Transferring to Joliet Junior College: Advice?

JModz RN · Jan 25, 2011

I graduated from JJC & I think it prepared me very well to become a RN. They are currently finishing their new nursing building which will be awesome for incoming students because it's going to be set-up with sim labs and suppose to be more organized. When I went, our classes were spread out throughout the school and we had a Sim man but he was in a room not really set up right for what we were doing. Anyway, don't be fooled into thinking that the program will be easier because it's an ADN. It is very hard and they will push you until you almost fail - quite a few of our classmates did fail, by the end of the program we lost almost half of our class.

You have to finish your pre-req's before you get in & they obviously pay special attention to your sciences but english as well! Same for the Teas test. English is a MAJOR factor when they look at your %'s. They say you need a 75% or higher on Teas but I don't know anyone who got in who had lower than a 90 but that might have just been our group.

I have friends who went to USF, Lewis, and Loyola also and it seems to be the same complaints no matter where you go - the programs "unorganized", the teachers are "demanding and crazy", the workload is "ridiculous", and you have absolutely NO LIFE. As far as JJC goes, look at their Nclex pass rate. And remember, JJC takes the exact same test as any BSN program. AND you pay about 3/4 less in tuition. I got my ADN and am now working on my BSN online and will STILL be spending less on tuition and come out debt free since I paid my way as I went. I've been working at the same hospital for years and let me tell you, JJC graduates have the best reputation as compared to certain university grads. Just sayin. :)

Hope all this babbling helps. Good luck!!

determined_30 · May 23, 2011

Hi I am taking prerequisites at JJC. I only have my sciences and soc 290 left. Can you give me any advice on the teas V. And what can O do to better my chances of getting in. Failure is not an option for me. Any advice on teachers. If anyone in the area wants to get a study group for sciences or teas V please contact me [email protected]. Like I said I am a mother of four and I need to pass theses classes.

muddydog · May 24, 2011

Hi, haruka671. I was just accepted to the program so have just taken the TEAS. I have no advice about the program itself but can tell you what helped with the test. JJC offers TEAS prep classes. Take them - they are invaluable. There is no charge and the advice was eye opening and helpful. Kudos to JJC for providing this program to students for free. BTW, teachers were excellent. Second - go to ATI and pay for the practice TEAS tests. They will help you feel more comfortable with the format. Good luck! :)

Morribee · May 24, 2011

Hi I am taking prerequisites at JJC. I only have my sciences and soc 290 left. Can you give me any advice on the teas V. And what can O do to better my chances of getting in. Failure is not an option for me. Any advice on teachers. If anyone in the area wants to get a study group for sciences or teas V please contact me [email protected]. Like I said I am a mother of four and I need to pass theses classes.

I noticed in the other thread that you still need to finish Bio 151, Chem 100, and the two A&P courses. I would focus on doing well in those courses first before worrying too much about the TEAS. Bio 151 and Chem 100 will cover a large portion of what you need to know for the science section of the test. Also, remember that JJC gives the Reading section a higher weight than your composite score; I know several people who didn't get in last application period, even though their composite scores were around the average for acceptance, because they did not do well on the Reading section. I think many of us worry so much about the Math and Science sections that we don't spend a lot of time preparing for the rest of the test.

I admire your determination to succeed - it will definitely help you on this journey. When you get closer to applying, I agree that using the TEAS study guide from ATI and doing their practice tests are very useful, along with the workshops JJC offers. There are excellent sticky threads in the Pre-Nursing Student forum on preparing for the TEAS - I'd suggest looking there for suggestions, resources, etc.

determined_30 · May 24, 2011

Thannk you any advice for intro to biology?