Wake Tech or JCC? (2nd degree student)

jedwards080 · May 15, 2011

Welcome back to NC! :)

I've done all of my coursework through JCC. The main difference in the two schools in regards to the ADN acceptance process, I believe, is that Wake Tech has an actual waiting list. JCC actually uses a testing method for acceptance. They have potential ADN students take a TEAS test, then use that score in addition to a points system from your GPA from the pre-req classes. Then the points are used in a ranking system against the other students you test against. One other thing that is required from JCC is that you are CNA I certified...not sure if Wake Tech has the same requirement. JCC's website is johnsoncc.edu. Good luck!!!

lovesroses · May 24, 2011

Wake Tech does not have an actual waiting list. They accept students spring and fall, which can be nice. It's points for either school. WTCC requires more core classes (patho, micro, nutrition) than JCC. JCC has your TEAS score add into the points for the total, WTCC if you make above a certain score on the TEAS you get 50 points for your total. I am a second degree student and got into both this fall. 200 points for WTCC (missing patho and micro) and 121 points for JCC (had everything completed). Check out the websites/got to an information session (JCC is nice cause I could do that online but WTCC when I did it I had to go in person). You must actually have a CNA class for both with certificate (no challenging the exam).

ncbuckeyecb · May 24, 2011

Thanks for the helpful info! Do you happen to have an email for nursing admissions at JCC where I could send some questions I've thought of recently?

Also, what does it mean by no challenging the exam? I've seen that on various websites... does it just mean I don't have to take the exam?

lovesroses · May 24, 2011

I recall the online info session on JCC's website telling me some email contacts. No you take the exam, you just need an approved class before you take it (the cram classes don't count).

lovesroses · May 24, 2011

I took mine through a community college so I knew it would transfer to whereever I wanted to go. There are some private schools around as well that offer it but when I looked, they were way more expensive.

lovesroses · May 24, 2011

Don't be too turned off either by the extra classes at WTCC...most of the bsn completion programs I have looked into require some or all of them. I figured easier to get some out of the way now before I start having to balance more work/family/etc stresses along with school work. I haven't decided which I'm going to attend yet.

NaturalNurse2b · Jun 4, 2011

Actually, Wake Tech does NOT have a waiting list. You must apply every year, the same as JCC. The difference in Wake Tech is they accept applications for the Fall and Spring and JCC only accepts for the Fall. The only except is if you've had NUR 111 (the first clinical course) somewhere else, you can test out of this class and possibly enter as an Advanced entry student in the spring; but you had to have had that first class somewhere else.

carolina'sfinest · Oct 9, 2011

Actually, Wake Tech does NOT have a waiting list. You must apply every year, the same as JCC. The difference in Wake Tech is they accept applications for the Fall and Spring and JCC only accepts for the Fall. The only except is if you've had NUR 111 (the first clinical course) somewhere else, you can test out of this class and possibly enter as an Advanced entry student in the spring; but you had to have had that first class somewhere else.

Hi Naturalnurse2b,

I just recently had to withdraw from wson in durham due to personal reasons and I was also unhappy with the program, however I did finish the first semester and half of the second semester (which both involved clinical teaching) however after reading your post which school were you referring to allows you to enter as an advanced entry student? wtcc or jcc? also do you/did you attend either of these schools? Any insight or advice you could give me?

thanks alot!

carolina'sfinest

mmc51264, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 10, 2011

JCC student here. I found JCC much easier to communicate with. WTCC was hard to get answers from (hard to find a "live" person to talk to, and I always seemed to just miss the info sessions; at least JCC has that online. I wanted an ABSN but I did not have human A&P (bio degree: comparative anatomy and animal phy). I am now a 2nd year student and I like the program at JCC, but have nothing to compare it with.

Good Luck!!!!

NaturalNurse2b · Oct 22, 2011

carolina'sfinest, I have been an actual nursing student at both...currently attending JCC. From my perspective, having been in both, the faculty at JCC are much more caring and the "student-friendly." In my opinion, WTCC treats its students like "if you get it, you get it; if you don't, you dont." I felt WTCC was cold and some of the teachers were not honest with the students about what a test would cover. I felt this to be very disingenuous and unfair. Also, the NCLEX pass rate is higher at JCC, with the exception of this last year. This is because they have just undergone a state-mandated curriculum change. Keep in mind the NCLEX pass rate is rated on the first attempt only. For example, a 96% pass rate doesn't mean the other 4% didn't pass, it just means they didn't pass it the first time. If you look at the pass rate over the last 10 years compared with WTCC, JCC's rate has been far better. My main reason for being at JCC is that it has made a huge difference to me that the instructors at JCC are accessible and there for the students, they are not arrogant, and are willing to do whatever they can to help the students. They are friendly and honest, and always do what they say. They are also extremely helpful in the clinical setting, rather than being intimidating, as I felt most WTCC instructors were. Let's face it...clinicals are pretty scary.

Nursing school is one of the hardest things you will ever do. After experiencing what WTCC could NOT offer me, I have found the guidance, education, encouragement, and sense of comraderie I was looking for at JCC. Lest you think I am just a bitter former student, I am not the only one. Truthfully, as clinical nursing students, we put a lot of our lives, time, and work into our school, and when things don't work, it's very disheartening. There is an enormous and distinct difference in WTCC and JCC and its instructors. Maybe what they should be posting is not 1st time NCLEX pass rates, but rather 1st or 2nd semester student DROP rates. At JCC, it's barely noticeable (5-10%)... At WTCC, it's astounding at almost 35-45% in the first two semesters alone!!! Need I say more?

Minnie02 · Dec 4, 2011

Hello! I have been looking to Wake Tech Community College, basically I m from California and I m applying Out-State as over in California the wait list is more than 2 -3 years. Plus my pre-quistes are expiring in 2013. Please could you tell me which program is better to apply Gaston College, Wake Tech or JCC? Or do they have the LPN program, I can go through that route too. Just want to keep options open.