Edison State College Applying for 2010

Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN · Jul 17, 2010

I also had applied to FGCU so I am familiar with their program. You are qualified to apply there. Unfortunately the next class they will accept is for Fall 2011. It will take you 4 years total to graduate. However, since you have A&P and some other classes completed, you may be able to do it in a little less, especially if you attend summer. You see, with their program, you can take most courses (including nursing) in summers. You also don't need to follow a strict schedule as you do at Collier. The cost per credit is higher at FGCU, but still reasonable. Maybe you could apply there in addition to Edison as I did. Check out their web site, it is fairly comprehensive. The deadline for applications is Feb 1 for Fall admission! They do things well in advance. You will need to take a different entrance test, the TEAS. It is similiar to HESI. Oh, and don't believe any rumors about their accreditation. They were on probation a while back, but now they are fully accredited and have a NCEX pass rate equal to Edison.

In any event, good luck to you!

patricia0809 · Jul 18, 2010

I'm not sure exactly how long it takes I think 3 semesters maybe but its great to get alot of those classes out the way so when u do graduate from the program u will be about to finish the 2nd degree sooner...

johndz · Jul 18, 2010

Hi everyone, I logged on and happened to see this post. I just graduated from Edison's Collier program in May, congratulations to those of you who got in. Most of us that just graduated took the NCLEX and passed with 75 :), look up what that means if you don't know, you are in good hands. Floridateacher2nurse; the intro semester was easy......... and has absolutely nothing in common with the rest of the program. Edison's nursing program is #13 in the top 100 ASN programs in the nation, it is a great program, but very demanding, I actually feel that the intro semester was unfair because it kind of tricks your mind into thinking that it is going to be easy; by the time we graduated, our class had been cut in half, as in 50% were gone, so take this time in this semester to get your brain ready for the intensity ahead, this is nothing like any other degree any of you have attained. Good luck to all of you, you'll all be close at the end. For the collier people, see you at NCH, my floor always gets the fundi's students, good luck!

Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN · Jul 18, 2010

Thanks for the input John! Maybe I'll see you sometime

bmr7 · Jul 18, 2010

johndz,

Thank you for writing us! I am getting ready to start at Lee day program. NERVOUS! I am wondering...did you have all your pre-reqs/co-reqs completed when you started? In other words, did you just have to take all your nursing core classes? I am wondering if that might make it not quite as intense (or is that wishful thinking ??? Would you mind sharing what made the program so intense? I am just so incredibly nervous! I have to work and go to school at the same time...not an option for me I've got quite a bit of medical background...ya think that might help any?

Thank you again for sharing with us :)

FLteacher2nurse · Jul 19, 2010

johndz,

I had a feeling that was the case with the first semester! I am really trying to enjoy all the free time that I have now:) I take it that you are already working for NCH? Seems like you didn't have any trouble getting a job after graduation. I have applied for the NCH scholarship and spoken to the nurse recruiter and she said she would begin reviewing the scholarship applications soon. She wasn't sure how much $$ they are going to have available. I am not crossing my fingers on it just b/c of the economy. I heard they didn't give any scholarships to the class that began Fall '09.

I'm really ready to finish up this semester and get to clinicals. I'm scheduled to be on a rehab floor. Thanks for posting! :up: It's always nice to hear from people that have completed the program. If you have any other info to share, I'd love to hear it!

johndz · Jul 19, 2010

BMR7: I had all of my pre-req's and co-req's done before I got into the program, except for microbiology, which I finished the summer before peds/ob. The nursing program strongly suggests getting them done before you enter the program, and so do I, the program is intense by itself. It is hard to explain in just a short thread online, but the expectations of a student in the program are A LOT higher than in your normal college classes; anything below a 77 is a fail, and believe it or not, it is not that easy to maintain that 77. The expectations are higher for 2 reasons; 1. Your not going to be an accountant, teacher, or business manager, you will be a nurse, with people's lives in your hands (you will be reminded of this constantly), and 2. The college of nursing has a very good reputation based on the performance of their students and a high NCLEX pass rate( I passed in 75 questions, as did everyone else who I just graduated with that took the NCLEX, I'm smart, but definitely not a model student, it had a lot to do with my education at Edison), they want to maintain this reputation, hence the program is challenging. After your first year, if you have any pre or co- req's left to do, they will be easy compared to your nursing classes; I was a B/C student with my pre-req's and such before the program, after the first year, I got an A in microbiology, in a 5 credit, 6 week accelerated class, because the difficulty of the program forced me to become an efficient student. It's hard to explain why it is so difficult, there are many layers, but when you are finished, you will understand that it had to be hard. As far as working, I have two kids and a wife, I worked full time at NCH and had a part time job all the way through (except, the last semester, you can't work full time, so you'll have to figure out alternative resources); if you have to work, you have to work. Good luck.

cmason · Jul 19, 2010

Hello fellow applicants and alumni! I am happy to see that some of the applicants who were accepted are posting on here. I too have been accepted into the Lee day program. I am so happy for the opportunity. I too am VERY nervous as I have two small children at home and the Lee evening program was my first choice. The opportunity is far too good to pass up so I'll figure out how to make it work.

I was just wondering if everyone who made it in got a call? I did not get a call, but I did get a letter this past Saturday congratulating me on my acceptance to the Lee Day program for this fall. It included an acceptance form that must be returned by July 26th. I handed it in to Sandy this morning in person! I'm SO excited to be starting the program in the new building. I can't wait to meet the rest of my classmates.

SRNhopeful · Jul 31, 2010

I have enjoyed reading all your posts as I am starting my pre-reqs in the Fall, hopefully to apply for the evening nursing program once accepted. I will be attending the orientation this coming Friday but am curious how long and at what pace you all took your pre-reqs. My first instinct is to overload myself with classes to finish ASAP so I dont have to wait until 2012 to apply- but unfortunately I have four children and I am the only source of income for my family right now, so my time is, well...literally valuable:)

I have my "plan" all laid out, what classes to take when-- although it has changed many,many times--it just sucks that it will take so long to be accepted, let alone start the program.

Did anyone supply you with info on the number of applicants this year? Did all of you accepted finish ALL pre-req's with A's?

And why did they reduce the number of applicants accepted each term although a new facility was just built?

I could wait until Friday to ask these questions- but, Im obviously impatient and thought I'd try to get some info. Thanks and congrats to you all--

Stcroix, ASN, PhD, RN · Jul 31, 2010

Hi SRN. It is important to get good grades as well as doing most (if not all) pre and co- requisites. Your GPA and the # of the 8 courses you have taken is added to a point system. I was told there were 400+ applicants for the 75 day positions this year. My GPA was 3.6 and I had taken 7 of the 8 courses and did it in 3 semesters. As you have heard it is very competitive, so don't overload yourself and not be able to pull off great grades. Orientation will answer the details. Study hard and good luck!

bmr7 · Jul 31, 2010

Hi SRN,

I agree with Stcroix...and I would add: ROCK the HESI. It is not a difficult test; you just have to know what is on it and know it well. The application information says you need a minimum of 77...I got a 93. My GPA was only a 3.39 but I had all the pre-reqs and co-reqs done...had mainly As with some Bs and a C or two sprinkled in there Take your time with the pre-reqs and DO WELL, especially if you want the evening program as it is the most competitive (I missed it by 2 stinkin points!). The information session you are going to is helpful; know and understand the point system and exactly how to calculate your GPA...I miscalculated my GPA and thought I had more points than I actually did. For example, A&P classes are actually two courses...your lecture and your lab...understand how they calculate your quality points (that's GPA speak) for those courses that are actually not one course but two.

I'm getting ready to send you a private message.

bmr7 · Jul 31, 2010

SRNhopeful...can't send you a private message for some reason Sorry!