Tyler Junior College not accredited!

[LADYFLOWER]

I went to the discovernursing.com site looking for more schools, and I saw that TJC was listed as non accredited for the nursing program!?! So then I went to NLNAC.org to check it out there, and it was not listed there either! Could this mean that their Nursing program may not be good? I also didn't see University of Texas at Tyler listed as having an accredited Nursing program. Does anyone know anything about these schools Nursing programs?

[CametoitlateTexan]

The program at TJC is an associate's degree program. It is technically a 4 semester program. If you need prerequisites it takes a little longer.

As far as the cost is concerned, if you're a Tyler resident, it costs approximately $1200 per semester to go to TJC. If you're going to UT Tyler, the cost is about triple that.

Another thing to consider is if you work at East Texas Medical Center, one of the local hospitals, they will pay for your tuition and books each semester. You have to sign a contract to work for them for 6 months for each semester they paid for, after you graduate. I did this and it worked out well for me.

If you have any more specific questions, feel free to PM me.

Ron

[degraypoole]

TO CametoitlateTexan In what capacity can you work at the hospital and does it have to be full time? I can not see going to school full time and working full time. Currently I am a CNA here in TX. Thanks

[CametoitlateTexan]

I worked PRN as an EKG tech, then as a nurse tech.

You could work PRN as a PCA. There is also a nurse tech program that you can take advantage of after your first semester of nursing school.

There is definitely a shortage of PCA's, so I'm sure you could work something out if you wanted to.

Their website is www.etmc.org.

If you are interested contact Rebecca Taylor at ETMC. She is a nurse recruiter.

[CRIMSON]

I have been taking my pre's and will start the TJC ADN-RN program this August. I currently work as a Med Asst. and Nurse Asst. in past. I am looking forward to the program as I have a friend completing program now. I work in OB-Gyn in the ETMC bldg myself and will be applying to Nurse tech after 1st semester.

From all my research all my classes will transfer. This is good b/c I plan to bridge BSN a while after working as RN.

[CametoitlateTexan]

Crimson,

Congratulations on getting in! Buckle up! The program is fast and furious!

If there's anything I can do to help, as an alumn, let me know.

[CRIMSON]

Thanks. I hope I can keep in there without losing all of my mind. lol.

[RaElrA]

Congratulations! You will be jumping into my class--I'm looking forward to being able to talk to those of you who have been working as LVN's. We'll be dividing into two groups--one will have OB first, one Pedi. This program has a great reputation--you should have no trouble passsing the NCLEX. I'm looking forward to meeting you!

[RaElrA]

You can work at either local hospital as a Ns Tech I (PCA duties). After 2nd semester, you can apply for NTII, which allows you to begin doing some nursing duties. I have been working about 6 months as a NTI and am moving up to NTII on 5/16 (hopfully, lol), so I can give you more info on the job duties after that time. At ETMC, you bid on your shifts online, and you can work as little as 8 hrs per month. Call Jan Hicks @ 903-531-8289 for application info. Good luck!

[kakamegamama]

I can assure you that the quality of nursing ed. at Tyler Jr. College and UT Tyler is very good. I was a grad student at UTT & taught at TJC. Both are excellent programs, with high pass rates on the NCLEX. Go to the BNE website for Texas. Be more concerned if a program is not accredited (approved) w/the state . Call the schools & ask the directors of the programs questions.

[*Blessed2BaNRS*]

Hi degraypoole,

Hey to my buddies crimson and cametoitlate!!!

As far as TJC, I am going to begin my 3rd semester in August (along with RaELrA) and like cametoitlate posted, it is fast and furious!! All of my credits will transfer to UT Tyler, which is good because I plan on going for my Master's there!

As far as you deciding to go with the RN program instead, that it great! I have a good friend in the LVN program, and there is no way that I would be able to work going through it. It is a full year, straight through the summer, and they are testing almost every day for this or that. I have to have a little break between semesters!!!

As far as working, I was working at ETMC like cmaetoitlate, RaELrA and crimson, but I just recently resigned due to some various issues, and am working at the other local hospital here, Mother Frances. Both places offer a nurse tech/extern program where you are considered PRN and basically set your own hours. Right now, I am working 40 hours a week since school is out for the summer, but when it starts back in August, I will scale down to about 20 hrs every other week. I could work more, but having 4 kids and a hubby who is also in school, the kids need at least 1 parent home with them!!! The tech/extern program is a great asset, as you get to work with the nurses and though you can't actually give meds and do all that nurses do (unless you have one of those nurses who let you!) you can get a feel for what they do. And I have found, especially at my current job, that the nurses are great about teaching. You will occasionally get that one who doesn't like PCA's or techs, but for the most part, if you can work as one, it is a great experience and helps to prepare you for becoming a nurse. I am so totally comfortable going into a patient's room and doing what needs to be done, where as some of my classmates get scared to death to walk in.

As far as accreditation, I am not sure about discovernursing, but TJC is accredited with who counts, the BON! TJC has a great reputation for turning out quality nurses and the pass rate for the NCLEX is very high. And my buddy Ron just added to the pass rate!!! As far as wait listed and the time spent trying to get in, I didn't get in my first time, as I was taking A&P II, Micro and Psych all at the same time, so I didn't have enough points. TJC looks at your overall GPA plus you get points for required classes like your sciences. The next semester, when I had those classes finished, I had no problems getting in. I too had 105 points, and they say if you have at least 95 points, you will have no problems getting in. Last semester, they went down to like 90 points that were getting in. They don't do a wait list, per se. They do have an alternate list for that semester. And when RaELrA and I started our first semester, they used 17 of the alternates.

Anyway, barring the usual crap in school, we have had a great time and have learned quite a bit. Good luck in whatever route you decide to take. PM or email me if you have any other questions. I will be glad to answer what I can~

[Bortaz, MSN, RN]

Oh, how I miss good old East Texas.

[RaElrA]

Hey, Laura, what is up? I'd love to hear how your summer is going and ALL. I'm working full time at ETMC and restoring a 50's trailer on my cousin's farm--I've named it "El Paraiso," and I'm doing the whole thing in early Hippie/Tiki Bar/Nuevo Laredo kitsch. What a combination, ahahaha! It's so isolated that no one can find me unless I hang out the pink flamingo windsock on the light pole. It's coming along, and I'll be able to move in by the end of the month. Rent is FREE, so it's going to make the last two semesters easier. Erin and I will carpool, so we can both afford to drive in from the country, LOL. Well, that's it--I'm working nights so I'd better get a move on. Later, Raven