Frequently Asked Questions
"Is there a waiting
list for admission into the program?
"
There is no "waiting list". The applicant must apply and
is "reranked" each semester.
"If I am accepted but
do not attend that semester, will I still be on the list of applicants for the
next semester?"
NO. If
you attain "Admitted" or "Alternate Pool", you must notify the Nursing Admissions
office if NOT planning to register for nursing courses in up coming semester. This can be done by telephone call, letter, in person, and by email.
"Do I have to turn
it official copies of my transcripts to both the Nursing Department and the College's
Admissions and Records?"
San Antonio College Admission
and Records must have an official copy on file. The student may obtain
a copy of the official transcript(s) from College's Admissions and Records.
This copy must bear the official stamp of the Admissions and Records office
and be signed by their staff. Students must turn in official copies of
all transcripts from ACCD colleges.
"Will my academic courses
such as Anatomy and Physiology taken at another college out of state be acceptable
for admission?"
All academic courses need
to be evaluated by the College's Admission and Records. A & P is a
4 credit hour course at this college. It is not at others and must be
evaluated.
"I have heard there
is a mandatory orientation program that is offered just before class begins. Why isn't it offered months in advance?"
Experience has indicated
that the best time to offer the orientation is the week before classes begin.
There is a required Nursing Student Handbook available for purchase in the
College book store. You may find it helpful to read this ahead of time.
Please note: Upon admission into the program, you will be required to
have the current manual for the school year you are enrolling. It will
be required through the remainder of your nursing school enrollment. Students
who are admitted will receive notification of the date for the orientation program.
It traditionally has been held on the Thursday before classess begin.
It is an "all day affair" as the orientation program is held in the a.m. and
the mandatory hospital films may be shown in the afternoon. Make your plans accordingly.
"I know students that
made all A's and B's in their academic courses. It is a different story
now that they are in nursing school. Why are the nursing courses harder?"
The knowledge and preparation
a nurse must have requires a different approach from most of the required academic
courses. While you may be proficient in memorizing facts, you will need
to take facts/data, analyze, and then apply it to a given situation. As one progresses through the program, one will be required to progressively
think more critically and apply previously learned as well as new knowledge. There is a strong emphasis on the nurse's ability to critically think.
"I do not have any
experience with a computer. How much do I need to know to use the required
CAIs in the computer lab or PALS?
Computer-assisted instruction
requires minimal computer literacy. The lab personnel will set up the
program or assist you in getting ready to use the CAI. Generally, all
you will need to do is read and push a key to select the right answer. And if you push the wrong button, the most harm you will do is get an error
message or a wrong answer. The college has a tutorial for using PALS.
"I have always wanted
to be a nurse. But what if I decide it is not me. What do I do?"
Many times students think
they want to be a nurse for a variety of reasons. But when they find out
what is involved, they realize that it is not the right career choice.
Nursing is not for everybody. The prudent thing to do, after analyzing
your career goals, would be not to continue. If you decide that Nursing
is not for you, one should officially withdraw from the course. You may
reconsider later and decide to reapply. Officially withdrawing will not
adversely affect your GPA like not showing up and receiving an F in the course
for non-completion. It would be helpful if you advised the department
rather than just not show up.
ldp
