FAU BSN 2013-Traditional or Accelerated

Adesh · Mar 19, 2013

Congrats to everyone! I think you will find Orientation exhilarating; I did. If Orientation for the accelerated program is anything like last year, it will be 99% about what they want you to do before day one, and 1% what to expect.

Things I wish I'd done different before classes began? 1.Get my immunizations done ASAP. Also, I wish I'd gotten all my immunizations done at the FAU clinic, because they have the correct forms you will need to upload to Magnus. If you go to your own doctor, make sure you take the FAU Nursing college forms (they have the "dance of caring" figures on them) for them to fill out. This will save you a lot of headaches. 2. Suggestion: You will be buying your uniforms from Meridy. The dark blue pants are stiff and awful. I bought Gray's Anatomy dark blue pants and they were like pyjamas. Plus they had pockets, which is essential when you're in clinical. Just make sure they're the same color.

Like I said, if you want to ask me anything, do. Things we speculated about the accelerated program were...how busy was it going to be? For me, I averaged 30 hours of homework per week, outside of clinicals and class. The best students were those able to commit to memory facts on the first, at most second pass. They scanned books for nuggets of info. Profs won't want to hear this but the savviest students formed small groups and split homework between them. Each person was still responsible for knowing all test content. I never felt I had enough time to study before a test or refine a paper. No matter, the tests are not that rigorous and papers are not graded on refinement. The motto is simply "get it done." Have you wondered how they cram 19 or 21 credit hours into a semester? As long as they meet the content requirements set by the accrediting authority, they can move you though a class as speedily as necessary. Some 3 credit classes meet just 5 or 6 times and you're done. It might have just a midterm and a final. Or a clinical might meet 4 or 5 times, you do one paper, and you're done.

What is clinical like? Accelerated students entered the hospital in the second week. I remember we were all quite nervous. You will be amazed to find that your student nurse uniform gives you privileged access to almost every area of the hospital. You will be treated with respect. And perfect strangers will want show you their affected body parts, will allow you to observe them while doctors and nurses work on them, and will be completely unselfconscious about it too! During the first semester, I packed a wound, changed a picc-line dressing, inserted a catheter into an unconscious male, and did chest compressions on a pulseless man with bulging, unblinking eyes. I started an IV (I did it upside-down, but that was okay). I made lots of beds, some occupied. I cried on the way home. Some of the others in my clinical group confided that they got very upset sometimes too and didn't know if they could do it. One person fainted. I almost did, once.

Along the way, I observed my classmates, some of which thrived. Who looked strongest? Those who derived strength from being around people, those who felt little aversion to touching people, those who were more fascinated by the science than sympathetic to the patient, those who thought gory was cool and who watched House and ER and couldn't wait to get into that room with the cardiac arrest patient and feel the excitement and the drama of being mashed in with 20 other people sweating and moving and yelling orders and poking and prodding some blue-faced guy on a gurney. those who were generally confident in themselves, those who could think on their feet, those who didn't bother with details, those who were not too reflective, or given to doubt, and those who could blow off mistakes, blow off work on some rare Friday night and just have a good time. This is the stuff I think nurses are made of. I may be very wrong, and that is up to you to decide, but I feel strongly that it is important to share this with you. I want you to have this perspective...to make of it what you will.

Sincerely,

Adesh

mrtravelRN · Mar 19, 2013

Thank you Adesh:) I've been so curious about what to expect, this is very helpful. I do have one question...are we scheduled for clincals on the weekends?

FSUlindsay · Mar 19, 2013

Wow. Thank you Adesh for the insight! It's great to know some inside tips from someone who's already been there, much appreciated!!

I looked up the Grey's scrub pants on allheart.com (the cargo solid scrub pant) and there were 2 dark blues: Twilight and Indigo. Do you remember which one you ordered? I currently work in a hospital and know how awful uncomfortable scrubs can be.. Right now, I wear and love Urbane scrub pants, and would rather get my own now than order pants I'll never wear from Meridy.

What was your observation of people working during the program? I'm not planning on working, but considered maybe picking up a shift here or there to help with expenses. But my priority is the program. Just curious if anyone did work...

Any other info/tips/insight you can think of, please share! I can't wait for orientation!

urbana1990 · Mar 20, 2013

Thanks for all the info Adesh! It's really great to get some insight from someone who has experienced the program before us. I'm still interested in possibly purchasing the uniforms from you, but am unable to send you a PM because I don't have enough "topics" yet. Let me know if the offer still stands. I'd just like to get an idea of how they fit.

nurs313 · Mar 20, 2013

Adesh,

Thank you for the information you provided. I have a few questions.

First, is the Orientation formal or casual? Should we dress professionally or casually.

Next, you say that there is 30 hours of homework outside of class but that some classes only require a mid term and a final. By homework hours, do you mean, studying for exams? What other homework is typically assigned?

Did everyone in your class graduated? Did any drop out?

Adesh · Mar 26, 2013

Hi guys, sorry for the delay in responding. So, to answer your questions as best I can...

1. What color Grey's Anatomy pants? Sorry I'm not sure. Navy blue, is all I can say. What I did was, I originally ordered the Meridy pant, hated it, went to a uniform store and matched the color, then returned the Meridy pants. The grey's looked just like them, but were amazingly comfortable.

2. Did I know people who worked during the program? Only one person did I know of who worked during the accelerated program. She worked weekends and was frequently in a very bad humor! They will discourage it, and they are right to. It is really not tenable. Many people in the traditional program appeared to work. But the two programs are like night and day. I remember sitting behind a "trad" in class and she was shopping on the Internet during lecture. My eyes were bugging out of my head with incredulity!

3. What to wear to Orientation? They should let you know. As I recall we were asked to wear "business casual."

4. Did anyone drop out? Yes, I dropped out partway through the second semester, and another young woman, also from my clinical group, dropped out at the end of the first semester. Of course, if anyone else dropped out, I would not know.

5. What kind of homework? Mostly test prep. The amount you are expected to read and know for the simulation lab and for the tests is phenomenal. But also you will be asked to write papers, research topics and present this info in group presentations, complete fill in the blank exercises, and study dosage calculations. If I try to recall a typical week it went something like this:

Monday: 3 hr class starting at nine, lunch, 3 hr afternoon or evening class, go home, eat dinner, study until bed @ 11 pm.

Tuesday: repeat

Wednesday:Off (first semester only) study on and off all day, maybe meet with group & prepare for presentation.

Thursday: Simulation Lab, from 9-4:30 or 5pm

Friday: Clinical (just one day first semester) that means you are in hospital all day, 8 to 12 hour days.

Sat & Sun: "off," meaning work in pajamas in home office. Meet my study group for 3 or 4 hours to prepare for the next test.

6. Clinicals on weekends? We were told it could happen. Some wanted it. I did clinical during the week, however.

While I'm thinking about it, another thing I wish I'd done before starting is to practice dimensional analysis. This is how they will want you to solve dosage problems. It takes a bit of getting used to, but does make the math easier.

Regarding the uniforms--Go to Orientation first and find out what uniforms are required (in case things have changed). .

Best,

Adesh

mrtravelRN · Mar 27, 2013

Thank you Adesh!

NeuroRN_ · Mar 30, 2013

Just curious, how many of us are currently FAU students / FAU alumni?

Adesh · Apr 9, 2013

Hi guys,

Umm...there are a few things I wanted to mention in case they were if interest...

The faculty are mainly wonderful but if you get ******** for lecture or both you may find her difficult, as most of us did. Lord knows she is a hard-working and committed teacher but she has an exasperating habit of speaking in generalities and metaphor that will make you question your abilities of comprehension. Ask for clarity and it only gets worse. Just a warning.

Oh and if you take an ipad or laptop to class and add typed notes to the powerpoints that invariably accompany lecture you will be far ahead of those (like me, until I wised up) who insist on printing off the 30-90 pages of powerpoints you get for each class-- so they can hand-write notes in the margins. This is a huge time-waster and will cost a fortune in ink and paper. Go paperless and get used to studying material directly from the computer screen.

Can't think of anything else but if you have any more questions let me know. Is the accelerated orientation coming up soon?

Best, Adesh

Adesh · Apr 21, 2013

Okay, folks...It's like this: I am moving to NC in less than two weeks.

Regardless....I wish you all a happily challenging program, followed by a lucrative, rewarding career!

Best,

Adesh

zandradu · Apr 23, 2013

Hi All, Just came across this forum and loved reading all the connections being made between those who have been accepted into the program - and I'm so sorry to those that did not get in, don't give up! There are other programs!

I'm currently finishing up the 2012 Accelerated class and am graduating next week. If you have questions about the program, ask me. I know many of you have probably already been to orientation, so you've got some info, but may have other questions you did not want to ask Dr. Dormire.

One thing I did want to say was I think they are changing the uniform, so sorry Adesh, you may be out of luck. I just saw a colleague this morning modeling the new uniform for the staff. I would confirm with Dr. Dormire if you have not already. Use, but do not abuse our lovely Dr. Dormire - she will (almost) bend over backward for you guys and gals.

Anyhow, let me know if you have questions...and good luck to all of you!!

Best advice --> take it one day at a time and do not, I repeat, do not procrastinate!

Dralas · May 5, 2013

Has anyone out there heard anything more about this possibility of the VA grant coming through? It would allow about 30 more students to start BSN program this coming Fall 2013. ********had mentioned it on this thread a while back but I have not been able to get any more information on whether FAU actually got it. I've tried contacting FAU but it's been difficult to get through. I know it's been busy with the new class starting in May. Any information would be much appreciated and congrats to all of you who got in... Best of luck!