Santa Ana College ADN Fall 2017

bmuro · Apr 27, 2017

So I wanted to know what the deal was with the CBC (Concept Based Curriculum), so I found some videos on youtube that show what programs we'll have access to and how it is set up for us.

It looks like the system has tons of resources.

I also found this highly rated nclex exam prep site and app. The pricing isn't bad for the 2 year subscription.

RN on Vimeo

And here is a youtube review on it

See you all on May 19th!!!

TSquares · May 5, 2017

I got accepted as well (YAY!) Im excited and anxious all at the same time. Since you work at St Josephs do you have any experience with students from SACs nursing program? Just curious to hear some feedback.

bmuro · May 8, 2017

I got accepted as well (YAY!) Im excited and anxious all at the same time. Since you work at St Josephs do you have any experience with students from SACs nursing program? Just curious to hear some feedback.

Congrats! See you in orientation :)

So, I have been working in the ED at SJO for over 12 years now. Not as a tech, but in the registration dept. I have had several co-workers from admitting who went to SAC and passed while working full-time. I also know several ER techs that were also working full time and passed without any issues. My plan is to work full time as an ER tech through the entire program after I finish 1st semester.

Pretty much everyone says the same thing. The theory and skills aren't that difficult just take notes, pay attention, study, the concept maps will get easier to do over time, etc... As far as clinicals are concerned as long as you play the game and show up on time, do not be out of uniform (stethoscope, pen light, etc.), and sort of immerse yourself in the learning you will do well. A few people said Mila (1st semester clinical instructor) is difficult, but other than that they all said it was not a difficult program.

Mind you, this was before the new curriculum change so who knows what impact it will have on the outcome of program. I cannot speak for the masses, but I still cannot wrap my head around why SAC has such low NCLEX pass rates in comparison to other community college ADN programs in the surrounding area. Low 80s is not bad, but when other programs are in the low 90s or high 80s it just makes you think.

All in all I am very happy to have been accepted at SAC and look forward to the ECP since the theory and skills are housed at SJO and are in the evening. Huge plus for me!!

Crystaluyen · May 8, 2017

FYI folks I had Mila for pharm last semester, my advice: avoid her at all costs. She is not only difficult but also incosistent in her teaching and standards, which plays an unfair role in how you pass her class.

TSquares · May 8, 2017

bmuro-Thanks for the insight. While I am expecting the program to be difficult I think that most of us have some kind of experience in the field which will help make things a bit easier. But I am glad to hear that you got mostly good feedback from students doing their clinical time at SJO.

Crystaluyen: Thats good to know....and unfortunate. I understand when the curriculum is difficult-but I expect fair grading guidelines at this point. I dont think that we will really have much of a choice as to who we get at this point though. I did already take pharm at another school that meets their guidelines. Do you know if we are exempt from taking pharm within the program if we already took a qualifying pharm class prior to the start of the program? Are you going the traditional route?

SSimmons · May 11, 2017

Hey everyone! Congrats to those who got in! I was 16 on the alternate list and I got accepted YAY!!! I am super nervous though I have so many questions. Does anyone know what the schedule will be like? I live about 2 hours away so I am not sure if I need to move or if commuting will be possible? Also I'm confused about the new curriculum can anyone clarify the difference of the traditional or concept based? Like do we pick or is it just implemented into the program? Thanks guys I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at orientation!

Somer :)

TSquares · May 11, 2017

Hey everyone! Congrats to those who got in! I was 16 on the alternate list and I got accepted YAY!!! I am super nervous though I have so many questions. Does anyone know what the schedule will be like? I live about 2 hours away so I am not sure if I need to move or if commuting will be possible? Also I'm confused about the new curriculum can anyone clarify the difference of the traditional or concept based? Like do we pick or is it just implemented into the program? Thanks guys I'm looking forward to meeting everyone at orientation!
Somer :)

That's quite a drive! If you don't mind my asking, where are you coming from?

SAC switched to CBC as of last semester. You don't get an option. Bmuro posted a couple of good links that kinda review how it works.

From my understanding next week they will give us an outline as to what our schedule is going to look like. I think for the first couple of months it's Monday-Thursday for the traditional program.

SSimmons · May 12, 2017

I live in Palm Springs but I have the 91 fast track on my car so I can take the faster freeway so without traffic I can make it there in about an hour and 40 minutes. I have looked at places out there but it is so expensive to live there it would be cheaper for me to drive 4 days a week but I imagine that will get old very quickly. I am just not familiar with the area and every apartment I have called says it is too soon to lease but I am a planner so it is stressing me out a little bit. I work at Eisenhower Medical Center in the ER as a tech so I was planning on working here one day a week I am hoping that works out for me. If it is mon-thurs I will suck it up until it gets to be more days and work load and I'm praying by that time I will know the area well enough to find an apartment or room to rent but I have a bulldog so its hard with him. I am hoping orientation will give me more comfort about the program. I am just so happy I got in I thought for sure being 16 I had no chance at all. I guess if this was easy everyone could do it! Thanks for responding back to me I'm excited to meet everyone!

Somer

Noc_RN · Oct 19, 2017

Congrats! See you in orientation :)
So, I have been working in the ED at SJO for over 12 years now. Not as a tech, but in the registration dept. I have had several co-workers from admitting who went to SAC and passed while working full-time. I also know several ER techs that were also working full time and passed without any issues. My plan is to work full time as an ER tech through the entire program after I finish 1st semester.
Pretty much everyone says the same thing. The theory and skills aren't that difficult just take notes, pay attention, study, the concept maps will get easier to do over time, etc... As far as clinicals are concerned as long as you play the game and show up on time, do not be out of uniform (stethoscope, pen light, etc.), and sort of immerse yourself in the learning you will do well. A few people said Mila (1st semester clinical instructor) is difficult, but other than that they all said it was not a difficult program.
Mind you, this was before the new curriculum change so who knows what impact it will have on the outcome of program. I cannot speak for the masses, but I still cannot wrap my head around why SAC has such low NCLEX pass rates in comparison to other community college ADN programs in the surrounding area. Low 80s is not bad, but when other programs are in the low 90s or high 80s it just makes you think.
All in all I am very happy to have been accepted at SAC and look forward to the ECP since the theory and skills are housed at SJO and are in the evening. Huge plus for me!!

SAC isn't a bad program. Just like any other nursing program it boils down to how much each student puts into it and how bad they want it. I busted my a** in that program, studied for 2 weeks with those silly online Kaplan questions and passed the NCLEX on question #75. IMHO I was certainly prepared for the NCLEX based upon my lectures in that program. Mila was great (she had her moments, sure), Rowena was excellent, Alice was great, JoAnn and Dale were outstanding. (If Dale is still there, take him at all costs. You will not regret it.) Sure from time to time minor inconsistencies arouse between something said in lecture and what your text (or god-forbid Kaplan, ugh) said. Expect it.

I'm genuinely curious though, could it because of the ECP program that SAC's #s for NCLEX pass rate is lower? I'm not knocking the ECP program either, I had many friends (who became co-workers and great nurses at that) from the ECP program but maybe it could be that working while going to nursing school was too much for some peeps. I'd be interested to know if Golden West, Cypress, etc also have similar programs to SAC/St Joes. Plus, does that pass rate only consider first time taking the NCLEX? (Rhetorical question).

I worked per diem through my 3rd and 4th semesters at SAC, wasn't too bad. (Traditional program though, not ECP.) But 1st semester I'm glad I didn't. Between concept maps, 2 clinical days a week, lecture and studying for that damned Kaplan/CNI tests while trying to bury basic nursing concepts in your head til they're subconscious, no thanks.

But good luck to you.