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.
ohh no... nomoreit.. I'm so sorry. Yes, better luck next time. That is so stupid that they told you to apply before you had the pre-req's taken, I do not agree with that. But atleast you know it's only that! I'm kinda scared, I thought for sure I had all the pre-req's. I'm sure I'll get a letter of reject too... I'll keep you posted.. I'm on the Northshore so it will take a little longer to get here.
Anyway, again I'm sorry but don't feel to bad... maybe it just wasn't meant to be. I'm sure there are bigger and better things out there waiting for a good person like you!
Keep your chin up, I'm sure I'll be needing a pep talk in a bit too! lol
Just got my letter too... look like I'm on the alternate admissions list. I'm not sure how to feel about it. It says due to the number of applicants that can be addmitted into the CARE program at one time this list had to be created. I have to inform them of my intentions accept or reject my place on the alternate list in writing and they only give one week. Anyone out there ever done this? I wonder what the chances of being accepted for this term is, it also says I can write to be reconsidered for next class-2010. Guess it just depends how far down I am on the alternate list!
Anyway, congrats to everyone who got accepted! And sorry to those who didn't.. looks like for now I'm stuck in the middle. ARHHH!
MattDuhob and nomoreIT, I'm sorry to hear that you didn't get in. That has to be frustrating - perhaps you were told to apply because applications were light and there was a strong chance that you would be considered. It probably doesn't sound like much consolation but there had to be a reason you were told to apply. The school is too successful to not have method to the madness, even if we don't see it.
MiasMommy24, it's not exactly what you wanted but you ARE still in the running! Do you have a back-up plan or was your focus mainly on LSU? I don't envy you being on the cusp like that - it prolongs the agony!
Yes I know more agony! I hate not knowing where my life is headed for sure, especially when I have a 2 year old to worry about! Anyway, atleast like you said I'm still in the running.
Anway, to answer you question I have no backup plan. I graduated from LSUHSC in 07' and I really wanted to continue my education there!
Hopefully I won't have to be looking into any other schools! We shall see!!
I am a CARE student that just finished the program, I graduate in a few weeks. To answer the question regarding failure of a class - yes. If you drop below a 77 average as your final grade in any course you are forced to repeat it and this means dropping from the CARE program.
What I've seen usually happen is conditional acceptance into the traditional program, which is longer - 36 months. A student in our CARE class missed one question on a dosage calculation exam and is forced to wait until August to repeat that course because it is not offered in the spring semester. Another was able to take the same course the following Fall semester with the junior 1 students and will graduate in May 2010.
My word of advice to each of you who are accepted is to take this program seriously - those who gave up too soon or didn't know how to balance school and life washed out.
I am a CARE student that just finished the program, I graduate in a few weeks. To answer the question regarding failure of a class - yes. If you drop below a 77 average as your final grade in any course you are forced to repeat it and this means dropping from the CARE program.
Thank you for answering! That's the way it seemed to me because there doesn't seem to be sufficient leeway in the schedule for repeating coursework. It's one of the questions that I SHOULD have thought to ask during my interview (D'oh!) but did not. (I was just so tickled to even have the interview, you would have thought I was wearing feather-lined undies!)
One more question or two, if you don't mind. Can you give us some idea of the numbers in your class, how many started vs. how many finishing? Just a rough guess. And, to the best of your knowledge, was the main reason for the change the reasons you stated: an inability to balance school w/outside life, failure to take the program sufficiently seriously, and/or giving up too soon? Thanks.
Thanks for the congrats! I have worked hard to make it to this point! As far as your questions:
We started with 44 in the first block. As of graduation, we are down to 30.
The program is changing and is still dynamic in its structure. A lot of changes are/have been implemented based on our feedback to coursework. We were basically the guinea pigs for a new curriculum.
The application process is much more stringent for you guys as they are putting equal weight on GPA along with other attributes - e.g. communications skills, financial means necessary to last the program, work experience in health care, emotional maturity and life experience in general.
I'm not sure I understand your question about "main reason for the change the reasons you stated" so I'll go into a little more detail about attrition from what I've experienced.
In regards to those who dropped out of the program, when I said "giving up too soon" I was referring to those who found the academic workload too challenging and dropped courses prematurely. Also there were those who did try to their best (and I feel for them), but other life obligations (kids, commute, finances) caused a conflict.
Either way to make it in this program requires you to be flexible - emotionally, financially, academically. You have to be prepared to absorb information at a fast pace and accept schedule changes at a moment's notice.
You seem smart and inquisitive and those are great traits to have to last the duration.
(I was just so tickled to even have the interview, you would have thought I was wearing feather-lined undies!)
Based on this line alone, I can't wait to meet you! I'll be a very normal looking, 30's blonde that isn't nearly as talkative in person as she is online! LOL!
But seriously, my thoughts are the same as beejaycee when it comes to everyone here. Those who were told to apply without having the pre-reqs completed, I am frustrated along with you. It took so much time and effort just for me to get my classes approved. That was frustrating in itself. To get your hopes up and then have them dashed when you were told things could be fine would kill me. I do agree, though, that there had to be a method to them telling you to apply (possibly not enough applicants, etc).
:roll I can just picture how THAT fund-raising decision played out:
Dean: Thank you all for coming to our quarterly budget meeting and spring cotillion. I know this is a busy time for everyone since the new equipment arrived. Those plastic bubbles in the packing aren't going to pop themselves! How are we doing financially?
CFO: Well, we've used up our $134,000,000 that was appropriated for the year but the checking account is still $100 in the red! I forgot to carry a 'one'.
Dean: My gosh, how can this be! What can we do? We'll have to pay a $30 overdraft fee! It could be a black mark on the school's credit report! And those people over at Charity SON will laugh and point fingers!!! Think, people; I'll give an environmentally friendly gold star to anyone who solves this crisis.
Admissions: Um, we have these two applicants that I was just going to reject but there is the matter of the application fee...
Dean: Well done, Ms. deMonet! A gold star for you! Now on to other pressing matters -- someone's been stealing my yogurt out of the faculty fridge...
nomoreIT
19 Posts
I received my letter of REJECTION today.
It says that I need to take my pre-reqs...................
WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY did the tell me to apply anyway!!!!!!!?????!!!!
Hopes up for no chance.
Those of you that they told not to apply without them were lucky to not have been advised by #%$#@!!
Good luck to those accepted!
Maybe next year