Yakima Valley Community College

when I applied the lowest number they accepted was a 43. I got in for Winter of 2010 starting this Jan!! :) I'm super excited about it but very nervous. I won't know anyone there so I'm hoping to make some friends. I wish you the best of luck! I'm sure you'll get in.

I am entering quarter 4 this winter at YVCC. I took me two tries to get in. I had a 3.2 GPA from my pre-requisites and an NAC license. You also get extra points for applying and not getting in so you odds are better next time around. I know “be patient” is not what anyone wants to hear, but you will get in. Make sure you keep up on all your immunizations, PPD, and H1N1 vaccination as well. Oh, don’t forget your CPR card to. When you do get your acceptance letter, they won’t let you start without all that in order. I hope to see you this winter! Good Luck!

BTW, this is an excellent program for a community college. Lots of learning opportunities and a great NCLEX success rate. A well respected name as well when you go looking for work after you graduate!

H1N1 is not required, but if you do not get it you have to wear a mask during your clinicals at what ever facility you get assigned to. The flu shots are all safe (unless you're allergic to eggs), they have just gotten a bad wrap because of too much hype from the Fear Mongers at "The Media". I have been receiving the flu shot for years and swear by them!

But, as you will learn as a nurse, each person is subjective and you have the right to believe what ever you want to without criticism. Please, before you take my word for it, contact the YVCC office and ask what the requirements will be for quarter 1 students. I may be mistaken.

Good luck to you in whatever you may decide!

Merry X-Mass!

Does anyone know anything about the ALTA exam at Yakima Com. College? Do we take the test in English or in another language? What type of exam is it? For example, is it in writing, speaking, or reading? What score is considered passing?

Do you want to get certified so you can earn more points to get admitted? You can always email the secretary there at the nursing office or just go see her. She can help you with just about any question you could ever have about the program. Her name is Rebecca and she is extremely knowledgeable.

Hey, I had the same questions. Nice to hear from people who have been there. I'm still completing my prereqs, so not likely to get in until the end of the year, or later... I have a GPA of 3.9, but I'm sure my last couple biology classes my take that down a notch. I'm am currently and EMT, so I hope that counts for something. But I was wondering, what's the nursing program schedule like? Is it Mon-Fri? How many hours of in class time each day? Thanks!

There is an EMT in my class now at YVCC, he does real well, but I don't think they give extra points like a CNA license would. Then again, maybe it does. As far as the schedule goes, THEORY changes for you every quarter from mornings to afternoons because the instructors share classrooms. Then there is clinical days (usually 3 - 4 hours), which are either on site to learn new skills and be tested on them, or off campus from 8 to 12 hours for 1 or 2 days a week at one of two different locations. Quarter one is at Long Term Care Facilities, Quarter 2-6 are at YVMH or Regional. I think Q2 may have Topmemberh Hosp as well. I have yet to have a "bad" experience at the YVCC program. I am not saying its easy, but it is what you make of it, and I make mine enjoyable. Have fun and good luck!

(I know you have some time before you get in, but here are some words of advise. Plan to use study groups and make friends with the people who seem to be outgoing and who pay attention. If you do get in a "bad" study group where most of the talking is about "he said, she said" get out of it. Find a different one. Failing a class is not the end of the world, but you DO have to WAIT until another opening comes available to retake the class, and this follows you all the way through the program. Meaning if you are in Q2. fail, take it again and pass, then and go onto Q3, you may have to wait if anyone fails who is currently in Q3 and has to retake it. Some people who have failed a quarter are just now in Q2, and I am in Q5. This is not here to scare you, just prepare you. Ask lots of questions, read a lot and use EVERY second of your On-Site Lab time to practice your skills and you will pass with flying colors. Call the office over there or just stop in and talk to the secretary, shes awesome and full of knowledge. Hope this wasn't too long winded..lol) Good Luck !

Hey I'm doing my pre reqs for nursing at yvcc and I have been hearing that the biology classes are really hard and the teachers are hard. I also heard that Heritage is a better chance getting in their lpn program than at yvcc. Has anyone had to take any of the required classes over to recieve a higher gpa? I have my nac but what teachers are better and what study curriculum does anyone suggest?

I have been told repeatedly that Heritage is easy to get into, but they cost almost 3 times as much as YVCC. Also, do yourself a favor and check out the accreditation of Heritage. I won't tell you what I have heard, but I will say none of it has been positive (I have no firsthand experience of the matter though). I had to wait 1 quarter to get in at YVCC and I am NO 4.0 or even 3.5 student, so thats not to bad (I think I was 3.4 or 3.2 when I applied). Get yourself your CNA license somewhere, they add points to your application.

The A&P teachers at YVCC are great. Of course these classes are tough, they have to be because you will be taking care of people whose lives hang in the balance. That's also true with the nursing program. Remember, challenging A&P classes will help you in nursing and difficult nursing courses will prepare you for the NCLEX. It would not do any student nurse any bit of good to have easy classes. Always keep in mind as you go through the program, after you graduate your not a nurse, you still have to pass the NCLEX. All a nursing program does is prepare you for the NCLEX and teach you clinical skills along the way. So take each subject serious, learn as much as you can, and before you know it, you will be in done with all of this. It goes by very fast!

GOOD LUCK!!!

Hi Lazrguy,

So when did you enter the nursing program at Yakima Valley Community College and did you take the ALTA test to earn more points?