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.
I was just wondering if anyone has heard anything from LSU as far as individual scheduling or financial aid. I have the course schedule but am wondering when we find out which section we'll be in. I saw that there is an August registration date right before school starts. Is that it? Is there something I missed? I went to one of the June orientations but now am wondering if I overlooked something somewhere. Any advice or info? Thanks
We didn't know what section of anything we were in until after the start of school. Lab sections for anatomy will be decided the first week and the 2 sections of NURS 2371 were split down the middle alphabetically with the first half of the alphabet from 8-10 and the second from 10-12 on Thursdays. We received an email the first week of school telling us where they split the alphabet. Phys labs are super random but if you're taking Abnormal Psych, you'll have yours on Tuesday afternoon. If you don't have Ab Psych, it'll be Thursday afternoon (phys labs are only once or twice a month and Dr. S will tell you that schedule during the first week).
Did you go to pre registration 2 weeks ago on the 12th? I'm surprised they didn't tell you anything there.
As a CARE student, be prepared to not know anything about your schedule up until the day before. The most notice we've had for an upcoming class schedule so far has been 2 weeks before the class started and that was unusually generous! Even then, schedules tend to change at the last minute.
I was just wondering if anyone has heard anything from LSU as far as individual scheduling or financial aid. I have the course schedule but am wondering when we find out which section we'll be in. I saw that there is an August registration date right before school starts. Is that it? Is there something I missed? I went to one of the June orientations but now am wondering if I overlooked something somewhere. Any advice or info? Thanks
I am glad to see I am not the only one wondering when we will receive our final schedule. As far as financial aid goes I have only received an email confirming they have my information. I am considering going down to the fin aid office and asking them if they need any additional information. In my confirmation email it did note that it takes a month or two for processing. I don't think there is anything you missed (unless we both missed something ), so I will keep you all up-to-date on any news I receive. I did get my needle stick health insurance card in the mail, so we are progessing to the beginning of our semester!
I am glad to see I am not the only one wondering when we will receive our final schedule.
Y'all have 22 months ahead of feeling like you're eternally wondering (or wandering, however you look at it ).
"Welcome, oncoming riders! Please note: once you're on this ride, there is no getting off! Keep your hands and feet inside the train because we don't have time to pause and stop any bleeding! Any limbs lost become the property of LSUHSC."
We had half of a final idea schedule-wise at our August session. Believe me, this is VERY normal. Not fun for those of us who like to plan ahead (well, I used to, now I'm just riding the train and getting off where they tell me to), but normal for how the school operates. The class schedule that Ms. P sent you guys a few weeks ago is identical to ours from this time last year - same days, times, and instructors for everything.
No prob. I was feeling the same way this time last year. There was nobody on here to help and I figure it only takes a minute to post to help you calm the newbie jitters!
We don't have to wear uniform to level orientation do we? I was kind of confused because the email about level orientation asked us to reference the handbook for dress code and all the handbook really says is no short shorts or cutoffs and everything else is about the uniform. Getting excited
You won't wear uniforms until December when you start Health Assessment. Uniforms are only for the nursing labs (all simulators, hospital lab, IV lab) and for clinicals. Any other time it's pretty much anything goes, just no short shorts, no spaghetti strap tops, and no looking like you're going out clubbing! I usually look like a scrub in t-shirt, jeans and flip flops :). Also, it's LITERALLY 65 degrees in all the lecture halls, so dress accordingly and bring a sweatshirt!
I forgot to add: WELCOME! My advice that I've probably given before:
Study phys but don't let it kill you. I felt like I was failing until I ended the semester with a B. You really won't be able to figure out your grade until the end. I bombed one test badly and still made it, you can too.
If other grades have to become B's or C's in order for you to pass phys, DO IT! All A's and one failing grade will pluck you right out of CARE.
Watch out for NURS 2371. It's not going to take up a ton of your time, but you can't NOT study for the tests. It's all nursing research and history with a ton of writing but there are several multiple choice exams.
The anatomy instructors are your friends, seriously! These guys are the best. If you find yourself struggling, talk to one of them ASAP. They want to see you succeed in their class. The one seems mean and strict at first, but he's probably the coolest of the bunch.
The prof is amazingly cool but don't skip ab psych lectures, trust me!
Don't quit in the first semester unless someone is dying! We lost at least 5 people because they thought they couldn't hack phys after the first test and were angry they might not make an 'A' (they were all in my group of friends so I'm not just talking smack... I know they would've gotten A's). Don't disrespect someone who didn't make it in off the wait list by quitting for no good reason. Give your nursing courses a chance - those don't start until December; clinicals don't start until January. If you can't hack it then, fine.
Old clothes for cadaver lab! Nothing you bring close to that place will ever be the same! Don't wear your fave junky tees because you'll never see them again when you're done with anatomy (I miss my tees)!
You are going to have more free time then you imagined this first semester! Enjoy it but don't take it for granted when it comes to studying. December will be here fast enough! I was doing my endless health assessment workbooks on the airplane to my Christmas vacation, it will be that time consuming!
If you didn't get the CARE buddy email back in June, PM me. Your CARE buddy is good support and if they're not, I'm here and so are several others in my class. I'll have the names of your buddies finalized by the beginning of September but I'm trying for way sooner!
Your traditional classmates can be your lifeline the first semester. They WILL put 1 CARE student to 3 traditionals in anatomy lab groups. It was the best thing that ever happened to me. I'm in my 30's and all of my lab partners were 19-21. We had so much fun and I'll always be friends with one of them even though they're 12 years younger than me.
Don't be annoyed by your traditional classmates! You were there once!
Not sure if any of us will be present at level orientation on Tuesday. I plan to be at officer's forum later in the day at 4 pm but I know y'all end at noon, so you can't really be expected to hang around that long.
We'll be the peeps running around in our uniforms on Wednesday if we happen to be out and about! Hopefully, we'll be meeting with y'all soon!
), so I will keep you all up-to-date on any news I receive. I did get my needle stick health insurance card in the mail, so we are progessing to the beginning of our semester!
). 
jjb40
13 Posts
LRmama-
I meet on the 17th but I will be seeing you the first day of class... can't wait!