LSUHSC CARE Program Information

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Hi. I am applying for entry to LSU's CARE program for my accelerated BSN degree in August 2008. I am just getting ready to send my application off, and was wondering if anyone here has done this program, or is currently enrolled in it.

Mainly, I'm curious about the admissions standards. I have always been a very good student, and maintained above a 3.5 in college. I also have an advanced professional degree in another field. I am hoping these things will make me an attractive candidate for the school. I am curious how competitve the program is, especially for someone who is not a Louisiana resident.

Also, I'm wondering what the program is like. I know that it's got to be pretty intense if it wraps up all the nursing education into 18 months. What is a typical schedule like? How many hours a day and things like that?

I'm really excited about this opportunity, and looking forward to reading any responses here. Also, if anyone is currently applying as well, I'd love to connect with you so we can bite our nails together.

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Hi!

Here's a good thread about LSUHSC: https://allnurses.com/forums/f150/lsuhsc-care-accelerated-bsn-program-applicants-graduates-216662.html

Hopefully Ray can pop in and tell us how his second semester is going! ;)

I just mailed off my application today! The thing that scares me more than anything is how to afford the program.

Keep in touch!!

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Thanks for the link!

I'm excited to find someone else applying for the same year as me. I just sent off my application yesterday, and now I'm kind of nervous about it. I thought the same thing yesterday, about how I am going to pay for it. Ha!

I will definitely keep in touch, and you do the same.

I'd love to hear from people actually in the program, to get some sense of what it's like, because that scares me a little bit, too. ;)

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I am in the heat of the CARE program right now. The first semester is a traditional semester and it will be with the traditional students.

I can tell you right now it is VERY fast paced once you get into the accelerated portion (5 days after traditional semester ended for us). You will typically be in lecture and lab for 8 to 10 hours a day 4 to 5 days per week, on top of having to find time to study for one to two exams per week, practicals and other assignments.

We start clinicals for our foundations of nursing this Friday, and that is typically a 12-hour shift in itself and involves its own preparations and assignments as well.

Don't expect to have much free time (depending on how well you can cram or manage time.) The good news is that you will be out sooner than traditional students. I will be out in March 2009 (NCLEX in May 2009).

Due to the fast pace, there have also been some other issues with faculty organization (i.e. faculty being on the same page). That can add to the confusion.

Overall, I'd describe the program so far as being a year or so long cram session.

Good luck in applying.

-Ray

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Yikes, Ray. You make it sound like so much fun.

Seriously, I'm prepared for it to be rough. I'm very worried about it. I know that if it's something I really want, and it is, then I can put in the time and effort it takes to learn everything and do well. I've done it before in a different discipline, in a pretty rigorous environment, so I think I can probably handle it this time as well, as long as I'm realistic about it, too.

I'm also a little concerned about what you say about it being disorganized. This really is the best route for me because I already have another degree (a couple, actually), and I want to get to my new career as quickly as possible. I also want the BSN because I think I'd like to do some kind of advanced practice someday. I guess there are probably those kinds of organization problems everywhere, though. In my investigations, the CARE program really looks like the best one for me.

Of course, I have to get in first.

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Hi! I applied to LSUHSC CARE for Fall of 2008 as well. I'm so nervous about the admissions process. I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait until April/May to find out if I got in! Good luck!

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Thanks, Mariposa! I know just what you mean. Even though I know I won't be hearing anything, I still check the mail every day, just in case. I've also pretty much convinced myself that I'm not getting in and have started planning for what I'm going to do next. So silly how I always get ahead of myself.

Good luck to you, too. Keep me posted. It'll be kind of cool to maybe get to know a couple of my future classmates virtually before entering the program! :D

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That's so funny to read what you wrote, because it sounds just like me. I check the mail and my voicemail everyday, even though I know nothing's going to be there and I keep looking up other options in case I don't get in. Haha. It's nice to see that I'm not the only one like this. Well, hopefully be both get in and we'll look back on this and laugh. :)

~Heather~

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Hey guys, I am also a current applicant to the CARE program, and I'm going crazy still not having recieved anything in the mail! Have any of you heard anything yet?

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Hey guys, I am also a current applicant to the CARE program, and I'm going crazy still not having recieved anything in the mail! Have any of you heard anything yet?
Not yet. It's starting to drive me a little nuts too. :uhoh21: Hopefully, we'll all hear something soon...and it'll be good news. :D
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I'm still stalking the mailman as well! :D

Have you guys filled out the FAFSA yet? I'm such a procrastinator!!

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I'm still stalking the mailman as well! :D

Have you guys filled out the FAFSA yet? I'm such a procrastinator!!

I haven't filled it out either. It's one of those things I keep meaning to do but never quite get around to actually doing it.
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