Need advice from any university of Houston-Victoria second degree BSN students

Mochachild · Aug 11, 2011

Hello, carrie380!

I think that's doable. You can figure out what you need to make by dividing the total number of credits by the total number of hrs. This school doesn't have a minimum TEAS V score, but try to attain at least the average percentage- around 69% up to this point. Most schools would like applicants to achieve this score to be "competitive."

I assume that because of convenience, you need to attend UH-V. Hmmm. Have you checked out their NCLEX scores? If not, I would highly recommend that you do so: http://www.bon.state.tx.us/nursingeducation/edudocs/RN-5YR-passrate.pdf

As I'm sure that you are aware, student pass rates of NCLEX is indicative of how "strong" that respective institution is- the higher the rate, the more competitive it is to GET in and STAY in. Additionally, from an employers' perspective, pass rates determine how reputable that program is. Trust me, employers check pass rates as well. :eek:

Please note that I am absolutely not trying to deter you from this program, as I am a graduate of UH...yay! However, I did want to provide this information so that you (and others who are reading this thread) can make an informed decision.

Good luck in your journey to becoming a NURSE! :yeah: I am confident that you will do well. Keep us posted on your progress.

carrie380 · Aug 11, 2011

Thank u Mochachild, I appreciate your response! I did not check out their nclex pass rate, I didn't even know to check. I definetly will check now. I have looked into uh-Vic because of their second degree BSN program, convenience, & since I am a uh alum :) I think I will also check out a few other schools as well

carrie380 · Aug 11, 2011

Wow, I just looked. That is not good at all. What does this means in terms of program strength?

Mochachild · Aug 12, 2011

UH-V is a new program, so the jury is still out on that one. If the trend continues, the program may be subjected to probation or worse- the loss of approval. In order to sit for the NCLEX-RN, you must have graduated from an approved institution/program in that respected state. My advice is to continue to frequent the TBON (Texas Board of Nursing) website to check stats as updates should be current by the end of December. Well...continue to frequent the TBON religiously if you plan on sitting for the boards and practicing in Texas period. As future nurses, WE are responsible for knowing and working within our scope of practice (e.g., Nurse Practice Act). Since you are re-taking prereqs, this is a blessing in disguise. Check out the informative threads on this site to help you weed through the application process and also research other programs as well.

carrie380 · Aug 12, 2011

Thanks, I will be checking!

aret21, BSN, RN · Aug 16, 2011

carrie380,

I am currently a student in the second degree BSN program, and my home campus is in Sugarland. I just wanted to give you some info that the dean and the director have told us.

The low pass rates for the NCLEX are due to the fact that some of the students didn't take the test in a "suitable amount of time for their test to count as 2010", and so their test counted as 2011. The state board came and talked with our class, and told us that the class hurt themselves and our school by waiting so long to take their tests. They explained that this was the reasoning behind the 28% (I believe?) pass rate for that year, since the others were placed in the next years rate, which hasn't been published yet (or something like that). They also said that one student hasn't even taken the NCLEX yet.....even still! Anyway, I know it doesn't settle all anxiety, but it does explain the horribly low rates for that year.

To answer your original question, I believe that if you get your GPA up to at least a 3.0, and do well on your TEAS test, you should do fine. I purchased the TEAS study guide that was available from ATI Testing, which is who proctors the TEAS test. It really helped me to see what was going to be on the test and to have a little refresher course.

I really enjoy the program, although, there are some people who think that it is too fast. It is extremely fast paced, and you can expect 20 hour semesters, plus clinicals. I took 21 hours my lest semester of college, so I thought I knew what busy was like....but I HAD NO IDEA! This program is CRAZY fast! I love that we are done in one year, but some people just can't handle the craziness.

If you have any questions about the program or anything else, just ask. I'm sure that once you see our pass rates on the NCLEX, you will be more encouraged. We will all be taking it in mid January and February. We have been well-schooled on the importance of taking it immediately after graduation. :)

carrie380 · Aug 16, 2011

Thank u aret21. I really appreciate hearing what the program is like from an insider. I was actuallt wondering if the low pass rates had to do with ppl changing their minds or waiting to long to take the nclex.

Please keep us posted on your success this semester!

Mochachild · Aug 20, 2011

Thank you for clarifying, aret21. Hmmm. I am not trying to "flame" this program; however, I would be remiss if not to post what I do know: (a) The TBON is ultra conservative. There aren't too many things that they would put up with. If, by chance, the TBON makes a "special" visit to your school/program, for any reason, that is NOT a good thing; (b) a Texas NCLEX candidate has approximately 75 days to take the boards as specified by their ATT (Authorization To Test). If this is not done by the expiration date, the candidate will forfeit everything- cost of the NCLEX, application for licensure, authorization...everything.

I believe that taking the boards "late" is not necessarily indicative of failing. I know of many, many folk who took it early and failed. If one prepare themselves and put the concepts learned through practice, they will be that more confident when sitting for the boards.

Teacher First · Aug 20, 2011

I don't want to get into a long explanation (and I do not teach for UH), but the BON can make visits to schools for many reasons. Sometimes the school can ask for the visit as well. I am sure that the students and faculty will appreciate any advice the BON can give for making possible revisions, if that is required. About the percentage pass rate...it is not because the students took the test later that they failed (or passed.) What it means is that the numbers are skewed, and we are dealing with very small numbers of graduates so for instance if there are 10 who take the test, each one counts for 10% toward the pass rate. If the student who has not taken the test would have taken it in 2010 and passed, then the pass rate would have been 80%. The pass rate is lower, but it IS a new program. The second degree program is tough wherever you take it. Just FYI, I have been a nurse for over 30 years...not a big fan of any second degree program. Let's see, I am an English teacher, but I want to be a chemical engineer....think I willl take a couple of rereqs and then go to school for one year and get a job with Exxon! Sorry for the rant, no offense intended.

Teacher First · Aug 20, 2011

(b) a Texas NCLEX candidate has approximately 75 days to take the boards as specified by their ATT (Authorization To Test). If this is not done by the expiration date, the candidate will forfeit everything- cost of the NCLEX, application for licensure, authorization...everything.

A Texas NCLEX candidate is given a temporary permit to practice as a GN for 75 days from the time it is issued (if they have met the requirements to test and if there is no outstanding eligibility issue.) If you take the NCLEX during that 75 days, you will either pass and be granted a license, or you will fail after which you must cease to practice as a GN immediately (no matter how much time remains on the permit. (Texas BON Rules and Regs 217.3. Temporary Authorization to Practice/Temporary Permit.)

If the candidate does not take the NCLEX before the permit expires, they do not lose anything except the right to practice as a GN. If you schedule the NCLEX through PearsonVue, and you miss the test without rescheduling it, you will lose your $200. You will have to pay the $200 when you schedule it again. If you think you will not be able to test at the time you originally scheduled it, you can contact them and you can reschedule it without losing your money.

A Texas graduate from an approved program has 4 years from graduation to take the test, and can take it as many times as they like until they pass it (at $200 a pop). If one does not pass the NCLEX in 4 years, then that person must go back to school if they want to pursue nursing as a career. You do not lose your fee for application for licensure each time you take the test.

Ok, probably more than you wanted to know. Please read the Texas Nursing Practice Act or the Texas BON Rules and Regs....it's like your Bible for nursing!