Questions regarding SUNY Downstate Accelerated Nursing Program

[cupcake8503]

I apologize if these questions have been answered. There are a lot of posts to go through to find answers! I am currently a Clinical Lab Technologist that holds a BS in Chemistry from Howard University. I will finish my MS in Forensic Science from Pace University in the Fall. Unfortunately, instead of following my heart and doing Nurising, I did what I thought was best at the time. I am considering applying for the accelerated Nursing program at Downstate and had a few questions:

1. Is it possible to work while completing the program? Of course I have to eat, live and pay bills (I am the only person that provides for myself financially and NYC is not cheap to live in). If working is not possible, does the student loans cover living expenses?

2. Does the program only start during the summer, or do they have a Fall admittance? (I have a few pre-reqs to complete that probably wont be done until Summer 2010--I plan to take them at a CUNY school)

Thanks for your help. I know its crazy for me to make a career change after completing a Master's but better late than never!

[maybe2011]

Thanks Jeanette73.

[maybe2011]

Hi all,

I just wanted to know if anyone else know if they got into Downstate for this summer?

[wingchick]

Jeanette73,

Thank you for all your input. It's been extremely helpful! Can you please tell me if there are additional clinicals during the 1st half of the summer or are they built into the 3 courses?

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Jeanette73,

Thank you for all your input. It's been extremely helpful! Can you please tell me if there are additional clinicals during the 1st half of the summer or are they built into the 3 courses?

I'm not sure if there have been any changes to the schedule since I was there, but we had no clinicals in the first half of the summer. We had phys assessment which had a lab component, and patho and nursing process which were lecture only. In the second half we had OB which was a clinical course, plus pharm and two fluff nursing courses. The fluff classes were what we really complained about, because they were such lightweight courses yet took a full day of class and took away time and energy that we could have used for studying OB and pharm. There was some talk of making those 2 classes online but I'm not sure if any changes were made. (I think I just gave you way more information than you asked for.)

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

no text? did they test from powerpoint slides? class notes? I kinda like having a "final authority" on testable material

Sorry, missed this question earlier. I don't know who's teaching the class now. We studied from the lecturer's powerpoints, which was kind of an issue since, well, let's just say we didn't always feel the sources of information were reputable (wikipedia, anyone)? But we brought up this issue with administration and I hope they addressed it for future classes.

[tomall]

I'm not sure if there have been any changes to the schedule since I was there, but we had no clinicals in the first half of the summer. We had phys assessment which had a lab component, and patho and nursing process which were lecture only. In the second half we had OB which was a clinical course, plus pharm and two fluff nursing courses. The fluff classes were what we really complained about, because they were such lightweight courses yet took a full day of class and took away time and energy that we could have used for studying OB and pharm. There was some talk of making those 2 classes online but I'm not sure if any changes were made. (I think I just gave you way more information than you asked for.)

which were the most study-time-intensive classes in each of the 2 summer sessions? patho and pharma?

[wingchick]

Thank you so much for this info. More information is always appreciated :coollook:

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

which were the most study-time-intensive classes in each of the 2 summer sessions? patho and pharma?

Yes, pretty much. OB is also intense because there is so much to cover in only 5 weeks.

[tomall]

Yes, pretty much. OB is also intense because there is so much to cover in only 5 weeks.

Yeah thats the feedback I got from a non-Downstate absn as well.

She said that OB (and all the clinical classes) have more reading but less technical detail than foundation classes like patho,pharma,assessment. and for that matter less detail than anatomy and physiology and microbiology as well. you agree ?

[JeanettePNP, MSN, RN, NP]

Yeah thats the feedback I got from a non-Downstate absn as well.

She said that OB (and all the clinical classes) have more reading but less technical detail than foundation classes like patho,pharma,assessment. and for that matter less detail than anatomy and physiology and microbiology as well. you agree ?

From what I remember, the OB exams focused on therapeutic communication type questions (like what to do if you suspect a woman is being abused) and less on technical details. It was kind of annoying for those of us who studied the heck out of those technical details and ended up getting thrown by some fuzzy questions that were hard to pin down.

But really, I don't know how to compare one class to another. You just take each one as it comes and try to meet the demands. The first summer you'll be gasping for breath just keeping up with all the reading and assignments, but the whirlwind ends quickly and things do calm down a LOT in the fall and spring semesters.

[bringinit247]

@lala88 not sure if you are still following this thread but if so I would like to ask you some questions about the program. I have applied for Summer 2012 and have heard some bad things about it but you seem to have had a positive experience.

[ccaalee]

Hi everyone,

not sure who is still following the thread but I was wondering if those who were in the program last year could provide the textbooks used in the patho and pharma course. I'm quitting my job in about a month and thought I'd get a head start on some reading. Thanks for any information!