I'm sure that it's probably waaaay to early for this thread, but I figured what the heck. I have all of my application documents just about ready for submission. Just need to add the self addressed postcard and my check.
My main concern though is my Eng I credit. I already have a BS in Biology. The school I attended rewarded me with the Eng I credit based solely on my ACT score. I was originally going to apply for the Spring 2009 class and as I was reviewing my transcripts, I notice that HCC had not given me credit for Eng I. I contacted the Dean of Student Services at the DM campus about it and he referred me to the Asst Dean. From there it pretty much got ugly. My transcript originally had it listed as CLEP credit but I didn't have any CLEP scores of course. I had transferred several times and was given credit every where I went with no questions asked. Not to mention that I actually already have a BS so you would think that I wouldn't have to worry about any of the general education courses. I told all of this to the Asst Dean and the reply that I got was that the original "college awarded the credit in an unorthodox manner and that it wasn't her fault that HCC had higher standards than the other institutions that I had transferred to." Her email pretty much told me to f off in a not so nice way. It didn't help that I gave her a piece of my mind after receiving such a response. *sigh*
I managed to get my original transcript updated so that it no longer says CLEP. It says "ACT score 28" instead. I had an updated copy sent to HCC along with a letter explaining the change, however HCC has yet to update anything. That was last August. Sooooooo, I will be trotting my happy butt in to see an advisor on Friday and praying like heck that they make the change and accept the credit. Because I already have my BS, I absolutely refuse to go back and take Eng I. I'm not happy at all with HCC's administrative staff, but because I can't find another true evening nursing program that doesn't cost an arm and a leg....I'm pretty much stuck with them. I can't afford to quit my job and go to school full time...if I could I would be doing USF's accelerated program instead. :)
Thank you, thank you, thank you Squeen13! I am so looking forward to starting but am going to take your advice and am going to relax and enjoy the holidays with my family. I keep feeling guilty for not getting some clinical calculations reading done yet but there will be plenty of time for that. I have two little ones and am taking a full course load right now so I am still pretty busy but I am sure it is nothing compared to what it will be very soon.
Quick question though, the NUR courses are 10 credits right, do we need to take an additional course to get us to full time status with 12 credits or does our clinical count as separate credits?
Quick question though, the NUR courses are 10 credits right, do we need to take an additional course to get us to full time status with 12 credits or does our clinical count as separate credits?
Another Question - Silly question but - how many additional classes are doable while taking the 10 credit hours for nursing?
I was told by an advisor that even though the nursing program is considered a ''full-time'' program, that the Pell/scholarships base full-time enrollment on 12 cr hours. Soo, if you get any financial aid, it will be based on 3/4 time status NOT full time. I was thinking of taking a yoga class to bring me up to the 12 cr hours...but I haven't decided yet.
It would really depend on the type of classes you are going to take. I wouldn't recommend anything that requires a lot of memorization because most of your brain activity goes to nursing. No chemistry or math courses recommended either, especially if you have children.
The program is considered full time.
You should hear about this at orientation, but ill explain what I know. Bright future scholarships are ok. You need 12 credits per year, not semester. Pell/military grants do need 12 hours (Mrs. S recommended dancing or easy online class, or yoga). There are classes with only 2 credit hours. And students dependent on parent's health insurance should be fine. She said there is a note they write explaining the courseload and all the extras are way over 10 hours. The only reason we have 10 is because its an ASN degree and you are limited to a total amount of hours per degree (72 for us) by the state. 10 credit hours by no means reflect the work you do! We do have 12 hours in NP3 or 4, can't remember. She said they have never had a problem with the letter getting denied and just ask her to send you one while at orientation.
Your clinical hours are included, and you need a community service project, 10 lab hours, 2 major care plans, and a well elder project. It's definitely worth about 15 credit hours or more, imo. :)
I was told by an advisor that even though the nursing program is considered a ''full-time'' program, that the Pell/scholarships base full-time enrollment on 12 cr hours. Soo, if you get any financial aid, it will be based on 3/4 time status NOT full time. I was thinking of taking a yoga class to bring me up to the 12 cr hours...but I haven't decided yet.
When is the yoga class I may just take that, I already have enough credits for my A.A. so I would just be filing in credits for my grants. I do need to take the IDS class to graduate with the A.A. but that is only one credit so I would still need to take something else as well.
When is the yoga class I may just take that, I already have enough credits for my A.A. so I would just be filing in credits for my grants. I do need to take the IDS class to graduate with the A.A. but that is only one credit so I would still need to take something else as well.
I believe they're only held at the Dale Mabry campus...and there's a few different times. They fill up quickly though....so if you're thinking of taking one, register now and you can always drop if you decided against it.
That was an awesome post! I'm definitely feeling more confident, especially knowing they are accommodating towards pregnant women! As for the people considering yoga - i am in beginners yoga right now and it's a FABULOUS class! i recommend it to anyone who needs those extra 2 credits! If you happen to be looking at the Brandon campus for a class, try to get Ms. Eastman. She is wonderful! We just had the other yoga teacher sub for her on Tuesday and I did not like her one bit. Then again, it could be just because I am so used to my teacher.
I'm currently in the program at Southshore and let me caution you about the 2 credits if you are using the GI bill. During orientation they will tell you to take dance or whatever to meet this commitment but it is NOT correct. By the time you complete your pre-reqs to apply to the nursing program the only courses left that the VA will pay are what HCC has listed as part of the degree requirment- specificially ONLY the 10 credit hours per semester. The VA will only pay 3/4 time. I got burned on this and ended up losing money (and time) on a weight-lifting class that doesnt count. Before you sign up for those 2 extra credits (VA, Brightfutures, etc) check with an academic advisor to make sure they will count- because those credits will be outside of your degree requirement. Given all we have to do (class hours, lab hours, clinical hours, community service, etc) I'm really surprised that it's only counted as 10 hrs per semester.
Regarding orientation- it was a complete joke and did not provide much in the way of preparation or valuable informaton for the program. The first day you do a drug screen and will pick up a packet with information on books etc and you will fill out a few forms. They will talk about shots, titers, etc and will then try to scare the crap out of you and tell you there is a failure rate of 25% (I'll address this later). Once you leave the main auditorium and go to the break out sessions this is the perfect time to leave- I'm totally serious! If you stay you will be subject to the worst afternoon of pointless games and mind numbing study recommendations (like finding a partner and reciting "I'm a good student" to which they respond "I am too" followed by your response "Yes I know"). Its ok if you stay, I did and then I excused myself for a 3 hr potty break. Look- if you got in then you know how to study and you are already on your game. You should all feel great about your accomplishment thus far. The numbers for Fall 10 went like this: 500 applied. 130 got in. GPA cutoff was 3.4
Yes- the program is going to be harder than anything you've done thus far at the community college level but it's not impossible. Will you all make A's- no, not anymore. Regarding the failure rate- the rule is 5-6 at each campus will not graduate (I'm quoting my instructer here). So why do people fail- they get behind on the reading OR they are taking on too much outside of school (work, family, etc). Look- I'm not saying you cant have a job or family but know that this program is intense and you need to be very organized with your time and method for completing assignments. Here's a sample of the first three days at Southshore: Read 17 chapters (for a test the following week), complete a research paper, complete 2 lab hours, 8 hours of clinicals, and study for the clinical calculations exam the following week- they do NOT teach clinical calculations so you need to purchase a book and learn it before you begin the program- it's not hard but it will take a few days.
Let me finish by telling you that the instructors at each campus want us all to succeed and they will do everything to ensure we do (except read the material for you). I have really enjoyed my time at Southshore and I know my professor is committed to our success.
Dewytwix
30 Posts
Thanks Squeen13 you actually made me feel better! :) Well, except that part about getting pooped on LOL.