if you really want to be a nurse, you suck it up and take the punishment and sometimes ridiculously tedious and time consuming work given you. Truthfully, I think its just a warm up for the stress of nursing, but if you love it, you love it. I cant speak of many other programs in the area...I am going to go on to EMU for their RN/BSN program as it seems reasonable in price(especially with the MACRO agreement they have with OCC) and they are as reputable as any other school...I think you should consider how long you can or want to be in school, how much you can afford in terms of tuition and look at gen ed requirements.... I chose OCC because of their no waiting list, but didnt get in the first year I applied so had to wait a year anyway. While waiting I took classes at EMU to count towards a bachelors...I dont think waiting 4-5 yrs to get into a community college is worth it personally... that's why so many people choose to apply to OCC, I think. Again, I strongly recommend planning on getting a bachelors degree. Whether you go about it the direct or stepping stone kind of way like I did depends on how much you can afford and how fast you want to work as a nurse.

Hi. Im a 1st year student (class of 2013) at OCC. It is tough...I think its stupid that you can retake prereqs without penalty and drive up cut off GPA..I do believe that that is one of the things they are potentially revamping for future admissions.... I was discussing prereqs with classmates and someone thought Pathophysiology should be a prereq. Admittedly, I think it will make the program less difficult to get through (notice I didnt say 'easy'). But it then makes an already long list of "prereqs" even longer! It is practically enough work to earn a BSN as it is....If I had the foresight to research it, I probably would have just decided to pursue a bsn off the bat instead of this stepping stone approach Im doing now. If you get less than a B on any test once in the program, you have to meet with your instructor...they keep a close eye on those that are on the cusp of failing...not that they offer many services to help you, but they let you know you are close to failing...if you do end up getting less than a b in a course, you can take it again next year...but that's it...you fail again, you're out. Ive encountered students that are taking courses again....so its not that uncommon. Overall I think if you are considering a BSN (and you should if you want to be marketable in the field) then look closely at bsn programs...especially if you can swing not working (or working very few hours) while in school and have adequate funds for tuition. Good Luck!

I say it doesnt hurt to apply and just see. The worst they can say is no...Just have a backup plan in place if you dont get in. But with a 4.0 I think your chances are better than you think. good luck!

Im enrolled in a CC ADN program and there are quite a few of us that are not straight out of high school. ALL of us (young ones included) are struggling right now. Most of us work, have homes, significant others, children, pets...all of which are being neglected right now. You will definitely have plenty of classmates to relate to! Just hang in there, it will be tough, but it will be worth it in the end!

divarn, several nurses that are clinical instructors at my school gave me the impression that a lot of areas in nursing you do not get much opportunity to place ivs due to iv teams and specialized departments that come in to do it all. I guess it depends on where you work. I know that you need critical care ICU experience to get into a CRNA program. Though Im not sure why you brought that up. And, here in MI, the CRNA programs are already beginning the switch to PhD instead of MSN. By the time I get my BSN (around 2016), no schools in my area will offer MSN programs for CRNAs anymore.

I sometimes worry about this too, which is why Im not completely sold on CRNA (especially since its headed toward the PhD route and not just MSN.) Tell me about it! no iv's or blood draws?! I will have to find some avenue where I can do this...there's got to be someplace where a nurse can work and needs these skills on a daily basis.

Hey folks! my first "career" was as a Registered Veterinary Technician in the state of Indiana. Ive also worked in Illinois and Michigan as a RVT or LVT (licensed vet tech). I attended Purdue Univerisity and have an Associate of Science Degree in VT. The year I graduated (1997) they began to offer a bachelor's of science in VT. 2 classmates continued on and workin vet clinics as technologists with their BSVT. I worked as a vet tech until 2009. Allergies prevent me from staying in that field, but I chose to go back to school before I discovered that. Im in my first year of nursing school at a local community college with plans to get my BSN and eventually, grad school to become a CRNA. I didnt read every single response but I think most people have said what I feel is accurate...Not a ton of upward mobility for a vet tech, lower pay..although a greater scope of practice. I will miss that...Im finding out how limited a nurse is in scope compared to vet techs and that's why Im going the grad school route...so I will need to get a phd now to "relearn" how to intubate, admin, and monitor anesthesia...bummer....but the salary will be better! I once worked with a licensed vet tech who was also a licensed nurse. She did both part time and loved it. I wish I could do that! Even if you think money wont be an issue...Id try to find a way to do both (if not just nursing)...vet tech/assisting for the greater skill set....nursing for the money/mobility. Good Luck!

Im in the class of 2013. Is it a lot of work? yes. Is it possible to do well? yes. Its really up to each individual. Like someone earlier said, if you really are motivated to succeed, you will. You will like some instructors, some you wont. You will grasp some material better than others. There are good days and bad days. The best advice I can give to anyone wanting to get in and eventually graduate is find the best study method for you and do the work (really, just do it!), dont expect anything to come easy (in fact, just dont have any expectations other than that you have to WORK), and take care of yourself (with good food, enough rest, and an occasional social outing..yes take a break every now and then!) oh and stop worrying! It is just taking up precious study time!

that's good to know...I have 2-3 classes to complete to be macro satisfied. So it looks like I'll be taking those before I apply...what's the application deadline? Just 50 per YEAR with january start only?

Inquiring minds want to know! lol Im a current student at OCC (1st year) and considering EMU's rn-bsn program (and would hope to get assigned to the Livonia campus)... adpeeka, please let us know how it goes! Also, what was the application process like for the rn-bsn? Where did you get your adn from? thanks in advance!

Have you sought out jobs elsewhere in your area? They might move a little faster in offering you an RN job if they have competition. I dont doubt that they are dragging their feet with paying you at RN scale...Id question if I wanted to continue to work for such a place. Good Luck!