Loyola ABSN

3chicago3 · Jan 29, 2008

Hello Scott,

Congratulations, I know a few others who might go there in May 08, but are waiting to hear from other schools first before accepting the Loyola offer. I think that's the smart thing to do. Good luck to you and thank you again.

coopsc1 · Jan 30, 2008

Nursing is an "in" thing to do right now. And, the fact of the matter is, they probably have more than enough qualified applicants for the limited number of seats for people who follow their direction and either go to one of their information sessions or fax their transcripts like they are instructed to do so. Depaul is ditching their ABSN program, but I can assure you Loyola is run just fine. Their reputation was SPECIFICALLY brought up in my CRNA interviews. They are respected. So, just follow their lead and keep in mind you are in competition with others for a seat in their program. I felt nursing was much easier than obtaining my degree in chemistry. However, youre still dealing with a large university and not a weekend nursing course that gets advertised during intermissions of Jerry Springer and Judge Judy. I never had a problem getting anything from anyone there. It was a very positive environment. Send them your information, I am sure, if you qualify, someone will have no problem getting back to you.
chris

Chris, I sent you an email

RNillini14 · Feb 2, 2008

I just got into Loyola ABSN for May '08 but after reading some of these posts I am a little terrified of the program! I have also applied to UIC for the traditional BSN program, and I'm going to apply to NYU for their Accelerated BSN program. And maybe Rush for the Master Generalist Entry program.

I really want to know more specifics about the program, such as instructors teaching styles, and just any other useful info about the program that would help me make the decision.

coopsc1 · Feb 2, 2008

AJ, I also got accepted for the May 08' start as well and I am more than likely going to be attending there. I am waiting to hear from one more school before I send in my acceptance. There is a Loyola grad name Chris who I spoke with about the program and he had nothing but good things to say about it. If you apply to those other programs would you be sitting out another year? Chris was saying that the Loyola program has been around for a really long time and they have their stuff together. He did say that the clinical rotations for Loyola are done throughout the Chicago area whereas Rush tends to do their clinicals at Rush only (at least I think that is what he said). Good luck to you and wherever you decide to go. Let me know if you have any other questions. Also, I applied to a couple of other programs and there is a really good school in Philly called Thomas Jefferson University (FACT) and the application process is pretty simple and the GRE is not required! It is also a direct entry MSN if you want to continue after the BSN portion. I like that school a lot but Chicago will be a better fit for me and my wife. Once again, good luck...

Scott

ghostchili · Jul 1, 2008

good luck to everyone going into loyola's absn program.

as for how loyola's program is run, i would say be prepared to dig out information for yourself and always be ready to double-check everything that you're told. i guess it's good practice for actual nursing. ;-)

also, coopsc1: where did you get your bachelors? i'm surprised that you didn't have to take humanities courses to complete it. and to answer the clinicals question...during the fall semester, we had 12-hour clinicals, and during the spring, we had 8-hour clinical days. also, for working, you absolutely CANNOT work during the last six weeks of the program. if they catch you, they can kick you out.

ananda080 · Jul 25, 2008

I'm applying for the Loyola ABSN 2009 program. Does anyone know how hard it is to get into? I have gotten A's in my prerequisites so far except for organic chemistry, which I got a C. Do they look at your chemistry grades very closely? I'm scared since I got a C that I won't get in!

tcbsmph · Oct 29, 2008

I'm applying also. On the website it says there are 95 spots for up to 600 applicants. Average GPA is 3.45, yikes!

krzysiu · Oct 29, 2008

I'm applying also. On the website it says there are 95 spots for up to 600 applicants. Average GPA is 3.45, yikes!

Yes, the numbers look scary. However, I went into the ABSN program with a GPA around 3.2. They look at more than the number. Your previous major, YOU, etc. I held a degree in chemistry. A 3.2 in chemistry from a university is WAY different than a 4.0 GPA bachelor's in business admin from some online place. Sucks that nursing is so "recession proof" and it attracts a lot of people, at the moment, that won't necessary make good nurses. I think our class had 65 total. I know many of my classmates that aren't in the field anymore. However, given the current economic climate, hopefully they kept their licenses current :) I since have moved on myself. In an anesthesia program. So, if your GPA isn't the best, look for other ways to get in the back door. Whether it's a personal statement or becoming an assistant first. It is an ABSN program, everyone has a past life. MAKE SURE you let them know you made a conscious decision to get into nursing. It is one of the few jobs I can think of where I can wake up and work ANYWHERE tomorrow. Let them know you're into it for more than that...

krzysiu

ananda080 · Oct 31, 2008

Hi! I just applyed to Loyola's ABSN program and am worried I won't get in. I have a 3.35 undergrad GPA and a 3.5 prerequisite GPA so far... (I'm taking A&P and Micro right now). The only thing is I got a "C" in organic chem, this is what I'm the most worried about!

My previous degree is in Communications from Purdue University and I've worked at some big name companies (do they really look at work experience if it isn't hospital related?). Also, I volunteer at Make A Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House. I have recommendations from a previous boss and one of my chemistry professors (I got an A in his class). I'm pretty sure they wrote good letters!

What is your opinion of my chance of getting in for the May 2009 start? Please be honest, thanks so much for your input!

krzysiu · Nov 1, 2008

Hi! I just applyed to Loyola's ABSN program and am worried I won't get in. I have a 3.35 undergrad GPA and a 3.5 prerequisite GPA so far... (I'm taking A&P and Micro right now). The only thing is I got a "C" in organic chem, this is what I'm the most worried about!
My previous degree is in Communications from Purdue University and I've worked at some big name companies (do they really look at work experience if it isn't hospital related?). Also, I volunteer at Make A Wish Foundation and Ronald McDonald House. I have recommendations from a previous boss and one of my chemistry professors (I got an A in his class). I'm pretty sure they wrote good letters!
What is your opinion of my chance of getting in for the May 2009 start? Please be honest, thanks so much for your input!

I think it's really good. Big school. Real world experience. Volunteering. Good recommendations. Doing well in the pre-reqs. Organic is no joke. You're hitting all the bases. Have faith, I feel you'll be fine. I had a great time there. Met some nice people and campus is RIGHT on the lake. It's pretty cool.

Chris

LUCabsn2009 · Nov 3, 2008

hi krzysiu,

I'm awaiting acceptance into the Loyola U. Chicago ABSN program and am wondering what the program entails. Can you shed some light on the hours per week that are spent in classes, clinicals and studying (generally speaking)?

Thanks!

tswim · Nov 17, 2008

all you need to know about the loyola absn program.

class load: first summer is the toughest; it's split into two 6-week sessions of about 20 hours of class/lab time mon-friday 2 full and 3 half days (if i remember correctly). fall session was 2 days of class and 2 days of 12-hour clinicals. spring was 2.5 days class, 2-3 days 8-hour clinicals. the first summer is tough because it's 8 courses (18 cr) in 12 weeks. if you can make it through the summer, the rest of the program won't be a problem. you can see the 2006-2007 curriculum by downloading the nursing handbook at http://www.luc.edu/nursing/undergrad.shtml

studying: simply put- it varies. depending on your study habits and efficiency it might take 4 or 20 hours per week. for most, to get as (93-100) 10-12hrs/wk; more the first summer. grades are plus/minus system; e.g. b+ (89-91) equals 3.33 gpa. school recommends not working through the program- a few people worked part time- they did fine. i recommend not working the first summer; keep up with the course work to do well. as a biochem major, i rate the program as moderately difficult- heavy up front, mostly multiple choice exams, a lot of (often lengthy) research papers

clinicals: there are a great variety of clinical sites located throughout the chicago area, but you don't get to choose. most sites are good, depends on your instructor and the nurse your paired with for the day. clinicals are pass/fail- no problem passing. because you only have 1 patient most of the time, you don't learn much until the final one-to-one summer rotation (called clinical role transition).

program: i'm sure you've read the mixed reviews. it was the same among my classmates. some hated it, a few liked it, most just thought it was okay. the biggest problem is that even though it's an old program it's very disorganized- a previous student told us during orientation to "be flexible." we quickly learned that that was because you don't really know what lies ahead (e.g. clinicals locations) until the last minute. one of my clinical instructors was literally hired the night before we started. i expect this has gotten worse since the ballooning of the class size.

cost :twocents: =a lot. no scholarships available to absns pre-admission; a couple post-admission with strings attached. unless you're extremely eager to finish in 1-year, you might consider saving yourself >$40,000 and doing an associate's program. once you're working your employer will pay for all or most of a bachelor's. most hospitals do not reimburse (much) if you start after you've completed your education.

summary: be prepared to be "flexible," patient, and in great debt. btw our absn class had a 100% nclex pass rate :yeah: .

note 1: just saw in the new handbook for 2012- currently a 3.0, the required gpa for admission for absn will be a 3.8. nursing shortage + recession = tons of applicants.

note2: rush university no longer has a 1-year absn; it was replaced by a generalist master's program (which, like depaul's program, still only qualifies you for an rn, not advanced practice). also, my crt nurse described rush professors as being "like nazi's" because they want to fail out students less likely to do well on the nclex so they can keep their 100% pass rate. guess loyola doesn't want to fall behind- hello 3.8 gpa req.