anyone in the TWU or A&M Prairie View BSN program?

rumwynnieRN · Apr 18, 2011

I'm at Prairie View right now; I don't know if it'll be that much different when/if you transfer. There aren't a lot of us who make A's, and the only classes you have a real clear shot of making A's in are Health Assessment, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology and maybe your first clinical your first semester for Fundamentals/Basic Concepts (BTW, all of those classes are either in your first or second semester). You'll have to study (read the books/take notes) no matter what school you go to. You also can't transfer your nursing classes (I was at Tech before and they didn't take any of my classes).

If I remember correctly, you're not allowed to break up your classes at UT meaning if you're taking Pharm and MedSurg together, you HAVE to take them together and can't save one class for summer. PV doesn't have a mandatory summer session so your summer is yours to do what you want with; you can take some classes over the summer so it's not so stressful during the school year, do an internship, work or take a vacation. This isn't applicable to every semester -- you can't break up your third or fifth semester.

On a side note, nursing school isn't suppose to be easy, but it's not impossible either. Don't be too discouraged about your grades. A classmate and I went to UH to talk about our experiences so far, and believe me when I say I miss UH and the easy classes (at least compared to nursing school). Is this your first semester? You've got the rest of nursing school and your electives to bring up your GPA. I know it sucks to be at home/the library studying 99% of the time, but this information isn't meant to be crammed or learned overnight. We know the NCLEX style questions suck (we don't like that you can't go back on a question either, and the question isn't always clear), but you'll find that everywhere you go along with the careplans.

The other thing too about PV -- I don't know if UT does this, but you have to show you're competent to go to clinical with math. You have to do a DrugCal exam before clinical starts; if you can't pass with at least a 96, you can't go to clinical. The first 2 semesters, they test you over abbreviations, symbols and conversions. Semester three has some peds calculations, and 4 and 5 are straight drip rates and conversions, and you can't use a calculator.

Cleopf01 · Apr 18, 2011

UTHSC-Houston is the top nursing school in Texas. It's ranked #21 in the nation. Compare that to the other schools in Houston. TWU is #56. Prairie View is #295.

I encourage you to stick it out. First semester is one of the most difficult. Trust me---I know. Have you gotten any study guides from senior buddies? Second semester will be a lot easier.

P.S. We have to get 100s on our Dosage & Solution tests. If we don't get a 100 on the third try, we're kicked out. Also, we're doing drip rate calculations by the second semester.

miami1981 · May 5, 2011

prairie view is the only dually accreditated nursing school in houston. that looks good on your resume. hospitals love pv grads. go to a hospital and ask nurse recruiters what colleges create the best new grads and they will tell you. i did that before i applied to pv and they all said pv except 1. however, pv is a tough, tough program.

armingothers · Sep 4, 2011

Hi...How hard is the BSN program comparing with other nursing schools in Houston or TX?

Please rate it on a scale of 1-10 , the reason why im asking is bcz I got accepted into the BSN for the fall/11 and Im hearing a lot of negative news about PV and its program...Im nervous and worried and seriously thinking about withdrawing if its insane! as I cannot afford more failures in my life anymore! I appreciate your time and reply.

MisfitSN, BSN, RN · Jul 3, 2012

"all the health rankings are based solely on the results of peer assessment surveys sent to deans, other administrators, and/or faculty at accredited degree programs or schools in each discipline... respondents rated the academic quality of programs on a scale of 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). they were instructed to select "don't know" if they did not have enough knowledge to rate a program. only fully accredited programs in good standing during the survey period are ranked. those schools with the highest average scores appear in the rankings." the site you source is also for graduate programs where as the op is an incoming student. a better way to determine rankings might be to use nclex pass rates as well as talking to students and faculty at each school you are considering. of the houston area nursing programs prairie view is not within the top 3 but nor is it even close to the bottom, not withstanding uthsc and twu are also awesome programs, hope you're happy with your pick trishajlee.

Nursepractitioner105 · Aug 25, 2013

According to the Texas Board of Nursing website Prairie View has had higher pass rates on the NCLEX than TWU and UT on multiple occasions over the past seven years. The Prairie View Family Nurse Practitioner program is the ONLY program in the state that has a 100% pass rate on the certification exam on the first attempt. When I say 100%, I am not talking about this year or last. The 100% pass rate stands for the 12 year history of the program!!

Brianna96 · Apr 3, 2014

Do you think it'll be easier to get accepted into pv nursing school if i attend the main campus or would it be about the same if i tranfer from another college. I asked this because main campus is a bit far from home.

MisfitSN, BSN, RN · Apr 27, 2015

PV has a preference for those who attend main campus first, but there are more transfer students than main campus students. I myself transfered to main campus prior to applying. The preference is nice to have on your side if you can manage.

feelix, RN · Oct 1, 2016

It is not easy to get into any nursing program. With a little difference here and there, most are equally difficult. Transfers are frowned upon and not easy to come by. If you got admitted to one program, stick to it and get through. An RN is an RN is an RN. After one year of successful performance, nobody cares where you went to school.

What you should be looking at is pass rates and attrition rates. But only before you get accepted. Once you get accepted aim at passing and getting through.

feelix, RN · Oct 1, 2016

Preferrance is given to main campus students.

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Oct 4, 2016

I think it's great that y'all are all so proud of your schools & everyone wants to claim "# 1" status, but HERE is the BON data. FYI - Foundation of evidence-based practice.... always seek primary sources. I'm curious about the UT-Houston claim of #1. Not that I refute this - I'm an alum, but can PP provide a source?

Houston students are phenomenally lucky to have so many top-notch nursing schools in the area... and you didn't even include UTMB. But none of them are 'easy'. Everyone has to meet the same outcomes by passing NCLEX, so it makes sense to choose a program that provides graduates with the best preparation. From an employer standpoint,

Over the years, TWU has a lot of fans due to their continuing innovation such as early adoption of the 'synthesis' concept to provide intensive clinical experiences. Last month, they launched a 6 semester weekend & evening program at the Dallas campus to meet the needs of people who have to work while they're in school. It's easier for them to adapt because they don't have to deal with the restrictions of complying with a huge system like UT or A&M.

Congratulations to any of you who have been admitted to one of these schools - that's already a mark of distinction.