ASU Post-Bac CNP 2014: What are your thoughts now?

ackbar · May 23, 2014

I was in the 2014 cohort. It is a very intense program. Nonstop. I personally did not work during the program and most students didn't either. I personally was impressed with the caliber of the students. Most everyone was very driven and high achievers. Overall, I was impressed with the faculty as well. Because the program is so fast-paced, sometimes I wondered if I was learning everything like I should. I wish I had had more time to master the psychomotor skills, but it was nonstop to stay on top of all the assignments and homework. The first semester was most stressful for me when we learned the psychomotor skills (assessments, IVs, Foleys, etc.). After that, it became a bit easier for me to manage. Honestly, I don't understand how students with small kids made it through the program, but many had small kids and somehow survived. So, if you don't have to work and are a very driven person, you can do it. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

khausig · Jun 13, 2014

I agree with ziggy787. The program is intense and the other students are impressive - not only in their academic achievements, but as people in general. We do have a private FB group as did the 2013 cohort. It helps to pull everyone together and provides a place where we can ask questions and share information or experiences.

We all have rough times meeting the demands of the program, but we also have a lot of fun together in the process. There is something great and supportive about have a whole cohort of others students who are doing the exact same thing as you are.

I know it is frustrating for me to say this, but you probably won't be able to get a real sense of the program until you are in it. This is unlike any other schooling or job I've ever had. We are coached, mentored, supported, challenged, and held to a very high standard. It is fast and we have to keep up or there is a very real danger of falling too far behind to be able to catch up. We definitely can't coast along and expect to accomplish the objectives set out for us.

Good luck to you in your endeavors. Feel free to message me if you have specific questions and I'll try to answer. :)

rtyo1 · Aug 25, 2014

ziggy787 and khausig are correct in everything they have said. I, too, am a male student in the 2014 program, and we are all a few months from graduation. It is intense, but worth every minute. You have to view everyone in the program as a dysfunctional family; you'll like each other at first, and sometimes you'll get on each others' nerves, but overall, you'll learn from each other and all of your instructors.

The best piece of advice I can give you is that, regardless of what other students are like, when you get into nursing school, all you are trying to do is PASS. Drop any and all competition that is in your nature. I know that this is difficult, but as soon as I did this, I saw that classes became more enjoyable, and those who remained competitive still had people to associate with, but those who are in a more "help-each-other-out" mentality are, collectively, having a more enjoyable time in the program.

I am just now about to start work as a PCT (hopefully), and have not been working throughout the the program. It is almost impossible, and trust me, with the sheer amount of work given, although it is worth it and I don't mind, I have forgotten the meaning of the phrase "Free time."

Feel free to message me with any more questions that you may have. I just created a thread for 2015 applicants to reach out to us in the application process. We are all here to help!

- Alex