SAC nursing program fall 2011

Hey all. I'm just checking to see how everyone is holding up and making sure that no one has been declared legally insane due to this wait!:rotfl: I am almost certifiable lol. Luckily I have schoolwork and kids to keep me somewhat sane!

Hi Noelle, still holding up and still sane..lol...I still check my mail and email many many times a day...how old are your kiddos?? Good luck in school...:)

Hi Noelle, still holding up and still sane..lol...I still check my mail and email many many times a day...how old are your kiddos?? Good luck in school...:)

My babies are 7, 5 soon to be 6, and 4. I keep checking my mail and email too everyday too! I am becoming obsessed!

i want everyone to think positive...i have always been a very pessimist person. it was a way for me to prepare for bad news or the worse. for the first time in my life, i am trying to be postive and picture myself going to nursing school and becoming a rn. i have been thinking about it ever since i submitted my application. i have seen and heard wonderful things do happen with a positive mentality. i picture every one that has joined this discussion forum wearing their rn scrubs very soon. so lets think positive and leave no room for negativity..its gonna happen!!!!

My babies are 7, 5 soon to be 6, and 4. I keep checking my mail and email too everyday too! I am becoming obsessed!

Wow, you have your hands full. A big HI 5. I tried juggling School, working nights and my two oldest in sports was crazy. I finally decided to quit my job. Now, I regret it... lol.. more time to wonder if I got accepted.. lol..Lets all hope for the best.. :)

i want everyone to think positive...i have always been a very pessimist person. it was a way for me to prepare for bad news or the worse. for the first time in my life, i am trying to be postive and picture myself going to nursing school and becoming a rn. i have been thinking about it ever since i submitted my application. i have seen and heard wonderful things do happen with a positive mentality. i picture every one that has joined this discussion forum wearing their rn scrubs very soon. so lets think positive and leave no room for negativity..its gonna happen!!!!

i agree! positivity is the way to go! i am sending out positive vibes for everyone right now! :redpinkhe

I agree! Positivity is the way to go! I am sending out positive vibes for everyone right now! :redpinkhe

Yes, thank you...keep on sending all that positive vibe...:redpinkhe

No I didn't prepare for the HESI. No more than I did for any class test. I just considered it another test for each class, not something extra. You can easily get overwhelmed if you act as if it's a seperate course of study, because it's not, it's just a different form of test for the same classes you will be taking. I didn't do any studying before school started. I did buy my books and printed off stuff once it became avilable online for the classes.

I saved that e-mail for a while, but it was on my old computer, so I don't have it anymore. But I remember first opening the e-mail and thinking at first it was that I hadn't filled something out right or they needed more information. I guess I expected it to have something more... substantial to it. The subject line didn't say "You are accepted" or anything memorable. But I do remember clearly the list of stuff it had that I needed to complete in a scant 2 weeks before the date that I had to go to the school to present proof I had done those things and be registered. Maybe I had overlooked the e-mail at first or hadn't checked in a while, but it felt like I wasn't given much time. I had to get my immunization records together which for me included a couple of shots and titers, a TB test, a physical, get CPR certified, make the appointment for and get drug tested, and do the background check. I already had proof of health insurance, so I didn't need to deal with that, but others had to enroll in the school insurance program. Because I was working at the time, I had to take a couple of days off to get it all done, and even then I worried the drug test or background check wouldn't get completed in time.

Just a recommendation if you get accepted. For your clinicals you will have to present proof of having been "oriented" to the hospital stuff on safety, HIPAA, etc. You'll watch a few of videos and receive a little card that is good for a year. For your first one, you'll do it on orientation day. Make a packet with copies of that card, proof of immunizations and TB test, your health insurance, and your CPR card. You will have to present it to your clinical instructors at the beginning of each clinical. Some clinical instructors will just look at them and hand them back once they've checked off that you have them, others will keep them on file, so just make copies for each class and put them in an envelope, and keep the originals someplace safe. You'll also have to sign an indemnification agreement before each clinical, so print it off, sign it, and put it with your packet before each clinical starts. It will save you shuffling through paperwork on that first clinical day, and your instructor will appreciate it.

Send me a PM if you have any other questions. I don't mind at all helping. I enjoyed my time in nursing school much more than I did any other college classes I took in the many other fields I studied, and I have a few other tips that will save you much time and grief from instructors when you get there.

SolaireSolstice gave great advice about either becoming a unit clerk or tech at a hospital. I was a unit clerk/tech at Methodist in SA for 7 years before moving up here to Austin where I am now a level one nursing student at Austin Community College in their ADN program. Being a unit clerk was great preparation because you get practice at reading doctor's handwriting, orders, order entry, medications, labs, and charts.

At our school we had to take the HESI A2 which is part of our entrance exam. Like your school we also take a "practice" HESI after level 2 and level 3.

Good luck to all of ya'll waiting! I remember waiting to hear and it was agonizing! Some of my old co-workers from Methodist I still keep in contact with were SAC graduates and they are some of the best nurses I know.

If I may ask, can anyone tell me what kind of money you make for being a unit clerk or tech at a hospital? I am hoping to switch jobs once I get accepted into nursing school (note the confidence, there!) and I would really like to find something that is in the human medical field (I come from many years in the veterinary medical and medical sales field). I know that usually the pay for being a CNA isn't very great, but what other jobs should I look for that I would be able to get? I could easily go back to being a veterinary technician and make around 15-17 an hour, but that doesn't really get me the experience I am looking for. Any thoughts?

No I didn't prepare for the HESI. No more than I did for any class test. I just considered it another test for each class, not something extra. You can easily get overwhelmed if you act as if it's a seperate course of study, because it's not, it's just a different form of test for the same classes you will be taking. I didn't do any studying before school started. I did buy my books and printed off stuff once it became avilable online for the classes.

I saved that e-mail for a while, but it was on my old computer, so I don't have it anymore. But I remember first opening the e-mail and thinking at first it was that I hadn't filled something out right or they needed more information. I guess I expected it to have something more... substantial to it. The subject line didn't say "You are accepted" or anything memorable. But I do remember clearly the list of stuff it had that I needed to complete in a scant 2 weeks before the date that I had to go to the school to present proof I had done those things and be registered. Maybe I had overlooked the e-mail at first or hadn't checked in a while, but it felt like I wasn't given much time. I had to get my immunization records together which for me included a couple of shots and titers, a TB test, a physical, get CPR certified, make the appointment for and get drug tested, and do the background check. I already had proof of health insurance, so I didn't need to deal with that, but others had to enroll in the school insurance program. Because I was working at the time, I had to take a couple of days off to get it all done, and even then I worried the drug test or background check wouldn't get completed in time.

Just a recommendation if you get accepted. For your clinicals you will have to present proof of having been "oriented" to the hospital stuff on safety, HIPAA, etc. You'll watch a few of videos and receive a little card that is good for a year. For your first one, you'll do it on orientation day. Make a packet with copies of that card, proof of immunizations and TB test, your health insurance, and your CPR card. You will have to present it to your clinical instructors at the beginning of each clinical. Some clinical instructors will just look at them and hand them back once they've checked off that you have them, others will keep them on file, so just make copies for each class and put them in an envelope, and keep the originals someplace safe. You'll also have to sign an indemnification agreement before each clinical, so print it off, sign it, and put it with your packet before each clinical starts. It will save you shuffling through paperwork on that first clinical day, and your instructor will appreciate it.

Send me a PM if you have any other questions. I don't mind at all helping. I enjoyed my time in nursing school much more than I did any other college classes I took in the many other fields I studied, and I have a few other tips that will save you much time and grief from instructors when you get there.

Hi Solairesolstice, Wow thats amazing! I better get going then. I would need my CPR, HEPB Vacc. drug test, and criminal background..Have any suggestions where to go and get these done? Or does SAC tell you where to go? Again, I want to thank you, many thanks for all your advise and helpful information...

If I may ask, can anyone tell me what kind of money you make for being a unit clerk or tech at a hospital? I am hoping to switch jobs once I get accepted into nursing school (note the confidence, there!) and I would really like to find something that is in the human medical field (I come from many years in the veterinary medical and medical sales field). I know that usually the pay for being a CNA isn't very great, but what other jobs should I look for that I would be able to get? I could easily go back to being a veterinary technician and make around 15-17 an hour, but that doesn't really get me the experience I am looking for. Any thoughts?

Hi Daisyis, I use to work nights as a Unit Clerk. I had ZERO experience and my starting pay was 11.75. I met Clerks within the Hospital that made way more than I did. Although, they did have years of experience. I think working as a CNA, Tech, Clerk....will be helpful considering they are all in the medical field. I know working nights, weekends and holidays you get differential pay. Its extra pay that does add up...I know they are always looking for PRN positions. I would start applying for those first to get your feet in. When you do get accepted to Nursing School, a PRN position is flexible. At least I think so...Try anything and good luck...:)

Reason people choose SAC over other nursing programs is because its way cheaper and quicker. In the end, it doesn't matter where you end up getting your degree...... it could be at SAC, Incarnate Word, or UTSA..... everyone end up making the same pay. i just graduated from SAC with zero student debt but my co-worker graduated with 50k in debt from Incarnate word but we will end up making the same.

As for the posts above, its highly recommended to work as a tech while going to nursing school. Tech -> CNA -> Clerk. Techs deal with more on patient care while clerks mainly don't which will help you out later on. Job market been pretty tough out there for new grads and just working in the hospital will give you a leg up and possible job offers once you graduate. Another perks are tuition reinbursments and good nursing advice from nurses there. And if you are lucky to finish nursing school? The hospital will reinburse the cost of 1 NCLEX Review (300 value) and the NCLEX Exam which cost 350. Dam thing is expensive so you want to pass on the first try. You can start working as a tech or CNA after completing 1 yr of nursing school.

Working and going to school can be easily done. Going to school during the week and working nights part time during the weekends. weekend and night deferential helps alot. Shifts are in 8-12 hr shifts. You can easily knock out 16-24 hrs in 2 days.