Anyone apply to wisc. Madsion BSN? need roomate?

[cacurlytop]

Hi Anyone waiting or hear yet for Wisc. Madison BSN? Anyone a second degree applicant? I'm graduating from there this May but will continue there in the BSN program. Looking to see if anyone else got in? Thanks

[coupb8222]

Congratulations on your acceptance into UW-Madison School of Nursing. Best wishes to you! UW-Madison SON Class of 09.

[cacurlytop]

Any advice or tips for the program since you graduated already?? Thanks

[coupb8222]

Really all I can say is do your best, make sure you make time for yourself. You already have good study habits to get you where you are now, as well as determination to be in the program.

I would recommend to try to do independent studies (clinical) if you have any extra credits you need to get.

The program is great, your going to do great.

Its a great accomplishment! SON is the hardest school to get into on campus!

[cacurlytop]

What do you mean by independent studies for extra clinical hours? Can you do an independent study class and get credits for volunteer time at Meriter? Do you recommend certain clinical sites more than others that students seemed to prefer? ( not sure if we ever get a choice really) Did you review for the Nclex as you went along the program rather than all at the end? Thanks again for your input. ( actually it took me a few times applying to get acepted !)

[coupb8222]

Yes. I would Recommend the Saunders NCLEX Comprehensive review to use during nursing school. Its going to give you what you are learning in a different way along with questions to take.

Independent study is not volunteering. You set this up on your own.

For example I got 3 med/surg clinicals out of 4 offerings so I wanted more....I did a trauma independent study with over 90 hours of clinical time in the ER, shadowed the flight nurse, rode on ambulance to see the total picture of patient from incident to hospital. I also did an independent study in rural Milwaukee providing cost free care to homeless and working poor. I needed more credits so it was worth it, and I did get more exposure to different areas. All this was in addition to my standard clinical experiences.

Overall what you make of school is what your going to get out of it. If you aren't getting challenged enough I would recommend indpendent studies to meet the gap.

Hope this helps.

Best of luck.

[cacurlytop]

Sorry, last question...how did you go about arranging the clinicals on your own? Will hospitals/clinics in the area provide clinical hours that aren't part of the program? Aren't we suppose to get diverse rotations as part of the program and not 3/4 in the same area? peds/mat, adult, psych etc? I need all 4 areas to return to my home state? Thanks again!!!

[coupb8222]

Sorry, last question...how did you go about arranging the clinicals on your own?

To do an independent study you need a faculty person to approve your independent study. Pretty much you create the experience and how you will be evaluated and they help make what you want happen. hospitals/clinics in the area provide clinical hours that aren't part of the program? Yes, for example my Trauma independent study was at UW-Hospital, same place where some clinicals are. Aren't we suppose to get diverse rotations as part of the program and not 3/4 in the same area? peds/mat, adult, psych etc? You rank what you want but there is no guarantee. I know people who did get all of their first choices when ranking them, and I only got 1 first choice. There are many diverse clinical sites, however you may not get all your first diverse choices. I hope your experience is better than mine as far as clinical sites go.

I recommend getting an internship at a local hospital over the summer between junior and senior year!

I need all 4 areas to return to my home state? Thanks again!!!

[cacurlytop]

Thanks for your suggestions. Are you working now as an RN? Did most people in your class pass the Nclex exam? Do they help you prepare for it in some way?