Marymount ABSN 2020

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Hey guys! I recently applied to the ABSN program at Marymount University for Spring 2020. I'm wondering if anyone else out there applied. I am anxiously awaiting my decision, and I just wanted to get in touch with others who hope to get into the program. Hopefully we get our decisions soon!

For those who were accepted into the Asbn program; how was the first semester? 

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2 minutes ago, Evelynl said:

For those who were accepted into the Asbn program; how was the first semester? 

I'm not going to lie to you, it's not just the first semester you need to be concerned about because the entire program is tough. You're legitimately going non-stop until graduation. The first semester was definitely a learning curve, and its important to get ahead because at some point you will feel like you're drowning in schoolwork. The MU professors are wonderful thought, and they will help if you reach out to them. Although it's been difficult, I wouldn't change it for the world! 

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@ktrimmathank you! I asked about the first semester because of the 5 classes and was wondering what the workload looked like. 

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6 hours ago, Evelynl said:

@ktrimmathank you! I asked about the first semester because of the 5 classes and was wondering what the workload looked like. 

@Evelynl - The first semester you are just getting your feet wet. The workload is HARD, and that's true for all 4 semesters. They are each challenging in their own way.

Semester 1 - Hard because you are getting used to being back in school, taking FIVE classes (that's a lot!), AND learning medical terminology and the nursing process. You are also switching your way of studying and testing from memorization to critical thinking, which is more difficult than it sounds. If you have medical *and* science background then the content isn't too difficult. If you don't have medical *and* science background, expect it all to suck. You're also placed into clinical during week 3 so you know nothing and are expected to jump right in!

Semester 2 - This was the Summer semester for us. Hard because your semester is shortened, you still have a full courseload (12 or 13 credits), and the weather is nice so you'd rather be anywhere but inside studying. Our clinicals were canceled this semester, so it was easier for us, but I could honestly not imagine the hell it would have been had we been placed in clinicals AND taking classes.

Semester 3 - The worst of all. You're taking numerous DIFFICULT classes, have three clinicals, and it all totals 17 credits. Critical care, OB, and peds are hard knowledge-wise. Then throw in all of their clinical days on top and you've got chaos. This was the semester I personally struggled with the most, and I know a lot of our classmates did too. We thought the first semester was the weed-out semester until we started third semester.

Semester 4 - Hard, but in different ways. Content? It's the BS portion of the BSN. But you're in your internship. Pray that you get a first half semester internship so you aren't struggling at the end of the semester. You will definitely have some night shifts (if not all), so you're getting used to trying to juggle 2-3 of those a week on top of your community clinicals and all of your other classes. You also have to be prepared to be placed in an internship you did not request - and appear happy and willing to learn in it. Add applying for jobs, going on interviews, and the seemingly infinite amount of projects this semester, and it's anything but a breeze. 

If you are asking about first semester just because of the five classes and wondering what the workload is like, I highly encourage you to think long-term here. Nursing school is so much more than one semester. What's your home life like? Do you have a support system? Pets that need to be taken care of? A house that needs to be cleaned? Laundry that needs to be done? Kids to be taken care of? A job that you can't really quit because you need the money and/or benefits? All things to take into consideration, and all questions you need to ask yourself before truly committing to a 15 month program.

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On 1/15/2020 at 4:48 PM, MEC Counselor said:

We encourage students looking to get into an RN program to consider NOVA nursing as a backup option. you can finish your RN and either pursue a co-enrollment or RN to BSN option.

This is a nice sentiment, but the problem with this path is those of us who already have our BS or BA in another field. We have already taken most of the prereqs that are part of the core programming at NOVA, and it actually takes *longer* to complete the ADN than the ABSN (that's without factoring the additional time needed to bridge RN to BSN if going the NOVA route). Additionally, the hospitals in this area are all Magnet and you will have a more difficult time getting hired into them/the high acuity units (looking at you, ED and ICU wishful thinkers!). Marymount also offers a part-time program for those of us who are unable to quit our jobs, as well as a nights/weekends program. 

As an aside, NOVA's NCLEX pass rates are abysmal compared to MU.

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@smalls08Thank you so much! Was post was very descriptive and will help me make a final decision. 

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On 4/21/2021 at 7:23 PM, smallz28 said:

@Evelynl - The first semester you are just getting your feet wet. The workload is HARD, and that's true for all 4 semesters. They are each challenging in their own way.

Semester 1 - Hard because you are getting used to being back in school, taking FIVE classes (that's a lot!), AND learning medical terminology and the nursing process. You are also switching your way of studying and testing from memorization to critical thinking, which is more difficult than it sounds. If you have medical *and* science background then the content isn't too difficult. If you don't have medical *and* science background, expect it all to suck. You're also placed into clinical during week 3 so you know nothing and are expected to jump right in!

Semester 2 - This was the Summer semester for us. Hard because your semester is shortened, you still have a full courseload (12 or 13 credits), and the weather is nice so you'd rather be anywhere but inside studying. Our clinicals were canceled this semester, so it was easier for us, but I could honestly not imagine the hell it would have been had we been placed in clinicals AND taking classes.

Semester 3 - The worst of all. You're taking numerous DIFFICULT classes, have three clinicals, and it all totals 17 credits. Critical care, OB, and peds are hard knowledge-wise. Then throw in all of their clinical days on top and you've got chaos. This was the semester I personally struggled with the most, and I know a lot of our classmates did too. We thought the first semester was the weed-out semester until we started third semester.

Semester 4 - Hard, but in different ways. Content? It's the BS portion of the BSN. But you're in your internship. Pray that you get a first half semester internship so you aren't struggling at the end of the semester. You will definitely have some night shifts (if not all), so you're getting used to trying to juggle 2-3 of those a week on top of your community clinicals and all of your other classes. You also have to be prepared to be placed in an internship you did not request - and appear happy and willing to learn in it. Add applying for jobs, going on interviews, and the seemingly infinite amount of projects this semester, and it's anything but a breeze. 

If you are asking about first semester just because of the five classes and wondering what the workload is like, I highly encourage you to think long-term here. Nursing school is so much more than one semester. What's your home life like? Do you have a support system? Pets that need to be taken care of? A house that needs to be cleaned? Laundry that needs to be done? Kids to be taken care of? A job that you can't really quit because you need the money and/or benefits? All things to take into consideration, and all questions you need to ask yourself before truly committing to a 15 month program.

Are you in the distance ABSN ? or in person ABSN ?

Did you have exams every week? was attendance required for you?

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10 minutes ago, Thylady07 said:

Are you in the distance ABSN ? or in person ABSN ?

Did you have exams every week? was attendance required for you?

In person turned distance due to COVID. 

Yes to exams every week, sometimes/often multiple per week. Attendance absolutely required and that’s a nursing school policy. Your camera must be on if you are doing distance. 

I’m going to make a lot of assumptions here but if you’re asking these questions to see if you can work or get away with other things during class, you are not ready nor prepared to attend a program as rigorous as this ABSN. 

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I was considering Fall 2021 online ABSN, but now I’m not sure because I don’t have $76,000 for a maybe degree. Meaning, maybe I’ll make it through or maybe I’ll make it half way and be left owing the money without any degree ?. Something for me to really think about. 

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Evelynl said:

I was considering Fall 2021 online ABSN, but now I'm not sure because I don't have $76,000 for a maybe degree. Meaning, maybe I'll make it through or maybe I'll make it half way and be left owing the money without any degree ?. Something for me to really think about. 

are you in the program now. 

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how much is tuition on average is it really 76,000?

 

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Hey Judy are you considering going to marymount?

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