I cannot seem to find much information on MidAmerica Nazrene's ABSN program online, so after attending an information session today, I thought I would share some of the program details with those of you in the same position I was in.
I have applied to the Spring 2016 session at MNU which starts on March 7, 2016. Anyone else applied to begin in the spring?
Pre-reqs, application requirements, etc. can all be found on their website, but I was mostly concerned with the actual ABSN schedule. According to our enrollment specialist Jennifer, you should expect to be in the program M-F 8am to 5 or 6pm. She said that during the second 7-week module you begin clinical, but still spend most of the time in class. During the third 7-week module you spend a good deal of time in clinical usually on Thursday &/or Friday working a 12-hour shift at a hospital. These hospitals can be within 70 miles of MNU. During your last 7-week module you are working full-time at a hospital & can choose to work day or night shifts. There are 6 7-week modules. On another allnurses post, someone said that students get a 1-week break between modules. Anyone know if this is true? Please correct me if any of this information is incorrect. I'm simply going by the info we received today at the ABSN info meeting.
Jennifer said that most of the TEAS V scores she has seen come in were in the 70s.
She also said that no offers of acceptance have been sent out yet. Once you are accepted they will 1) call, 2) email, & 3) mail your letter of acceptance. You then have 2 weeks to reply to guarantee your spot.
They usually accept 44-48 accelerated students & have around 150-200 applicants per cohort. There is a mandatory orientation the Thursday & Friday before the first week of school.
The rest of the information we were given can be found on their website, but I hope this extra info was helpful to you all!
I applied for the ABSN for fall 2016. This is my second time applying, the first time I was wait-listed b/c one of my references never went through, I was offered a spot in the traditional program, but couldn't go at the time. Anyway, has anyone heard back? I'd like to know more about the average teas scores; my overall was an 82 ( was hoping to get a little higher). The first time I applied, the teas score wasn't required. I hope they are able to let me know with enough time to move; I'm coming from California with family.
Your test scores are very high and should get you into the program. Goodluck. Maybe you guys will start hearing something soon. Some people are graduating soon and we are completing out first module for the ABSN in less than 2weeks. So maybe u will start hearing something soon for fall 2016.
Congrats to everyone for getting into the program. How is it going? I'm a LPN since 2013 and looking to take nursing to another level. Starting the process of submitting my application online, submitting my transcripts and having a meeting to find out more about the school next week. Anyone care to share pros and cons.
I'm a current ABSN student in Mod 5. Just want to throw out there if anyone has questions I would be happy to answer them. I remember wishing someone from the program would answer questions when I was applying/was accepted. Good luck to you all!
AnmlLover25, I am starting in August and I am concerned about the schedule and being able manage it with a family.
When you have clinicals, are you doing 12 hour shifts and then also class time from 8-5 on the other days?
And it sounds like there is A LOT of study time after school. I realize there will be study time at home, but it almost sounds like it's non-stop from some of the forums here.
Do you have to go to your clinical site the day/night before clinicals to work up your patients?
Sorry I know I'm full of questions, but I just want to be as informed as possible before deciding between MNU and another school. :)
Congrats on starting in August! I was concerned about the schedule and I'm single, no children so I can understand your concern. I will lay out a schedule for you below but know this – we have a running inside joke†if you will in our class about who will be the next to have four children. So many people in my cohort have four children and manage their family just fine. I wouldn't say that it's easy, but the program isn't easy (but you already know that.) You won't start 12 hour clinicals until towards the end of module 3. We did them on Thursdays/Fridays and had class Monday-Wednesday 8-250 Mondays and Tuesdays and 8-450 on Wednesdays. MidAmerica is different in that you DO NOT go to the hospital the day before to work up your patient for any clinical experience. That time is built in†in the mornings (especially at Children's Mercy) I understand that many people say it is nonstop†studying. Sorry, I disagree. I would describe myself as your typical†student. I get A's and B's (have yet, and at this point, feel confident in saying I will not get a C in this program.) Do I study - yeah. Do I study nonstop – yeah right. It's honestly a balance which I know you've probably heard 50 times but it's true. You will have some classes that you get†easily and you are not going to end up having to study as much and other classes that may not come as easily to you (watch out for HR 1 and 2 – especially 2). Be confident, if my classmates and I can sit and say we only have 9 weeks left and we've made it this far, you can feel good in knowing you and the August cohort are going to sit back at the same time next year and feel the same way. Here's a quick schedule below as I said. Let me know if you have any other more specific questions, as I said I'm happy to share. The only other thing I would like to add, watch out for Module 2. It will hit you like a ton of bricks. That mod was the absolute worst. The cohort in front of us had said module 5 was like 2, haha no way. You make it through 2, you're good to go (just make sure you study for HR 1 and 2). Remember – you CAN do this!
Module 1 – Monday – Wednesday 8-4, Thursday and Friday lab for 2.5 hours
Module 2 – Monday – Wednesday usually 8-4 (one day 1250). Thur/fri class in the morning, lab in the afternoon (last three weeks you have LTC clinical in the mornings till 2pm)
Module 3 – see above paragraph where I discuss mod 3
Module 4 – Monday – Wednesday some days 8-12, others 8-4. Thursday/Friday 12 hour clinicals
Module 5 – this mod is different. The whole class comes for lecture on Mondays, clinicals are Tuesday/Wednesday for half the class and only one day for the other half and then it switches mid mod (if that makes sense, sorry if it doesn't). Fridays class all day which is annoying
Module 6 – class all day Tuesday and Wednesday. You have to make your capstone schedule the other five days.
Of course! I'm glad I could help ease your mind. By no means am I saying that this is an "easy" program but honestly if we can all do it then you guys definitely can! And when you finally get to where we are now, OMG best feeling ever! Just focus on the goal of being a nurse!
I do know of people that work, but it is tough. They usually do weekends (not possible now that capstone is coming up) but they are usually exhausted I babysat because I was able to make my own schedule, others are techs, bartenders, etc. It IS possible but you just have to balance your life a bit more :)
The other BIG question is the cost of the program - any tips on how your group handled the expense? Private loans, scholarships, etc? Any and all suggestions appreciated!!
Most of us in the program had to get private loans (myself included). There are a couple opportunities in the program to apply for scholarships which I HIGHLY recommend (the process is easy and as far as I know everyone that applied got one - including myself!) I did a lot of "Loan/paying loans back" sort of research before starting the program (there are some really great threads on here - seriously look them up if the topic interests you/you want to learn more.) The "rule of thumb" if you will is to not take out a loan that is more than your first years salary. According to my calculations, the cost of this program is less than a new grads salary the first year. So with that said, I wasn't uncomfortable with the loan.
I've done a couple things to help keep the cost of the program down - rent your books (seriously!) unless you're the two people in my class that are going to keep them and reference them later, you don't need to buy new books (there are some that you had to buy new either for an access code or they're just not available for rent. I have some that I'm fine selling to you if you'd like for cheaper than the market price.) Take advantage of the free (!) coffee that the school puts out each morning. Apply for the scholarships when they become available, you don't have to do much! If you're coming out of state, stay close to the school. I rent a room about 3 minutes away, makes the mornings better and I don't use a ton of gas. Commute with your clinical group when going far away. Like I said, in preparing to pay back the loans I've looked at different budget calculators and read a lot of what other nurses have done in my situation. It's not going to be fun but I don't regret taking them out. I have a job and there are several people that already have jobs in my program with many others starting the interview process. Hope this helps :)
I babysat because I was able to make my own schedule, others are techs, bartenders, etc. It IS possible but you just have to balance your life a bit more :)
CGroeneveld
13 Posts
Hi everyone.
I applied for the ABSN for fall 2016. This is my second time applying, the first time I was wait-listed b/c one of my references never went through, I was offered a spot in the traditional program, but couldn't go at the time. Anyway, has anyone heard back? I'd like to know more about the average teas scores; my overall was an 82 ( was hoping to get a little higher). The first time I applied, the teas score wasn't required. I hope they are able to let me know with enough time to move; I'm coming from California with family.