Questions about OCC Nursing Program

IHeartPeds87 · Feb 1, 2012

1. what is the gpa required to get in? (i know it changes each year but, what was the required gpa for entrance last month? i seem to recall that it is pretty close to a 4.0 or straight a's.)

last year's gpa was a 3.880, no one knows what this year's gpa cutoff will be or what the admission procedures will be at all after this admission cycle because there are rumors of it changing. the gpa is getting so high that they are thinking of changing the requirements but the current standards still exist for the next incoming class of fall 2012.

2. how do you study for the math proficiency test? is there a class to take or something to brush up my skills? i haven't had basic math (percents, decimals, fractions, etc. probably since middle school or high school) for a long time.

there is a study guide that you can get from any of the student centers at occ and they have free tutoring sessions that you can sign up for. i suggest doing the study guide and signing up for a few tutoring sessions to go over the study guide. they can give you extra sample questions to help you on your weaker areas. there is also a practice test on the occ website that you can get. the test itself isn't too hard and there is ample free support to help if you put the effort in!

3. should i apply to lpn as a back up for rn or only go straight for rn? would it be advised to go for cna if i'm not sure about nursing?

the lpn program has a different deadline. the deadline for application for fall 2012 for the adn rn program at occ was december 15th of 2011. the lpn program starts every january and the deadline, i believe is september 1st (but don't quote me). i reccomend setting up an appointment with a counselor at school who can help you discuss your options better. without knowing your gpa and personal circumstances, it is hard to give advice. i personally held out for the adn rn program but for me the most important thing is that i get my rn as soon as possible. if money is the biggest issue then i would suggest going lpn because that way you can get a higher paying job as an lpn while you finish the lpn-rn bridge (if thats your ultimate goal). so it all depends.

if you aren't sure about nursing, i do suggest that you work as an aide or gain any exposure that you can. it's not an easy path to take- make sure your really want it before you "waste" time, energy and money on nursing school!

4. is anyone in the occ program? what do you think of it compared to other schools?

i am a fall 2012 hopeful. my gpa is a 3.972 and i am waiting for a letter (hopefully an acceptance letter!) in march. occ's nursing school has a really good reputation in this area and they are known for their competitive admission standards because it's one of the cheapest ways to get your rn around here. i think it's a good school with a good reputation. i've heard that the program itself is pretty difficult to get through because you need atleast a b- in every nursing class to pass........so the graduates of this program know their stuff! i'd love to join them lol.

still there are other schools in the area. most of the community colleges have programs in the area. i don't know a lot about them, but i know there are lots of other programs (schoolcraft, mott community college, wayne county community college, washtenaw community college, henry ford community college, etc). i know that oakland university, wayne state, baker, and madonna have programs as well. the admission requirements vary so drastically though that you could be a "shoe-in" at one program and not even be eligible to apply at another. so do your research.

i have taken all pre req's except anatomy & physiology and i would have to retake two classes that i didn't get a's in. i do have most of the pre req's. i'm very interested in nutrition too, is there a way to combine both? should i get a bachelor's degree in nutrition or dietetics and then complete an accelerated nursing program?

if you want to be a nurse than a bachelor's degree in nutrition isn't going to help you "career-wise" in nursing. unfortunately, degrees in other areas aren't considered to much in the nursing world. i'm not saying this is fair or right, but it is what it is at this point. if you want to be a nurse, go to nursing school. if nutrition is your passion, then do that.

there might be some career paths that can combine your two interests but that would be a specialized field down the road.

good luck in a&p- not easy classes.

good luck to you!

rystle · Feb 1, 2012

"

the gpa is getting so high that they are thinking of changing the requirements but the current standards still exist for the next incoming class of fall 2012."

what is the rumored way they are are going to change the admission requirements? like add on more pre req's or more tests?

are there jobs for lpns? i read everywhere that they are fazing out lpns?

i think the high gpa has to do with allowing that students to take over the pre req's as many times as possible. that's crazy that you need a b- in every class once you are in the program. what happens if you get a c+? do you get kicked out? can you recommend any other nursing schools around here? (basically, it is either competitive admissions like occ or a big long wait list like schoolcraft - right?)

rmtocc · Feb 5, 2012

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!

rystle · Feb 5, 2012

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!

Thank you so much. You gave me exactly what I was looking for, what it is like in the program. Can you recommend any schools besides OCC? I was going to do schoolcraft, but the wait is very long (4 or 5 years).

That is really stupid that you can take the prereqs multiple times. When most don't know what kind of program they are getting into, then they get kicked out because they think they can keep retaking the classes in the nursing program or the tests.

rmtocc · Feb 5, 2012

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.

rystle · Feb 6, 2012

I can afford it, even a private university. I do prefer to do it as cheap as possible though, don't most people?

I'm not sure if nursing is the right path for me. I love helping people, but not sure if I can put up with the stress. I keep going back and forth from nursing to like dental hygiene or dietetics/nutrition. People always say that nursing is way better, but I'm not sure I love it. I want to do something I love so I don't dread going to work.

rmtocc · Feb 6, 2012

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.

kizeemimi · Feb 6, 2012

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.

I am always hearing stuff like this about NS instructors. Can you elaborate on how they can be abusive? Im just wondering how and why they can be like this. I mean, there's always going to be crappy teachers but what is it about NS teachers that makes it so common?

rmtocc · Feb 6, 2012

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.

rystle · Feb 6, 2012

you said that "

[color=#333333]its not uncommon for me to hear "i wanna quit!!!" from someone at least once a week" so do you witness people that actually quit? the ones that probably quit were probably just set on the money.

rmtocc · Feb 6, 2012

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.