FSCJ Spring 2014 hopeful

Aye_Ne · May 30, 2013

Hello kjkkm, thanks for starting this thread. I was hoping someone would be starting one soon. I am applying for the Spring 2014 semester as well. I am currently taking Micro which is my last pre-req. I plan on studying for the Nat for two months taking it once at the end of August and again at the end of September. I really want to do well. You have an awesome score, and if you have that without Micro, I doubt you have any problems getting in. I hope to have a good score when I apply, I am super nervous because I hear about so many people not getting in. But, all I can do is prepare myself the best way I can and hope for the best. I look forward to chatting with you and all of the Spring 2014 applicants. Good Luck:D!

kjkkm · May 30, 2013

Hi Aye_Ne. I'm glad to meet someone applying with me! It seems it's taken forever to get this close.

I studied 3 different books for the NAT and honestly did not feel I used anything from any of them. The reading is straight forward. You have paragraphs to read then answer questions pertaining to the paragraphs. The spelling section gives you a word spelled three different ways (calendar, calandar, calender) You chose the correctly spelled word. Not knowing what words will be on the test, there's no way to study. The math was basic math like everyone says, you just have to work quickly. The science was my least strong as I'm just beginning chemistry and have yet to take micro. I had questions like what bone are the phalanges, etc. If you have taken your pre-reqs, you are as ready as you will be. My opinion is that was my best preparation. I was able to finish all sections. If I was unsure or felt like a math problem was taking too long, I guessed and moved on. Not risking running out of time for that one point.

You have to wait 3 months in between taking the NAT, so go ahead and get it done. Then you have time to take it once more if you chose before application deadline. If you take it sooner than 3 months apart your scores are invalid. You have put in your time doing pre-reqs, you are ready for this!! :up: It's easier than you think so don't psych yourself out.

Aye_Ne · May 30, 2013

Hi kjkkm, Nice to meet you. I agree, it does seem like it's taken quite some time. I have been on this website for months reading comments and getting prepared for when it was my turn and it's finally here. Super excited. Thank you for all of the information you have provided and also letting me know about the 3 month period in between tests, I had no idea. I went ahead and signed up to take it on June 18th. If I don't score high enough, I can take it again in September, which is good, right before the Oct 1st cutoff date. I will just practice some math problems to refresh myself and read over some old material from my Chem, and A&P I & II classes and pray it's enough. But, you are right, I have taken my pre-reqs so I should be ready. I'm just so nervous. We wait our turn for something we want so bad and when we get here and have a test that is in front of us that can be a HUGE factor in our dreams coming true, it is alot of pressure. But I will to stay positive.

JessicaYoumans · May 31, 2013

Hii All!

I am also applying for the Spring 2014. I was supposed to apply for the Fall 2013 but the day before taking my NAT I got a call from the college telling me I was not eligible to take the NAT again until July 18th. So I didn't make the cut off for Fall?? So heartbreaking. But I am excited that Spring is right around the corner ??

JessicaYoumans · May 31, 2013

Hii All!
I am also applying for the Spring 2014. I was supposed to apply for the Fall 2013 but the day before taking my NAT I got a call from the college telling me I was not eligible to take the NAT again until July 18th. So I didn't make the cut off for Fall ): So heartbreaking. But I am excited that Spring is right around the corner (:

Lori_Roses · Jun 4, 2013

I am also applying for Spring 2014. Its been a long road and now that its really coming to the point of applying, i'm so nervous! And nervous about so many different things...about getting in, being in the program..my family, quitting my job and doing school full time, being about to pay bills......arrhhhhh! :-)I am taking Mico during summer, and have taken my NAT, but did not do as well as I would have liked. So Since the deadline for Spring is October 1st, I will have another chance to take the NAT again :-) Good Luck to you guys!

kjkkm · Jun 7, 2013

Hi Lori & Jessica. Welcome! So exciting to meet others applying for Spring.

Lori, how is micro? Chemistry is kicking my behind. It's def my hardest subject so far. The conversions are what get me frustrated. I am hoping micro doesn't have the math side. When are you retaking your NAT? Did you also feel after taking it, there really isn't a great way to study? Too many possibilities of information being pulled.

Jessica, have you taken the NAT now? How did you do, if so? What are your points with grades & NAT? I have thought about taking it once more but I'm not sure I will.

Aye_Ne, have you made your appt to take the NAT? For your first time, just go for it. See what it's about and know you have a second chance. It will probably also help your nerves to know what you're going into the second time.

kjkkm · Jun 7, 2013

I had to laugh at your comment that you are nervous about paying bills ... :nailbiting: lol Think about this .. you will be gaining a very good foundation by obtaining a skill that allows you to pay bills.

I must be very old compared to you. My husband & I have 3 girls. Ages 4-14. I am nervous about not having time to get everything done. Cleaning the house, cooking, laundry, spending time with my family in Georgia, etc.

Do any of you know what field you may want to work in? I want to work in mental health but work PRN in something else to keep my skills up on things that aren't done as often in MH. That is what has pushed me to do well in pre-reqs, however; we may go through clinicals and I change my mind.

JessicaYoumans · Jun 7, 2013

Hi Lori & Jessica. Welcome! So exciting to meet others applying for Spring.
Lori, how is micro? Chemistry is kicking my behind. It's def my hardest subject so far. The conversions are what get me frustrated. I am hoping micro doesn't have the math side. When are you retaking your NAT? Did you also feel after taking it, there really isn't a great way to study? Too many possibilities of information being pulled.
Jessica, have you taken the NAT now? How did you do, if so? What are your points with grades & NAT? I have thought about taking it once more but I'm not sure I will.
Aye_Ne, have you made your appt to take the NAT? For your first time, just go for it. See what it's about and know you have a second chance. It will probably also help your nerves to know what you're going into the second time.

I have taken the NAT before, however for a brief time I was wanting to do Radiography so I threw away my scores. So I needed new ones to apply. Right now my points are 93 but that is without Micro. I am currently enrolled in Micro and hopefully will get an A so that my points for grades will be 109. I rescheduled to take Nat August 1st so hopefully my new knowledge from Micro will help me with the science part. As for the area I want to go into, I started out wanting to be in the NICU until I actually volunteered in it. It is a very hard place to be in and it honestly takes a special type of person to endure that day after day. So hopefully once I get into the program I will find a new found love for another area.

kjkkm · Jun 9, 2013

Jessica, congratulations on your points for grades. That is awesome! You are well prepared, did well in your pre-reqs so you will do great!!

Our youngest daughter was in NICU. The nurses were awesome. That area is interesting to me because of our experience. What type of volunteering did you get to do in NICU? That is great experience.

I wanted to be an OT originally until i did my shadowing hours. I'm thankful that was required. Its interesting but not exactly where i want to be.

JessicaYoumans · Jun 9, 2013

Thank you, I wish I could have done better in A & P 1 but that's okay. What for? Was she just premature, or was there something else if you don't mind me asking? I volunteered at Shands though, in their NICU which allowed me to be really hands on. I was able to hold and feed and help with the babies in there. I really enjoyed it but it was just really hard for me to deal with all of it. I think I would still like to do something along the lines of L & D but I'm not sure yet. I am very grateful that I was allowed the opportunity to kind of test out that area before really making a decision set in stone about wanting to work in that area. That is why I am really excited to be able to really see all of the area's of nursing once we get accepted into the program. What did you do shadowing hours for?