Ready to Apply CT Community Colleges- Nursing Program 2011

96 per year, 48 Fall, 48 Spring and you don't get to pick.

Don't believe the hype! That person you talked about who wants to help has no system in place to do such a thing. There are day clinicals offered. They don't care about your commute. They make up their own questions for exams rather then out of a test bank. The clinical instructors are awesome! Hospitals right now in 102 are Yale, St Rays, Middlesex and Waterbury. I do like the program, they are very frustrating to deal with most of the time. Just fyi.

I don't believe every thing I hear. I did feel a lot more informed @ their info session than at other CC sessions I attended. You get out of it what you put in, and a night program is perfect for me.

I totally agree. My wife and I felt the same way as did the other 47 people BUT its not all that its cracked up to be. And yes you don't have to listen to me, you can listen to the 18 people(almost half) who failed last semester in 102 and the 12+ who are failing now in 102. The instuctors do try to help you IF you ask for it. All I'm saying is, its very frustrating because they're not doing what they said they'd do in orientation.

Matt I sent you a PM. In my experience most people don't do what they say they will. Have you tried or thought about a transfer to another CC?

I didn't get the PM?

I just tried again Matt

I have heard many other students in 101 that are completely frustrated with the program. I haven't had a problem personally to this point with any aspect of the program. I think that sometimes things that seem totally random or frustrating from a present standpoint, will make a lot of sense in the end. Are they willing to work with students to try and make accommodations? Absolutely. Can they make changes for all 48 students? Obviously not. Whether it's the testing style, clinical sites, teaching styles, etc. a lot of it you just have to accept is the way life is. I was expecting things to be so much worse I've been pleasantly surprised at how things have gone. My biggest frustration has been listening to some of the other students, but that's because I'm not always very tolerant or empathetic (but I'm working on that).

Hey all,

I wanted to post my stats on here:

I'm unsure of my exact GPA (I have a recent BS Biology from ECSU, so I'm guessing my GPA from the past 5 years will be somewhere around a 3.1-3.4. My TEAS was a 77.8% but I'll be retaking it on the 7th. My A&P I grade is shaping up to be an A-/A depending on how this muscle practical goes.

I had a few questions:

1.) Should I apply to the nursing program right now because I am transferring in so many credits, or should I wait until I get my second TEAS score and my A&P I grade? If I do apply now, will my TEAS score from January be the one reflected in the admissions decision in February?

2.) Should I choose GWCC or NWCC as my first choice? I'm leaning towards Northwestern. I realize it's a matter of preference but I just wanted to get some feedback. I can't apply to any of the other programs because my work (phlebotomist) requires me to work mornings and mid-day.

Thanks in advance and good luck to everyone!

Danielle

You can transfer your credits now. Transfer your A&P credits as soon as you get them, or have it set up to be sent when grades are posted. If your TEAS is taken at a CT CC you won't need to do anything with them, I think they consider the highest score. I am not sure about Gateways applications for last year, they admit 96 students each school year. Northwestern had 80 applicants for 24 seats for the first class starting in January. I guess it depends on where you live. I would try to attend an information session for each school. One thing I was told at the information session I attended was that if you submit your application early, there is time to make corrections or resubmit documents if necessary. Best of luck...

I just called my first choice school to verify my high school diploma arrived, because I had registration hold and haven't taken classes there yet. I found out my transcripts from another CT CC did not arrive, even though the "transcript request" status on MyCommnet states they were sent. I am so glad I called to verify.

This time last year I was reading these threads daily, trying to get as much information as I could about the community college nursing programs. I am just finishing up my first semester at Gateway, and I LOVE it! Other than some issues with financial aid over at long wharf, I have no other complaints. Having no prior experience in the health care field, I was super nervous in the beginning but the instructors have been so wonderful in building up our confidence. It is what you make it-- I can't stress that enough! I'm one of the crazies that is still working 40+ hours a week, and I have still managed to keep an 89 average. But it takes hard work. It's a lot of reading and critical thinking, but it's manageable. NOTHING like A&P exams!

Lectures are Mon & Thurs from 4p-6p (sometimes later)

Clinicals are Tues & Weds from 3p-10p (Either at St.Rays or Yale)

* For the first 6 weeks we had labs, then rotated 1 lab day 1 clinical day for about 2 weeks then switched to clinical 2 days/week

Be prepared to dish out a lot of ca$h on books, uniforms (scrubs, stethoscope, pen lights, maybe a BP cuff to practice), and transportation (parking @ Yale is $9/day! try meeting people that live in your area to carpool). I swear by amazon.com, you will save so much money! Just make sure you have the correct ISBN numbers. We had an issue with the bookstore @ the north haven campus in the beginning of the semester, which left several students without books to do the reading for a few weeks. I suggest getting them early just to be safe.

They told us tonight that clinical sites for 102 may be at Middlesex, Waterbury, Yale or St.Rays. Although we DO have an option to participate in day clinical, if there aren't enough volunteers, people will be selected randomly. We do not have a choice in clinical sites. (which will stink since I am commuting from Fairfield) So try to keep some flexibility in your schedules because you really never know for sure.

I wish all of you the best of luck on your journeys! HAVE FUN AND DONT GIVE UP!!!!! :)