Wasn't sure if it belonged here or in the nursing student section ? So I figured here was better.
Does anyone have any success stories from graduating TCC and getting hired. I read something on ratemyprofessor.com that scared me a little, someone saying NOT to go there for nursing or anything science related. So I'm a little scared. I'm enrolled at TCC for prereqs and I just want to know if I should go somewhere else :S
I consider south seattle CC but they have a ladder program and I'm not sure if I want to go that route.
Horror stories are welcome too
Everything Trouble said. The beauty of the WA direct transfer agreement is that a lot of the classes, no matter WHAT your end result major ends up being, are universally required and accepted. All those general Ed credits, often the pre-reqs for the pre-reqs, basic science classes, etc, as long as you follow the community college outline, yes, they're accepted at the major 4 year universities in the state! So, even if you're undeclared at TCC and decide to transfer to UW for a psych or English degree, that general ed, general associates degree will be accepted. Hope that makes sense! Start working your way through those and working your way to the nursing pre-reqs. Let you TCC adviser know you're interested in the associate of arts and sciences transfer degree and she/he should be able to hook you up with a worksheet. Good luck!
Have your major as the pre-nursing direct transfer degree so your pre-reqs will be paid for. You would want to do this anyways so you can apply at more programs, like PLU. Getting into a nursing program is COMPETITIVE. I took all my pre-reqs at TCC and I am in their ADN program. My goal is to get my BSN, but I wasn't (wouldn't) pass up admissions just because it's an ADN program. It is only half the time of your BSN and you can start working right away. TCC and UWT work together to get students right into the BSN program in what is called the Early Enrollment BSN. You are taking a couple of your BSN classes during the summer while you are off from TCC's ADN program. When you graduate TCC, you are finished with one quarter of your BSN. That only leaves two more to go. Can't beat it.
That's exactly what I ended up doing with financial aid. Thankfully everything is being paid for! I'm now on quarter two of my prerequisites with only a couple more to go. (Should be done next spring, which is not ideal, but it's 1 year so whatever)
How are you liking the ADN program there!? I wonder if we've passed each other on campus, lol. Do their NCLEX scores freak you out at all?
So after I get my ADN, I'd go to UWT straight away to do two more quarters and leave with my BSN? That's awesome.
Edited to add: Thank you for the thoughtful reply. I appreciate it!
SandSM said:Have your major as the pre-nursing direct transfer degree so your pre-reqs will be paid for. You would want to do this anyways so you can apply at more programs, like PLU. Getting into a nursing program is COMPETITIVE. I took all my pre-reqs at TCC and I am in their ADN program. My goal is to get my BSN, but I wasn't (wouldn't) pass up admissions just because it's an ADN program. It is only half the time of your BSN and you can start working right away. TCC and UWT work together to get students right into the BSN program in what is called the Early Enrollment BSN. You are taking a couple of your BSN classes during the summer while you are off from TCC's ADN program. When you graduate TCC, you are finished with one quarter of your BSN. That only leaves two more to go. Can't beat it.
Hi there. So I have two things that might help. First about financial aid, if you are just taking ur prerequisites then they won't cover but if in ur records u write that u are pursuing the 'associate degree in pre-nursing' then u will get tuition for 2 hrs since it is a 2yr school. This is how I got thru my prereqs and I ended up taking all the pre nursing classes anyways after summer I'm getting my degree in pre nursing. So go to the financial aid and tell them ur major is pre nursing.
Second, I considered applying to the program there after I finished the prereqs they required but the chances of getting in are always slim to none. The wait lists are long and the nursing instructors are not all good from what I have heard from people who are in the program. So if I were you I would look into applying somewhere else in addition to TCC. I used to meet with my advisors and all they would tell me is that I need one more class or my gpa is not high enough or I need to retake a class until I just had enough so I started exploring my options outside of Tcc and luckily I just got accepted to Bellevue college for winter 2017. So I think U should also do the same. Good luck.
Veigar3 said:Something neat about UWT is that if you graduate from TCC's or Pierce's RN program with a 3.7 or above, you'll be eligible to transfer into UWT's RN-BSN-MSN program. It's a cool thing, I think. My goal is to petition the BSN portion, and go straight from RN-MSN at UWT, or elsewhere.
I am VERY interested to know more about this. Where did you hear this? Where can I find out more about it?
I am in my second year of the ADN Program at TCC. When I applied for the lottery, they weren't weighting numbers differently based off of "points" for having extra things like CNA licenses or extra classess, etc. I got in on my first try, I was very lucky, but a LOT of people got in on their first try. It is more common than you think. I know they changed admission criteria so I'm not up on what is required now so I can't help you with that. The program has its ups and downs. Teachers are good, they all have their quirks, but they are knowledgeable and care about their students. Sometimes there is disorganization, but I have heard from students at other schools that it is like that there as well. I think it is because it is hard to find nursing instructors, especially ones that aren't working one or two other jobs. Most of my instructors are all working other jobs so sometimes they are a little stressed. I have been told MANY times that nursing school doesn't really prepare you for the real world so a program is a program. Get in anywhere you can and get it done so you can test for your license. I think the reason that TCC's test scores are low is because they have an "adult learner" philosophy where basically they expect us to put in the extra work needed to prep for the NCLEX. We use an online program called ATI that has proven to be very effective with the NCLEX, BUT most of this is self study. They have it as assignments for a few points, but that's it. We have to spend the time in the tutorials and read the books, etc. They are not very clear on this in the beginning...I am just now realizing how much work I should have been doing lol. As students in this program, we are so busy we barely have time for this extra work. That is why you are probably seeing bad scores. Also, TCC is lottery with basic requirements, whereas other schools require higher grades, more experience, etc. So that factors in to it as well. ***TCC lowered their requirements because they realized that they weren't getting the best nurses. They needed more diversity and people with heart, not just students that were book smart. They're great at school, but not great at patient care. They didn't lower their standards becuase they had a bad program so that may change your perspective. I wouldn't let the low scores scare you away because its always up to you to do the work. They give you the tools. (I don't know much about accreditation though, you may want to look in to that, however the president of the program told us we are doing just fine and do not have to worry about losing the accreditation). After I graduate, I am going to enroll in an NCLEX prep course to review everything and spend a few weeks in ATI taking practice tests, etc. before even attempting the NCLEX. Also, it helps if you buy an NCLEX review book and use it as a study guide all along throughout the program. It helps get your mind used to NCLEX questions....its nothing like other tests you have taken before. It is very difficult to get used to. I'm finally getting the hang of it. There are TONS of scholarships out there just waiting to be taken. Start applying for those, you might find that your entire education is paid for. I have a few friends who have graduated TCC and they have jobs. I think what matters most is that the employer sees your efforts. After first quarter, you can start applying for nurse tech jobs. They pay about $17.50/hr. If you can get hired on there (which many of the TCC students do) you will find that they hire you immediately after graduation because they invested time in you and you know their ways. There is a shortage of nurses. Every clinical I've been to, I have heard them talking about being short staffed. Jobs are out there, just take all the opportunities you can to show you are making an effort and they will be interested in you. I would suggest you start using your CNA license and build up a good resume. That will help. Let me know if you have any more questions.
One more thing...Don't forget you can apply to an LPN program and then transfer over to the ADN. It is a separate lottery and I heard its easier to get in. That way you keep moving and feeling like you're working toward your future while you wait for the ADN opportunity. Also, if worse comes to worse and you never get in to the ADN, at least you will have your LPN license to fall back on. See the advisors at the schools you're looking at and they will literally tell you everything you have to do. Don't stress!
ADN-BSN-MN study option | UW Tacoma
This is the link to that ADN-BSN-MSN option at UWT.
Anyone else anxious to hear back from TCC?
RaggedyAm
50 Posts
Thank you so much