Fairfield University Accelerated Nursing 2016

cg123 · Feb 17, 2017

Hi Catherine and Jenna!

Would love to connect with you guys, but for some reason this site won't let me private message. Was thinking of starting a facebook group or something!

A little of my background... I graduated college in 2012 with a BFA. I have been an EMT for 3 years and a Medical Assistant for 1.

I currently live in NY and will be moving to CT for the program. So excited for June and can't wait to start this adventure!

Celine

Cat2017ABSN · Feb 17, 2017

Omg perfect!! I'll give you my email it's my Fairfield one! Feel free to message me so we can stay connected! I def am looking for someone to connect cause this program will be a taxing one for sure but super exciting!

[email protected]

ald09010 · Feb 19, 2017

Hey!!

I am in the program right now and just briefly read some of your comments and wanted to let you know that it is totally possible to work up to 24 hours a week and still do well in the program!

I have been working the whole time. Honestly hasn't been nearly as hard as I thought .. Just thought I would let you know :)

Also I was commuting 1 hr 20min for the first half of the program just recently moved to Stamford for other reasons.. but I got use to the commute.

let me know if you have any other program questions!!

ald09010 · Feb 19, 2017

Hello Audrey I also just got accepted as well and I'm so excited for the June start :-)
Are you a local resident in CT or are you from a different state?
I have heard so many amazing things about this program and hopefully we can get a string of people to connect with us baby just know before orientation in April.
Hope to hear back !
Catherine

Hi Catherine!

I live in CT I was driving from West Hartford for the first half of the program and it wasn't that bad got use to it!

Let me know if you have any other questions also Congrats!!

ald09010 · Feb 19, 2017

Hey jenna1394,

I am going to be honest here... you do not get nearly as much clinical hours as a lot of other programs. After the condensed first summer the schedule is 2 days of classes, for us its Tuesday and Friday, and then 2 days of clinical (one clinical is only half the semester)..

Another thing that you should know is everyone has to do clinical at the VA and almost everyone in the class does both their Med Surg clinicals at the VA which is in West Haven... something I did not know till this semester.

The only other place we have had med surg clinical is Yale but there are few clinical groups there for Med Surg.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

jenna1394 · Feb 19, 2017

Oh wow that is a commute! Mine would be about an hr and 10 minutes. Was the drive hard? Were you still able to study as much as you like? ThAnks for the help! Lol

Cat2017ABSN · Feb 20, 2017

Oh wow that is really awesome that you were still able to work! I definitely am thinking about it because I'll be able to get my insurance through my work if I stay on at least 24 hours so that's definitely an option but I kind of want to work every other weekend so we will see. The void of confidence though is super thankful because this program is definitely something I'm excited about but nervous. How would you say the summer months were?

Because that might be the most difficult for me with a commute that is very similar to yours. Also I'm sure you have to study a ton I'm sure it was pretty taxing with having to commute and work at the same time. Trust me if I can get away was not working for the summer or at least taking a few weeks off to get acclimated I definitely will.

How are the teachers in the program? Do you like them, are they helping you to feel more prepared when you take those ATI tests in between the semesters?

That does kind of stink for the commute for the clinical I would think that they would pair up with hospitals that are closer but who knows. It is definitely nice to hear from somebody who is currently in the program so many thanks :-)

jenna1394 · Feb 20, 2017

Thanks that is really helpful! Yeah well fortunately west haven is actually closer to my house than fairfield is lol. Do you like the program? Do you need certain grades in tests, etc? What degree did you have going in there?

thanks:)

ald09010 · Feb 20, 2017

The courses in the summer really are not too bad because you usually do one class at a time! However it was harder to work in the summer, could really only work weekends since the class schedule was m-f 8-4. There are mini breaks were you can work more.

The summer classes are very fundamental, so there is studying but its definitely not crazy hours like when the fall semester starts.

The teachers are all very nice, teaching styles do vary as you will see, but everyone really wants you to succeed.

ATI just takes practice.. the more practice questions you do the better you will get at it that's really it. the questions are annoying but taking the practice tests is really the main way to get ready for them

ald09010 · Feb 20, 2017

That's good your closer to West Haven works out! .. I like it enough, I do wish we had more clinical time, but the teachers are all really nice and helpful... You need at least a 77 as a final grade in each class to continue through the program.

I had a communications degree from UConn, so I had no experience in this field prior to starting the pre-reqs

Cat2017ABSN · Feb 20, 2017

Definitely a relief to hear that it's only one class at a time in the summer so it makes it absolutely manageable to possibly work on the weekends like you said. What is the crazy hours that come in the fall though? Also definitely exciting to hear that the teachers want you to succeed and they're really nice because I've been and programs where they just look at numbers versus students to show their successes.

I also heard that it's good to get a particular NCLEX book to relate to the ATI test to make sure you get those questions down pat cuz yes I definitely heard they're a pain in the butt LOL. Could you possibly also tell me how many breaks this program does get I think there is one from the summer to the fall and then one in the winter time but I didn't see any others.

So safe to say that you are enjoying the program so far? Do you form a lot of study groups with your classmates? I kind of have this belief that basically will be studying all the time and will be time for food and maybe the gym but that's about it LOL or is there a capability of life outside of the program?

Thank you so much again for your and say it's truly helpful and definitely grateful for all the information you are sharing with us!

ald09010 · Feb 21, 2017

Ya no problem glad to give some information!!

SO breaks... I honestly cannot remember summer specifically but I no you get a couple days off for the 4th of July and then a little more than a week at the end of August before starting the next semester. During the semester you basically get all the breaks of the normal undergrad students UNLESS you have a clinical on a Holiday.. you will still have clinical..

As far as winter goes you get the whole normal undergrad winter break which is awesome.. you do have an online research class to take during this time BUT you can choose to take it spring semester instead (much better to take it in the winter get it over with).

For me the studying got more serious for Med Surg 1 and Mental Health.. those were my hardest classes that required me to put in the hours... I have studied a couple times in groups and some people in the class always study in groups.. honestly for me I find it MUCH easier to study alone. but all preference

There is definitely time to have a life outside of the program.. I am telling you it is really not as intense as I thought.. once you get organized and know what you have too do its really not that bad!! This semester is way less overwhelming I think because I have gotten use to it!

I do like the program but I am just counting down the days to graduation at this point!! can't wait to be a nurse :)

OO also the gym there is brand new and free for you guys so take advantage !!! :)