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I wanted to start a thread for all who are planning on applying to the Fall 2015 nursing program. I feel it will be very helpful in the process. I just moved to Alabama in May of last year & was originally going for Physical Therapy (not assistant, actual therapist). Well that has fallen through & I feel led to go the nursing route. I already have a bachelors degree from another college so all my prerequisites are done (just wished I would have done a little better -hince my PT problem). I have signed up for my TEAS test for February 5th so hopefully if I don't get what I want I can retake it in time for the application. I emailed one of the advisors at the Shelby campus & she said the average applicant is at 60% /90pts. When I calculate that up it doesn't seem like much. So my goal is to make around 85% or more, but we shall see. I just know I need to do VERY,VERY well on the TEAS to make up for my grades not being all A's.
How about anyone else, where do you all stand with applying this fall? Are you doing full time, night-weekend? Which campus are you all applying to?
I am currently going to Jeff State and will be applying to the nursing program for Fall of 2016. I would like to go to Jeff State just because it is much closer to home than any other school but I continually hear that not only is it hard to get in, but once you do it is a harder program overall. I just wanted to get some input from some of you that are currently in the program. How do you feel about the program and the instructors? Any input would be very helpful. Thanks!
It is hard to get in. This last semester over 700 people applied and they only took 70. I was one of those 70. The program is very hard. HOWEVER the instructors are great and will make you a great nurse. Just get ready to not have a life outside of school or work for two years. If you work have d enough and want it bad enough you will make it!
I'm definitely not worried about having the drive to make it but with what I hear I didn't know if it was worth going to Jeff State since their program is noticeably harder. I don't want to make life harder than it has to be. What should I aim for in total points to get in? Also with going full time, do you or any of the students work? If so how many hours. Just trying to plan ahead. Thank you for the info!
Its hard to say what to aim toward as far as points go because it depends on how many points the other applicants have. I would aim toward at least 185 points. I am in the night and weekend program and work full time. Im not going to lie, its really hard. I havent done anything recreational at all since I started.
Oh OK. I plan on going full time and seeing if I can work some and my wife is thinking about going part time while she works full time. We'll see how it all unfolds. Yeah I can't see having much time for anything else while in school. The end result will be worth it though. Good luck on the rest of your journey!
I'm in my first semester full time at the Shelby campus. I got in with 214 points but honestly if you have 185 or higher you don't really have to sweat it. I'm loving school so far, it's difficult but it's just a lot of information. I'm taking the first semester nursing courses (Pharmacology, Health Assessment, and Fundamentals) and I'm taking Anatomy & Physiology 2. My grades right now range from 89 to 95 for all 4 classes. The clinicals are great too. I'm at Saint Vincent's East for clinicals and last week I got to scrub in and observe my patient's surgery for a hernia repair! If you are willing to put the time and energy into it, you'll do well. I'm lucky that I work for my dad and it's mostly stuff on the computer so I have a flexible schedule but a vast majority of my classmates have jobs. As long as you stay organized and motivated you'll do great.
I'm in the full time program at Jeff State and work part time (about 20 hrs/wk). It's totally possible! And not as bad as I expected - I even still socialize some :). Not like going out to bars every night socialize (I'm too old for that now anyway), but I still see my friends regularly. The hardest part about working is instructors changing the hours or days of classes/clinical, so if you have flexible work hours, it makes it MUCH easier.
Keep in mind the reported level of difficulty is subjective and may vary widely based on who you ask. I already have a lot of schooling under my belt and know how to study and manage my time, and it's honestly not been that hard for me. I study, don't get me wrong, but it's very manageable so far. I've noticed others in my situation (who already have a degree of some sort) also seem to be fine. A few of us even talked about how we were worried about how little we had to do at the beginning of the semester because the pace seemed really slow at first - especially compared to friends in other nursing programs (UAB, Samford, Auburn) and all the stories we'd heard about how hard it would be. On the other hand, maybe it's harder than other community colleges. Or if you haven't had as much experience with school and are just learning how to study or have been out of school a really long time, it may be more challenging. I know we have people in our class who aren't passing, so it's not easy for everyone. My guess is, it's probably pretty middle of the road - easier than 4yr universities, but maybe harder than other 2yr colleges.
TL;DR: "Hard" is relative. The program at Jeff State is really hard for some people and not hard for others. It depends on what you're comparing it to and what's difficult for you.
I'm in the full time program at Jeff State and work part time (about 20 hrs/wk). It's totally possible! And not as bad as I expected - I even still socialize some :). Not like going out to bars every night socialize (I'm too old for that now anyway), but I still see my friends regularly. The hardest part about working is instructors changing the hours or days of classes/clinical, so if you have flexible work hours, it makes it MUCH easier.Keep in mind the reported level of difficulty is subjective and may vary widely based on who you ask. I already have a lot of schooling under my belt and know how to study and manage my time, and it's honestly not been that hard for me. I study, don't get me wrong, but it's very manageable so far. I've noticed others in my situation (who already have a degree of some sort) also seem to be fine. A few of us even talked about how we were worried about how little we had to do at the beginning of the semester because the pace seemed really slow at first - especially compared to friends in other nursing programs (UAB, Samford, Auburn) and all the stories we'd heard about how hard it would be. On the other hand, maybe it's harder than other community colleges. Or if you haven't had as much experience with school and are just learning how to study or have been out of school a really long time, it may be more challenging. I know we have people in our class who aren't passing, so it's not easy for everyone. My guess is, it's probably pretty middle of the road - easier than 4yr universities, but maybe harder than other 2yr colleges.
TL;DR: "Hard" is relative. The program at Jeff State is really hard for some people and not hard for others. It depends on what you're comparing it to and what's difficult for you.
It sounds like you may have a little more experience in school than myself. I graduated from high school 11 years ago and have only taken 2 semesters that was back in 06-07 until now. It's nice to see that you are able to work that many hours while going full time and not be completely swamped. I guess from what I've heard I'm expecting the worst but hopefully I will be pleasantly surprised.
lulu2jenki
9 Posts
What are the labs like for health assessment and pharmacology? Not sure what to expect. Thanks!