UTHSC Traditional BSN Spring 2014 Applicants

karnie1o1 · Jul 9, 2013

Thank you for the upbeat tone. That is honestly the first positive notion I've received from this entire process. So yeah, your kindness didn't go without notice :)

meganelaine93 · Jul 9, 2013

Just wanted to point out that when I created this thread the spring and fall semesters were still called traditional, and then in April the program changed spring summer and fall to accelerated, so every entry is accelerated now, I just can't change the title!

smak1013 · Jul 10, 2013

So for those who have taken both tests, is the HESI more difficult than the TEAS? I still have to take the HESI, and probably soon, so just some pointers would be much appreciated!

arobbins2020 · Jul 10, 2013

It appears that UTHSC has updated their system. Yesterday, my HESI scores were still showing initiated. This morning, it shows my To Do list is complete...HESI scores have been updated!!! YAY!!

smak1013...I have heard mixed feelings about the HESI compared to the TEAS. I've heard the TEAS is easier than the HESI and vice verse. I studied the recommended HESI review book by Elsevier as well as the McGraw-Hill's Evolve Reach (HESI)A2 Practice Tests book. I also googled HESI review questions and found several websites that have review questions that are different from the ones in the books I previously mentioned. I also used Simple free learning tools for students and teachers | Quizlet. I used this for other classes and it has helped. The great thing about this website is you can allow others to view and use your flashcards. There are other people that have created HESI A2 flashcards and I used these as well. One tip on taking the Critical Thinking portion...try to think about all points of views. Think about the patients point of view, the nurses point of view, the doctors point of view, etc. Fortunately, I am currently a Radiologic Technologist (X-ray tech) and have been exposed to ER's and trauma as well as many other aspects of the medical community. There are many things that must be considered when there is a triage situation. You want to treat the most critical. Sometimes there are those hidden critical cases and this is where your A&P help out. The questions all have more than one correct answer...try to choose the best! Sorry about the long comment...I just want to help and there is so much!

Good luck!

smak1013 · Jul 10, 2013

It appears that UTHSC has updated their system. Yesterday, my HESI scores were still showing initiated. This morning, it shows my To Do list is complete...HESI scores have been updated!!! YAY!!
smak1013...I have heard mixed feelings about the HESI compared to the TEAS. I've heard the TEAS is easier than the HESI and vice verse. I studied the recommended HESI review book by Elsevier as well as the McGraw-Hill's Evolve Reach (HESI)A2 Practice Tests book. I also googled HESI review questions and found several websites that have review questions that are different from the ones in the books I previously mentioned. I also used Simple free learning tools for students and teachers | Quizlet. I used this for other classes and it has helped. The great thing about this website is you can allow others to view and use your flashcards. There are other people that have created HESI A2 flashcards and I used these as well. One tip on taking the Critical Thinking portion...try to think about all points of views. Think about the patients point of view, the nurses point of view, the doctors point of view, etc. Fortunately, I am currently a Radiologic Technologist (X-ray tech) and have been exposed to ER's and trauma as well as many other aspects of the medical community. There are many things that must be considered when there is a triage situation. You want to treat the most critical. Sometimes there are those hidden critical cases and this is where your A&P help out. The questions all have more than one correct answer...try to choose the best! Sorry about the long comment...I just want to help and there is so much!
Good luck!

Thank you so much! The more information the better! Yeah, now I'm really nervous. I've taken the TEAS before so I'll be Okay there but the HESI is stressing me out. I'll figure it out, thank you!!

mze116 · Jul 10, 2013

The HESI, to me, was easier. The TEAS is pretty random in its science section while the HESI is more focused with A&P so it's easier to study. A few pages back I gave some tips on the HESI however the moderators did remove the example questions I gave from the test. There is still some good info there. I got at 94 overall on the TEAS and I also think I did pretty well on the HESI (scores are posted a few pages back). That being said, if you did well on your TEAS, you'll probably do just fine on the HESI. Don't let stress / anxiety over the test negatively affect you. Study your A&P :-)

meganelaine93 · Jul 11, 2013

Quick question for everybody. I have already finished A&P 1 and microbiology and made As in both. The nursing school has all my minimum requirements: hesi scores, application, 40 hours minimum, and of course 8 hours science minimum. However I'm currently taking gen chem 1 at my university and the grades wont officially go into my transcript until August 16 (the day after the deadline). Ill be sure to send it in as soon as I can but do you guys think since I already have my two sciences done and the deadline will be passed, will they use the chem grade to go into my science GPA if its after the deadline? Or will they just have that on record as I complete the rest of my prereqs this fall for spring entry? I don't want them to think I'm hiding my grade from them as it is literally one day after deadline. I've tried calling and emailing the school and so far I've had no responses. Anybody have any idea?? Also, did everyone here take gen chem 1? Or was there a nursing chem available to you. I have barely started and it's already kicking my butt and overwhelming me to no end. Anybody?

karnie1o1 · Jul 11, 2013

So for those who have taken both tests, is the HESI more difficult than the TEAS? I still have to take the HESI, and probably soon, so just some pointers would be much appreciated!

I took both of the tests about 3 weeks apart from each other during June 2013. Here's what I gathered: (keep in mind I feel that I test very well and have little to no test anxiety... if anything I have fun while taking them - I also have a BS in Biology and luxurious hair)

TEAS V = Overall it is less challenging, less formal (environment and testing procedures), shorter, offers PLENTY of free time, more forgiving (more questions per section typically, which means one-two missed questions won't drop your percentage terribly), slightly more reassuring because it offers a national percentile and institutional percentile ranking, hmmm. what else? The science portion is very very broad, even with my prior education, the test manual created by the test provider is not as effective as HESI...the formatting on the test was much more parallel on the HESI. however, that book is still your best study tool...minus science which you'll have to dig deeper for.

HESI A2 = intimidating (very strict almost prison-like routine prior to entering testing room...you'll see), longer, a bit confusing when you see about ~8 sections to freely choose from, less time and more difficult to manage time as each section doesn't list the number of questions or the relative amount of time you should spend on each...it's a bit of a gamble. you also have to do the tedious check in process each time you have to tinkle, I held it and cried a little inside. sections are less challenging (except anatomy and physiology... i was taking my final the next day for APII and it still ended up being my 2nd lowest score, biology was the lowest ironically). I performed better on the HESI, I think. i attribute that to taking more than a day or two to study for it, as well as the study guide provided by the registration website.... it's spot on; minus A&P and Bio which are simply too broad to cover in a 100 page paperback.

The hesi is overall a better test because it does try to evaluate your common sense and personality... which you will probably be hard pressed to find any online reviews for. This adds a unique aspect to the test...

Hopefully I won't get in trouble for what I've listed, and hopefully you don't take my spot at UTHSC :)

o0fefe0o · Jul 11, 2013

From what I was told, they'll take into account any grades you earn from the deadline until they make the decision as to who gets accepted.

I also took the same Chem you are last semester & ended up with a B Khan Academy really helped me get a better explanation for all of the chem basics. It was definitely the most difficult class I have taken. If you have time, you might check to see if the chem department at your school has free tutoring.

karnie1o1 · Jul 11, 2013

Quick question for everybody. I have already finished A&P 1 and microbiology and made As in both. The nursing school has all my minimum requirements: hesi scores, application, 40 hours minimum, and of course 8 hours science minimum. However I'm currently taking gen chem 1 at my university and the grades wont officially go into my transcript until August 16 (the day after the deadline). Ill be sure to send it in as soon as I can but do you guys think since I already have my two sciences done and the deadline will be passed, will they use the chem grade to go into my science GPA if its after the deadline? Or will they just have that on record as I complete the rest of my prereqs this fall for spring entry? I don't want them to think I'm hiding my grade from them as it is literally one day after deadline. I've tried calling and emailing the school and so far I've had no responses. Anybody have any idea?? Also, did everyone here take gen chem 1? Or was there a nursing chem available to you. I have barely started and it's already kicking my butt and overwhelming me to no end. Anybody?

I'm a bit confused by your situation. Are you saying that one day after the deadline you will have the minimum pre-reqs completed? If that is the case I would keep calling/emailing the appropriate offices. From what I've heard they are rather helpful.

As for gen chem 1 I can only assume that most people have taken it considering it is typically a freshmen level course. I took it in 2006! as well as about 21 more hours of other chemistry courses. If you're having trouble I wouldn't rush yourself. Evaluate how much effort you are actually putting into the course. If you got A's in your other science lectures then I think you will be able to get through chemistry as well.

** on a side note... I despised gen chem and thought I was terrible at it (well, technically I was)... but it gets better, assuming you get past gen chem II.

smak1013 · Jul 11, 2013

I took both of the tests about 3 weeks apart from each other during June 2013. Here's what I gathered: (keep in mind I feel that I test very well and have little to no test anxiety... if anything I have fun while taking them - I also have a BS in Biology and luxurious hair)
TEAS V = Overall it is less challenging, less formal (environment and testing procedures), shorter, offers PLENTY of free time, more forgiving (more questions per section typically, which means one-two missed questions won't drop your percentage terribly), slightly more reassuring because it offers a national percentile and institutional percentile ranking, hmmm. what else? The science portion is very very broad, even with my prior education, the test manual created by the test provider is not as effective as HESI...the formatting on the test was much more parallel on the HESI. however, that book is still your best study tool...minus science which you'll have to dig deeper for.
HESI A2 = intimidating (very strict almost prison-like routine prior to entering testing room...you'll see), longer, a bit confusing when you see about ~8 sections to freely choose from, less time and more difficult to manage time as each section doesn't list the number of questions or the relative amount of time you should spend on each...it's a bit of a gamble. you also have to do the tedious check in process each time you have to tinkle, I held it and cried a little inside. sections are less challenging (except anatomy and physiology... i was taking my final the next day for APII and it still ended up being my 2nd lowest score, biology was the lowest ironically). I performed better on the HESI, I think. i attribute that to taking more than a day or two to study for it, as well as the study guide provided by the registration website.... it's spot on; minus A&P and Bio which are simply too broad to cover in a 100 page paperback.
The hesi is overall a better test because it does try to evaluate your common sense and personality... which you will probably be hard pressed to find any online reviews for. This adds a unique aspect to the test...
Hopefully I won't get in trouble for what I've listed, and hopefully you don't take my spot at UTHSC :)

You and your luxurious hair may have helped me pass! Thank you for the pointers. I'm taking the TEAS on August 6th and the HESI on August 8th. Super close together, I know, so I'll be cramming like crazy. And no worries, they'll much rather take a Bio major than a 19 year old with average test scores. You're safe from me! Thank you once again!

karnie1o1 · Jul 12, 2013

Has anyone applied to TWU? I just finished it (rather tedious) a few minutes ago. I'm not from Texas and would like to know what you guys n' gals think of it and how does it stack up to uthsc or any other nursing school in the texas medical center?