Anyone a grad from WSSU?

bradtmorgan · Feb 7, 2009

I'm currently attending the Accelerated BSN 13 mo. program at WSSU. I'm only 1 month in but so far here's what I've assessed.

The program is very fast paced right from the get go. Unlike some other accelerated BSN programs which kind of make up their own schedules this one is literally a condensed version of the "normal" 2.5 year program. This means that you will be having a lot of tests (I have 5 next week!). It is doable though from what I've seen and the teachers will work with you to fit your needs. Since it is a 13 months program the previous year's students are still there to give advice which has helped a LOT in that they give really good advice!

My only real criticism of the program is that there is a lack of lab space b/c the program competes with the rest of the "normal" nursing students, which as it appears to me have precedent. I have been reassured that as the degree of difficulty increases as we go along lab space won't be a problem.

Also WFUBMC offers funding to selected applicants which includes free tuition, books, as well as a $500 stiped per month which is quite nice b/c it will be hard for anyone to work in the program (it can be done though).

If you have ANY questions at all feel free to post b/c WSSU is actually pretty bad in promoting this program (i found it hard to find information from them).

ColtsMom · Feb 15, 2009

Do you know how many people apply and how they are selected? I slacked off in my previous BS and only graduated with a 2.9. Do you think that's good enough to get in? I saw a 2.7 is required. How do you like it so far?

bradtmorgan · Feb 15, 2009

From my knowledge they ONLY use your gpa from undergrad in the required prerequisites (anatomy, microbiology, chem, etc). Don't let your gpa keep you from applying b/c I too had about a 2.8 undergrad but had really good prereq grades and had no problem getting in. The program accepts about 40 students but about 120 applied (not all of them had their prereqs completed though). So far I'm liking it. It is very much accelerated and if you aren't comfortable teaching yourself then definitely don't go into an accelerated problem. Feel free to ask any other questions.

ColtsMom · Feb 15, 2009

Thank you so much for that information! That makes me feel MUCH better. I have a 4.0 in pre-req grades right now. I still need to take Microbiology, Developmental Psych and Chemistry. I had planned on applying to FTCC for Spring instead, but I think now I'll apply to both and see what happens with WSSU. Thanks again for your info!

gdubb82 · Mar 30, 2009

Hi Bradtmorgan,

I'm considering applying to this program for Jan 10. I graduated with a BS in Biology in 2004 and I have had a long desire to get into nursing and I finally came across this program that will have me out in just over a year and this is the perfect time for me to attend b/c my husband will be able to support the household while I am in school fulltime for a year. If you wouldn't mind sharing, I would like any feedback you can provide regarding your current class schedule like how many days a week do you meet and how many hours a day? Do you have class on the weekends? Are you able to maintain and keep up thus far? Also regarding the contract w/NC Baptist Hospital, do you know how much the starting salary would be at that facility?

Also given that my pre-reqs were completed bewtween 2000-2004 do you know if there is a time limit placed on these?

Thank you very much for any advice you can provide.

bradtmorgan · Mar 30, 2009

ColtsMom,

The schedule changes depending on how far you're into the program. For instance the first block of classes lasts 10 weeks, which I just finished up. During that time you're enrolled in 3 different classes (Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Intro to Nursing). Though the days can change depending on the year our schedule was as follows:

Mon: OFF

Tue: 8am-3:30pm

Wed: 8am-3:30pm

Thur: 8am-4:30pm

Fri: 8am-5:30pm

We had labs on Thursday and Friday which is why we stayed later those days. The schedule changes based on your classes and clinical's as well. Next block of classes has two classes (Adult I and Gerontology) and classes will be on Tue from 8am-4pm and Wednesday 8am-12pm with two additional clinical days at the hospital which are 12 hour shifts. They do give you a master schedule during orientation that has all the class times for the entire year but they can't tell you what days you'll have clinical's at the hospital until about a week or two ahead of time. You never have classes scheduled for the weekend, but it is possible that you have to do clinical's on a Saturday or Sunday as you essentially are just working someone else's work schedule.

As far as "keeping up with everything" it hasn't been as strenuous as everyone suggested early on. Yeah I do have to keep up with reading and pay attention in class, but to this point in time I've continuously made A's and B's and most of the class averages a B on tests.

You don't think you should have a problem with prerequisites as I took mine around that same time and I didn't have any problem with them. I think the cutoff may be around 8 years so I would check with someone (either Dr. Holland or Ms. Garrison) if you have any questions.

Finally, Baptist pays all starting nurses the same according to an intro pay scale which changes every year (usually goes up to account for inflation and is voted upon by some committee). At the current time the rate is about $21.05/hr. The time required to pay back the contract is not simply 3 years, which is what most will tell you, but actually composed of hours required. This is good in that if you work any overtime (more than three days a week) than you can work it off a little quicker, which has been important for some in my class who plan on moving when their requirement is up.

I'm actually began the first part of the clinical component of the program today and am excited about getting used to hospital and actually doing nursing "stuff." Also a lot of the worries I had with the program at the beginning have been either resolved or gotten used to so that's another thing to add. Sorry that this is such a long post but I figured that I'd rather give too much info than not enough. As always, feel free to respond as I'm happy to help anyone else out with any questions they have.

gdubb82 · Mar 30, 2009

Let me start off by saying thank you thank you thank you. Words are just not enough to describe how much I appreciate you taking the time to write detailed responses. Especially when I know time is very precious to you while in this program. Your right none if this info is posted on their website so you have been a great asset to me. I wish you continued success and congratulations on doing so well and being able to keep up. I have an appointment with *** next week. I am hoping to get in the next cohort this coming Janurary 2010. I hope I have a fighting chance. I have a 3.1 gpa from my Biology degree and a 4.0 gpa from my Master's degree in Education which I just finished up in 2007. In your opinion do you think those credentials are competitive? I definitley would like to keep in close contact with you especially if I gain acceptance into the program. I will send you a private message with my contact info and if you could do the same I would greatly appreciate that.

By the way may I ask about your personal life? Such as do you have children or are you married? How old are you? What was your previous degree/career in? Do you live in Winston? A little bit about me, I'm 26 married with a 4 year old and a 4 week old, live in Charlotte ( I will be commuting if I get in) and I have a BS in Biology and MEd in Educational Admin and I currently work in higher ed.

gdubb82 · May 10, 2009

Hi Bradt Morgan,

I was wondering how clinicals were going? I remmeber in your last post in March you had said you were just begining the clinical component. When you get a chance, I would love to here how your 2nd 10 weeks is going.

Thanks and I hope all is well

gdubb82

TJSbaby · Aug 26, 2009

Hello

I am also trying to get into the WSSU program for Jan 2010. I am interested to see how bradtmorgan is doing in the program. I has provided alot of good insight into what the program is really like. Currently I am finishing 3 prereqs, Bio 166, Microbio and Dev. Psych. I have made A's so far on the other required Pre-reqs.

I will say that I have all of my eggs in one basket. I have not applied to other programs. I hope I am competitive even though I have not finished the pre-reqs. I have a 3.54 undergrad gpa and an MBA.

How do they decide who gets an interview? How do they select applicants? I wish I had more information.

Thank goodness for this website.

gdubb82 · Aug 26, 2009

Hi TJSbaby,

Have you went to the advising session yet? I have my appointment next week on the very last day they were taking them. I made this appointment months ago but I guess they were all booked up. I am curious to know what information they gave you at your advising session? Do you live in Winston? I live in Charlotte so if I get in I would be commuting :crying2:

TJSbaby · Aug 27, 2009

Hi

She told me what classes I need to to take for pre-reqs. I started taking them last summer. I had my advisement session last spring. She really did not tell me much more than that. I do live in Winston. I hope we both get in.