Waitlist length & what to do while waiting

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 17, 2011

I go to FRCC, I was on the waitlist for 3.5 years but that was in 2006. Now I graduate in May. I know the list has gotten shorter since than. The gal that does my nails got on it and her wait is 1.5 years. This is at the Larimer campus. I know they are planning on making changes though as well to shorten the wait list and make it more competitive (so do well in your pre reqs).

Something to consider too, if the wait-list is 1-2 years, you can get your Pre reqs done and than while on the wait-list work on your Co-Reqs and any other classes you will need to graduate. (like electives) or work on classes that you will need if you plan to go onto the RN-BSN program.

For FRCC you can take Pahtophysiology and Nutrition while on the wait-list and get it out of the way. The program is busy enough with just the core nursing classes, a lot of students have struggled that had to do these classes on top of the nursing ones during the program.

The average age of students in my class is mid to late 30's with a good amount in their 40's as well.

jess~n~kids · Mar 19, 2011

I also go to FRCC Larimer campus. I was on the waitlist for 4 years and will be done this December.

Absolutely get all your pre-reqs done as well as Nutrition, Pathophys and your elective. Most of these classes are offered over the summer (10 week classes).

I took Nutrition during my 1st semester of Nursing classes and it was just too much. I took pathophys over the summer between 2nd and 3rd semesters and I really wish I took it before I was accepted.

I know the school has shortened the amount of students accepted each semester and have also heard that they may be changing their enrollment process.

Best of luck to you!

jenden · Mar 26, 2011

Thank you both for your responses, they have made me feel a bit more confident in my decision and my original plan. I had planned on taking the remaining classes once I finish my pre req's and wait to be accepted and your answers just solidified my decision. I think making it competitive to get in is a great idea and makes alot of sense. While I plan on getting 100% in every class (wink, wink...hopefully!) is there anything else I can do to gain more "credit" such as working in a hospital etc...? I currently work in a senior community so I have had 4 years of working the elderly.

Much thanks!

Jen

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 26, 2011

Thank you both for your responses, they have made me feel a bit more confident in my decision and my original plan. I had planned on taking the remaining classes once I finish my pre req's and wait to be accepted and your answers just solidified my decision. I think making it competitive to get in is a great idea and makes alot of sense. While I plan on getting 100% in every class (wink, wink...hopefully!) is there anything else I can do to gain more "credit" such as working in a hospital etc...? I currently work in a senior community so I have had 4 years of working the elderly.
Much thanks!
Jen

Unless it's changed since I enrolled working has no bearing on getting in or things like that. I do believe they now require a CNA class, (that is what I heard, they didn't when I applied) Make sure you have your electives done prior, patho, and I would do a 3 credit nutrition instead of the 1 credit required if you ever plan on going for your BSN. Also while waiting if you plan on going for your BSN eventually do statistics as well. It will be required for that but not FRCC. FRCC has been in talks to POSSIBLY join up with one of the RN-BSN programs so students can do that during the program too, but not sure if that will really happen, they asked us for feedback and we told them it would be doubtful that we would have taken on even more classes while in the program. We had a pretty hefty course load as it was.

But last I knew of they simply go off your Pre Req GPA and that you meet the min. requirements and don't take anything else into consideration. They have a separate wait-list for previous Bachelor degrees.

The staff is changing a lot and I don't know how that will change things, I got the fortune of having some really great instructors but they no longer work there. I can't vouche for some of the newer staff since I have not had them. But FRCC currently has a very good program that really prepares students well. When you are in clinicals you will hear the nurses and staff have a lot of positive things to say about FRCC students.

jenden · Mar 29, 2011

Thanks mi vida loca for the info! Do you know how long the waitlist is at FRCC if you don't already have a bachelors degree? :confused:

jkmk · Apr 4, 2011

Thanks for the information :) I am planning on applying to FRCC Larimer for the ADN program after I finish my pre-reqs this fall. I just decided to take the CNA program this summer for a number of factors, so it's nice to see that they may be requiring that for entry, giving me another good reason to get it done.

I was a little shocked to see that the nursing application is so basic. The only info they ask for besides your contact info is that you've completed the pre-reqs, have a 2.5 gpa or higher and have a background check. I hoped that they would have a couple questions asking why we want to be a nurse and why do we think we would make good nurses to further help them get a better understanding of who is applying. I have several years of relevant related work that I think would make me an excellent candidate, but it's a bummer that non of that will be taken into account. Oh well... I'm excited to tackle my CNA this summer and move on from there :) ... I've heard such great things about the RN program, I hope the new instructors will be just as good.

jess~n~kids · Apr 4, 2011

Thanks mi vida loca for the info! Do you know how long the waitlist is at FRCC if you don't already have a bachelors degree?

You'd be best to call and talk to Lori and ask about the time frame. I did not have a previous bachelors and I waited for 4 years. I started in Jan 2010.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

Thanks for the information :) I am planning on applying to FRCC Larimer for the ADN program after I finish my pre-reqs this fall. I just decided to take the CNA program this summer for a number of factors, so it's nice to see that they may be requiring that for entry, giving me another good reason to get it done.
I was a little shocked to see that the nursing application is so basic. The only info they ask for besides your contact info is that you've completed the pre-reqs, have a 2.5 gpa or higher and have a background check. I hoped that they would have a couple questions asking why we want to be a nurse and why do we think we would make good nurses to further help them get a better understanding of who is applying. I have several years of relevant related work that I think would make me an excellent candidate, but it's a bummer that non of that will be taken into account. Oh well... I'm excited to tackle my CNA this summer and move on from there :) ... I've heard such great things about the RN program, I hope the new instructors will be just as good.

They don't ask anything else, at least not currently. If you meet the requirements you get in. After that it's up to you to stay in. We started off with 50 students and have lost about 18. The semester before us it was more than that from what I was told. But they also have been changing quite a bit, I have talked to a few of the instructors that are now running different areas of the program and they have said they have loosened up the program since our semester to not be as "hard". A lot of the good teachers we lost were great teachers but pretty tough, (which is good) and it seems a lot more flys now. I am interested in seeing what the schools NCLEX pass rates are in a year from now. Hopefully still as good even with scaling back some on the material.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Apr 9, 2011

You'd be best to call and talk to Lori and ask about the time frame. I did not have a previous bachelors and I waited for 4 years. I started in Jan 2010.

I agree, she gives a good estimation, at least for me. My wait was 3.5 years and I got in exactly when she "estimated" I would.

jenden · Apr 13, 2011

Holy $#!* 3.5 years is a long time, you might as well get your BSN if you are going to have to wit that long. It makes me nervous that I might have to wait that long. I would think that alot of the info you learned in between then would fade away.

johnston1211 · Apr 14, 2011

So I just got on the waitlist in December 2010. I was told that It was a 18 month wait, but when I got on my waitlist acceptance letter stated that my estimated wait time was spring 2013 which is 2 years. So Who really knows. I am just waiting and hoping that I get in Sooner than that!

I think that Taking your CNA is essential. I really think that it would help you in nursing school and give you some kind of idea what you are looking at in the Nursing field, you would be surprised how many people decide after thier CNA that they DON'T want to do Nursing!

As far as your Pre-Reqs and Co-Reqs go I would take advantage of getting your Co-Reqs done while you are waiting, I have heard from Students that this takes a HUGE load of you while trying to focus on a already overwelming Nursing schedule!

Also for anyone else... Anyone Take MAT 103 (math for clinical Calculations) Before 1st semester? I know it's a Co-Req and thought about taking it, The Nursing advisor said they "prefer" that you take it with first semester but if I could get it out of the Way I think it would be great! Any opinions would be great!!!:)

Kristen