WCC Nursing Program

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Hey Everyone!

I recently was accepted into the nursing program at Waubonsee Community College and had a few questions. Are there any recent WCC nursing grads out there who could tell me a little more about the program? How many times a week did you have classes and clinicals? I heard from some people that it's going to keep me so busy that I wont even be able to have a job, is that true? What would you say the difficulty of it was compared to the pre reqs (i.e. anatomy and physiology) that were taken? Pretty much any information someone could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!

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Imp currently taking my prerequisites for the nursing program at community college, however the waiting list is any where from 1 to 2 years and some of the science classes are almost impossible to get they are always full. I feel that it’s taking such a long time just to get in the RN program. I checked out a school called West Cost University it’s a private school no waiting list just a entrance exam but its very expensive around 70,000 of course you pull out loans but it’s a lot to pay back. I thought of taking an LVN program for now and later going back for my RN. I checked out Concord got their LVN program it’s just a year long. Can anyone please give me some advice about doing the LVN first and if anyone knows if Concord is good or of any other good LVN programs. Thank you very much!

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Hi!

I am in my last semester at WCC. You will have lecture 2 days a week & clinical 2 days a week. Each class is a little different on the days of lecture & clinical. Every class will have morning clinical, but once you get into it a little bit there will also be evening clinical, which I love. Nursing classes are a lot different than any other classes. They usually tell you if you are an A student don't plan on getting A's in nursing. It's not impossible as many students can do it, but it will take a lot of hard work. I got A's in my prereqs, but have only gotten two A's in nursing. I am happy to have achieved B's in the rest. There is A LOT of reading especially the first week of every class. Time mgmt skills are a must. I have worked the whole time I have been in the program so it is possible. I am able to make my own work schedule so that makes it easier. I know some people who work full time & do very well while some don't work at all & still struggle. You have to find the right balance for you. If you can get by without working it is probably better for you. I have always had to work while attending school so I am used to constantly being busy. Nursing school will pretty much be your life for the next two years. It is hard work, but it will be worth it in the end. I can hardly believe I will finally be done in May. Hope this answers some of your questions. Let me know if I can help you with anything else.

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Hello, thank you for the information. Wow that’s great congrats how exciting! It seems that it’s a good school and you get your money worth. I like the fact that you can even handle working at the same time it is true though everyone and their own pace how much one can handle. I been so confused in between going there and doing my RN or going some where else doing my LVN and then going back for my RN. After hearing this I may just go there and just get my RN. Thank you again!

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Thanks Ozzybear for the response! Congrats on almost being done with the program! So you said that nursing is different than any other class...can you elaborate on that? I was expecting it to keep me busy and to be difficult but is it the kind of difficult that at times seems impossible to get through? Or is it just difficult because of constant "busy work" for lack of a better word. I guess i'm just nervous that it's going to be overwhelming :/ How were the teachers in the program? Did they make it a fun experience? Hopefully i'm not asking too many questions, I just can't seem to find anyone else to talk to and I have no idea what to expect. Thanks for your help and congrats again!

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There is so much reading & a lot of info to absorb in such a small time. It can be very overwhelming, but definitely not impossible. It can be very stressful, but you need to make time for yourself too. I am so lucky because I met some of the best friends in nursing school. I know I will be friends with these people forever. They are my support & I would not have survived without them. There is a lot of "critical thinking" involved in nursing. I recommend reading books or checking out online tips for test taking. Nursing tests are not all about memorizing or knowing info. You have to apply your knowledge & think critically to answer the questions. Some questions have more than one answer, you have to choose the BEST one. :rolleyes:

There are some really great instructors...some are just ok, but I never had any problems with anyone of them. You will hear SO many rumors about this instructor or that class, etc. Don't believe everything you hear. I have found most the time the stories are greatly exaggerated! :uhoh3:

You will also have work to do for clinical. The first clinical is not too bad, but after that you have to research & know ALL for your patient. There is also a lot of paperwork involved with clinical research. It can be overwhelming at first, but I think they do a better job preparing you than when I first started. Also I think they are letting the 105 (first class) have a hospital day during their clinical. I would have loved to do this. Going from the nursing home in the first class to the hospital in the second class was a huge shock to most of us who did not have any medical experience.

Well I hope I answered your questions. Don't worry about asking too many questions. I know what it is like not to know anything about the program. Good luck!

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Hi,

I'm attending community college and I have about 5 classes left before I can apply to nursing program. There is a long waiting list and it’s pretty competitive unless by luck you’re chosen by lottery. My question is if it’s a good idea to attend school for LVN get my foot in the door and then go back for my BSN in nursing for the RN. IF I do that how long will it take for me to get my RN and is it even worth doing the LVN first? If someone can please give me some advice on that I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you

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Specializes in Hemodialysis, Home Health.

Moving to General Nursing Student Discussions :)

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Also I think they are letting the 105 (first class) have a hospital day during their clinical. I would have loved to do this. Going from the nursing home in the first class to the hospital in the second class was a huge shock to most of us who did not have any medical experience.

Hear, hear! The workload difference between 105 and 120 was ridiculous! I am glad they are preparing students more now.

I have worked the whole time I have been in the program. When I started the program I was working 25 hours a week at two jobs and now I am working about 12-15 hours a week at one job. I also have kids and a house to maintain. It is doable. It is hard sometimes, but just keep on trucking!

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For anyone who has applied to the Waubonsee nursing program how long did it take after the application deadline(was sept 15th for spring) for you to find out if you got in or got put on a wait list? I applied for spring 2011 but all I have gotten was a letter asking me to provide 3 forms verifying my proof of residency by Oct 22nd. I'm curious because class registration starts Nov 1st.

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When I was trying to get in I found out on Christmas Eve that I did not get in for the Spring Semester. I reapplied & got in for the fall which I found out in May. Most people don't get in on the first application from what I know. They have to wait for grades to be posted I think?? Don't worry about registering. There is only enough room for the amount of people they allow in at a time. Good luck!

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Thanks for the reply. How are the classes going so far for you? I think I'll just wait for the letter and see what Waubonsee says before I start thinking too much one way or another. Hopefully it comes end of this month or early next month.

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