SPC Nursing students??All B student

haimyem · Jun 24, 2009

Well, from what I've read and heard you go to their EAYL fair, but dress like you're going to an interview. They speak with you and make their choices that way. I "think" that you have to be considered an alternate or have gotten into the program at SPC to be considered for the EAYL program. They only have their fair 30 days prior to the program starting each semester, so you literally find out right before the semester starts if you got in or not. I'd really like to participate in the EAYL program - get experience plus get a foot in the door, only downside is 3-year commitment to working for Morton Plant.

studentsurfer · Jun 25, 2009

fyi to the original post...i already have a ba in chemistry from usf (this doesn't matter for spc nursing), and i just finished all my pre requisites...i have a 3.5 and applied while i was finishing apii, stats, and micro - at the same time. the program fills 70% of the seats 1 month after the application deadlines, and since i was still taking classes, i was not chosen for a seat. the application is automatically reviewed after the semester ends for the remaining 30% of the seats; this is where the competition becomes fierce for...for these seats, nobody was directly seated below a 3.8 this semester.

needless to say, i did not get a seat but have been chosen as an alternate. i met with a counselor who said there are no guarantees, but that chances are good that i'll be able to get a seat. on that note, i've gotten nothing but straight a's since i started at spc, and every time i met with a counselor, they always said..."oh, don't worry about it, you'll get in"....i think it's what they're coached to say in order to keep potential students paying for credit hours...then they change the talk to, “why don't you get your lpn so you won't have to compete with the gpa's, we offer that here” : ) for a price$$ bottom line: if your gpa is questionable, consider other options, or going straight into the lpn program.

haimyem · Jun 25, 2009

Oh, that is interesting. Please keep us updated if you get in as an alternate. I'll be finished with my pre-reqs after statistics and then plan on applying. Thanks for the info.

NRSNFL · Jun 26, 2009

This is all crazy talk! I was one of the first "competitive applicants" when they got rid of the waiting list. I was alternate listed.....and the EAYL program was a 2 year contract (who the heck knows what they are doing as a nurse anyhow a YEAR after being a nurse).....so I went for it and with my GPA of 3.1, science GPA of 2.89...I got in. Now, I'll tell you that I never had to repeat a semester, got all A's in level 4 and am a really good nurse. The sad thing is, the books smarts don't always get you through the common sense smarts that nursing takes. However, that is where turnover occurs opening up seats. Good luck to all of you, reconsider the contractual part of the EAYL, and know you will get great PCT experience before you finish nursing and that will help you immensely since most people graduate and continue nursing on the floor they've worked on for 2 years through school. I love my floor, love my job and love the fact I had that opportunity. And only 3 mos into my job, I've had over a 1.50$ worth of raises already. Thank god! Can't wait for season to start!

thepopes · Jun 26, 2009

fyi to the original post...i already have a ba in chemistry from usf (this doesn't matter for spc nursing), and i just finished all my pre requisites...i have a 3.5 and applied while i was finishing apii, stats, and micro - at the same time. the program fills 70% of the seats 1 month after the application deadlines, and since i was still taking classes, i was not chosen for a seat. the application is automatically reviewed after the semester ends for the remaining 30% of the seats; this is where the competition becomes fierce for...for these seats, nobody was directly seated below a 3.8 this semester.
needless to say, i did not get a seat but have been chosen as an alternate. i met with a counselor who said there are no guarantees, but that chances are good that i'll be able to get a seat. on that note, i've gotten nothing but straight a's since i started at spc, and every time i met with a counselor, they always said..."oh, don't worry about it, you'll get in"....i think it's what they're coached to say in order to keep potential students paying for credit hours...then they change the talk to, "why don't you get your lpn so you won't have to compete with the gpa's, we offer that here" : ) for a price$$ bottom line: if your gpa is questionable, consider other options, or going straight into the lpn program.

what session are you an alternate for? are all of your pre-req's completed now that you have been chosen as an alternate or are you still lacking some? thanks for all the info also. i have a 3.8, but lacking micro, so i'll prob have to wait until fall :-(

studentsurfer · Jun 26, 2009

what session are you an alternate for? are all of your pre-req's completed now that you have been chosen as an alternate or are you still lacking some? thanks for all the info also. i have a 3.8, but lacking micro, so i'll prob have to wait until fall :-(

i'm an alternate for starting this fall, 2009, and yes...i've finished all pre-req's...to be competitive for a direct seat, you'll need to finish micro. you may be able to get in via eayl though, but when i've interviewed for these positions, the first question they asked is if i've completed all my pre-req's.

micro's not so hard, just make sure you study your pants off for the first exam...i mean, like crazy...that's the tough one...if you don't do well on it, take the 'w', if you nail it, you're good to go, just keep studying.

good luck!

thepopes · Jun 26, 2009

Thanks. I'm taking it online this fall. I technically will have it completed before Spring 2010 Nursing classes begin, but not before the application deadline. So to apply for the EAYL program, do you first have to be accepted into SPC's program or is that another way to get into their program? Thanks for your advice and good luck in the Fall.

thepopes · Jun 26, 2009

nazarukj, one more question.....when spc does their first cut (70%) and say you don't make that one do they send out a letter letting you know? or do they wait until the second cut (30%) to inform you if you made it or not? thanks

NRSNFL · Jun 27, 2009

Popes...they actually move through multiple "cuts". 1) They take everyone's points that have competitively applied and they take the number of open seats and from there they accept a certain number and also "alternate list" others. IN ADDITION, HCA and Baycare and Morton Plant all hold somewhere around 50 seats to enter into THEIR programs, so that is where that alternate list comes into play as well as calculating a few who do get accepted but are accepted to multiple programs and do not choose SPC. After everyone who was originally given a priority acceptance and a certain number of students filter over to those grant programs (HCA, MP AND BAYCARE), then the "alternates" get their notice of acceptance or not. Or should I say a final acceptance. I will tell you though...if you aren't accepted, AS LONG AS YOU MEET THE MINIMUM CRITERIA TO GET IN THE PROGRAM, YOU CAN STILL GET IN THROUGH A GRANT PROGRAM.....So, research them. Lately it's been tough for even new grad RN's to get jobs...unless you PCT at the hospital and they are keeping a licensed position open for you, so my opinion is that you SHOULD HAVE A PCT position before you even start nursing school and/or should do one of the grant programs to get exposure to nursing. Good luck and keep your head up!

studentsurfer · Jun 28, 2009

nazarukj

, one more question.....when spc does their first cut (70%) and say you don't make that one do they send out a letter letting you know? or do they wait until the second cut (30%) to inform you if you made it or not? thanks

nrsfla is right on with the explanation on how the process works...

in direct response to your question...if you've not completed your pre-req's when you apply, you'll get a flat out rejection letter that explains this, and also lets you know that your app will automatically be re-considered for the 30% pool after the current semester ends. if you don't get into either seating, you must re-apply to be considered for the next term's seating...i say this so you can watch your application deadlines. hope this helps : )

NRSNFL · Jun 28, 2009

I'd also recommend either a day at the spa for you all or a xanax or both. I was just as freaked out as you all are (check my posting history...you'll see it, I've been on this site for a long time now). Nothing will be worse than the day you take boards, so just know eventually you will be doing just that. I also urge most of you to NOT go the LPN route at PTEC first and then to RN. You just making it longer on yourselves. And even when going through LPN school....you'll want the pain of nursing school over ASAP. Good luck to all....enjoy the spa day, see you on the floors in the near future in your whites.

FLg8r · Jun 29, 2009

i don't agree with that ... i was told by the advisor at SPC that the fastest way into the program, is thru the LPN or paramedic - RN route. i'd call and speak/meet with an advisor before you totally give up on any and all alternantives.

also, i have applied each semester and don't have all my pre-req's done yet and i am still considered. it doesn't up my odds, since the majority of the applicants chosen DO have them done, but it doesn't necessarily mean you have no shot either. i have my AA degree and just have A&P II left on pre-reqs.