Info On UT Houston

lemonlimeEMT · May 18, 2008

As far as "is the program good"? Well UT-Houston has one of the top programs in the nation. It's Doctorate and Masters programs are ranked in the (I believe) top 10%. As far as the BSN programs, it feeds right in to the renowned Texas Medical Center. The NCLEX first time pass rates are pretty high (98% I believe) and almost every senior had a job before graduation.

If you finish all of your prerequisites in a timely manner, have good grades (particularly in the science courses), and do well on the NET test, it isn't super hard to get in to. Really, it just comes down to finding some way to impress the admissions committee. I think this past year they had somewhere around 1500 applicants, and 150 got in to the generic BSN program.

The school also offers a RN-BSN program, an accelerated BSN program for those who already have a college degree, as well as a whole host of masters and doctoral programs.

I'm a little biased, but I love this school. I have truly enjoyed my experience thus far and am looking forward to my final year of NS with them.

As far as clinical hours, I can't remember exactly how many we had to do, but they really do pile it on. They try to give us the best clinical experience they can offer. Part of that experience is getting to work in some of the wonderful Texas Medical Center hospitals. You get to do rotations through various med-surg units, the OR, ICU, ER, pediatric units, psychiatric units/hospitals, and OB. They really try to give you a chance to see everything.

Your final semester at UT-Houston is high acuity, and they try really hard to place you in a hospital/unit that fits you; especially if you want to go in to a high acuity field. A friend of mine who just graduated was interested in NICU nursing, so she did her high acuity clinical at Texas Children's Hospital in the NICU. Before she even graduated she got a job offer from them (and two other hospitals in the NICU).

The entire final semester is all precepted. You get paired with a RN on that unit, and you work when they work. Similar, I think, to that "internship" thing you mentioned the other program has.

Over all, I really do think it is a great program. A lot of the recent graduates (and past graduates) have said that they felt the program was excellent and they felt much more prepared for joining the workforce than they thought they would.

I know I'm fairly biased about the school, after all it is my school; and I know I seem to be just gushing about the program, but I really do love it. For the record though, the school isn't without it's flaws. The SimLab could use a little work. However, it is fairly new, and they are working extremely hard to make it better. Some of the faculty aren't perfect, but for the most part they are all extremely intelligble and knowledgeable about their area of expertise. And for the most part, they really are a great resource to the students.

Like I said, for the most part, I love this school. And compared to the other nursing programs in the area, I definately believe it is the best. It will give you the best education, prepare you the best for the NCLEX and joining the workforce, and will give you an excellent stepping stone to future graduate school, if you so choose.

idbeme · May 18, 2008

Thank you so much for the information. I knew it had a good reputation, but sometimes its better to hear it from an actual student than an article or ranking. I'm hoping to get into Acute Care Pediatrics, and I did see the rotations that you mentioned, just didn't know how in depth they were.

The school I got into had over 750 applicants, interviewed 150 and accepted 100. So, the odds are a little greater, but I have a 4.0 on pre-requisites, wrote a really strong essay, and (obviously since I got accepted) a strong writing sample and interview at the interview process. It'll be a little nerve wracking going through this whole process again, but I'm hoping acceptance into the program in FL might help a little. The school was ranked #2 in the state 98% pass on first and 100% pass on 2nd try. The did have a 100% pass rate last year.

Its so reassuring to hear all the positive things you have to say as a student. Thank you again for the information and congratulations to you! Its great that you love the school and are achieving your goals.