Who is applying to UAH and/or Calhoun Community Collge Nursing schools Spring 2014

U.S.A. Alabama

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I was wondering who is applying to UAH, Calhoun Community College, or both in the Huntsville/Decatur, Alabama area. I have applied to both schools myself and I am starting to get anxious. I am hoping we can all come together to support and encourage each other and maybe even offer some advice. Don't be afraid to discuss concerns and ask questions, because most likely there is someone who feels the same and at the same time, there might be someone on here who can help. Good luck everyone!

Kissesnhugs, while I don't regret my choice one bit as far as bridging from lpn to rn because of the vast experience I've gained from being a floor lpn nurse in a teaching hospital, if I had the choice and the funds at that time I definitely would have went where I was accepted first at samford for straight BSN. But life throws us curves and we can either adjust or be thrown off the road. I chose to adjust and I'm glad I did. I feel like briging forward I'll be a more competent nurse. Skill wise and knowledge wise. However, I do urge you to look at board rates before making a selection. While UAHSON is BSN, I do believe Calhoun board rates reign supreme. No use in having a BSN if you can't pass nclex, or not adequately prepared for it. Also it has often been said you come out more clinically competent from adn programs vs. university programs Which is why I feel like its a blessing for me to have been accepted to Wallace's program which board rates are higher than both because they have a high board pass rate.

Advice:

1) STUDY! I can't say this enough. My LPN program started with 64 in the first semester dropped by 25 going into second semester, picked up 4 from students dropping from rn to lpn then about 5 more transfers from other schools. Going into the last semester we picked up 10 more students from other programs and students who again dropped from rn to lpn. One girl flunked her last semester measure with a 74.4. She couldn't graduate or get pinned with us. Fundamentals will be your highest fallout course followed by OB. especially taking OB IN THE SUMMER.

2)DONT BECOME A EASY MARK meaning don't be a know it all or a tattletale. Teachers and student alike hate that. People think I'm lying when I tell them this but if a teacher wants you out a program they will get you out. Trust me. I experienced this when I was in the and program at Jeff state. Thankfully I got another chance. Many arnt so lucky.

3) ALWAYS BE ON TIME! My teacher used to actually LOCK The door after class and showing up to a clinical late??!? Your asking to be turned around! One girl that was in my clinicals came 15 minutes late and was turned around after coming from center point to jasper! That's a hour one way!

4) KNOW YOUR ****! Lol sorry to be blunt but you will find most of your nursing instructors and clinical instructors are even more Blunt than this! Before you give a ace inhibitor, you better know to monitor for a dry cough. Before you give a beta blocker like metoprolol you better know that patients heart rate and blood pressure before hand! And please before giving digoxin PLEASE CHECK THE APICAL HEART RATE FOR A FULL 60 seconds! Little things like that is what makes a great nurse. You'll find straight A student who can't even work a floor or have common sense like padding a bed right for someone who is on kexacelate for having a high K+ Things like that is what separates a prudent nurse from a nurse!

4)TAKETIME FOR YOURSELF! It's so easy to have a numerous breakdown in nursing school. Like seriously. Don't study study study. Studies show that taking frequent breaks and setting aside time for oneself actually helps you to retain information better! I used to set aside one day a week to pig out on junk food and catch up on my favorite shows or to get a pedicure. You come first!

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I got in. I wasn't expecting a letter so soon! I am beyond excited- literally shaking. 174 points. Wonder what the cutoff was?! Congrats to all!!! Can't wait to meet you and get those study groups formed!!!

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I would have never checked my mail had u not posted this!!! I got in!!! Thanks so much. Hope to see u this spring. Chris

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So glad all of you ladies got in! I did as well but sadly I am going to have to turn down my seat and wait till fall for the part-time evening program due to work. I am hoping I will be able to get a spot because I have heard it is super competitive. I have 179 pts which I am hoping is enough to get a spot. Congratulations everyone! Let me know what to expect! :)

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I will warn you before turning down your seat more than likely the entrance requirements will change for all two year school from the TEAS test to the ACT. Bevill and wallace are piloting that now. This is Wallace's second year implementing the ACT and bevills first. So just keep that in mind.

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Jporterlpn,

Thanks for all the GREAT advice. It never crossed my mind to look up pass rates! So I did exactly what you suggested and I was SHOCKED! Lol Uah pass rate for last year was a scary 79%. Calhouns pass rate was 88%, but the two years before that the pass rate for them was 92%. This really has me rethinking which one to attend. I'm on the older side(27), so I really want my bsn before I'm 30! I totally agree with you about the quality of programs and I want to attend one that's great, not just good . Seeing the Uah pass rates worries me a lot! Not sure what to do now :( Any suggestions or thoughts.

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Well as we know pass rates are composed if two things: how well the teachers teach and how well students retain content. If it were me in this case I would go calhoun. It's cheaper. And a RN-BSN program could be a possible out of pocket expense of only 8-10000 which is nothing compared to a 32,000 loan at uah or a expense that a employer might may partially vs. tAkng out a 32,000 and not being able to find a job or one that does NOT offer tuition/loan reimbursement. Especially if that community colleges board rates were higher and more respected I would do the cc. However the BSN will always reign supreme. I think it's gonna come down to how prepared you wannabe and how good each schools reputation is

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I got in!!!!!!! So excited and nervous!!! I so wasn't expecting to hear for another week or so : )

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Specializes in Med-surgical, nephro, substance rehab.

Good question Kissesnhugs!

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Specializes in Med-surgical, nephro, substance rehab.

I mean great point Kissesnhugs.

And CONGRATULATIONS jchrisperdue!!!

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I got my acceptance letter last weekend on October, so here w e go!

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I CLEPed Human Growth and Development at UAB, I bought a textbook one edition earlier on half.com for 7.00, read it and outlined it (took 2 weeks) then then took the challenege exam on a Saturday, I tthink it cost 60.00 to take it

Good, smooth and quick alternative if you can buckle down and absorb the material

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