Southwestern College ADN Fall 2019

Nursing Students School Programs

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Hi everyone! I’m starting this thread so we can share our application criteria points with each other! I just turned in my application today. I have between 85 and 88 points. I have 3 B’s on my science prerequisites :((, 4.0 gpa for all the general Ed courses. I have fluency in Spanish, an associates degree, CNA, and volunteer experience. I scored an 88 on my TEAS! I hope they can look past my grades in my prerequisite courses and I get in!!! I hope we all get into this cohort! Good luck everyone

Hey guys! I received an alternate email as well and Im for sure at 80 points. Does anyone know if there will be spots given before orientation as people may be giving up their spot?

2 Votes
52 minutes ago, luvmeems said:

Thank you. This group has been nothing but great. You guys have really kept my anxiousness down. Does anyone know the possibly of alternates getting in? And how many alternates they've selected?

They won’t tell you where you are on the list, so don’t call and ask them that. Make sure you always check your phone for a phone call, I changed my number and called to update it and it turned out they were calling me to offer me a position then I called them and they asked me if I wanted it and they emailed me the offer. Not sure if it will be the same process for you but my point is always check you phone for a call from them, junk email, and your regular email ? to be safe. I was evening class more than half of us were alternatives and made it.

Given that that they have waited this long to offer the position I’m more than certain a lot of people will be declining their spot unless of course swc was the school they wanted most. That being said you have a high possibility if getting in ? you’ll just be anxious a little long ?

Just now, hopefulRN1212 said:

Hey guys! I received an alternate email as well and Im for sure at 80 points. Does anyone know if there will be spots given before orientation as people may be giving up their spot?

Yes it’s possible if those who don’t respond by the certain time frame they will start going down the list. Some get in before orientation some get in after because the person who accepted went to orientation and decided to not attend the school. I got in about a week after the first acceptance emails went out. Good luck ?

2 Votes
3 minutes ago, Caligirl85 said:

They won’t tell you where you are on the list, so don’t call and ask them that. Make sure you always check your phone for a phone call, I changed my number and called to update it and it turned out they were calling me to offer me a position then I called them and they asked me if I wanted it and they emailed me the offer. Not sure if it will be the same process for you but my point is always check you phone for a call from them, junk email, and your regular email ? to be safe. I was evening class more than half of us were alternatives and made it.

Given that that they have waited this long to offer the position I’m more than certain a lot of people will be declining their spot unless of course swc was the school they wanted most. That being said you have a high possibility if getting in ? you’ll just be anxious a little long ?

Thanks for the info girl!!!! Praying... Only positive vibes!

Really appreciate your insight btw! Much appreciated!

2 Votes
3 minutes ago, W12 said:

Thanks for the info girl!!!! Praying... Only positive vibes!

Really appreciate your insight btw! Much appreciated!

No problem I’ve been there before myself so I understand ?

2 Votes
9 minutes ago, hopefulRN1212 said:

Hey guys! I received an alternate email as well and Im for sure at 80 points. Does anyone know if there will be spots given before orientation as people may be giving up their spot?

I got accepted and it said we had until Friday to accept or decline the offer or our spots may be filled. So possibly Monday they will start telling alternates.

1 Votes
5 minutes ago, AspiringDNP said:

I got accepted and it said we had until Friday to accept or decline the offer or our spots may be filled. So possibly Monday they will start telling alternates.

Oh okay, thank you all for the insight!! It really helps ?

Got my acceptance when I was at work. I was SHAKING. Can’t wait to meet you all ?

1 Votes

@Caligirl85

I was curious about how they let people choose their class time. I heard they go by how many points people have but I thought they dont disclose that to students?

I’m curious as well. I got accepted to Grossmont and got Alternate for SWC. Getting into the evening classes would greatly help my decision on where to go. I’m hoping I have a better idea after the orientation days at the end of May.

I'm going to be that annoying girl and attempt to ask again.... Will anyone who was accepted to swc be declining?

I just wonder because while I feel like I have a good chance at being offered a spot as I'm an alternate, I'm wondering how many people they contacted for paperwork (as it seems they contacted a lot of us) and were told they would be accepting elsewhere, or if a lot of applicants contacted swc letting them know they would be accepting elsewhere, and to cancel their application... If this is the case, then less of us would be accepted. Trying to be positive, but this would be good to know.

Any of u who are current students know? Lol

Congrats to all who have gotten in and are on the waitlist!

I want to share some things that helped me along the way:

1) I HIGHLY suggest reading "Test Success" before your nursing classes start. The reviews speak for themselves - basically helps you understand how to think and answer nursing questions (different than you are used to), older version is fine. https://www.amazon.com/Test-Success-Test-Taking-Techniques-Beginning/dp/0803628188

2) There is a whole series of "success" books (like #1) that have awesome rationales for NCLEX style questions (which i suggest practicing before exams). I even saw some of the questions on exams (for example, fundamentals success, med surg success -older version fine).

3) Figure out what kind of learner you are; auditory, visual, and/or tactile. That will help you know how best to study. If you need help figuring out what kind of learner you are there are online quizzes, but dig deep and really think if you can. One online quiz http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles-quiz.shtml?event=results&A=6&V=6&T=8

4) For example, I cannot retain any information I read in a book, that is not my strongest learning style. Not helpful when all I am given is books to study in nursing school. So I found a way to learn by watching videos. I also create my own "concept maps" with color to help me retain concepts. For videos I highly recommend NRSNG Academy - it does cost, but it was super worth it for me (called "courses"). NRSNG also has care plans, multiple choice, and other stuff. I also copied and pasted the written guide that goes along with the videos and copied and pasted into a word doc, formatted, added color, and printed out - pretty much made a study guide. I then watched the video and took notes on my study guide. There is a free version to start with know whether its for you or not. This is the one resource that got me through school. https://academy.nrsng.com

5) You will be using ATI along with nursing courses. This is new as we used Kaplan instead. As such you may have the NCLEX style questions you need to study and may not need #2 (but the rationales in #2 are great). For me #2 was way better than Kaplan questions & rationales and I learned from them. However, ATI is known for being notoriously difficult for many (but also known to prepare students well). I am a part of many forums/groups and almost everyone who suggests how to be successful on ATI mentions Cathy Parkes at Level Up RN. If it were me I would definitely look into this. Now Cathy Parkes has videos, though I have never seen them. If they were good and I used ATI, I may have just watched her videos instead of NRSNG, but again, I have never seen them. https://www.leveluprn.com

6) From day 1 in clinical I wish I would have taken 1 patient from start to finish. They tell us to but most people I know really just shadow the nurse and help. However, it all came together in the end for me when I started documenting. In the chart you choose options, which ultimately helps learn what questions to ask patients.

7) Pharm class focuses on pharm - but I suggest learning the pathophysiology of the disease process then the meds. It is actually what is expected in the class but is not really emphasized. Later in the program you will be expected to know the pathophys (NRSNG helped me here).

8 - If you learn by reading - Saunders puts the nursing concepts in an order that makes sense. This has a review of concepts and NCLEX questions. Also saw some of these questions on exams, but the rationales are not as good as the "success" series. older edition/used is fine. https://www.amazon.com/Saunders-Comprehensive-Review-NCLEX-RN-Examination/dp/1437708250/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=saunders+5th+edition&qid=1558038864&s=books&sr=1-1

9) don't forget self-care!

Relax, take a deep breath, and know that this is the beginning of your nursing career! Your professional reputation starts today. San Diego nurses are a small community. Hope this is helpful ?

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