Minimalka

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone had any insight on this program or advice regarding admissions. I'm a recent graduate from UF's accelerated BSN program and am interested in applying to USF's Oncology concentration DNP. I have a strong, graduate level background in molecular biology and I would have at least 1 year of oncology experience before matriculating. I did previously attend USF for my degrees prior to making my career change to nursing, so I know a lot about the school but not too much about their nursing programs. I think what I am nervous about is applying to a DNP program too early despite being urged to apply ASAP. I've had a few friends jump right into DNP programs with no problems, but I'm wondering if that makes it harder to get in. Thanks!

Hey! For the program our adviser registered us the first semester but after that, we did it ourselves (unless there were issues). If he ends up registering you for courses, I would be sure to double check your schedule to ensure you are actually registered for all of them before classes begin. Be sure to keep an eye on your UF account for registering for classes. Sometimes you will get holds that prevent you from registering because you need to complete certain tasks (they do not usually take long to complete, however). As for your second question, all in-person classes are at the same time for everyone and there is only one class section for your program (at least this is how it is in Jax). The exception to this is clinicals. This will vary between clinical groups in addition to individuals depending on the semester.

Hi all!!! I finally got a chance to post and just wanted to say CONGRATS to each of you who made it in!! It's been a pleasure answering some of your questions throughout this process and I am so very excited to continue to work with each of you within in the coming months. Please continue messaging me privately if you need anything or feel free to add me on Facebook! For those of you who didn't make it, please do not give up! Nursing is competitive but do not let that deter you if this is the career path you 100% want! I wish you the best of luck in your future endeavors! -Jess

Current students will very likely not be disclosed this info. Jacksonville was planning on having an admin send the link via email on our behalf.

Jluv81 described it well! I would def recommend googling the syllabi! It may help you guys get an idea of what to expect. But do remember your curriculum will vary slightly from ours so these things could change, of course. Good luck to everyone! Try not to be too glued to your computers/phones waiting for emails (ha!)

Orientation will be in May (usually the week before classes, so the 8-9 seem logical). If you get into Jacksonville, you will have a half day orientation in Gainesville and then the next day will be a full one in Jacksonville. ? I believe classes will start on May 13th!

For the accelerated programs, there is only one start date!

Hey all! I know someone mentioned somewhere about starting a Facebook group once you find out who is admitted... I just wanted to give you a heads up that for those of you who get admitted to Jacksonville that you will already have a Facebook page made for you by us mentors. So for those of you who get admitted to the Jacksonville campus, you will receive the link to that page via an email within the few weeks following decisions/acceptation of your offer. Also I would HIGHLY recommend if you do not have Facebook to make one! Emails tend to get overwhelming, lost or not even sent sometimes in Jacksonville, so having a Facebook helps you stay up to speed on info/ ask questions to your fellow cohort (plus is a great way to connect prior to orientation!) ? I know decisions may be coming out this week, so I wish each of you the best of luck! Go gators!

Same with Jax, unfortunately. First semester we didn't lose anyone due to patho but instead because of health assessment. Second semester was a combo of pharm and SOC 2. We started with 40 in our cohort and lost 6 total (3 in first and 3 in second semester). We did end up having 2 students from the previous cohort matriculate into ours (however one quit the program due to personal reasons). Thus we currently have 35 students.

For me personally (in Jax)... 1.) I loved Genetics online but I am bias because that's what my background is in. I think the new cohort will not have this class due to the altered curriculum. I actually really liked Patho and pharmacology in terms of content. Both are very hard classes but they will be a combined course for the new cohort. I personally liked the science components to these classes but you will also learn how these all apply to being a great nurse! 2.) Health assessment for me was hard. The material isn't the issue but our exams were very difficult and you really get a taste of "nursing/ NCLEX- style questions in this course. This was the class that people who did not make it past first semester failed (in our cohort no one failed Patho actually). I also think SOC 2 was pretty difficult as well but second semester is just harder in general because of the load you have between classes and clinicals. Do remember that everyone has their strengths/weaknesses as well as different learning styles. There are also differences in exams/professors between GNVL and JAX for some of the courses and cohorts prior to even ours. So you may hear different things depending on who you ask.

Hi all! If you're new to this forum and missed some of my earlier replies I am a current JAX student! ? There was about 40 of us admitted to JAX this past cohort

Hi all! Just checking in and wanted to wish you all the best of luck (my fingers are crossed for each of you)! As someone mentioned, last year, I received my acceptance email in the late afternoon on February 23rd. I know the waiting game is super stressful but just try to hang tight for a little while! In the meantime, if you have any questions (especially if they're specific to the Jacksonville campus) feel free to message me individually! ?

Hi guys! I noticed you are all working on your essays! Good luck on them and remember that the best way to answer these questions is to think about how they relate back to nursing. I would definitely recommend using life examples rather than just "stating" things you would do, etc. Again, good luck! :-) -Jess

Hi!! Here is another (long) perceptive on the Jacksonville campus (both positives and negatives!!) This program is VERY HARD. Do not come in expecting to not put in work and just breeze through the entire program. You will be expected to read insane amounts of chapters every week, work in groups in pretty much every class (even online classes), complete a lot of busy work and be on time/present in your classes. We have many people in our cohort that were previously straight A students in very difficult bachelor's/Master's degree programs who struggle on some of these exams/classes. On top of this, the grading scale here is pretty bad and it makes it very difficult to get an A in your classes. Currently, the professors are trying to move away from using pre-made test banks as they did with the first two cohorts and are trying to come up with their own test questions, etc... the current cohort is pretty much being used as guinea pigs for them to make these changes. While this does seem to make some exam questions difficult/poor, the professors are very accommodating with those questions that are deemed "bad". I think their idea of making their own questions isn't a bad idea... it will separate students who actually know the material versus those who were memorizing test bank answers! Another issue is not being at the main campus. We do not have the same resources here that Gainesville does but I know there is an active push to get more resources and opportunities here. I would highly encourage those of you who get in to continue to advocate for needed changes at Jax! Onto some positives... I really think the program is what you make out of it and it is NOT impossible to succeed! Because we are a smaller cohort, I really feel like we are closer and we have better relationships with each other and our teachers. Although the material/exams can be tough, many of the professors are extremely supportive of us and they will do their best to help you succeed... especially if you are obviously dedicated and putting in the work. I attend office hours/always review exams and it helps to let your teachers get to know you. There is A LOT of self teaching in this program but you will find teachers are willing to help if you first, help yourself! Additionally, if you are having any problems, talk to your teachers! Many will have your back in most situations! The clinical experiences are also good at UF. Since it's a teaching hospital, many preceptors love to have students and you will learn a lot if you are engaged and willing. Some students do have some bad floor experiences but sometimes you have to take a bad day every once in a while. Some students also will be put on a floor that they do not learn too much on but so far, the clinical instructors have been really good about getting these changed such that all students can have good experiences (I'm personally on Med-Surg Neuro and I learn a lot on my floor!) Our rotation clinicals are also pretty good. This semester they worked hard to get us at Wolfsan's for pediatrics and it was a wonderful experience. The faculty are continuously working to get us better clinicals and experiences and that will only get better with each cohort! If you get into this program, do not be afraid to talk to your professors and work with one another. I think many of us are learning this semester that we have to work together in order to succeed. Some people will have strengths in one area and weaknesses in others, however, working with eachother helps a lot! Do not be afraid to reach out to your peers, split up reading assignments or make study groups. Like I said before, this program is what you make out of it (at either campus) and just remember, if nursing was easy, everybody would be a nurse! :)

As "Twinkleytoes" mentioned you should be okay to apply as long as you have finished all of your pre reqs (I remember when we applied we had to have them completed by December, 2017). We have many people in our cohort who graduated literally like 1-2 weeks before classes began! Of course it doesn't hurt to double check with Kenneth though, but I think you're fine!