NAU ABSN 2020

dannyphantome · Aug 9, 2019

Hi, I was just wondering if you had any last minute tips you can remember? I take the exam tomorrow. I just am wondering like how in depth we're talking on the organ systems? Is it general things or should I like know all the cranial nerves for example? I wish there was more information. I guess I know it or I won't.

Cpt ATP, BSN, RN · Aug 9, 2019

@dannyphantome

Some people have stated that you should know what the cranial nerves do, but I didn't encounter a single nerve question.

https://quizlet.com/229071916/kaplan-nursing-entrance-exam-science-flash-cards/

These are the types of questions you will be asked. Don't focus on the details in the science portion. Know what systems in the body's functions are and BASIC physiology (like respiratory, circulatory, not specific organs).

Nursing stresses the ABC a lot (it's often the most important part of any NCLEX question) and these questions kinda are focused on Airway, Breathing, and Circulation.

Don't stress out about it too much. The questions on the science are all on material you've seen before. Good luck!

P.s. you will need to know the cranial nerves in the first semester of the program, but use the inappropriate acronym that's popular to memorize them.

dannyphantome · Aug 9, 2019

This helps so much thank you!

dannyphantome · Aug 11, 2019

Wow it was not what I expected at all. You were right it was extremely general biology to the point that it was stuff I'd forgotten from my first bio class years ago. Thankfully this was for the traditional program and I have a chance to actually study the correct information once I take the accelerated test. I was honestly shocked what they considered important? Hopefully I'll get em next time.

Cpt ATP, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2019

@dannyphantome this makes sense that they would change the format in terms of people pushing the overall score too high to be used as an effective diagnostic for school, but general biology? Are we talking "what is the powerhouse of the cell?" type biology? Hope you get in anyway though!

Cpt ATP, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2019

*Post 1st Semester Summary*

So, I have just completed the fall semester of the NAU ABSN program last week and thought it would be helpful for future hopefuls to get a taste of what they should expect, as well as my personal tips to succeed early on. I managed to retain a 4.0, but also have a new perspective on how little that means to me now. I’ll give some general tips and well as some insight into the first semesters individual classes.

General Tips

You will feel uncontrollably behind most of the time…. this is NORMAL so breath!
Did I mention you will feel like a failure at first and feel like you have made a costly mistake… this is NORMAL, and this will subside ½ way into the (main) summer semester so breath!
Class tests will make you feel like class did not prepare you to succeed… this is NORMAL and reframing how you approach and study for tests will improve with time.
Did I mention breath? Everyone in the cohort share the same feelings and you will grow together so don’t sweat it!

Nursing School Tips

NCLEX style questions will become your bread and butter because they are what get you your license, so become familiar with what they look like.
- ABC’s are always your priority! Airway Breathing Circulation answers will always be right if your patient will be harmed if not addressed. (Someone is having a seizure and falling? Get them on their side so they can breathe!)
- Is it culturally or empathetically competent? Answers that are mean or judgmental are always wrong.
- Medications are not always the first choice, if there is a therapeutic or lifestyle answer that can address a problem, go with that.
- Something wrong is happening with your patient? ASSESS THEM FIRST! Answers that hand off responsibilities to others when its within your scope of practice are typically wrong (unless the question is asking you to).
- Answers that include absolute language are seldom correct since patients are unique and should be cared for as such. Words like NEVER or ALWAYS should set off a red flag (you won’t be asked questions that require this language in the answer).
Personal opinion! Don’t do all the reading! It makes life kind of miserable and I did not feel it benefiting the test or quiz taking in any meaningful way. Skimming and looking over some general and important vital values, assessment norms, and important lab value ranges is a good way to ensure you have time to spend on meaningful and purposeful studying.
When you begin the 2nd part of the summer semester (once NURS 330) is over, you will have to buy an evolve access key (usually comes in a pack with your fundamentals book at the student store or you can buy it separate on the site).
- Within the site, you can search each of your books up and “add” the free resource for that book.
- This resource gives you NCLEX style questions that help you become familiar with this type of question and gives you important topics that you can focus on for studying.
- Review these questions for chapters before ALL tests and Quizzes! (there’s not that many per chapter so don’t worry)
Am I going to flunk out of nursing school?
- Probably not! We already know how to get a degree, the recipe is different, but it still resembles a Bachelor’s. NAU is not in the business of flunking students and the faculty is caring and will help you!
- https://www7.nau.edu/pair/reports/ClassDistribution This is a website you can use to see how previous cohorts have done. Choose the specific class and look at the one that has around 28-30 students (the size of the cohort typically). (Labs are split into 3 sections so they will contain 10 or so). You might be pleasantly surprised.
- The nursing grading scale seems intense, but its so that you pass the NCLEX and not to be punitive! At the end of the day, a degree is a degree and an RN is an RN regardless of their GPA.

*To be continued…*

Cpt ATP, BSN, RN · Aug 11, 2019

Class Tips

This will be based a lot on the professor which all have their unique styles and approaches. These were my experiences that may not reflect how your class goes since professors can be swapped or change year to year.

NURS 330 Intro - He was awesome! Laid back personality with true nursing skills that are very patient centered. The class is introductory at best. This class gives you a feel for nursing as a caring profession. Keep up with assignments and show up to class to get material. I don't recommend reading for this class. Use this time to settle getting back into school and get your environment ready for the storm that is the main part of the semester.
- I would advise to start the material for the 1st 2 weeks of the main classes (you will typically have the syllabi by then) during the last 2 weeks of 330. You can thank me later...
- Difficulty rating: 1/5
General flow of main semester - Once 330 is done, students begin to feel the pressure of the ABSN program since you will have 3 core classes with ALL new info that is foundational to the rest of your nursing career. As mentioned in my general tips from my previous post, you will feel stress, anxiety, and sleepiness start to build. It will reach your individual threshold and you will get comfortable with it I promise.
- In the beginning, you will have 3 big exams within the span of 7 days and two will fall on the same day. It will suck... but you will live.
- After that, you will have quizzes every week for every class and exams typically dont happen on the same day or the same week (mostly...).
- The schedule never lets up, but you start to get into a flow and you gradually begin to feel comfortable with your feelings of stress and fatigue.
- Finals Weeks - Yes week-s. 2nd to last week, you will have a psych kaplan, followed by a Fundamentals Final and pharm exam 3 within the span of 2 days. Then...the following week you will have a psych Final, followed by a fundamentals Kaplan and your pharm Final in the same timeline. All of this while doing clinicals for 333L and 336L. Moral of this story is that by this time, you've figured out nursing school and you just have to commit to finishing strong.
NURS 336 Fundamentals- She was a tough teacher. Not mean in anyway but stern about the nursing school rules. That being said, she is caring and will spend time talking to you or helping you out if you need it. You will have an inclass quiz almost every week and they do add up so dont be lazy or miss any as they will insidiously kill your grade.
- If you prepared premptively, YAY! if you didnt, dont worry you will catch up.
- Class was out of 350 points. 3 midterms and 1 Final. 1 Kaplan Test. 8 Quizzes. 8 Case studies.
- Midterms are pretty tough, but if you understand NCLEX questions, a grasp on the material, and drill practice questions (wherever you can find them) you can do well.
  - If you get less than an 83% on a midterm, you have to meet with the professor to discuss your exam. (the 1st exam almost 50% of the class had to meet with her lol).
  - Your scores will improve if you didnt do so well! Its part of the process of these NCLEX questions.
- Case studies are pretty easy as you can retake them as many times as you need to get credit.
- I never did any of the class "pre" class activities, but came to class ready to quiz utilizing Evolve resource questions.
- Kaplan exam will make or break an A grade (pass or fail points...)
- Difficulty rating: 4.5/5
NURS 333 Psych Nursing - Not a psych guy myself, but this class was not too bad. The professor is pretty knowledgable and is working in the field. She is passionate about patients and will give you some stories from her experience that give insight to the material in class, but otherwise the powerpoints are dry and give you book material.
- This class has 1000 points. 1 Midterm, 1 Med exam, 1 Final. 6 Quizzes. ALOT of case studies. 1 Kaplan.
- Don't slouch on those evolve/NCLEX questions for your given chapters. A bad midterm can make it very difficult save a good grade. Grades are heavily based on your 3 exams.
- Do the same for quizzes and review the quizzes as they can be fair game for those exams.
- Case studies! for this class, as opposed to fundamentals, are not redoable. take your time doing the reading before and get ready to focus in on each one.
- Med Exam is open resource, but its not a cake walk and time will run out if you did not study material beforehand.
- I did not find online "class collab meetings" helpful and just read up on the material on my own. (these are optional anyway).
- Kaplan exam will make or break an A grade (pass or fail points...)
- Difficulty rating: 4/5
NURS 331 Pharmacology - What can I say about this class? Scares all students when they come to the first day of class, but man o' man this class was awesome! I hope you get the same professor we did as she was universally liked for her dimeanor, teaching style, and teaching philosphy. She felt like my 2nd mom away from home lol, she cares about her students!
- Class is out of 460 points. 3 midterms, 1 math exam, and 1 final. 5 quizzes. 4 Case studies.
- Go to the study sessions she hosts prior to the exams! I would say non-negotiable if you want to do well on the exams. She gives the info that really matters to patients (based on the material) and tests you on the important parts of medications/considerations.
- The quizzes are focused and give you more nclex style questions but are very managable. Short and sweet.
- Final was open book, but its was VERY hard! This was an exercise in honing in your ability as a nurse to utilize resources for you patients well-being while combining what you learned! You can do very well on this if you dont let stress overcome you!
- Difficulty rating: 3/5 (material is difficult, but she teaches so well!)
NURS 336L/333L the labs/clinicals - So you wanna be a nurse? Well this is your chance to physically engage with the nursing world. We learn skills of assessment, taking vitals, med administration (no IV), and interacting with people (or mannequines for a while).
- you will be randomly assigned to groups of 10ish and have your rotations randomly set. 3 rotations are available ( W/Th, W/F, and Th/F). We all get the same experiences/settings.
- Instructors are gonna be different for everyone but each group will stay with the same fundamentals instructor and the same physc instructor for the entire semester. Havent heard any complaints from other groups. I had my Pharm teacher for fundamentals lab so I was blessed lol!
- The moment you can do your 333L Case Study, finish it ASAP! Its not hard but can take a lot of time. Your instructor will go over it with you before you turn in a final copy and it will dictate your grade. (I think everyone got an A on it, but dont take it for granted!).
- 336L will end with the 3 final weeks being at FMC to do some REAL clinical stuff. You will be assigned a nurse and they will show you the ropes.
  - Do everything you can! dont be shy! they were in your shoes and will help you if you need it.
  - You will rotate within the hospital every week and experience different wings that specialize in different things.
  - Pass meds, set up IV equipment (NO starting IV's), give meds/food through a PEG tube, assess patients, do a care plan on one patient, wipe some bodily fluids up, give a suppository (really not the worst lol...), or do a foley if you are blessed by the gods of luck.
  - The patient is a human, talk to them, ask them about their experiences, ...care!
- Enjoy the labs! They are interesting and clinicals are truly unique experiences that tie in a lot of material from class in a meaningful way. These lab classes are not punative and everyone will probably get an A in them, so engage in the experience and ask questions!
- Difficulty: 2.5/5
Extra
- I worked 24 hours as an auditor at a hotel on the weekends which was beneficial to my study time. Others worked in places you could not study with the same hours and totally crushed it!
- Life does not stop for the program, go be social, take a day off and just veg out on the office, explore with your support system, do things that you enjoy, or you will go crazy!

This was a lot of fun reminissing on how *** it felt to feel like nursing school was killing me, but how awesome it feels to have succeeded my own expectations given the rough start. Really enjoying my cohort and it feels like a little mega family of people with the same goal. This is posted with it still fresh in my mind, but I actively browse this site so don't hesitate to ask questions or pm me about the program. Good luck!

hr2020 · Dec 4, 2019

On 2/3/2019 at 9:48 PM, Cpt ATP said:
Hello All!
This is gonna be a long one! I'm making this to help future applicants of NAU's ABSN program with some data and info that I've used to help me find peace during my application for the 2019 cohort. *Disclaimer: This info is speculative based on users voluntary data and info they have received*This by no means represents the absolute truth of what it takes to be accepted and how the NAU administration chooses who's accepted into the program* THERE IS ALWAYS A CHANCE!
Selection Criteria
(GPA, KAPLAN, and PREREQ's)
It appears there is an 18 point scale that is used to compare applicants.
GPA (5 points)
3.0-3.19 = 1 pt.
3.2-3.39 = 2 pts.
3.4-3.59 = 3 pts.
3.6-3.79 = 4 pts.
3.8-4.0 = 5 pts.
Kaplan (10 points)
Overall Score = 5 points (scale based on applicant pool)
Science Score = 5 points (scale based on applicant pool)
Prerequisite completion (2 points)+(1 point)
+2 points for 100% completion of prerequisites at time of application
-0.2 points per class in progress
+1 point for completion of prerequisites at the NAU Campus
Previous Applicant Data
Pulled this from various user submissions from previous ABSN Cycles. These are self reported stats.
Key Notes
2014 - Applicant with 3.42 PReq GPA + 90% Overall Kaplan was wait listed in 6th position and was ultimately offered a seat. The 7th position was confirmed to also get a position with unknown stats
2015 - Applicant with 3.72 PReq GPA + 89% Overall/75% Science was accepted outright.
2016 - 2nd in the wait list was offered a seat.
2017 - No relevant stats found
2018 - Applicant with 3.9 PReq GPA + 88% Overall/80% Science was accepted. Applicant with 3.75 PReq GPA + 87% Overall/65% Science was not offered a seat.
Kaplan Exam Basics
I took my in California at my local community college by setting up a proctor time with them first and then reaching out to the nursing admin at NAU to then contact the proctor to give them all the details.
My study habits. I focused on Science as my main subject to tackle. I used info available from previous cycles to guide what i needed to study. YouTube and Kaplan entrance exam posts on allnurses are great for guiding you to which questions will most likely be asked and can help narrow down where you want to focus your time. With a BS in Kinesiology the 20 questions that were pathology and physiology based were relatively easy. There weren't any anatomy questions other than 1 question about the 3 compartments of fluid in the body.
Math isn't even worth studying for since you can use a calculator and scratch paper to double check your work. DOUBLE CHECK YOUR WORK AND DOUBLE CHECK THE QUESTION!
Writing/Reading were two sections that you cannot study for in any meaningful way. Just know that there are types of questions that will reoccur in each section like...which sentence summarizes the authors viewpoint about paragraph X? which sentence can be removed from paragraph X? Which sentence has a punctuation error? Which word is misspelled? etc... I used a kaplan study guide book and it really wasn't worth it for me as someone who has already completed a science oriented bachelor's.
My Stats:
91% overall
90% science
100% math
86% reading
86% writing
I finished 40 minutes early while taking one short bathroom break in between sections (phone is locked away by proctor) and was able to print a printout of my score/stats. I changed 7 wrong answers into 7 right answers, 1 correct answer to an incorrect one, and 1 incorrect to another incorrect ?. Moral of the story: GO BACK and RE-READ the question and the answer you gave and compare it to the other answers. I avoided a 83% overall by doing so!
Conclusion
Please! Please! Please! apply to your nursing program. We nursing hopefuls tend to be neurotic messes when it comes to GPA's and TEAS/HESI/KAPLAN scores. We tend to forget that life isn't always about the numerical values we use compare ourselves. Remember a little faith, a little hope, and a lot of guts might be the deciding factor during application cycles. Good Luck!

Hi! I'm applying to the ABSN 2020 program and I take the Kaplan later this month. I've taken this test before and I'm still studying everything but I was going to put extra focus on the questions that I know were on the test. I'm worried though because I heard that they changed the questions this time around, specifically in the science section. Do you know if this is true?

Cpt ATP, BSN, RN · Dec 4, 2019

@hr2020 Glad your applying to the program! The ABSN program at NAU is one of the fastest and cheapest programs that a lot of people dont know about (assuming your instate or WUI eligible).

I would never advise someone to focus on preping for the same questions, but prepare for the same type of question using a different system. Example: if you have "In which order does blood travel through the heart?....". I would may prep for "In which order does oxygen travel through the lungs?...".

If you didnt get a cranial nerves question, i would go ahead and get a basic review of those, since it seems hit or miss on whether people get a question or not.

Other than that, you should really get a broad and basic knowledge of cell biology, some physio/patho, and review https://quizlet.com/229071916/kaplan-nursing-entrance-exam-science-flash-cards/ because i dont believe they get any harder than these types of questions.

Don't stress! Use your exposure to the previous Kaplan to give you confidence to really just use your basic logic and patience to eliminate down to 2 answers and use intuition to do a best guess if your completely stumped on a question. Keep us posted!

Kiki, BSN · Dec 6, 2019

Hi Cpt ATP!

Thanks for sharing all this info. I'll be applying to NAU this round, just finishing up pathophys right now. I'm curious how long you spent studying for the Kaplan? I took A&P a long time ago and have been tutoring a friend this quarter to brush up. I plan to spend a few weeks studying before the exam. I majored in bio and feel relatively comfortable with science, but nervous that I don't remember enough!

Thank you!

Cpt ATP, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2019

@Kiki Np! Glad your applying to the program!

As for study time, I came from a Kinesiology background, so kaplan science was honestly about just brushing up on basics, like what each organ system generally does. I memerized the cranial nerves mnuemonic (didnt have a question though). Maybe dabble in what major parts of the brain do.

Your Bio background will be more than enough for a solid foundation imo.

@hr2020 You guys should look at this one too since it gives some more good questions to help guide your studies. https://quizlet.com/417329569/kaplan-nursing-entrance-practice-flash-cards/ and please know what gout looks like lol...

Full transperancy, I bought the kaplan entrance exam book and never opened it. Total study time for the science portion was about a solid day (maybe 6-7 hours) of going over the systems and the basics of circulation about 2 days before the exam.

I'm a firm believer in walking into an exam feeling like your going to get %100 percent is the best way to maximize nueral networks to recall information. Breath, study the way YOU study best, dont change what has made you successful in your advanced education, and crush it!

NAU ABSN 2020

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