Austin Community College ADN Spring 2020

Never too early for this thread!

Like you I'm finishing up my last prerequisites this spring and it feels like the process is finally moving along while still being so far away. While I feel a huge stress ball over the last few classes, the HESI A2 seems like the big thing come late April/May for me.

Just took the HESI yesterday and applied for Fall '19 and let me offer a little advice, if you don't mind.

Start getting everything in order as soon as possible. All of your castle branch can be done before the application period even opens. Get everything lined up and also you can take the HESI while you are still taking your last pre-reqs as long as you will be finished with them before the application period ends. Do NOT wait and take the last HESI date, that way you can re-take any sections you don't pass.

Also, something I didn't realize until yesterday, you can apply while you are still finishing your last pre-reqs, as long as they are completed before the deadline ends. Apply as early as you can, because you get petitions for Nursing Skills based on when you apply.

I used the HESI study guide they suggested and it was good for a refresher on Math and Grammar! Also, there is a Pocket Prep HESI A2 app you can download and either upgrade to customize, or just use the free portion, but it has Biology and Chemistry as well, which isn't on ACC's HESI.

Anyway, if you have any questions, ask away!

I took all of my pre-reqs at Cypress ACC, and loved all of my professors. I still haven't decided which campus I want to go to, it's between CEC and Round Rock. But ultimately I'll take what I can get!!

You don't need a ton of time to study for the HESI. I would say get the book and refresh yourself on the Math, Grammar, Vocab, and reading to understand how they are going to ask questions and then take the practice test, and see which areas you need to study. For A&P, the book wasn't super helpful, but thankfully I remembered a lot from the classes I had taken earlier in the year.

Taking classes at Cypress as well, it's close to the house and I have great luck at the campus as a whole so when the time comes that will be my first choice but I'll take whatever. With the HESI, I went ahead a got the pocket prep app. The plan is to use that to start studying now and get the habit of having that small extra step built in through the semester. This way I can take it middle of the semester and not the end when I foresee being stressed about the end of classes and applying.

Well the nursing program classes are only at EVC, RRC, and CEC. Cypress does have the Skills class though.

Hey everyone! I'm considering a career change to nursing and ACC is one of the programs I'm looking at. I have a few questions that I'd love some insight on from people currently going through the application process -- bear with me, this may be somewhat long-winded.

A little about me... I have a BS Sport Management and a MBA with ~2.5 years of work experience in marketing. I love my current company and don't mind the work, but it's not at all rewarding. I started considering making the switch when a few family emergencies turned into me caring full-time for a couple of family members. I'm in a weird situation because I recently moved to Texas so I can't really start any programs until Spring 2020 when I qualify for in-state tuition. I've looked into ACC, Texas Tech's ABSN, UT Arlington's AO BSN, and UT's AE-MSN program. ACC's program is the longest in terms of starting pre-reqs to eligibility to sit for the NCLEX (and then another year or so to a BSN), but since I've already spent a lot money on education it's the best option for me financially.

I'm curious though, you have to take the pre-reqs before you can apply and I already have most of the gen ed courses from prior degrees, so what the heck would I do in the year between applying and actually starting the upper level nursing classes? It seems like a wasted year when I could just pursue Texas Tech's BSN (yes, I know, it's more expensive) and essentially be done with a BSN in the same amount of time I'm waiting just to start classes at ACC. Also, I know ACC is a great program in the Austin area, so what does the job outlook look like for ACC grads? I've heard from several friends who are RNs and several other online forums that getting a job with an associate's is becoming increasingly harder in metropolitan areas, but I've also seen a lot of talk about pretty severe nursing shortages in Austin.

Honestly, the length of time it'll take to get the degree doesn't really bother me and I hope this doesn't come across as pessimistic. My biggest fear is spending all that time to not really be employable once I'm done. That's what led me to pursuing a master's degree when I completed undergrad, and frankly, I don't want to end up in that same position again.

Thanks in advance for any feedback/advice!

It's been a while since any update to this thread but wanted to reach out anyways with the application period ongoing. Has anyone else formally sent in their application? Any word on when they will send out updates?

Good Luck to Everyone!

hey i just applied for spring of 2020!!! anyone else??