KSU students! What do you think of the KSU BSN program?

atownsendrn · Dec 31, 2003

I am a KSU graduate. I will just say that I learned what I needed to learn in the program. And don't think I would go through it again. I just don't feel like I got the clinical experience that I needed. Fortunately, I worked my way through nursing school as a patient care tech. So I got plenty of "hands-on" experience at work. But- for me- clinicals were worthless. But I think that is the problem with most BSN programs. You gets lots of great book knowledge, but the clinical experience is missing.

I don't know about the accelerated program. The two year program was tough enough with a fulltime job. I guess it depends on how much sleep you need.

Good luck!!!

Nurse2B16 · Feb 9, 2004

Hey Mr. D

Did you find out anything else about Kennestone university?

I hear that they have a good program considering the passing rate of the boards. it is true that with Bsn programs the clinical aspect is a prob. You can also look into Georgia baptist school of nursing..they have a 3 year program that exposes students to more clinical time....it all depends on what you need.

I was looking into it, but i think i will go with Kenn. university because GSU ...from what i hear does not have a good percentage of people passing their boards and i dont want to stay in school that long at Georgia baptist. I am finishing my pre reqs too and i am pregnant so i understand what you mean...I dont know how is your support system but i know that the Accelerated program is extremely demanding..my best friend did it but she is not married and doesnt have kids and she still did not have a social life for 1 year.

best of luck ...let me know what happens.

BearWayne · Oct 25, 2007

For the record, it is Kennesaw State University. I will be graduating in Dec. 2007. I am a non-accelerated student, and it is difficult. I did not work, I am a 40-something student preparing for a second career. I did very well grade-wise once I figured out how to study. It is true that you do not get much skills experience, but their attitude is that you can learn skills on the job, and the emphasis in school is critical thinking skills. Studies show that ASN and ADN program graduates are much better at performing skills initially, but are surpassed by BSN graduates after a short time.

As far as KSU specifically, it felt like every time I turned around, there was some hoop to jump through, some deadline to be met, and it was generally disorganized. I think that is true of most nursing schools. KSU nursing students are loved at pretty much all the hospitals where I have had clinicals, and I think that speaks volumes.

People who are in the accellerated program run ragged. I wouldn't expect to see your kids much if you do that, and it only saves you 1 semester--that's only 4 - 5 months out of your entire life.

Good luck in your choice of schools.

PreRN Katie · Oct 25, 2007

I'm a student at KSU (not for nursing, which is a long story) but I know from a bunch of friends that their program is very thorough and well-respected, but they also run you absolutely ragged and are sort of merciless for anyone who falls behind. I'm finishing up a degree in criminal justice there and am going back to school somewhere else for nursing. I have a 3.8 GPA and I needed a 4.0 to be considered for (much less accepted to) KSU's nursing program. Good luck! I hope it turns out well for you!

JenRN30, BSN · Oct 26, 2007

Hey Katie! Just to let you know, there is a girl in one of my classes who got accepted to KSU for spring with a 3.2...

I got accepted to GSU with a 3.7, so you would definitely get in there! Good luck!

PreRN Katie · Oct 26, 2007

Thank you so much for the info, I'm so freaked out thinking I won't get into nursing school. The issue with KSU for me was that I had to have at least 7 out of the 12 required prereq courses completed and they needed to all be A's...5 of them also had to be science and math and try as I might I just cannot pull off As in chem. I sort of scrapped the whole deal and just dropped the idea for a while but I can't give up on it so now I'm going back :). Which GSU are you at, Southern or State? I'm trying to get in at Dalton State, GA Highlands, GPC, and GA Baptist (Mercer) since those are the ones that don't require chem (I dropped the class when I realized I had no hope of an A and couldn't get in at KSU...lame, I know).

msw2rn · Nov 1, 2007

Um guys, the original post ya'll are replying to is from 2003!

Thought I'd mention it since I doubt there will be any response from the OP. BTW I graduated from the KSU accelerated program 7/30/2007. I think the program is extremely challenging, and well worth it. We do have a very good reputation in hospitals and other facilities. But I agree short on clinicals but no different than any other BSN program. I always considered it Emory quality for a state price!

mt33133 · Nov 2, 2007

Thank you so much for the info, I'm so freaked out thinking I won't get into nursing school. The issue with KSU for me was that I had to have at least 7 out of the 12 required prereq courses completed and they needed to all be A's...5 of them also had to be science and math and try as I might I just cannot pull off As in chem. I sort of scrapped the whole deal and just dropped the idea for a while but I can't give up on it so now I'm going back :). Which GSU are you at, Southern or State? I'm trying to get in at Dalton State, GA Highlands, GPC, and GA Baptist (Mercer) since those are the ones that don't require chem (I dropped the class when I realized I had no hope of an A and couldn't get in at KSU...lame, I know).

I definitely recommend GBCN - I am a junior student and my experience has been outstanding!! The education is phenomenal - 3 years of hands on clinical experience, plus excellent classroom instruction. Also, the Dean of the nursing school believes in developing our nursing professionalism so all of the students are very involved in the State and National student nurse organizations (GANS and NSNA). It is well worth the cost and the time to finish the program. There is also a fast track component that can save you 6 months that they don't advertise. You have to have excellent grades and clinical skills, but if chosen you can go straight through and graduate in December instead of May that final year.

JenRN30, BSN · Nov 2, 2007

Hey Katie!!

Definitely don't give up! With a 3.8 gpa you should get in just about anywhere. I know chem is difficult, but I think at a lot of schools you can take the biology sequence instead of chem. Check that out. I'm at Georgia state in Atlanta. You should try applying to all the schools you can. I'm sure with a great gpa, you'll get into more than one program. Good luck Katie. PM me if you have any questions.

Jennie

PreRN Katie · Nov 2, 2007

thanks so much for the info mt33133! i didn't realize that it was possible to "fast-track" through their program. gbcn is definitely #1 on my wish list of nursing schools. we'll see how it goes! i'm taking a&p 1 this semester and hopefully a&p 2 in the summer...praying for good grades so i have a shot at getting in. thanks again!

hey jennie! thank you so so so much for your help!!! i definitely appreciate the encouragement! i may try to take chem by itself or with 1 other class to make it more manageable, and i've definitely checked out which schools require it and which ones only require the biology track . i have a friend that's about to graduate from ga state's nursing program and she said it's tough but she loves it. congrats on your success and thanks again!

katie

yellow finch, BSN, RN · Nov 4, 2007

What the heck... I'll add to this thread despite its age. :)

I was a KSU student accepted to the second round of accelerated students in 2003. There are lots of positives in the program. I found the coursework to be challenging and time-consuming. However, that's because we had to crunch classwork and clinicals... the second and third semesters were the worst... we were either in class or in clinicals every day of the week. Add in a weekend job and that made for a very crazy schedule. What resulted from that was learning what needed to be learned for the exams then forgetting it in order to stuff more information into my brain. That's how I work, maybe it's different for others.

Clinicals were not the best part of the education... but that was more hospital-centered problems than KSU's issue. The clinical instructors hired by the school were, on the whole, decent. It was more a conflict working with nurses on the floor who wanted nothing to do with us or rotating through specialty areas where we only observed and did no hands on training.

Looking back I'm glad I did it. We graduated in no time at all, passed our boards, and started our roles as RNs before the regular program students ever finished up. It was just what I was looking for.