Tacoma Community College Nursing Program

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Hi... I was just accepted into the TCC Nursing Program. Does anyone out there have any advice or information to offer? I'd appreciate hearing about the program, instructors, clinicals, etc. Thanks! Oh, one more thing... if you are aware of any specific information that would be beneficial to review prior to starting, please let me know.

LOL! Both! My friend is Andrea! See you in class today!

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Both! HAHA..my friend is Andrea! I will see you in class today!!

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If you started your first quarter. I am hopeful that I will be accepted in Fall of 2008. Tell me about the clinicals, how math is incorporated--i.e. can you use calculators, can you record lectures to review later, can you work 10-20 hours a week or would that be too much?

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If you started your first quarter. I am hopeful that I will be accepted in Fall of 2008. Tell me about the clinicals, how math is incorporated--i.e. can you use calculators, can you record lectures to review later, can you work 10-20 hours a week or would that be too much? Tell me about the writing project. What can you do to prepare over the summer that would be helpful.

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I think you are in your 3rd quarter. Tell me about your experience. I am hopeful that I will be accepted in Fall of 2008. Tell me about the clinicals, how math is incorporated--i.e. can you use calculators, can you record lectures to review later, can you work 10-20 hours a week or would that be too much? What are the teachers like. How tough is the writing project?

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I am hopeful that I will be accepted in Fall of 2008. Tell me about the clinicals, how math is incorporated--i.e. can you use calculators, can you record lectures to review later, can you work 10-20 hours a week or would that be too much? What is the best thing you can do over the summer to prepare for first quarter. Tell me about the written project(s) How tough is it?

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is anyone applying to TCC for the fall quarter Nursing Program? I am applying this month. Very excited to be done with pre-requisites!

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Hi Everyone,

I am just a couple of days away from finishing my 3rd quarter. Here's my take on the program... (in no particular order)...

- Like someone else said... get used to not knowing your schedule until the last minute. Overall, the staff is pretty accommodating, so don't get too stressed! :) Things seem to have their way of working out.

- I have not worked during school. I don't have children and I volunteer a little. I find that working (for me) would be too much. But, some of my peers work and seem to be doing fine.

- At orientation you will receive a great deal of info. You will get your crazy schedule (which will likely get changed again). You'll get info on what you need for clinicals (dk blue scrubs, white shirt/shoes, badges, etc.). You'll probably feel overwhelmed by the info, but try not to get too worked up.

- During 1st quarter you will have various 4 hr (or so) clinical assignments to complete that are all over the place (primarily in Tacoma), but unfortunately, the sign-up lists for some things aren't posted until a week or two (I think) into the quarter. So, what you need during 1st quarter is a good schedule book, patience, enthusiasm, and all of your organizational skills. The clinical experiences are relatively straightforward where you can help a little, but mostly seemed to be a chance to get your feet wet in a variety of outpatient environments. Some places that I went to included a school for hearing/vision screenings, a daycare, a homeless fair at the T-Dome, and an outpatient free clinic. There were more sites. In lab you work w/your peers to practice a full physical assessment. Overall, the quarter focuses on communication, basic clinical assessment skills, taking vitals, etc. The instructors were very friendly and helpful. Classes: theory, clinical/lab, and gerontology

- 2nd quarter expands on and nearly completes the RN clinical skills except for IV skills, phlebotomy, and endotracheal suctioning. Unless you have experience in the field, you might feel intimidated at this point because you're jumping into really caring for patients. It just takes a little while to get used to being in that role - at least it did for me! Our clinicals were at a long term care facility and the hospital, 1-2 x per week. Note: when you're working w/patients in the hospital you need to go to the hospital the day/night prior to clinical to "pick" your patient and collect data. Then you go home and complete TCC specific forms to prepare you for clinical day. This is a bit time consuming, but as with everything else you'll get faster each time. Classes: theory, clinical/lab, and pharmacology

- 3rd quarter... Classes this quarter include theory, lab/clinical, and finishes pharmacology. The lab course (as above) finishes up the RN skills for the program. Clinical has been 8 hrs x1 per week w/prep the day before. Everything (for me) started to fall into place this quarter. I feel like I am able to plan for and really go in and care for my patient(s) at this point with much less stress than the previous quarters.

Feel free to post specific questions. I haven't been on this site for a while, but now that school is nearly out for the summer I'll be on a little more often!

Good luck to all!!!!! ;)

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For those of you entering first quarter in the fall I would recommend brushing up on your A&P, mostly as it applies to a head-to-toe physical examination. Actually, I would say that if you can get your hands on a book that covers a basic examination you will be a step ahead of the game. I wouldn't necessarily buy one, but if you get your Potter book early - thumb through it. For example: knowing the basic steps in a neurological exam. Another area that would be helpful to focus on is vital signs. Read about how BP is measured and what the numbers mean. What's the normal range?? For those that have worked in the medical field this is basic info, but if you haven't, it is what you will be learning first quarter. Also, as I stated in one of my first posts, there is a book titled The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down that would be beneficial as well.

Don't get stressed about the research paper. It does require some time, but is completely do-able. The biggest commitment to the paper is during LS102 (Library Science). After that, each quarter it is a project that you devote some time to, but hasn't been too overwhelming!

Now's a good time for anyone to post questions since I am off for the summer. Actually not entirely since I took a job as a Nurse Tech, but for now I am HOME and free from homework.

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I'mOnMyWay, Thank you for the info.

I have one question regarding the remaining students in the Nx program at TCC.

How is the remaining number of Nx students at TCC from the beginning to the subsequent quarters? I look over the website and it seems like only half of the students registered for classes, is it that tough?

I appreciate any info about this program! Thank you!

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I just applied to the program today!! I doubt that I will get accepted as I have 4-A-s...oh well. At least I tried...Right?? Anyhow please update those of you who are applied...I want to know who was accepted!! Good luck to EVERYONE...:redpinkhe

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Hello...I too applied to the RN program at TCC for Fall, and I have A-'s too. There is hope for us! When I went to the information session in June, The coordinator said that they had just created a "Winter" quarter, and that those who were not chosen from the pool of applicants for Fall quarter, will be rolled over and have a chance to get into the new winter quarter.:yeah:

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