NSU-Shreveport

bassadict69 · Jan 17, 2009

I am attending NSU-Shreveport! From what I have always heard, entrance into clinicals is VERY competitive. I think I was told only about half of the people who applied last semester got accepted.

I will be applying later this semester to hopefully start clinicals in the Fall. From what we were told in orientation, your gpa counts for 60%, your TEAS score counts for 30%, & the number of hours you have taken at NSU counts for 10%.

When will you be applying?

melareitling · Jan 18, 2009

I have four prereqs to finish before I can apply. I am taking two of them this semester, but I may drop to one because they are each so demanding and my life is kind of hectic right now. If I am able to finish them all according to plan, I should be able to apply for clinicals by fall.

Have you taken the TEAS test yet? What sort of preparation is available?

bassadict69 · Jan 18, 2009

The school library has a book you can check out & study. It has sample questions, tests, etc. to give you some idea of what to expect on it.

What are you taking this semester & with who?

melareitling · Jan 18, 2009

I am taking Intro Chem and Human Anatomy online. I am currently out of state helping my parents prepare for a move down south. There is a lot of terminology to learn for the anatomy class, so that has me worried about having time for chem... and vice versa.

klarsen13 · Mar 24, 2009

I am also a student in the ASN program at NSU in Shreveport and am also thinking about applying for clinicals soon. I know that you have to do the following according to the 2008-2009 course catalog (p.77):

1. Gain admission to the University and submit all offial transcripts to the Office of Admissions on the Natchitoches campus.

2. Have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or above.

3. Have a miniumum grade of C or above in all required math, science and nursing classes.

4. Complete the pre-requisites for your program (they differ depending on whether you are in the ASN or BSN program) (if you need these let me know).

5. Have a minimum GPA fo 2.7 in general academic courses completed that are required (excluding electives).

6. Complete required entrance exams for nursing (I think this is the TEAS test).

7. Complete the Application to Enroll in Clinical Nursing Courses form which includes:

- Copy of scores for the required entrance exams for nursing

- Verification of licensure as a health care provider (if applicable)

- Any responses to requests of Waver of Policy (if applicable)

- Final order of the Louisiana State Board of Nursing (if applicable)

8. Complete the required criteria and submit the completed Application to enroll in Clinical Nursing Courses in the Office of the Director for Undergraduate Studies in Nursing by certified mail no later than May 31 (for Fall enrollment) and August 31 (for Spring enrollment).

Additionally, it notes that NSU looks at your pattern of repeated pre-requisite general academic courses, entrance exam scores (compared to others applying for clinicals), and if you have enough credits with NSU (I think you have to have 12 credit hours with NSU). Finally, I have heard that they only take 60 applicants in the fall and 120 in the spring...but this is only a rumor I have heard. So, it sounds pretty competetive. I hope this helps and good luck!!

Kelley

pla84 · Mar 27, 2009

seriously? applicants need to have at least 12 hrs with NSU? by the time I apply for clinical I will have only 7 credit hours cuz I just moved here....

klarsen13 · Mar 27, 2009

That is the rumor I have heard during this semester. You should probably ask the registrar's office to be sure though. If it is true, that is going to set me back as well, so if you get a definite answer let me know too! :wink2:

Kelley

Citigyrl · Jul 19, 2009

Yes you must take 12 NSU hrs towards your major. They have to be non-nursing classes.

pla84 · Jul 19, 2009

really ?

I read in the degree program that in order to graduate you have to have at least 12 hours non nursing course with NSU but it doesn't say anywhere that you have to have at least 12 hourse at NSU to apply for clinical. Unless they expect you to finish every non nursing courses before applying for clinical.

Citigyrl · Jul 19, 2009

U R right, you don't have to have them before you apply but remember you will be taking them along with you nursing classes. That can be difficult. Depends on your schedule or work habits. I did LPN transition & it was hard enough taking the nursing classes. The class itself is not bad but learning to critical think and priortize is. I advise you to take nursing classes alone. If you have no LPN background you will start in basic nursing classes that involve skill, history & theory. The nursing classes only have @ 5 test for the whole course. No room to fail one & make up-then you must remember you are not on a 10 point grading system anymore. An 80 is a low C (79 is a D). Whereas before an 80 was a B. After that level you will start taking more in depth classes & add harder more in depth clinicals. The hard part is what u study in class may not be what your clinical rotation is. There is MH, Maternity, and Neuro. U may b studying Neuro in class but b n a MHealth rotation. The pace is also fast. We had 6 tests. Two tests covered the whole Maternity book. That's alot of info. Often times 10+ chapters a test. So think @ all of that. You don't want to overload yourself. FYI my GPA before nursing classes was a 3.867 & it was still hard.

Citigyrl · Jul 19, 2009

P.S. Although it was hard it was possible & I made it. Graduated & passed boards on the first attempt. It requires discipline but it's well worth it. Be encouraged!