St. Louis Community College

It's a pretty intense time commitment. I was very surprised when it was "only 6 credits" for the first semester. In addition to what's actually posted on your schedule when you register:

*Count on clinicals every other Tuesday and Wednesday from 0630 - 1230. (you will be assigned your first day to which group you are in)

*You will need to schedue lab practice time on Fridays for your first semester, probably after class which is in the morning.

*You will need to schedule time to do your checkouts (where you are tested on the skill you learned the previous week in lab) for either Monday (from after class until 6 or so) or Tuesdays (afternoons). Probably need between 30 and 60 minutes for that almost every week. You will pick that time slot the first week of school.

*You will need time on Mondays after class to go pick up patient info from the hospital on the weeks that you have clinicals. Monday afternoons/nights will be spent doing prep work for clinicals that week.

*You will need time to watch the videos in the lab or library.

*Oh, and then you'll need to find some time to read and study!!

It's not bad once you get in the swing. I am really enjoying the program so far! Good luck!!

I'm a student at St Louis Community College-Forest Park. I have all my pre-req's and science courses completed, only taking nursing courses and it's still a 4 semester(2 year)program. It runs sequentially. I prefer having done it this way...I was previously a stay at home Mom and this lightens the load somewhat. Good Luck and hope this helps!

Thanks for your response. I am trying to weigh all of my options and I was wondering, if I have all of my non-nursing classes and science courses finished and I only nursing classes left, will the SLCC ASN program take me 2 years, or can I complete it in one? I am also considering accelerated BSN programs, which are 12 months long, so I'm not sure which direction to take. Any advice appreciated- thanks!

I needed to have a life outside of school, and also possibly work while in school, so I chose the 2-year community college program (and yes, it will take you 2 years as pointed out above). I had heard how tough the accelerated programs were and just wasn't ready to do that to myself. One of the programs offered to let me talk to their students after the semester had gotten under way, so that might be a good idea if you'll need to think about time commitments while you're in school.

I am enjoying my program a great deal and would highly recommend the STLCC programs should you choose to go that route!!

I, too, am interested in the SLCC program. I just learned today that there is a 1.5 year wait list at Meramec. I still have to take Chemistry and Biology as I received my BS more than 5 years ago but I just don't know if I can wait that long.

How long did you all wait to be admitted into the SLCC program? Do you know how long the current wait list is?

I think Dana's pretty close to the time frame you will wait for the community colleges (there are three you can apply to, but you must apply to EACH one individually once you meet the minimum prereqs, which I believe are a biology and chemistry courses -- not sure).

However, if you don't have a previous degree and are starting from scratch, that time can be used VERY wisely to knock out a bunch of other classes -- you can finish EVERYTHING except for the core nursing courses and make your life during nursing school so much less complicated.

My heart just breaks for the folks who are still finishing their A & P courses or history or other classes as there's quite a time commitment with the nursing classes alone, never mind clinicals and time for practicing lab skills, studying, etc....the people who have to complete other classes really have their hands full.

In addition, some of those classes such as A & P or microbiology MUST be taken either at the same time as certain semesters of nursing school or BEFORE....so you can't "save them" until later -- you won't be allowed. There's a lot of information at the nursing school website:

http://www.stlcc.edu/nursing/ , and I highly recommend reviewing it. Also, there are folks at the community college you can contact for more info (possibly more current admissions info), but I'll also be happy to answer any questions or get answers to those I don't know!!

What I like about the CC is the cost, the location/convenience factor, the time factor (many BSN programs were more time intensive that I was willing to do at this time in my life), and their reputation in the community.

Let me know if you need more info! Good luck!!

HI!

I'm doing the 2yr ADN program at SLCC-Forest Park. I got on the waitlist October of 2005. I was told at that time that it was a 2 year wait. Took API, APII, Psych, Soc, Growth & Development while I waited. July of 2006 I received my letter to start Fall of 2006. So that "2 year wait" was less than a year! APPLY! APPLY! APPLY! And as wdpixie said you can apply to more than one location: Forest Park, Meramec, Florissant Valley. I only applied to Forest Park as I live in the CWE(central west end)and wanted to be close to my daughter's school if anything should come up. I love the program at Forest Park! The clinical lab is great, the instructors are first rate and my class as a group are very helpful to each other. If you have any questions feel free to ask away or PM me!

Good luck!

HI!

I'm doing the 2yr ADN program at SLCC-Forest Park. I got on the waitlist October of 2005. I was told at that time that it was a 2 year wait. Took API, APII, Psych, Soc, Growth & Development while I waited. July of 2006 I received my letter to start Fall of 2006. So that "2 year wait" was less than a year! APPLY! APPLY! APPLY! And as wdpixie said you can apply to more than one location: Forest Park, Meramec, Florissant Valley. I only applied to Forest Park as I live in the CWE(central west end)and wanted to be close to my daughter's school if anything should come up. I love the program at Forest Park! The clinical lab is great, the instructors are first rate and my class as a group are very helpful to each other. If you have any questions feel free to ask away or PM me!

Good luck!

That is great news! I met with Cheryl at Forest Park today and she said if I apply after I take BIO and CHEM I will get in around Spring 2009. I really can't wait that long! I am considering an accelerated program just so that I can get this done faster. I have a lot to consider.

Just remember that a lot of people go elsewhere, move, or change their minds before they get accepted, so she's going on the # on the list currently....it truly may move faster?

I decided not to go with accelerated due to the intense time commitment, plus the need to be able to have family time and summers off....but then if you've got circumstances that make you feel that you need to be done as soon as possible, then perhaps accelerated might be a good option...Christy Niles at UMSL was very helpful to me when I was looking at their program....if she's still there, I suggest trying to contact her....

I just don't know what to do. We want to have a second child but now while I'm in school. But we don't want to wait 4 or 5 years either. I am going to talk to some of the accelerated programs and see what they have to say. It's quite overwhelming to say the least!!