Unhappy with CSCC...are there any alternatives?

U.S.A. Ohio

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I submitted my application to CSCC at 9:00 am this morning. Later today, I found out that dozens of other people had the same idea. They camped out in the computer lab and all waited to hit the 'enter' key at 9:00 am. The application was supposedly for Spring '11, but only a few people will get in due to the overwhelming number of applicants from the Fall '10 crowd. I'm fairly certain that I will not start until almost a year and a half from now. I find this frustrating, considering I have the same chance of getting in as someone who has much lower grades than mine (I have a 3.9 GPA). Are there any good alternatives to Columbus State out there?

That would be terribly sad if you decided to not do it at all.

If it is something that you are truly passionate about, the desire won't go away. Trust me. I wanted to go back when I was in my early 20's after graduating with a degree in another field. At the time it wasn't feasible financially for me to do so. I got very discouraged and figured it was never going to happen. In hindsight, I realize that things for me happened that way for a reason and I feel like I am benefiting from it more now. I really tried to push it from my mind and just forget about it - I even tried to establish myself in another career which I truly did enjoy. Nursing school was always there in the back of mind though....

10 years later I'm in the program because that desire never went away and though it was tough I found a way to make it work.

Just try to stay positive :) You just never know what can happen tomorrow :)

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It isn't a decision to do it or not. If i could simply decide, i would wait. Unfortunately, the decision is out of my hands. I did everything i could to start March 2011 and if it is meant to be i will get in.

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Specializes in PCA-telemetry, STNA-LTC.

I don't know if you know or not, but ITT Tech has an RN program now. I was in the same boat you're in, but I "applied" in January and had to wait again for the July date. A friend of mine told me about ITT Tech (which is an ADN program) and I got in their first class starting Sept. 13th. Classes are 1-2 days a week and the program is nine quarters in length. So, I graduate in December 2012.

No waiting list, 75% or better on HESI A2 (which I'm guessing shouldn't be a problem with a 3.9 GPA). I'm still waiting on my transcript review, so I'm not sure how much of my credit will transfer....

I hope you get it worked out and good luck!

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ITT Tech is fairly expensive and their website says it is safe to assume your coursework will NOT transfer elsewhere. No thanks, but I don't want to be a guinea pig with a new program when my career is on the line.

I'd rather wait a little longer for a program I know as well established and has a great reputation and spend much less money. Plus, the CSCC program is 7 quarters in length so even if you have to wait two extra quarters to start, you still come out the same. I hopefully start CSCC March 2012 and I will graduate December 2012 just like you. Less time in school, less money, guaranteed accreditation, and much better reputation with much better clinical rotations.

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Specializes in PCA-telemetry, STNA-LTC.

I can understand that. I certainly respect your stance. What works for some doesn't work for everyone. As far as transfer credit goes, it's safe to assume that your coursework won't transfer with any other school. I've had classes at CSCC that don't transfer to COTC and classes at OSU that won't transfer to either. It's all based on the school's curriculum that your attending.

I thought your post was about finding an alternative to waiting; however, it seems that you've made up your mind to wait at CSCC. Actually, as far as costs, ITT Tech is about the same as Chamberlain. Because of my credits that will transfer (was notified earlier :) ) I end up spending about the same as I would at CSCC including books. But as I said, to each his own. I can't argue reputation and clinical rotation because it's obvious being a new program, it won't compete with CSCC. But I will say this, once I graduate, I'll have my ADN, just as any graduate at CSCC will. All programs had a starting off point, and for each program someone had to be a guniea pig.

Just thought I'd offer an alternative. Best of luck and we'll have to share stories :)

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Actually, as far as costs, ITT Tech is about the same as Chamberlain.

Wow - more expensive than I thought it would be even!! CSCC will be around $4,000 for me including tuition and books (didn't calculate in lab fees as I don't know what they will be yet) because of transfer credits. How does that work out to ITT Tech being about the same with transfer credits? I should get transfer credits for everything but the actual nursing coursework virtually anywhere.

And yes, there is no guarantee any credits will transfer but since schools like CSCC are well established, there are already transfer guidelines in place and schools have pre-approved the classes for transfer so you can find out before you even start if they will transfer. I know all schools in this area definitely accept CSCC courses for transfer for RN-BSN and RN-MSN programs. Can ITT Tech provide you that guarantee or is that a risk you'll take?

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Specializes in PCA-telemetry, STNA-LTC.

I have almost all of the GE courses, (minus ethics I think). Its about the same because all of my books are included in the price of tuition. It is more expensive than CSCC, so you're absolutely right about that. As far as RN-BSN or RN-MSN, they will have a BSN program, but I don't think the gen ed courses transfer for BSN or MSN. From what I've been told from other nurses, its because its a technical college and not a state college or university. Honestly, I wouldn't suggest going there if you're going to get the BSN or MSN because the gen ed structure isn't the same as other schools. I already have most of the courses required for a RN-MSN course so it's not a problem for me. I work with a woman that went to Columbus school of Practical nursing to get her LPN, and when she tried to get into the LPN-RN transition class at COTC they told her that she would have to repeat the sciences because she didn't have enough credit for their program. So ITT Tech has A&P I, II which is 8 credit hours, and COTC has Anatomy 5, and Physiology 5. That's the problem with coming from a program like ITT. (of course, other than the fact that it's a new program.)

I honestly just got tired of waiting at CSCC. I was going to transfer to COTC until I found out that I would have to take the STNA class again (I was licensed for 4 years, but because I didn't work for 2 years, it expired.) Which is really horrible because I work as a PCA so I would have to pay $500 to "learn" something I already know how to do. It's not that I don't care about going to a reputable school or an established program, but I'm still confident in ITT's ability to have a good prgram. I didn't trust Chamberlain, Bohecker, or Fortis when I heard about them, but there are plenty of people (some that I know) that have gotten a great education from all 3. I totally understand your apprehension though.

Did you ever look into COTC?

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I did look at COTC but it is a solid hour drive from where I live and I have a full-time job on the west side of Columbus. I, like you, once took the nurse aid class and worked as a PSA as well but I don't qualify to sit for the state test anymore so I would have to retake the class and then take the test which is just silly. I understand that they want you to show competency in that area, but taking the course and working should be OK too - I can get multiple letters from supervisors and RN coworkers that could testify to my abilities but COTC said no so I said no to the school.

The other thing I like about CSCC is I get to do electives in trauma, peds, and ICU and then I can do my last quarter rotation in Grant trauma which would be a dream come true! Plus, CSCC is a 5 minute drive from me :)

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Specializes in PCA-telemetry, STNA-LTC.

Hey I can dig that!! :) I have a cousin who worked in Grant's Trauma for 5 years and she started right out of school. She loved it. She went to Diley Ridge though because it's closer and I guess she wanted a break. But she said she got a lot of experience out of it and would recommend it to any new grad if they can get in there.

COTC sounded good until they actually expect you to sit for the boards. It's really ridiculous. If I could go to CSCC, I would, but I'd have to sit out about 3 quarters before I could apply again, so it wasn't really an option either. I'm happy with my decision, but I would have liked to finish there considering that's where I started.

Good luck with everything and it's been cool conversing with you! That's why this is a really good tool for us future nurses :D

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Wow - more expensive than I thought it would be even!! CSCC will be around $4,000 for me including tuition and books (didn't calculate in lab fees as I don't know what they will be yet) because of transfer credits. How does that work out to ITT Tech being about the same with transfer credits? I should get transfer credits for everything but the actual nursing coursework virtually anywhere.

And yes, there is no guarantee any credits will transfer but since schools like CSCC are well established, there are already transfer guidelines in place and schools have pre-approved the classes for transfer so you can find out before you even start if they will transfer. I know all schools in this area definitely accept CSCC courses for transfer for RN-BSN and RN-MSN programs. Can ITT Tech provide you that guarantee or is that a risk you'll take?

I just wanted to give you a heads up that even with only NURS classes, your cost will be more than $4k. Just tuition at the current $79/credit hour rate for the 54 NURS credits is $4266. I just purchased most of my books and scrubs for my first quarter. Just the lab fees, books and 2 sets of scrubs was approximately $500. If you look at the bookstore pricing, books run a couple of hundred dollars for most of the classes, so you're looking at a couple of thousand on top of the credit hour cost.

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I have a good friend that started March 2009 and a girl from HS starting this month and they both said I could borrow their books provided they don't change so hopefully that'll save me a ton of $$. I know there are a few I'll want to buy to keep but hopefully it'll save some!! Work gives me $2,000 every year so I don't think I'll have to pay too much out of pocket. The program will span over 3 years technically with the way the dates at work are. Still... $4300 is pretty darn cheap for an entire RN program!!

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I'm not saying that it's particularly expensive compared to other programs. It is absolutely a cost effective program and the credit hour rate is significantly lower than many other schools. I just wouldn't want someone to read your post and think that they can walk in from the street and get a ADN at CSCC for $4000. People who come in either without a bachelor's degree or who have a BA with little to no science (that's my problem - I hadn't taken a single BIO course since high school more than 20 years ago and had to take ALL the science courses). If you have to take all of the courses listed in the catalog for nursing, plus prereqs for those courses, plus NURC classes, you are looking at about 110-130 credit hours or close to $10k in tuition and fees plus the cost of books, fingerprinting, drug screens, physicals, scrubs, etc. running probably close to $4k.

The entire program (under the current quarter system) is 105 credit hours, and that does not include the NURC courses, CHEM113 or other pre-reqs to even apply.

Certainly, if you are able to borrow text books and don't include the non-NURS courses in your educational cost, then the cost is significantly lower. Cost is one of the reasons that I chose CSCC for my ADN - along with a schedule that fits my family. But, like one of my professors suggested - it is important to weigh waiting for a couple of years versus paying more and finishing a couple of years earlier. For some it may be financially prudent to pay the extra up front and start working a job a couple of years earlier because you can recoup that extra cost when you figure the extra wages you will be earning as a working nurse as opposed to working XYZ job.

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