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!
This is going to be the class that makes you feel smart enough to be a nurse. The questions you see throughout the course may test your patience since they can ask about super detailed info, be poorly worded, or include random aspects of care that are not straight forward. Moral of the story... I showed up to class for spring semester and I saw every single one of my fellow classmates back in class. You got this!
General Tips - This one is tough, by this time everyone has figured out what has brought them success. I recommend you stick with that! What I found helpful was utilizing EVOLVE online resources. I Printed and read EVOLVE chapter key points/summary -> used Silvestri NCLEX prep book to stamp out details of care -> EVOLVE Quiz questions. Reading that book will drive you insane and you may find that there are contradictions within the chapter you're reading.
The Class is split into two parts. First half will focus Chronic Care and Second half will focus Acute Care
Quizzes - Pretty much every single time you go to class, you will have a quiz! They aren't too bad and you can benefit for EVOLVE/Silvestri Questions. She pulls from both most of the time.
EVOLVE/KAPLAN FTR - Ill put these together as they are psudo busy work that can give you some good info on specific care of diseases. Low pressure online stuff that is distributed well throughout the class.
Care Maps - Due almost every class. They aren't hard to complete and one of our classmates completed all of them within the 1st couple of weeks. Informal completion how theses are graded. You show them to her in class as a class. Low pressure, but dont totally zone them, they can be helpful in making you confortable with the many diseases/illness you cover.
La Charity - These are like informal Kaplan test questions. They are focused, but you do them on your own and are not penalized for missing questions. They allow you to gauge some weaknesses you have and give you some of the more interesting questions that I saw this semester.
Group presentation - Pick a culture with a group of classmates and do a quick little 15 minute presentation. Easy Peasy!
EXAMS - Wont sugar coat it. These were much harder than Summer. You'll wonder why the hell your being tested on like 10-19 chapters in single test. 3 tests are worth 35, 2 are worth 50, and the final is worth 75 points. The class is out of 550 so these can be devestating. It was for me at first (got a 77% on the first exam). However be mindful of how you paint your own weather! Keep moving forward and don't panic! There may be course mechanics that may help you along the way that are not "official"...
KaplanExam - Not easy to study for due to lack of direction. Its pass or fail, will destroy an "A" grade as with many of the kaplans. Didnt think it was too bad though since its near the end of the semester after you've been exposed to everything.
Difficulty - 4.5/5
Clinicals 334L
I will struggle with writing this part but I will do my best. Overall, this is where some key skills are learned and refined. If you get a chance to do something, hear a nurse talk about something cool coming up, hear the words "We need an IV on this patient"...GO AND MAKE YOURSELF USEFUL!
Tips - The way you should approach clinicals and your nurse is with the emphasis in a mutual relationship. You are not their to follow your nurse and be their shadow. They are not there to make all of the decisions regarding your participation. They will teach you things and in return, you should make their life easier in any way you can.
IV starts - You will miss! Veins are super unique and can be challenging to stick, but focus on the patient and approach with confidence. Remember that there is someone on the other end of that needle and dont be afraid to ask for help. You got an admit in the ED? Ask your nurse if they need an IV and GO in there and GITRDONE. Grab your instructor if you feel uncomfortable. SHIA LEBOUFE and JUST DO IT!
Foley's - You will find that managing the patients position and grabing some extra hands for the bigger patients will allow you to maintain sterility and while not having to deal with a moving target.
NG Tubes - Not very difficult. The emphasis is on coaching more than technique. Talk the patient through it or else they will freak out and pull away.
Care plan - OMG I despise these things. There are 2 of these, a formal written and an informal "shift change report" style one. Do youself a solid and do it on a person who is not SUPER chronic. I did a patient that had like 15 meds. I deeply resented myself for it. Do yourself and get them done ASAP so that you can move on with enjoying clinicals (Its hard to focus on care when you are gathering all the information needed for the care plans).
Busy work - there are things you need to do every clinical that might drive you crazy like room check reports, nurse goal paper work, journals, evidence based "presentation", among others. Every instructor is different, the level of strict rules will vary between each.
Open Lab - I believe it goes here or 334, dont remember. open skills lab that allows you to pick things you want to work on skills wise. The instructor will teach you some cool things here. 2 hours each and you need to do 2. Get them in early so that you get IV's stuff down before you head into clinicals.
Sims - 3 times where you group up and play nurse with the talking and breathing dummies. they are a fun exercise and give some interesting scenarios for your nursing knowledge. Low pressure, not graded, and really enjoyable experiences.
My Soap Box - Trying not to be biased here... FMC will allow students to not travel and be closer to school, their jobs, and family/friends. FMC does not have "recruiter" so being there during the fall allows for great connections to be made for a possible job spot and/or preceptorship for Capstone at FMC. 10 people will do days and 10 will do nights.
Kingman - 10 people will do days. those 10 people will have to chip in to carpool, get a weekly AirBnB for 8-9 people (cost us about $33 each for 2 nights stay) and be away from flagstaff. These 10 people will be in KRMC which is considered ghetto, not a "level 1 trauma" center, and partake in "cowboy medicine".
It was a financial and emotional cost to go to KRMC, but I cannot allow the absolutely amazing experience I got there to go unaccounted for! It is my personal belief that the amount of hands on learning we got at KRMC surpassed anything I've heard those at FMC get. Nurses didn't eat us, the staff was nice, the patients were great, the aura is centered around teaching, and the town was not ghetto...remember people live there, flagstaff isnt an option for everyone.
IV starts? IV med management? Blood transfusions? Foleys? NG tubes? Charting? Discharges? Did a lot of it and didn't feel like I missed out on any skills.
Difficulty 3-4/5 - This is a job and it can wear on you if you are working paying job or juggling other things. Sometimes you might feel like your day sucked, its ok you have another day!
Informatics 424
Wont spend too much time with this one. Neat little class that feels like busy work. Keep at it and dont forget your weekly discussions.
Discussions - These are weekly assignments. Posts and responses are 2 days apart minimum. You just have to do some research and get some scholarly sources to post and respond. Not to bad, graded pretty fairly.
Wiki - This is something you build througout the semester and the instructions are pretty clear. There were some non-tech people who didnt have trouble with building theirs.
QI project - This is the main focus of this class IMO. work with a group of 3-4 people to present how you will improve a imaginary hospital you run. The paper is split into 3 parts and gives you a nice picture of how this might be done in the real world. ends up being like a 26 page paper, but honestly not very difficult.
Difficulty - 1.5/5
Reflection
Im gonna stand on the soapbox one more time and give my 2 cents. We have a previous degree, maybe a family, maybe some real work experience under our belts, and some knowhow and what a career should look like. I have heard stories of clinical days just being difficult for students based on their nurses. I advise you try to work these steps if this is happening to you. Build a mutual working relationship with your nurse and reset emotions/feelings -> talk to the charge nurse for a different oppurtunity -> call your instructor and ask to be placed somewhere else -> force one positive experience before you leave the hospital and hold on to that. Understand that even nurses are nuanced people and may be going through something negative, but know that a bad attitude is not always acceptable. Control your own weather and make your clinicals experiences truly immersive. Do not be someones shadow for 10 hours. This is the semester where you hit your stride and start to feel amazing about your desicion to become a nurse. Savor it!
Thanks for the continued updates on the program @Cpt ATP!!
I have been silently freaking out for the last couple weeks about my Kaplan score. I kinda expected to get a science score of at least 95. I tutored A&P last semester, majored in Bio (TA'd Anat in college), and felt pretty ready to crush the (expected) A&P heavy-Science portion. I got Gen Chem questions (which I honestly didn't spend time reviewing), physics, and other stuff seemingly out of left field.
My stats- overall 88, science 80. GPA 4.0
Anyone else applied for 2020 and hasn't weighed in here yet? I still have my fingers crossed, but am definitely getting ready to change course.
Thanks for the continued updates on the program @Cpt ATP!!
I have been silently freaking out for the last couple weeks about my Kaplan score. I kinda expected to get a science score of at least 95. I tutored A&P last semester, majored in Bio (TA'd Anat in college), and felt pretty ready to crush the (expected) A&P heavy-Science portion. I got Gen Chem questions (which I honestly didn't spend time reviewing), physics, and other stuff seemingly out of left field.
My stats- overall 88, science 80. GPA 4.0
Anyone else applied for 2020 and hasn't weighed in here yet? I still have my fingers crossed, but am definitely getting ready to change course.
Interested in applying to this program. Curious if anyone knows of any community colleges in CA/ Community colleges that offer online General pathology courses. How did you all fulfill that prereq? Thanks!
Interested in applying to this program. Curious if anyone knows of any community colleges in CA/ Community colleges that offer online General pathology courses. How did you all fulfill that prereq? Thanks!
Hey! Moorpark college (ventura county community college district) offers it but it started first week of January. I believe SBCC (Santa Barbara) offers it as well. Good luck!
Based off my crude notes clinical hours are defined as such for nau.
Quantity - duration(frequency)
Summer
9 - 8 hour skills lab(1x per week and is based on your 10 person group that you're assigned) 9 - 8 hour shifts at mental health site(1x per week and is based on a different 10 person group your assigned)
Fall
2 - 2 hour open Lab (you schedule them) 30 - 9 hour shifts in the hospital( 2x per week and days depend on where you chose or are placed) 3 - 8 hour Sim labs (based on when you are at the hospital and spread evenly throughout the semester)
Spring 1
6 -12 hour peds/maternity hospital shifts(2x per week and is based on 3 rotating groups) 4 - 8 hour community nursing rotations(random placement, 2x per week and is based on 3 rotating groups) 3 - 8 hour Sim labs(maternity based, 1x per week based on 3 rotating groups) 1 - 2 hour open Lab(you schedule this)
Spring 2
7 - 12 hour shifts at your capstone site(you choose this, try and get a nurse to precept you in fall if you can, you will work their 3 day schedule for 2.2 weeks or you can spread it out)
Total hours = 660 (totally could be forgetting about something though!)
I used an exercise pathophysiology and the accepted that. Had to petition it but that was pretty easy to do. It's something they give you instructions for. Save a copy of the syllabus for whatever class you use since they will need it if it's not a perfect match.
You can take pathophys online through Rio Salado (Maricopa county, Arizona) and this transfers directly for credit to NAU. They have a tuition deal for WUE students. The best part is- you can start the class whenever (I think courses start every two weeks) and you can opt to take it in 16 or just 8 weeks!
@hr2020Same! I'm hoping we will hear this Friday. I believe notification was February 8th last year. I'm mostly nervous because it's such a short turnaround to move, get financial aid in order, etc. if we do get accepted. Fingers crossed and positive thoughts for everyone on here!
Cpt ATP, BSN, RN
53 Posts
Med-Surg 334
This is going to be the class that makes you feel smart enough to be a nurse. The questions you see throughout the course may test your patience since they can ask about super detailed info, be poorly worded, or include random aspects of care that are not straight forward. Moral of the story... I showed up to class for spring semester and I saw every single one of my fellow classmates back in class. You got this!
Clinicals 334L
I will struggle with writing this part but I will do my best. Overall, this is where some key skills are learned and refined. If you get a chance to do something, hear a nurse talk about something cool coming up, hear the words "We need an IV on this patient"...GO AND MAKE YOURSELF USEFUL!
Informatics 424
Wont spend too much time with this one. Neat little class that feels like busy work. Keep at it and dont forget your weekly discussions.
Reflection
Im gonna stand on the soapbox one more time and give my 2 cents. We have a previous degree, maybe a family, maybe some real work experience under our belts, and some knowhow and what a career should look like. I have heard stories of clinical days just being difficult for students based on their nurses. I advise you try to work these steps if this is happening to you. Build a mutual working relationship with your nurse and reset emotions/feelings -> talk to the charge nurse for a different oppurtunity -> call your instructor and ask to be placed somewhere else -> force one positive experience before you leave the hospital and hold on to that. Understand that even nurses are nuanced people and may be going through something negative, but know that a bad attitude is not always acceptable. Control your own weather and make your clinicals experiences truly immersive. Do not be someones shadow for 10 hours. This is the semester where you hit your stride and start to feel amazing about your desicion to become a nurse. Savor it!