Ready to Apply CT Community Colleges- Nursing Program 2011

Nikki and Katie,

To respond to your questions, I am referencing the Three Rivers Community College in Norwich. I do not have any firsthand knowledge of the other campus experience. I wish I had been warned, but I probably wouldn't have believed it and enrolled anyway. It was a total waste, and I regreat neglecting my other commitments while dedicating all my time and energy to a program that prides itself in exactly what you said, a "hazing" experience. I can honestly say, neglecting your family, children, commitments, is not worth it. I should have listened better and realized anyone who would recommend this is not an educator.

I'm almost done with my second semester, and I've posted before about it, but I've had a very positive experience so far. Many of the students I am in class with are happy with the education we're receiving both in and out of the classroom. Is it perfect? Nope. Are some teachers better than others? Yes. Do some teachers have an attitude that can make learning difficult? Yes. But find me a program or school anywhere that doesn't have some of that. People have left the program for any number of reasons. I don't know anyone personally that felt they were forced out, that's unfortunate. In so many cases what you get out of school is what you put in. Try to go in with an open mind and experience it for yourself before making a judgment.

Just FYI, I work full time and also have three children at home. Do they recommend that? No, but they can't stop you. You do what you have to do. I've managed to get through just fine thus far. I think they did mention that if someone works a third shift job and then comes to clinical for the following first shift, that will not be allowed.

Good luck to all.

I could not agree more with you Jmommy! You get exactly what you put into it. I'm a 43 year old woman with two children one 22 and other 4. It has been my life experience, that if one has a positive open mind! one can do almost anything! But you have to want it! keep positive everyone and follow your dream and destiny! God Bless!

No offense Jane3, but it kind of sounds like maybe they were emphasizing that you need to spend more time focusing on the program because your grades were borderline? I know there's a minimum you have to maintain to stay in the program. I can't imagine them trying to “push” someone out of a program if they were doing well in that program (unless that person's personality wasn't right for nursing). If a person was doing well, I don't see why their personal life/other obligations would matter much.

I've never heard of the CT CC nursing program being described as “hazing” before (but I have heard about other RN programs that seemed like hazing). My cousin completed the RN program in 2010 and loved it (this was at Capital, though). They are going to be tough on you, because they want to make sure you can take it. You can't be weak and go into nursing. They're going to give you a hard time in clinical because they want you to get it right. I've learned so much more from those hard a** professors than the relaxed, easy going ones. I don't necessarily like them while I’m taking the class, but after the class I sort of understand why they were mean, critical, jerks.

You should have stuck with the program just to stick it to them... maybe that's what they were looking for. Also, there are poor teachers everywhere. I've had A LOT of classes over the years, and I'd say I taught myself in about 95% of those classes. Good teachers, truly good teachers, are hard to find. I pretty much assume that I'm going to be teaching myself each time I take a class.

For everyone else who might be worried about mistreatment—don't stress about it. Each semester is about four months. If you get a bad teacher, just remind yourself the situation is only temporary and you'll probably have a different teacher the next semester.

I'm almost done with my second semester, and I've posted before about it, but I've had a very positive experience so far. Many of the students I am in class with are happy with the education we're receiving both in and out of the classroom. Is it perfect? Nope. Are some teachers better than others? Yes. Do some teachers have an attitude that can make learning difficult? Yes. But find me a program or school anywhere that doesn't have some of that. People have left the program for any number of reasons. I don't know anyone personally that felt they were forced out, that's unfortunate. In so many cases what you get out of school is what you put in. Try to go in with an open mind and experience it for yourself before making a judgment.

Just FYI, I work full time and also have three children at home. Do they recommend that? No, but they can't stop you. You do what you have to do. I've managed to get through just fine thus far. I think they did mention that if someone works a third shift job and then comes to clinical for the following first shift, that will not be allowed.

Good luck to all.

JBMommy,

I have been following your posts for a while, you are always so positive and motivating. I am like you and Annie67. I am in my 40's, working full time, and plan to do so all the way through school. Life is tough but the rewards are worth it.

Also I hope every nurse that ever takes care of me, is able to handle a little stress thrown at them. I know at CCC they encouraged a friend of mine to drop when she was in danger of failing, but that was so she could reapply otherwise she would not be able to.

I can assure you grades were not borderline, nor were the grades of my peers. If they want you out, they can find methods to remove you by failing you clinically. No one gets through a four semester program and deserves to be removed for clinical reasons. However they can, and will do it. My theory is if it makes them happy to be on a power trip, so be it. Nothing is worth your pride and dignity. It's a sad scenario when so called nurses can treat people the way they have treated people in this program. Anyway, good luck to all of you!

I can assure you grades were not borderline, nor were the grades of my peers. If they want you out, they can find methods to remove you by failing you clinically. No one gets through a four semester program and deserves to be removed for clinical reasons. However they can, and will do it. My theory is if it makes them happy to be on a power trip, so be it. Nothing is worth your pride and dignity. It's a sad scenario when so called nurses can treat people the way they have treated people in this program. Anyway, good luck to all of you!

just because someone does not have a top gpa, does not mean they will not do well in the program, which is exactly why they have the lottery system.

It's not that people do poorly and still get into the program, is a B poor? Some students have to work extra hard to get the B that comes easy to the A student, it doensn't reflect in the program being rated poorly, they are still excepting very qualified people, it's kind of ignorant to think way

Someone sounds bitter

I dont believe youre getting the point. It has nothing to do with grades. I am speaking of a group of so called educators and how they treat people in general. I am not speaking of myself, but others in various stages of this program. I have seen it all too often, and it's ridiculous that the teachers can treat people the way they do and say the things they say. As I said, shame on them.