Austin Community College Fall 2012 hopefuls

@ pjatx -

Who knows. I'm sure it will depend on many variables. I've been told by various nursing instructors and staff that the amount that they accept mostly, if not solely, depends on the amount of nursing teaching staff that they have on hand during that semester.

Apparently, in Spring of 2011, a huge chunk of the nursing staff retired at ACC. Then, ACC was on an active hiring freeze due to state budget cuts, but I think that was lifted at the end of 2011. I've also been told by nursing staff at ACC and an adviser at UT that there really is no one to hire to fill those positions at ACC or UT. With that being said, since state law mandates the amount of students per instructor, ACC has had to cut down on the amount of students they accept every semester since that point. UT is currently offering full rides to the children of perspective nursing professors as a hiring incentive to attract the very few that are out there (I was told that by the nursing adviser at UT).

I pretty sure it will depend on how many professors they are able to hire for the fall and the amount of clinical space they're able to secure; however, I've been told that clinical space is pretty easy to find. I'm sure this rank cycle will be just as competitive as the last one, and full of re-applicants if they haven't hired more instructors.

From what I understand, last semester they accepted 112 and got to the 140s on the rank list. Apparently, applicants either differed or transferred to other schools.

I am a level 4 student to graduate in May. Just wanted to let everyone know how important it is to get your BSN. I talked to an internal person at Seton and they have been told only to interview BSNs. Only exception would be internal hires but even that is not for sure.

I have all my pre reqs for my RN to BSN in the fall and even that is not enough. If you want a job in the hospital you have got to get your BSN soon since it will cut your choices down. Not to sink your boats but to let you know so you are aware.

I'm sorry to barge in onto this thread but am freaking out a tad and wanted to see if any of you had heard anything. I am finishing my last class before applying and just heard from a friend who works at Brack that Seton is NO LONGER hiring ADN's..................new stuff.

Anyone have any feedback??

I am a level 4 student to graduate in May. Just wanted to let everyone know how important it is to get your BSN. I talked to an internal person at Seton and they have been told only to interview BSNs. Only exception would be internal hires but even that is not for sure.

I have all my pre reqs for my RN to BSN in the fall and even that is not enough. If you want a job in the hospital you have got to get your BSN soon since it will cut your choices down. Not to sink your boats but to let you know so you are aware.

Just saw this after I posted.......I just hot hit with this info today so it's all fresh for me. I'm guessing you've had more time to do some research. What options are available for the ADN in Austin? What bridge programs are you looking at, etc?

This all has me really shaken-up. I wasn't expecting this.

Just saw this after I posted.......I just hot hit with this info today so it's all fresh for me. I'm guessing you've had more time to do some research. What options are available for the ADN in Austin? What bridge programs are you looking at, etc?

This all has me really shaken-up. I wasn't expecting this.

Hi ruddergrl,

Jackfackmasta is right. I am in Level 3 nursing at ACC and I've been hit with this information too. That's how I found this post. I don't know what I'm going to do. I had intended to get my BSN, but wasn't expecting it so soon. ACC has a bridge program with Texas Tech. The down side is that once you finish, you can apply to Versant Type programs at Seton, Crista Rosa (San Antonio) or St.David's, but they want to have 2 references from clinical instructors in order to apply. I will be out of touch with them because it will take me a year & 1/2 to finish. Texas Tech says they really don't have clinicals because you'll already have your RN license. How do I apply without these references? I wonder what kind of job will I get if I get one at all. I'm really upset at this point. I feel like I don't even care about studying any more. I'm sure I'll get over this and try to stay positive. I'm also looking into other careers like Speech Pathology. Really I just want to be a nurse. I'm 47 and I wasn't expecting to have to go on in school like this. You said that you were just finishing your last class so I'm assuming you haven't started the nursing program. You can apply to Texas State, Concordia, UT and get your BSN and have clinical instructor referrals that you'll need. At least you won't be in my position. Good luck and I wish you the best.

Thanks for the reply. I'm about to be 40 and have 2 kids so I was really counting on this. I mean Tech can't take care of ALL of us. I strongly feel that ACC needs to get their butts into gear and provide us with some viable options other than that. I mean their ADN program is a HUUGE part of their income so I think they would be shooting themselves in the foot, otherwise. They can't just keep on cranking out the ADN's if they're not going to be employable.

Also........what other options are there for ADN's?? I mean doctor offices tend to hire LVN's because they're cheaper. UGHH.

I was really planning on getting on at a hospital and them pay for my bridge program to BSN.

Okay.......I just talked to a Seton recruiter and I've got info. After 01/2017 a BSN will be required and they will hire no ADN's. RIght now, some departments are leaning in that direction and going more with RN's. ADN's CAN be hired with an additional approval.

I agree. Our instructors have not said anything to us. I got this from the job fair a couple of weeks ago. St. David's nurses told me, when I did my clinicals 6wks. ago, that they were only going to hire BSNs as well.

First off, guys, I don't think this is anything new. BSN nurses have always been favored over ADN nurses. I've worked in heathcare for almost 8 years, and even when there was somewhat of a shortage, BSN nurses were still preferred. I don't think the ADN program at ACC was ever meant as a stopping point for eduction. This field is far too dynamic. The ADN is meant to help you get a foundation to start your BSN degree at a university, hence the reason ACC has so many agreements with universities. Second, Seton is not the only option for employment in this town. There is home health and hospice, private practice, other hospitals. Also, Houston and Dallas are not as saturated as Austin, plus pay is higher in those cities. I'm sure this is not a personal attack by Seton, but it's reality. The nursing profession is getting very saturated in Austin with the new students and the exploding population. The last 5 years have really pumped a lot of nurses into the system. When they have an abundance of nurses, it's only natural that they're going to take the ones with the higher education. In five years, it may be a completely different story. It's not the end of the world.

There are many educational options to get a BSN degree. Most of the students that I know at ACC, included myself, have been working on BSN requirements. I'm finishing them this semester, and honestly, they're not that bad. ACC has agreements with Texas Tech, Texas A&M Round Rock, The University of Texas, and if I'm not mistaken, Texas State. Talking to advisers from those schools have taken away a lot of my fears about transferring. Other programs like UTMB, UTSA, and UTA all have great programs, but I don't think ACC has agreements with them. From what I've been told from an adviser at UT, it a guaranteed admission if you have your pre-reqs done and you've made a 3.0 in Level 4 at ACC. Another thing to mention: Texas A&M, Tech, and UTBM are all online programs.

I hope people are not getting discouraged to go for their dreams by the posts you guys are posting in the "Fall 2012 Hopeful" section of this website.

First off, guys, I don't think this is anything new. BSN nurses have always been favored over ADN nurses. I've worked in heathcare for almost 8 years, and even when there was somewhat of a shortage, BSN nurses were still preferred. I don't think the ADN program at ACC was ever meant as a stopping point for eduction. This field is far too dynamic. The ADN is meant to help you get a foundation to start your BSN degree at a university, hence the reason ACC has so many agreements with universities. Second, Seton is not the only option for employment in this town. There is home health and hospice, private practice, other hospitals. Also, Houston and Dallas are not as saturated as Austin, plus pay is higher in those cities. I'm sure this is not a personal attack by Seton, but it's reality. The nursing profession is getting very saturated in Austin with the new students and the exploding population. The last 5 years have really pumped a lot of nurses into the system. When they have an abundance of nurses, it's only natural that they're going to take the ones with the higher education. In five years, it may be a completely different story. It's not the end of the world.

There are many educational options to get a BSN degree. Most of the students that I know at ACC, included myself, have been working on BSN requirements. I'm finishing them this semester, and honestly, they're not that bad. ACC has agreements with Texas Tech, Texas A&M Round Rock, The University of Texas, and if I'm not mistaken, Texas State. Talking to advisers from those schools have taken away a lot of my fears about transferring. Other programs like UTMB, UTSA, and UTA all have great programs, but I don't think ACC has agreements with them. From what I've been told from an adviser at UT, it a guaranteed admission if you have your pre-reqs done and you've made a 3.0 in the last semester of Level 4 at ACC.

I hope people are not getting discouraged to go for their dreams by the posts you guys are posting in the "Fall 2012 Hopeful" section of this website.

I'm sorry you feel this is inappropriate but people need to be aware and not just on some uninformed pipe dream.

Actually, I was always planning on getting my BSN.....but being a full-time working mom of 2, day time classes and money is a huge concern. I was hoping to get my ADN and then work in a hospital. They tend to foot the bill ...or part of it.....for you to get a BSN. However, it looks like that will not be an option now.

SO YES, I am discouraged and people should be aware of what they're getting into. Two people IN the ADN program have posted and they are discouraged and want other people to know so I dont' think anyone is out-of-line.

I think with Concordia and Texas State graduating their first class this semester too competition is fiercer than ever and you CANNOT be picky and refuse to not move anywhere else because you want to stay in Austin.

You have prioritize what's more important. Where you live or what job you have, if any. Talk to recruiters during semester 3 show them you want to be there. Ask to tour their unit. Do everything to pad your resume. Get tech experience. Anything you can to make your self stand out.

As far as your BSN I tell my friends to start working on the pre-reqs for BSN while waiting to get into school. I did that and applied to Texas Tech RN-BSN for this fall. There are several schools people go to UTA (online), Texas Tech (online), UT Austin (class), there Mary Hardin Baylor in Belton (online), UT Houston (some online), A&M (online). I used this website to find my online schools. 95% of the pre reqs are the same between school but some will flip out 1-3 classes so make sure you pick 3 schools and you have all their pre reqs.

BestNursingDegree.com | Directory of Nursing Degree Programs

All the hospitals I talked to one of the first things out of their mouth was "Are you going to get your BSN?" I don't regret going to ACC over UT.