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.
Wow. Amazing news and fabulous advice. It seems so foreign and weird but I am so excited and ready. Got the Buddy email - Looking forward to meeting some people. I really appreciate you posting this. Thank you very much!
Congrats to all!!! I am considering applying to this program but I am holding my breath to see if they will accept my statistics class :) I am thrilled there is no entrance exam and the out of state fees are not bad at all.
I recently submitted an application for CARE and now I'm worried. I have all my pre reqs completed except Microbiology and now I'm wondering if this will play a role in my acceptance or not. I am currently enrolled in the class. Any advice? Thanks.
Applications for the Fall '11 class won't be due until the beginning of 2011; however, you have to have all pre-reqs finished before applying. I'd just see if, somehow, you could take back your application and submit it once you finish micro (as long as it'll be finished by January). With the new semester and a new CARE class just starting, I'd be willing to wager that they're not even taking a peek at applications for next fall's CARE class yet.
I'll be applying for the LSUHSC Care program this winter. My husband and I are having to do some long term planning due to some family issues. Could someone please post what this year's block schedule looked like? For example, the date class starts, how long is each block, how much of a break there is b/w each block? What kind of time off do you get for xmas? t-giving? etc. I know its very accelerated so I'm expecting those are very short breaks.
Also, how did everyone's first year go? What can I expect if I get in? It would be great to hear a typical-day/week-in-the-life-of-a-1st-year-Care-student. What have been your biggest challenges? Hurdles?
Planning is nearly non-existent when you're in CARE. You seriously have to put most of your life on hold. You'll get a schedule, but it can change anytime. Heck, they changed the start time of a class (majorly) with 15 minutes notice on us last week. It's really just the nature of the beast, I'm not complaining.
The first semester isn't accelerated. It's taken with the incoming traditional class. With the exception of needing to study constantly for physiology, you'll have some open time schedule-wise. I was at school M, T, F from 8-10, W from 8-3, and Th from 10-4. The schedule was a bit different for this year's incoming CARE class, but it was fairly similar. You should be fine with planning things that first semester. It usually starts mid-August and ends the first week of December.
After that first semester, anything goes. There are no breaks between blocks, usually just a weekend and, for some of the classes (adult, pediatrics, ICU), that weekend will involve studying for exams that have to be passed in order to take the class (dosage, skills, etc.). I have from the 15th through the 2nd off for the holidays but others have a different clinical schedule and won't get out until a week later. Technically, classes aren't supposed to be out until the 23rd, but sometimes the schedule can work out in your favor and you often don't know it's going to happen that way until a week or a few days before. We only had Thursday through Sunday off for Thanksgiving.
Take a look at the one titled "CARE X Block 2" on the second page. As you can see, many classes overlap and there's never really a true set schedule. Block 2 is the worst. I had no time for anything and, at one point, had 3 exams in one day after a clinical that lasted until midnight. I'd say to plan nothing between January and April your first year (2012), seriously. Things will slow a bit when you start taking one class at a time beginning in April. Again, I had more free time than I thought I would, but I never knew it was coming until the start of the class. We also had a Saturday class in block 2, but I think that might be changing for CARE X? Anybody?
The program is ever-changing. You have to be able to roll with the punches. Things will change as you progress and no schedules are ever set in stone after that first semester. We're forever groaning when we hear, "Monday's schedule has changed to..." on Friday afternoon.
We've lost people because there are no excuses for missing certain things. They try to help where they can in certain circumstances but they don't give much leeway. We've lost people to things like family issues and being hospitalized. While I'm sure administration is sympathetic, there's just no allowing anyone extended time off, no matter the reason. I haven't seen them budge on policy for anyone.
If you look back through this thread (there's another one around here somewhere too), you'll see all kinds of stuff. It's not a bad program but it is frustrating schedule-wise. I used to like to plan my days minute to minute and I haven't been able to do that since my first semester - I've definitely had to make huge adjustments.
Wow! I cannot tell you how helpful your post was. And I'll apologize in advance for bombarding you a few more questions...
Have you or any of your classmates begun working as a nurse tech in your off-hours? It sounds like that would be tough. I was told its a good idea to get at least a little work experience in because the job market is tough right out of school. Still true?
As far as the "block schedule," so sometimes the block is a few classes at once, sometimes its just one class, and sometimes the blocks overlap, is that correct?
What do you think is the reason for so many last minute schedule changes?
Also I noticed from the link you sent that a few courses are offered online? I would imagine the number of classes online is pretty much few to none right?
I appreciate all your tips and hints. Now I just need to apply and get accepted. I've read through all these posts and it sounds like a crazy time when acceptance letters start going out. My pre-req GPA is in great shape but I guess you just never know. I know the interview and personal statement account for a lot in addition to grades.
No apologies needed! I love answering questions where I can.
Have you or any of your classmates begun working as a nurse tech in your off-hours? It sounds like that would be tough. I was told its a good idea to get at least a little work experience in because the job market is tough right out of school. Still true?
Off hours? What are those? None of us are currently teching. According to friends I have in the traditional program, tech jobs are as difficult to find as nursing jobs; however, none of us are currently looking because classes have been hectic. The last semester is a traditional semester like the first one and many are talking about teching then. I've been struggling with school, so I think working on passing will be better for me than getting tech experience. It is a good idea to tech if you can, it's just difficult for CARE students to find the time. Keep in mind that you're not eligible to tech until after mental health, which will be in June-July 2012 for your potential class. The job market is still pretty tough. People who have been willing to go into any area of nursing have had an easier time. If you say, "I only want to work in the NICU and won't take anything else," it might be awhile before a job comes your way (just an example).
As far as the "block schedule," so sometimes the block is a few classes at once, sometimes its just one class, and sometimes the blocks overlap, is that correct?
It's soooo very difficult to explain without you in front of me and a piece of paper to map it out. LOL! In a sense, yes. Sometimes, 2 classes are counted as a "block"; however, you'll just have them back to back within that "block". I only figured out how it works after I'd already finished 3 blocks.
What do you think is the reason for so many last minute schedule changes?
Disorganization. Plain and simple. We all say we're the step children (jokingly, of course). We're a relatively small class compared to the traditional classes. We started with 56 and are down to 35, CARE X started with 50-something and are down to 45. The traditional students, counting them in all semesters of progression, number in upwards of 500. We tend to get shifted around to accommodate larger classes. Faculty teach both CARE and traditional at the same time and tend to get confused. There have also been numerous room scheduling issues, although, with the renovations, there will be a CARE classroom. Not sure if that will be ready for CARE XI (what the class you're applying to will probably be called) or not. There have actually been very few "last minute" changes; however, there have been many changes made with only days or weeks notice. Most of it is squeezing us into schedules. I'm excited for those who get the "CARE classroom." That'll take a ton of these problems away.
Also I noticed from the link you sent that a few courses are offered online? I would imagine the number of classes online is pretty much few to none right?
Pathophysiology was said to be "web enhanced," but we didn't do anything online. It was a Saturday class. That's changing for the class just coming into block 2, though. Not sure how it's going to work for them. One of the final semester electives is online and I think one is partially online. I'm taking neither of them because I wanted more clinical experience .
I know the interview and personal statement account for a lot in addition to grades.
Yes. This is very true. Keep in mind that this is only rumor, but I've heard that there were people with 4.0 averages who didn't get in because they interviewed poorly. We were the first class with interviews. Apparently, when they only accepted via GPA, people washed out because they couldn't handle getting B's and C's or just weren't professional overall. Again, all rumors, but not bad ones, just insight, so I'll pass them along. Haha!
There are a few CARE X-ers that used to hang out around this here message board. Maybe they'll come back around sometime soon. They have a much better idea of how it feels to be new than I do. Time goes so fast and I feel like I've been here forever. Heck, look back in this thread and see where I was fretting about my application!
Feel free to ask away! You can feel free to email or PM me if you're able to. I'm on break until the 3rd!!! WOO HOO!!!
this information has been so useful. i also just applied to the care program for the fall of 2011. i am excited but scared at the same time. i am 30 and have a really good job but it just isn't anything i see myself doing for the next 25 -30 years. i have always loved medicine and i figured if i ever went back to school, now would be the time to do it.
do most people who enter care have any experience? i worked in a few doctor's offices but don't have any hospital experience.
Most people have absolutely no experience in health care in my class. There are a few: 2 hold masters degrees in other health care careers and some have research and tech experience, but that only encompasses about 5 people. We have a TON of people with some sort of science degree, but no related work experience.
What kind of health insurance does LSU offer while you are in school? Is it a good plan? I wasn't sure if I got in if I should take COBRA from my work or go with LSU healthcare. Also is there anything else to do for financial aid besides filling out the FAFSA? I heard you really don't get that much money when you go back to school for your second degree.
None of us are currently teching. According to friends I have in the traditional program, tech jobs are as difficult to find as nursing jobs; however, none of us are currently looking because classes have been hectic. The last semester is a traditional semester like the first one and many are talking about teching then. I've been struggling with school, so I think working on passing will be better for me than getting tech experience. It is a good idea to tech if you can, it's just difficult for CARE students to find the time. Keep in mind that you're not eligible to tech until after mental health, which will be in June-July 2012 for your potential class. The job market is still pretty tough. People who have been willing to go into any area of nursing have had an easier time. If you say, "I only want to work in the NICU and won't take anything else," it might be awhile before a job comes your way (just an example). 
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HurricaneHanns
13 Posts
Wow. Amazing news and fabulous advice. It seems so foreign and weird but I am so excited and ready. Got the Buddy email - Looking forward to meeting some people. I really appreciate you posting this. Thank you very much!