Keiser Winter 2017

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I'm starting the Keiser University Nursing Program in eleven days! I'm nervous because I know it's so fast paced. Is there anyone who has gone through the Keiser program who can give me any tips? I've taken all my Gen Eds at Keiser, so I'm familiar with the one class at at time format.

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Hey there, I'm also attending the nursing program at Keiser University.

What program are you attending? The AS or BSN and where are you attending Keiser at?

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I'm sorry, I meant to include that information. I'm at the Tallahassee campus, working toward my AS. You?

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I'm attending Keiser this fall 2017, in Ft. lauderdale. I'm going straight for my BSN, it's sixteen months long. Monday - Friday. TBH, I have attended a private school before for my LPN, where you literally had to be to school everyday Monday - Friday. My advice to you is to put your outside life on pause until you finish school. Disengage on social networks, and outings. Take your books with you every where you go. Study, make flash cards, record your teachers lectures and don't miss a day, unless you really have to. Use these eleven day to prepare yourself mentally. Look at videos of nursing success on YouTube. This is going to be a long journey. But hang in there. Put God first, pray before you test and have faith. You will do just fine.

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Hey OP,

I graduated from Keiser's Miami campus RN program in 2012. Right now I'm actually finishing up my BSN with them as well (RN to BSN program) after having practiced as a nurse for about 4 years.

I cannot express how glad I am that I chose Keiser for my nursing education. I can't speak for other campuses, as I'm not sure what the hospital systems are like in Tally, but our clinical education was top-notch. First of all, we had THE BEST sites for clinical rotations around. Again, this might be a bit different up there because I'm not even sure what hospital systems you guys have--but down here in the Miami/Ft. Laud area, there are at least 3 large hospital systems I can think of (with each of those having multiple facilities and specialty hospitals). Compared to peers that I later met in the professional arena, we really had it good with regards to the quality of clinical rotations. I literally saw everything, and got to actually DO a hell of a lot more than any of my peers. We rotated through every specialty with lots of hands-on time. The majority of our professors had professional ties at these institutions, so they often had actual relationships with departments we floated through. Some of the areas that I got to see and spend clinical practice time in included: Trauma ICU (Jackson Ryder--nationally renowned), NICU (neonatal), OR, ED, and I did my final practicum in the Pediatric ICU at Miami Children's Hospital (now: Nicklaus), another nationally renowned unit (Practicum is essentially your independent "exit" clinical where you practice alongside a professional preceptor, largely without any professors hovering over you). While all of this might sound like what you expect from nursing school, many of my peers mostly rotated through several skilled nursing facilities (i.e. nursing homes) and then a couple of med-surg floors. IMHO, this is nowhere near "enough."

Beyond the clinical advantage that I truly feel we got at Keiser, our professors were all extremely knowledgeable and had rich experience to draw from. All of them had 15+ years of experience as nurses, many with 20+ years, and a large majority (if not all?) were then nurse practitioners. One of my professors was even an NP/JD--she was a VA nurse, became an NP, and also became an attorney. Where have you heard of getting an instructor like that?!

As you might already know from hearing/investigating around campus, Keiser's RN program is quite rigorous. They require a lot of you and you will undoubtedly have peers that will fail-out. All of our classes start out at a max of 22 students, and I graduated with 14. Nonetheless, our NCLEX pass rate down here is 100%. They also front-load clinical rotations. In other words, you will be in clinicals within the first month of class. From what I hear, this is not common among nursing programs. It sounds daunting, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

I guess you can tell I loved my educational experience. Sorry for the rant.

Overall, my tips would be to get involved and stay involved. Study groups are important, being PRESENT and volunteering for procedures and practice times in the clinical setting is super important, as well as making relationships along the way. Getting a nursing job is often about who you know, especially in the beginning, so make a good impression wherever you go. Keiser grads tend to have a good reputation, so that will also help. Also get comfortable with nursing care plans. The more efficient and comfortable you are with these, the smoother your nursing education will go. This might not make sense yet, but you will see what I mean (LOL). Finally, like the other poster mentioned, you will have to make some large adjustments to your personal life. You did not really include any personal details in your post (that's ok) like whether you are married, have kids, are taking care of older adult parents, etc. If any of these apply, you will need everyone to help out with these factors during nursing school. The financial aspect goes without mentioning. Some of my peers worked during nursing school (weekends only, in the hospital or clinic setting) but it was very tough. I personally worked 60+ hours the year before nursing and between what I saved up and some family help, I was able to go a year without working (lived with family--no rent). You will have to work that part out as well.

Sorry for the super long reply. I love this stuff! LOL, good luck, and enjoy your education! You will actually miss it! And the better you are prepared as a student, I honestly believe that this will make you a much better nurse in the long-run. Excuse the following arrogant rant, but, I am known for being a bad-ass nurse, and I attribute it not only to my passion for it, but to my education.

Regards,

Angel RN, PCCN

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I am currently in my 2nd semester of the ADN program at Keiser University. I too completed my Gen Ed classes there. Those classes have nothing on what core is like. It's totally doable if you are able to place your free life on hold. There is so much work to do! I don't have time to do anything with my kids these days. Every now and then I will feel like I have a break and can sneak in a movie or fun day with them. That usually follows with tons of work and the neverending feeling of being behind. There are tons of studying, reading & homework for each class and each clinical. It doesn't seem like much, but there's only 7 days in a week.. lol.. I'm maintaining a decent gpa, but if I just got C's the rest of the way through, I'd be completely ok with it! Fundamentals was the hardest for me. It took a minute for me to learn the concept of test taking strategies. Some people really have that skill down pat! I had to youtube and study on how to study and how to take tests... Funny? are you laughing? because I am. But it's the truth! Youtube is your FRIEND!!! Don't rely on lecture to be the ONLY source of learning... Depending on your instructor, you may highlight the book and annotate, while others you'll break your hand trying to write everything & that should be your main study guide. I will list a few really great websites I used to help me! Good luck and keep us posted!

registerednursern.com

simplenursing.com

youtube.com

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Good for you, how many times a week and what hours do you have class?

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1st semester was:

Monday- off

Tuesday- Fundamentals lecture and test

Wednesday- Clinical at Nursing home

Thursday- off

Friday- Pharmacology lecture and test

2nd Semester:

Monday- medsurge clinical at hospital

Tuesday- medsurge lecture and test

Wednesday- Maternity clinical at hospital

Thursday- Maternity lecture and test

Friday- off

This is subject to change. Because you will have skills check-offs and proctors to come in and take, but this was my basic schedule so far. I have no idea what I'm going to have 3rd semester. But I'll find out next month. I'm not including homework for class or for clinical. That's just too much to list or even remember..lol

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I can only imagine, I start the program in the Fort Lauderdale campus January. Keeping my fingers crossed it will all work out. How long are the clinical and lecture days? Sorry to ask so many questions just checking to see what I just put myself into. Lol

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I have a question. How long was the waiting list? I'm almost done with my pre reqs in keiser for nursing and I'm applying to FLL.

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@Mandrade, I finished my pre reqs since ending of last year and they told me there is a waiting list at the ftl campus till may 2019. I'm really bothered about this because I left broward college due to its own long wait list.

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Does anyone know how long is the core nursing program?

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