General Nursing School Questions

[NaomiD]

Hi there! I'm a 20 yr old sophomore in college and I really want to become a nurse. The time is approaching now to where I should be getting prepared to apply and start nursing school. As you all may know, along with that process comes some anxiety because I'm not sure what to expect. I attend a state (formerly community college) college in florida so I would want to transfer to a major university (such as UCF) after I receive my A.A. I've have a lot of questions that I really need feedback on as it would clarify some things for me and also put my mind at ease. Thanks you guys!

** Also, anyone can reply to the questions, not just UCF students. Thanks!**

1. Has anyone ever applied and got excepted into UCF's BSN program? If so, what was your GPA and TEAS score?
   
2. Can I expect any breaks/vacations during nursing school? (summer, spring break)
   
3. What is a typical day/week like for a nursing student (weekends included)? School schedules included.
   
4. Do you get to choose your days/hours and teachers?
   
5. During nursing school were you able to: have a successful relationship, participate in school activities, visit friends/family members back home often?
   
6. How long did it take for you to get used to the new schedule?
   
7. What were clinicals like? Are they scheduled on the weekends as well?
   
8. Did you receive financial aid (not including loans)? If so, what expenses did it help you to pay for out of all your college expenses?
   
9. And finally, how long did it take you find employment after you completed the program and became an RN?
   
10. Also, anyone can reply to the questions, not just UCF students. Thanks!
    

[bbrewer001]

Hi there I have not applied to UCF before, but I applied to USF and just got accepted, so I figured I may be of some help (I've looked in UCF's requirements and they are almost identical to USF's) but I must say- GOOO BULLS !

1. They typically admit only people with 3.6 GPA or higher (even though they say they'll take a 3.0) & I have not taken the teas test before... nursing programs at universities are very competitive

2. When you're in nursing school, for USF at least, it is FULL time (spring, summer, fall) so no summer vacation But I'm pretty sure the school closes down for Spring break- so we should have that off!

3. For USF its mon, weds, fri : 8 hour lecture days // tues & thurs: 12 hour clinical days. The weekends are spent doing papers & homework

4. For USF, you do not get to choose your schedule. They pick all that for you, and I'm pretty positive they pick your teachers too L so no Ratemyprofessor.com here lol:cool:

5. Well even with my pre-reqs I didn't have much of a social life. I worked about 23 hrs a week @ Gap & was full time at school. It was just me and my BF 90% of the time.... It will only get worse with actual Nursing classes starting I'm sure . Oh I will also be getting CNA certified and I plan to juggle a CNA job part-time while doing the nursing program...so that will be my life.

6. Can't say yet.

7. Clinicals are not on weekends.... I am really excited for my clinicals I must say!

8. I have Bright Futures scholarship, but it didn't even cover half of tuition costs ... ughhhhh...

9. Can't say yet.

10. Yay because that took a while lol

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

[tech1000]

Has anyone ever applied and got excepted into UCF’s BSN program? If so, what was your GPA and TEAS score?

No.

Can I expect any breaks/vacations during nursing school? (summer, spring break)

I had summer break (although I took micro during my first one). I also had spring break and winter break and everything just like regular college.

What is a typical day/week like for a nursing student (weekends included)? School schedules included.

I had clinical Monday and Friday and 4 hours of class on Wednesday. That was it. But I spent probably 20-30 hours a week studying. I worked every Thursday as a tech in a hospital, spent ALL day Tuesday studying, and then would usually study every other day too, really.

Do you get to choose your days/hours and teachers?

Not at my school. Doubtful that you would be able to.

During nursing school were you able to: have a successful relationship, participate in school activities, visit friends/family members back home often?

My relationship ended the day after I took my boards because I was too selfish during nursing school. But it was a good relationship while I was in school (or so I thought). I did not participate in school activities because I'm not interested. I saw my friends MAYBE once a week, sometimes less. My weekly dinners with family became less than weekly, also.

How long did it take for you to get used to the new schedule?

Got used to it on day 1. You have no choice.

What were clinicals like? Are they scheduled on the weekends as well?

At some schools, but not all.

Did you receive financial aid (not including loans)? If so, what expenses did it help you to pay for out of all your college expenses?

I received a state scholarship that paid for my entire college education, all my school fees were waived because I'm a veteran, and I received money from the military. I also was awarded full PELL, so I made a ton of money for being in school.

And finally, how long did it take you find employment after you completed the program and became an RN?

I was employed before graduating (I've been working as a tech for 2 years now).

[Aberdeen]

• Has anyone ever applied and got excepted into UCF’s BSN program? If so, what was your GPA and TEAS score?
  

I took some classes there when I lived in Orlando, but I am in nursing school somewhere else.

• Can I expect any breaks/vacations during nursing school? (summer, spring break)
  

You get the same breaks as all the other students (spring break, fall break, ect.), but nursing school is year round so you will go during the summer.

• What is a typical day/week like for a nursing student (weekends included)? School schedules included.
  

For us our days start at 8:30am and they are between four and eight hours long, with some breaks thrown in. We are usually in class four or five days a week, but there are random weeks where we only go two or three days. On clinical days we start at 6:00am and we usually leave before 4:00pm.

• Do you get to choose your days/hours and teachers?
  

No and you will most likely have multiple instructors for each class.

• During nursing school were you able to: have a successful relationship, participate in school activities, visit friends/family members back home often?
  

I am not in a relationship at the moment. I work and go to school so there is not much free time. There are plenty of people who have successful relationships while in school. You just have to make sure you keep your priorities in line. Other activities will depend on how much you will need to study. If you are a quick learner you will have more free time, but once again just keep your priorities in line.

• How long did it take for you to get used to the new schedule?
  

I haven’t. I am not a morning person.

• What were clinicals like? Are they scheduled on the weekends as well?
  

No weekends for us. Clinicals are different every time. It all depends on what unit you are on and what patients you get. I enjoy clinical days. I am a very visual person, so I learn more in the clinical setting when I can actually see the effects of a disease process as opposed to just reading about it.

• Did you receive financial aid (not including loans)? If so, what expenses did it help you to pay for out of all your college expenses?
  

I get federal grants and assistance from the state lottery which covers basically all of my tuition.

• And finally, how long did it take you find employment after you completed the program and became an RN?
  

Don’t know yet. I still have a few more months to go, but if nothing changes I should have a job at the hospital where I do my clinical days when I finish.

• Also, anyone can reply to the questions, not just UCF students. Thanks!
  

You are welcome.