KathyVandy

Hello d_sbq! I'm a 4th semester nursing student at ARC. ARC's Nursing program is now a merit-based admission. So, as long as you have exceptional grades, you can have better chances of being admitted. You can check out our programs website here: American River College - Nursing Good luck! :)

Congratulations to everyone who got accepted to ARCs ADN program! I'm the SNA president of ARCs Nursing Program and I just wanted to welcome you all to our community. We have amazing professors and clinical instructors. We also have the best reputation in the clinical setting with all of the hospitals we have rotations with. You will love it. :) I encourage you to 'like' the ARC SNA Facebook page to keep up to date with all of the events we have going on. You can also use that page to ask any questions about the program of get advice from our existing students. Here is the link: ARC SNA I couldn't make it to the Orientation last week because I had my final exam that day, but I look forward to meeting all of you at the Welcome Event in August! -Kathy

Yes, math 120 is sufficient to take Chem 305, 306, or 309. :)

Hi Everyone! I'm the Co-President for our SNA here at American River College in Sacramento, CA. I'm trying to research what each School of Nursing has the students wear for their Pinning Ceremony and how much you have to pay for it. What do you guys wear to your pinning? Right now we wear our clinical scrubs to pinning. The same ones we've been in clinical in for the past 2 years. :-/ We are trying to change that but need to do a bit of research. I'd love it if some recent grads from any Northern California nursing schools could respond! :) Sacramento City College, Sierra College, Delta Community College, Yuba College, De Anza College, Cabrillo College, Chabot College, Sacramento State, Chico State, Stanislaus State... we would love to get your input! Thanks!

DooMoo: can you send me a private message with your email? I would love to give you some pointers for ARC :) Vintagemother is correct... You can apply to both. In fact, I did. I had a 3.983 GPA, 88% on the TEAS, but no optional points. I was alternate #19. The GPA and TEAS are the most significant part of Sac States application. If you keep straight As and have 100 hours of experience as an employed CNA, you have a good chance at getting in to SacState. :)

Hi there! I'm currently a second semester RN student at ARC. I got in on my first try, which is more common than you'd think. There are SO many reasons why ARC is a great choice for aspiring RN students. First off, we do NOT have a a lottery based admissions process anymore. The admissions panel takes the top 30% of applicants based on MERIT. Then, the top 10% of those students are guaranteed admission. Some get admission based in veteran status, and the rest are put into a pool of names that gets drawn from a hat. So, if you have grades to get you into that top 10-30%, you're golden. Other things that can help your application score are an outstanding TEAS test (85%+), volunteering at a hospital, previous healthcare experience (like a CNA), being fluent in another language (Spanish, Russian, Tagalog, etc - not French or German), having an existing degree (AS or BSN), and being a veteran. (Side note: I highly suggest becoming a CNA before you even start your BIO classes. It gives you a good idea of what nursing will be like AND gives you extra points on your application.) As far as LVN being a faster route, that's not entirely true is you plan to get your RN-BSN. LVN jobs aren't that plentiful, and you will eventually need to complete all the prerequisites for the ADN or RN-BSN program. Our Nursing professors are amazing and all of them really want you to succeed! We have excellent reputations in the hospitals we have clinicals at. Our NCLEX passing score is over 95% last time I checked. AND we have agreements with certain colleges to complete some of your BSN bridge program while on your last 2 semesters at ARC. Sac State is one of those colleges! Finally, we have the BEST Student Nurses Association that provides great opportunities and experiences for our members. Choosing to go to ARC was the best decision I ever made. If you have any questions about our program, feel free to DM me. Hope this helps! :)

Actually, American River College, Sac City College AND Sierra College all offer the SacState BSN bridge option. It's called the "River City Collaborative". They take a limited number of students that are in good academic standing after their 2nd semester of ADN school. :)

Congrats to those who got their acceptance letters! Welcome to the program! See you on May 15th for Orientation! :)

It's usually on a Friday when the acceptance emails go out. :) (It was Friday when I got my acceptance letter and I've heard the same from previous semesters as well.)

ARC cohort size is usually 40 students. Usually a couple people drop within the first few weeks and aren't replaced with alternates.

We are already planning the orientation for the new student for 5/15 :) I've heard there may be 43 students...

Nikkim228: a few people work VERY part time, but it's tough. First 6 weeks are exceptionally rough.

Hi ElisabethScoggins: It looks like AN took out your friends names, but if they are in the first semester, I know them. :) We are a very tight knit group! Last year when I received my acceptance letter, it was Friday April 11th. So, I'd put $$ on it that you guys will find out tomorrow :) GOOD LUCK!!

Hi StacyAnn! I'm in the first semester of ARC's ADN program. I LOVE it. :) I can give you the basics... class schedule is: Mon- OFF Tues- 7:30 to 1pm (sometimes 12 pm) Wed- 7:00 to 1-ish for the first 5-6 weeks, then 7:00 to 10:40 lecture and at 12:00 or so you go to the hospital you're doing clinical at to prep for Thurs & Friday clinical. Thurs - 6 am - 12pm-ish for the first 5-6 weeks. After the first 5-6 weeks you will start clinical. Depending on the shift you get, it could be 6am - 2pm or 2:30pm to 10:30 pm. Friday- same as Thursdays. :) The professors are all FABULOUS. Each has their own teaching style, so you'll have to see for yourself who you'll appreciate the most. It is VERY challenging. There is a TON of reading and preparation. There's no room for slacking, that's for sure! :) Tests are difficult and your grade in the class is pretty much 90% test grades. Clinicals are very fun. This semester we have 2 different hospitals and 4 different shifts to choose from. Actually, it's not much of a choice... everyone draws a number, then you sign up for your shift in order. So, if there's 40 people in your class and you draw number 39 or 40, you won't have much choice in which clinical you get. There's 10 students per shift, per hospital. That's the basics... Is there a specific question you'd like me to answer? Good luck to you all! I hope to see you next semester. Make sure to sign up for the Student Nurse Association! :)

The RN program I am in is the hardest thing I've ever done. It takes a level of commitment that rivals most marriages. I'm a 3.9 GPA student. If you're not sure, I would explore your options before you commit the time and INSANE amount of money.