SPC Nursing Program Spring 2017

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Anyone applying on allnurses for spring 2017?

If you guys have any questions about orientation or anything else about the process, feel free to message me or ask on this thread. SPC is pretty commonly known to the students as being vague and everyone sort of runs around like chickens with their heads cut off for the entirety of the program.

Thank you! :) Your last sentence made me laugh...although I'm sure that really sucks if nobody knows what's going on. What should we pay special attention to in regard to this? Are you otherwise happy?

I'm also worried about not getting the hospital choice I'd like. Are you in the day or night program? What hospital did you pick?

I would hate to go to the Bay Pines VA because that's so far away so I'd like to get one of the other two...

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My experience might actually be a bit different because I ended up not attending until fall due to a cancer diagnosis and going through treatment and stuff, so I attended orientation the following fall with the non-alternates. You get a sheet with a list of available clinical sites along with their corresponding schedule- days or nights. Then you number them according to preference. We were told the same thing about the "top students" getting their preferences first, but from what I heard, everybody got their first choice, including alternates at their orientation as well.

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Edited to add that this was supposed to be in reply to Germangirl93 and the above comment was supposed to be in reply to dmgr3y :)

Just know that a lot of it is going with the flow. I feel like most of us going through nursing school are somewhat the type-A personalities. We like everything planned out and organized, and SPC just doesn't meet those expectations in a lot of respects. They will change deadlines and plans and you have to be prepared to deal with it. That said, it's a really good program in my opinion. It's just really intense, and a lot of people get caught off guard by that. My mom went to nursing school 20+ years ago and it wasn't nearly as cut-throat and challenging as this program. The tests are a lot different than what we're used to from our prereqs. They're not as straightforward with asking you facts and testing your memorization; they're more about testing how well you can apply those facts to a full understanding of a nurse's job and how they need to think. Anyways, I digress...

So for background, everyone refers to each semester as levels 1, 2, 3, and 4.

I started out in the day program in level 1. In level 2 and 3, I did nights because I wanted to go through the summer and it worked better for my family. If you end up wanting to switch like I did, you have to give them a good reason and request well in advance. I went to Morton Plant Rehab for level 1- everyone goes to a more long term care or rehab setting for level 1. Then level 2 and 3 I was at Mease Countryside. I loved Mease Countryside. I was supposed to be in level 4 this semester but I got really sick the first week and I dropped because we're only allowed one absence in the final semester. Because of my aforementioned cancer treatment, I have a wonky immune system so I didn't want to take any chances and I decided to let my body rest. I'm going back for level 4 in the Spring.

Just so everyone knows, if you pick a Baycare hospital, you'll be going to Baycare facilities throughout your nursing school experience. If you pick the VA, you'll be going to the VA throughout. Same with HCA, so do your research and figure out your preferences now. I personally love Baycare but I know a lot of people are happy at the VA too.

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Hey Agrundset I wanted to tell you about the earn as you learn program and that there are other options. I applied and went through the interview process but actually turned it down. Here's why, if you accept you are required to sign a one year contract to work as a PCT no matter what happens. If you were accepted into the RN program during that one year you are contractually obligated to turn it down but it's an amazing opportunity to get your foot in the door at Baycare and then after that one year, you WILL get into the RN program with a gpa requirement that is much lower (my friend got in with a 2.5) and they pay for your nursing school! so amazing opportunity there. Baycare always takes their own first. in fact they reserve 12 slots for the EAYL program nurses each semester. So if you think there is little chance to get in with your gpa directly thru SPC, then it's an excellent opportunity. Right now I'm starting Baycare next week as a PCT myself but not in the EAYL program. Here's another option, what I did: if you happen to know someone who is a baycare team member and can slide your resume to a head nurse you have a shot. My future boss actually held my job while I went and got the training (CNA training) and now I'm starting this Monday. BUT there are select schools that they will accept your CNA license from. The Red Cross is the #1 option. It's the cheapest and fastest (6 weeks for 6 hours per day). I just finished their 6 week day program. This job as a PCT with Baycare will pay my bills, give you an amazing leg up on nursing school from the experience you will have which is priceless, but it's also my backup plan if I don't get accepted into the RN program this semester (I'm alternate #5 right now). After 6 months of working for baycare you can apply directly for the RN program with them (making sure you meet all spc expecations) of course. So that's option #2. then there's option #3. PTEC. you do their LPN program and then bridge to pasco hernando state college. Much easier to get accepted into the bridge program and SPC requires you to work as an LPN for 1 year before you bridge. So there are 3 options! Trust me. I'm super type A and I like backups to the backups! lol anyways I thought I would share. Don't be upset or down. If you want the RN, you CAN get it. Where there's a will there's a way! This is my plan so I thought I would share it with you. :)

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Do you think if you are an alternate #8, You have a chance of getting in the program? Just not sure about doing all the requirements now, or waiting to see if the spot opens. How long do you have to wait to find out? Just wondering what the chances are at #8, and previous years and last fall, what alternate they got up to, if anyone knows. Thank you

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Thank you so much! I just talked to someone and learned you had to so a year commitment as a medical assistant and that's when I thought to do the whole plan b and try to get my certification and just get hired with baycare and work there for 6 months and apply within. However I don't think it would be possible to get into the program by fall semester. I've already put this off for an entire year now and I just feel like I want to be working on my ADN already ): i was considering going to Galen. Any opnions on Galen?

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I've actually heard good things about Galen and I know that Galen graduates are hired. I considered it myself vs waiting around for SPC and dealing with all of this but for me it's the price. 40k is a LOTTTT of student loan debt for me personally to take on. I'm 39 and I already have a ton of student loans from my early 20s when I was in college and now 2 year old twins..ughhhhhh so literally that's the ONLY reason I've been hesitating with going there. I have to admit though I'm VERY tempted. to be able to start NOW and you'll make the money to pay those loans off because starting nurses right out of school make GREAT money..ive thought about it for sure but that's my opinion. I haven't heard anything bad at all about the school or issues with trouble getting hired. My friend's boyfriend is about to graduate from galen in 6 months and his boss at Baycare right now told him she would hire him; so they DO get hired. It's an option ya know? I do like the ease of the LPN program with PTEC though. it's a hybrid so you do most of the course work online and then you meet twice a month and then clinicals are done on some evenings and every other weekend. it's DEF an option for me with my kids and all. It's the same amount of schooling (time wise) as going directly for the RN school, just easier to get in to. Like I said, you HAVE options and they won't take you longer than a direct RN admit! Galen, PTEC, or as an employee at Baycare if you don't mind waiting a bit longer. That's why I wanted to share what I have researched and discovered with all of you on this board. I want everyone to know that it's not just a one-shot type deal. There are options for all of us :)

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I just toured Galen and I actually really love it! I found at that it won't be 40K because of all of the classes I have already taken for my AA degree and my pre reqs for nursing! The next startup date is March 30th! Everyone that I met there was super helpful and they have a lot to offer, including a 95% pass rate for the NCLEX. I would check it out! After seeing for myself I definitely am excited to get the ball rolling there :)

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Awesome! Thanks so much for the info. That's very interesting. I already have my AA degree and I've taken all my prereqs for nursing as well. I have ZERO classes left to take but the core nursing programs. To know it might not be 40k has peaked my interest. Thanks so much! it's worth looking into if I'm not given a spot! Thanks and good luck to you! Keep us posted on how it goes!!! :)

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Just gotta drop this here... I would only go to Galen or some other for-profit school as a last resort. I recently met a tech at my clinicals who went to Galen for Nursing 1, had a health issue and had to drop out, and they would not take her back. And she couldn't transfer her credits to SPC either. She said it was because of monetary reasons.

For profit schools care about one thing: profit. They don't care about your education. They don't care if you make it through. They just want your money.

Now that's not to say that good nurses haven't gone to for-profit schools... It's just that they probably did a lot more on their own than someone who goes to a public school with a stellar reputation like SPC.

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OK alternates!!! Today is the day!! ..I haven't received an e-mail yet but praying I get in!! ..Anyone else hear anything?!

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No , what # alternative are you?

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