Any current students or grads of RT program at HFCC in Michigan?

Hi,
I am contemplating entering the program at Henry Ford. I met with an advisor who indicated after I completed all the prereqs, it is a 1-2 year waitlist. Anyone had experience with this and if so, did you it take that long?
Also, I have been told it is a good program. Any comments or helpful info you can share. Also, if you think it is feasible for someone to work part time while enrolled in the program.
I was also told Monroe CC has a good program but haven't looked into yet at HFCC is geographically more convienent for me.

Thanks!

HFCC has one of the best RT programs in the country. By far the best in the State. The wait is what it is, if they say 1-2 years, figure on it being a year. Yes you can work part time and do the program, but you have to study 1-2 hours a night if you want to graduate. Get all of your prereqs out of the way before doing it would be my only suggestion.

Thanks for your reply!
I guess I can't even get on the waitlist until my prereqs are done so I'll have those out of the way for sure.

I hope it's only year wait-I'm anxious to get going!

Jill

I'm in the program at MCCC, I don't know how long the program is at Henry Ford, but Monroe is only 2 years...tho a very busy 2 years. So far it's a great program, and Monroe goes on a points system so no waiting list. I'm not saying Henry Ford is a bad program, but Monroe students are pretty well known for knowing their stuff.

Good Luck!

Mike

I graduated from the HFCC RT program in 1986 and it was a fantastic program then. Knowing Debbie Syzmanski's commitment to excellence, I am sure it has only gotten better over the years. I worked my butt off for two years and used to ask why does she expect so much of us??? At the end of the program, when I took my CRT, I got my answer: it was EASY (not that I didn't review/study for it). All these other students came out saying it was the hardest test of their life and I thought is was easy. I was better prepared because the HFCC curriculum was so intense. It will be well worth the wait and all the effort. Good luck to all of you in your new career.

cactusrose in Tucson, Arizona said: I graduated from the HFCC RT program in 1986 and it was a fantastic program then. Knowing Debbie Syzmanski's commitment to excellence, I am sure it has only gotten better over the years. I worked my butt off for two years and used to ask why does she expect so much of us??? At the end of the program, when I took my CRT, I got my answer: it was EASY (not that I didn't review/study for it). All these other students came out saying it was the hardest test of their life and I thought is was easy. I was better prepared because the HFCC curriculum was so intense. It will be well worth the wait and all the effort. Good luck to all of you in your new career.

My name is kelly , and im currently in the hfcc respiratory therapy program . So far, it is one of the hardest things iv done in my life and i know it will pay off. Mrs . syzmanski is very dedicated , but also very imtimidating at first . the program started aug 25 and weve already had 5 drops starting at 23 students . its very tough , and for anyone thinking about it , you better be dedicated and know this is what you want to do , because if its not , you will not force yourself through her toughness.
To cacturose , any advice you could give me ?

HI Kelly, my advice to you: study, study and study more! Expectations are high--but so well worth it. You will be among some of the most respected graduates when you are through with this program. I remember some hospitals PREFERRING HFCC grads because they knew the quality of students and their level of knowledge upon graduation. And HFCC's CRT and RRT results speak for themselves. You will be very well prepared for many intense clinical situations upon graduation. You will know how to present information to a community of medical professional colleagues also by the end of the program. Be always your best, dedicated, overprepared for clinicals and class and you will do well. I think I watched ONE TV show per week as an outlet during the program, that was it. I gave the program my all and still love RC and what I bring to my patients. If you want any other input, do let me know. Very best to you!!!

She speaks the truth... even in these tough times, HFCC grads gets the preferential nod when it comes time to hire. Szymanski is tough and yes, by the end you will have waved good-bye to another 5-10 classmates. We started with 29 and only graduated 11. She will not graduate a therapist who won't make it in the real world. So if you make it through, you'll know you really accomplished something to be proud of. Find a study partner or two who want this just as bad as you do. Get there an hour early EVERY DAY and question the crap out of each other before class/clinicals. Go over you last days notes and compare. Record the lectures if you don't take great and I mean great notes. There is always something you will miss that your partner caught. Don't memorize RT, learn it. Really internalize it all. Be confident but not cocky. If you are shy by nature, work on your people skills before your first O2 rounds start, you will be interfacing with sick people and their families. You have to sell yourself just like you were waiting on their table. At the end of the day most RRTs are on a level playing field with their knowledge set. What will set you apart and leave a lasting impression about you and your new profession is how YOU act in the patient rooms and with other hospital staff (RN, MDs, etc.) Hi Madonna!

webdox in Ferndale, Michigan said: She speaks the truth... even in these tough times, HFCC grads gets the preferential nod when it comes time to hire. Szymanski is tough and yes, by the end you will have waved good-bye to another 5-10 classmates. We started with 29 and only graduated 11. She will not graduate a therapist who won't make it in the real world. So if you make it through, you'll know you really accomplished something to be proud of. Find a study partner or two who want this just as bad as you do. Get there an hour early EVERY DAY and question the crap out of each other before class/clinicals. Go over you last days notes and compare. Record the lectures if you don't take great and I mean great notes. There is always something you will miss that your partner caught. Don't memorize RT, learn it. Really internalize it all. Be confident but not cocky. If you are shy by nature, work on your people skills before your first O2 rounds start, you will be interfacing with sick people and their families. You have to sell yourself just like you were waiting on their table. At the end of the day most RRTs are on a level playing field with their knowledge set. What will set you apart and leave a lasting impression about you and your new profession is how YOU act in the patient rooms and with other hospital staff (RN, MDs, etc.) Hi Madonna!

To both above :

I realized i typed alot of what i said wrong . But yes , i am working my butt off . Right now i am at the top of the class , but our midterm is next week for syz . Only 4-5 of us passed our first lab practical.. and even more are going to drop soon . We started with 28, not 23 .
Im in a very unique situation , because i am only 17 . But mrs. syz thinks i am doing good , so i hope that is true . i dont get much time to do things normal people my age do , but i know it will be worth it in the end.
Im very worried about the midterm , as we all are .
Thanks for the advice guys !

How many hours a night do you study attending HFCC? No time for anything on weekends?

Sarah, it has been a long time since classes for me (1984-86) and I don't remember all the details. I do remember this: I had a toddler when I was in school, thankfully my mom really helped me look after my daughter so I could go to class and study during the days. I didn't work. I did not study until my daughter was in bed--8-9pm--because I felt so guilty not being around enough. I pretty much stayed up until 2am every night and then up at 5am for clinical days, 6am on classroom days. I lived on caffeine as you can imagine. My mantra: "I can do anything for two years". I really didn't have a life, except for in between semesters. I studied with others in between classes and then 5-6 hours a night. My time on the weekend was for studying too, my husband watched our daughter. I did take some time off for making easy meals and housework and such. But pretty much my nose was in the books. You can do anything for 2 years...best to you.

Thanks for the information. 5-6 hours a night and weekends seems like study overload. Webdox indicates(about 10 posts up) 1-2 hours a night. I guess everybody is different. Also, can someone tell me what the starting hourly wage is for a new RRT in Michigan? How many hours a week and is there overtime availability.Thanks

Written? All Essay tests? You're working? Thanks

Kelly in Detroit, Michigan said: Sarah,
Im in the program right now , and whoever told you 1-2 hours ... well with the amount of stuff you need to learn . that is not enough.. i hardly ever have time to spend with my friends or family, yet alone work.
If you want to get through the program, you have to be seriously dedicated to respiratory therapy , or else you will not have the will to push yourself through it .
We started august 26 and are now approaching our midterm tuesday for mrs syzmanski , and we started with 30 students are are now down to 20.
Many of the people who are gone , were working long hours and struggling with families , so they were not able to put alot of effort into their studies.
The tests are WRITTEN , and there is ALOT of work to do and alot to learn . you have to know every little word every range and be able to write it out, it is not easy.
it requires alot more studying than 1-2 hours.

Amen, sista!!!

Kelly in Detroit, Michigan said: Sarah,
Im in the program right now , and whoever told you 1-2 hours ... well with the amount of stuff you need to learn . that is not enough.. i hardly ever have time to spend with my friends or family, yet alone work.
If you want to get through the program, you have to be seriously dedicated to respiratory therapy , or else you will not have the will to push yourself through it .
We started august 26 and are now approaching our midterm tuesday for mrs syzmanski , and we started with 30 students are are now down to 20.
Many of the people who are gone , were working long hours and struggling with families , so they were not able to put alot of effort into their studies.
The tests are WRITTEN , and there is ALOT of work to do and alot to learn . you have to know every little word every range and be able to write it out, it is not easy.
it requires alot more studying than 1-2 hours.

Kelly, how is the program going?

Sarah in Ann Arbor, Michigan said: Kelly, how is the program going?

sarah,

its going great for me i love it !

i finished last semester with a's :)

we lost ALOT of people last semester !!

this semester is what everyone says is the hardest , but i really like the classes :))

kelly in Brighton, Michigan said: sarah,

its going great for me i love it !

i finished last semester with a's :)

we lost ALOT of people last semester !!

this semester is what everyone says is the hardest , but i really like the classes :))

Thanks for the reply,
Alot of people trying to work and go to school? Reason for drop outs?

Sarah in Ann Arbor, Michigan said: Thanks for the reply,
Alot of people trying to work and go to school? Reason for drop outs?

well within the first semester , its when you find out whos heart is in it and who really wants it . its a tough program , hardest thing iv done in my life so far . i guess alot of people we lost within the first few weeks saw how hard it was and maybe just didnt have the time or realized how hard it was and didnt want to do it .
some people it was grades , i guess it varies by the person .

if you dedicate your time and self to getting through the program you will , but for 2 years youve gotta just keep that focus on school as much as you can .

many of thw people who were working either tryed to find a way to work less hours or some even quit . my advice is to try and work the least that you can , but i know that that is not possible for everyoneto do .

you really just have to stay on top of things .
because no matter how hard to u try toncatch up to speed , your always gunna feel somewhat behind , and thats not just my opinion but many other peoplw share that with mw as well .

does anyone have any information about the respiratory therapy program in at OCC. Im applying with a 3.5-3.6 ia that substantial enough to get in the program?1!

Hey Kelly,
How are things going? I'm starting the program this fall. When do you have to buy scrubs and a stethoscope? Also, where did you buy your books? The school bookstore or on a site like Amazon?

Thanks

Sarah in Detroit, Michigan said: Hey Kelly,
How are things going? I'm starting the program this fall. When do you have to buy scrubs and a stethoscope? Also, where did you buy your books? The school bookstore or on a site like Amazon?

Thanks

things are good , im not looking forward to summer ending though ...
good luck to you , im sure you will notice me lol .
our class is down to 16 now & we started with 30 or 32 i believe .
you won't need scrubs or a stethescope until the winter semester . so don't worry about that yet .
i got mine from the bookstore , only because my school and books are paid for through a grant , but many people in my class got them from amazon .

good luck again , be ready to work work work !

Thanks for the info, Kelly. I have a few more questions. I was at the meeting in May and Miss S indicated all the grads from the class of 2011 were able to obtain jobs. I was wondering what the starting rate is for a HFCC respiratory grad. Also, you indicated Ms S is really intimidating at first. Do you have any tips? LOL

Thanks again

the pay is something i am unsure of .
it varies by hospital .
she is intimidating at first , and you will soon see .
but youve got to realize she wants to turn out the best RTs , so if we are Not keeping up on work she has reason to .
its something you will get used to , just do the best that you can and show her how bad you want it.
keep up on all of your work , and if you need help , just ask her .
she will help you .
shes an amazing teacher , you will learn so much from her and be able to apply that knowledge in the hospital (:

Hi everyone,

I'm excited to read all the posts related to HFCC's program!
I am currently on the waitlist. I was put on in Dec.2010. To all the recent grads or recently enrolled in the program, how long did you have to wait on the list? I am really hoping to get in the program for 2012!!

Thanks!

Thanks,Kelly! The HFCC bookstore is priced way higher than Amazon. I just ordered my 3 books
for $233. The same books at the HFCC book store cost (tax included) $372.

krf710@yahoo.com in Detroit, Michigan said: To both above :

I realized i typed alot of what i said wrong . But yes , i am working my butt off . Right now i am at the top of the class , but our midterm is next week for syz . Only 4-5 of us passed our first lab practical.. and even more are going to drop soon . We started with 28, not 23 .
Im in a very unique situation , because i am only 17 . But mrs. syz thinks i am doing good , so i hope that is true . i dont get much time to do things normal people my age do , but i know it will be worth it in the end.
Im very worried about the midterm , as we all are .
Thanks for the advice guys !

I think alot of people bombed on our first practical, as well. People will be dropping like flies very soon. How did the folks regroup after flunking the first practical.?

lol people dropped like flies with us .
my email is krf710@yahoo.com email me ! its easier than this board thing.

At HFCC, do you receive a letter grade or pass/no pass for clinical courses?