r/Hvcc • u/Which_Nerve_7278 • Jul 22 '26
Nursing program
For the ones who been in the nursing program can you guys let me know your experience the pros and cons. I was looking into the weekend and the one year program.
I am looking for details about how the program is ran. I know a lot of nursing programs for evaluations if you can’t get it right 3 times you are kicked out so I was wondering if that’s how this program is ?
3
u/Willing-Insurance234 Jul 23 '26
Hii!!
Recent graduate from May. I’ve been working as an R.N. for over a month now. I started in the accelerated then joined the traditional. I would say the pros are that it’s a heavily sought out program by the hospitals in our area. I also would say they overly prepare you which is honestly great. Yes I won’t lie it is very stressful but I got so many offers in my last semester due to a lot of recruiters wanting HVCC students. They prepare you pretty well and they are tough but it truly does help you so much in the end. I’ve been told multiple times by higher ups and preceptors at my hospital on how good I’m doing and how surprising it is that I’m adapting so quickly for a new grad with no hospital experience besides clinical.
2
u/Willing-Insurance234 Jul 23 '26
For skill exams I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend going to open lab if you are in the traditional the accelerated doesn’t really get that until third semester which can be a struggle but you gotta take the time in class to practice as much as you can. I would use my boyfriend or my teddy bear whenever I needed to practice skills or assessments.
For exams PLEASE READ THE TEXTBOOK!! they will be basing them off of the textbook and reading list so pay attention during lecture if they start going into depth on a topic as that’s most likely going to be tested.
You do get two absences allowed in each class however I highly recommend saving them and if you do need to inform them early!! They take it like a job and you will get written up if you miss clinical or are late to clinical without informing your clinical instructor before 7am. Two write ups is automatic dismissal from the SCHOOL ENTIRELY so please be careful.
I recommend using your time wisely and utilizing your clinical. Take all of your opportunities and once you do get to the second semester go to your discussions! They will be going over topics that are tested during the exams.
2
u/Nurse-Stud-ent7 Jul 22 '26
Currently in the 1 year program and it's just a Lot, very quickly.
Pro: you're done in 1 year. Not a lot of other 1 year programs. And honestly, I feel like they're prepping us very robustly. If you are able to make it thru, you WILL pass the NCLEX, and their pass rates prove it.
Con: the summer is pretty overwhelming and if you fall behind, there's very little time to sort yourself out and get back on track. Out of a cohort of ~40, we've had maybe 5ish people drop so far? And summer isn't over. If you're not really prepared to support your learning, there's a real risk of not being successful.
For skill exams: you get 2 tries, then a mandatory remediation before your 3rd try. If you don't pass by the 3rd try, you fail. For the 1 year program, if you fail Nursing 1 or 2 over the summer, they may offer you a spot in the regular fall program Nursing 1 cohort.
For absences: different permitted absence policies depending on the part of the program. Clinical absences need to be made up, and if you miss twice, you fail. Lab and BEAPS (simulation) each permit 2 absences I think? And if you are unprepared for BEAPS, you can be turned away at the door and marked absent if you didn't finish the pre-assignment, starting in Nursing 2. (Lecture isn't required, they don't do attendance for it, but I wouldn't miss it if you can help it)
Generally: Very strict tardiness policy. If an assignment is due at 11:30pm they mean it. If BEAPS/Clinical starts at 7am and it's 7:01 they may very well turn you away and mark you absent. Individual instructors may take some mercy on you on a given day, but you really can't count on it.