APU ELM for Fall 2014

chiflavored · Jul 30, 2014

Absolutely! Most of my friends in my cohort did. We figured out pretty quickly that you don't need all the books they recommended. They provide a package that included everything, but I bought the books I figured I needed on my own. Half the class went that way, too. By the 2nd semester, everyone was buying used books. I'm posting mine on half.com right now.

Emily103 · Jul 30, 2014

chi.. Have I been messaging you on reddit? :) spaghetti here.

musingmom · Jul 30, 2014

Or rent your books... I got some great deals on amazon with rentals.

pursue · Jul 30, 2014

Hey chiflavored! Congrats on graduating and thx 4 answering questions. My questions would be how much does the program cost tuition wise for the bsn portion? And then for the masters portion? Also it seems it takes 5 semesters to complete the bsn portion but how fast do most people complete the masters portion. Thank you!

pursue · Aug 1, 2014

@chiflavored

By1stgrace · Aug 30, 2014

Hi Chiflavored! I will start the APU ELM program in the Spring. Since I have about 4 months until classes start do you have any tips / suggestions on what to do to prepare academically for the accelerated year ? Thank you in advance!!

rizzoland13 · Sep 3, 2014

Just wondering what you all thought about the first day of the program?!? I'm not starting until the Spring but am excited and nervous already, and would love to hear from those that are going through it right now!! Good luck to you all and congratulations!!

ShondaJ · Sep 28, 2014

@chiflavored

Congrats on your graduation.

I am looking into this program and was wondering how are the classes structures. How many days, the time frames, How are the classes scheduled through out the week and when are clinicals done.

Also is it impossible to work while attending. That has been my biggest thing.

Thank so much

Shonda

Emily103 · Oct 2, 2014

Hi Rizzo! I'm about 5 weeks into the first semester now and they're really not lying when they say it's hard. There are a LOT of feelings and I'm entirely overwhelmed half the time. I would definitely enjoy your time off and have FUN and get it out of your system, just be ready to buckle down in the spring. The material itself is not too difficult as of now, we're learning tons of foundations and skills, but it's the sheer amount of work to be juggled. Sometimes 8-10 hours of lecture days can take so much out of your system, and you realize you still need to go home and study for an exam the next day. For the last 3 weeks, we've had up to 3 exams and multiple quizzes (for the SAME class) in one day. It takes a ton out of you to have to sit there for lecture the rest of the day and go home and still study and do assignments, when you're mentally exhausted and just have no more mood. I feel like my brain is mushy during those days and no more information will go in.

NIGHTMARE ASIDE, I want to say that your cohort will be amazing. They are wonderful people who you will get to know well enough by the 2nd-3rd week. They will be your support and hold you accountable for the days when you feel like your brain is mush. They're the ones that make me study more than I want to when I can't anymore. They pull you through, and you will do the same for them. I've spent so much time with them that the ladies' time of months have all synced! HAH!! It sounds torturous but you're all working for the same goal and you're all in it together. They'll pull you out when you're overwhelmed and celebrate with you when you're happy. Everyone says it'll be worth it in the end, just hang in there and you'll be fine!

Feel free to message me if you have any other questions!

@shonda, I know you were talking to chi, but I hope I can help.

I'm in my first semester and so far, we have classes Monday through Thursday.

Monday: 830-6PM

Tuesday: 8-4PM

Wednesday: 630-630PM (this is your clinical day and times range from 630-7AM and end around 630-730PM.)

Thursday: 1230-330PM (optional skills lab in the mornings: definitely should utilize)

Fridays: Simulations with assigned times (not every Friday)

I want to tell you that working during the semester will be incredibly difficult. Many of my cohort attempted to and everyone has quit at this point (5 weeks in). A couple still hold their jobs, but they work maybe once a month for a couple hours. Looking at my schedule and assignments, I don't believe I could work and still do well in my classes. Other cohorts have told me rare exceptions do work, but for the most part, no one really works beyond the first semester. I hope this information helps you!

Summers3 · Oct 3, 2014

Thank you so much for taking the time to offer your experience to us, Emily103! We really appreciate it!

i'm particularly worried about clinicals. Since you're still in first semester, how did the program ease you into it? How did your cohort start with it?

Also, as for class registration, your whole cohort goes through the same classes with you in the pre-licensure phase, so is there even a need for each individual to register on their own? Or does the program automatically does it for you?

Finally, we're all a bit intimidated about the workload since we have no idea what to expect. Do you speak time on weekends/after class solely to study? I understand the entire program is very demanding in terms of effort and time, but is it possible to have time once a week for say, family time maybe? Or do you constantly feel rushed/out of time all the time?

Thank you so much for your time, Emily103!

Emily103 · Oct 4, 2014

@Tina

I'm not going to lie, clinicals feel like you're thrown into the ocean and expected to start swimming. (Plenty of my classmates have come up to me saying that, and I feel the same.) We start 3 weeks into the semester, so during the first 2 weeks, you'll have lecture all day on Wednesdays to learn vital signs, hygiene, and mobility skills. When you start clinicals at the hospital 3 weeks in, you'll be able to use those skills. (During clinicals, you'll be expected to do weekly writeups and care plans on your assigned patient too.) You'll only be able to do what you've been checked off and have learned, so anything outside of that realm, you won't be allowed to do, but you can observe your nurses performing. I've only had 3 days at the hospital so far, and coming home after 12 hours is mentally/physically draining, but rewarding. Make sure you get really good shoes, I can't stress that! We're currently learning catheter insertions, passing medications/injections, and wound care, and our midterms are coming up this Mondays. That's when we get checked off, and then we'll be able to start with these skills at the hospital after. It is very intense though because performing something in lab is totally different in a hospital on real people. Also, it's extremely awkward when you first start out talking to patients and taking vitals on your own. You'll get through it though and it'll be easier!

Regarding your question on registration, your whole cohort is going to be taking the same classes as you know. Regardless, you still need to individually register/enroll for the courses. They'll let you know more about it through emails, but your spot is held for you so there's really no stress in the entire process.

Lastly, I do spend a lot of time studying after classes with my cohort, or on weekends. When you have 2-3 exams happening on Mondays, it kind of puts a damper on your weekend. We try to get as much done as possible, but time management is key. You CAN have time to your family/SO/friends if you make the time. If I know I need to eat dinner with someone, and I have exams and a paper to do, I'll make sure I start the paper early on in the week to get that out of the way. The hardest thing is that if you're very stressed out, it makes not studying and having fun with your family/friends a guilt inducing event haha. I can't tell you how many conversations I've had with my cohort where it went along the lines of: "I watched the baseball game this weekend, I felt so guilty that I wasn't studying." I suggest a great planner/organizer where you can keep your assignments in order. It'll really help you with scheduling. That said, I really don't think there is time for new relationships, getting married, having kids, and getting new pets. I definitely think those will be entirely difficult to manage, but maintaining your social life won't be as bad, you'll just have to see less of them sometimes. I found that my cohort has sort of become my social life as we spend so much time together. Make sure you guys do happy hours after class, or take some time to eat somewhere together. They're the only ones who truly understand what you're going through and they all have the same schedule. It is still very important to get away from school sometimes because there are some days when you just can't be productive anymore. Use that time to take a break and do something enjoyable. That way you can renew your motivation and get back to studying when you need it. :)

By1stgrace · Oct 5, 2014

Thank you Emily for your insight about the program. I am also starting in the Spring semester . Do you have any tips or suggestions on what to do to prepare academically for the accelerated year ? Thank you in advance!