FindingNovember

@taxestonursing I will say that I took A&P I by itself because I had heard it was such a difficult class. I also think taking Biology before A&P can be very helpful. My A&P I professor blew through cell division. I felt bad for everyone who was basically seeing it for the first time. Biology was really helpful for Microbiology as well. I only took a max of two classes at any time since I was working full time. Once I determined my comfort level with A&P I, I took a second class along with A&P II. I took Statistics which was challenging but not impossible. I would be careful about taking something like a psychology class though. I took a Life Span class with Chemistry (because I thought it would be an easy A) and that class nearly killed me because of all the writing we had to do. The most important thing is to set yourself up to get the best grade you can in the class. Just take one course if you think that will help. Also, do one of those online tests to find out what your learning style is. I recently found out I'm a read-write learner. I wish you the very best of luck!

Here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/369112450811469 Yep, the zoom session was recorded and I have been assured that it will be in Sakai. We are actually supposed to get access to Sakai today. There is a lot do prior to April 1st. Congrats and see you soon!

As a future nursing student, I am curious. What has made your capstone student so amazing? Personality? Skill set?

I can only speak from my experience with recently applying and getting accepted into my ABSN program. The short answer to your first question about science pre-reqs is that it depends on the program. I would be surprised if any program you apply to does not require at least A&P and Microbiology but each program is different. Personally, I might question the quality of a program that does not require basic science pre-requisites. In terms of cost, my suggestion is to complete any pre-reqs at a community college and go in-state at a public university if possible. I took my pre-requisites at the local community college. Some classes were online. Labs were in person (prior to COVID). A few programs will accept all online but again it depends on the program. I suspect COVID is a bit of a game changer these days. The cost for these classes weren't cheap but they didn't break the bank. Nursing school is expensive, some schools are astronomically expensive (in my opinion). I will be taking advantage of in-state tuition and commuting from home which will help to reduce some of the costs. There may be grants and scholarships available if you are willing to take the time to apply. You could also check to see if your home state has some type of public service loan forgiveness program. Good luck on your journey.

God bless the OP for the question and for the responses! I start my accelerated program in May. I am beyond thrilled to be accepted but recently I find myself feeling like I am being pulled toward a gigantic black hole. I am a career changer with no clinical experience. And I have no idea what to expect! Of course, the horror stories on allnurses don't help. Visions of hanging on for dear life as a raging river tries to drag you over a massive waterfall (with the occasional stone being thrown at you) start to come to mind. Some of these posts are truly harrowing.... I'm a fighter and I don't go down easily but it's such a relief to get an alternate perspective. ?

I have to go hunting through my email for emails from UNC! I'd been checking regularly but hadn't checked in the last few days. Thank goodness I can rely on this forum for update notices!

I think that's a great idea about creating a FB group. Appears that's what previous cohorts have done. I don't have any experience with creating groups. I will be commuting as well. How difficult will it be to find parking on or near campus?

I am in state and do not have any patient experience.

I'm sorry you were not accepted. Here is a list of other schools I considered. I believe Western Carolina is highly rated. -NCA&T - Greensboro -Winston-Salem University -ECU - Greenville -Western Carolina University - Cullowhee I wish you the very best of luck on your journey.

Congrats on applying! It must be very satisfying to be this close. Yes, hopefully in the next couple of days we will find out.

I have gone through a whole cycle of emotions. After I completed my application, I was super energized. After realizing how competitive nursing school is, I was nervous. I even went through a period of not being sure I wanted to spend the money to go through the stress of an accelerated program. Now I'm excited again. But I also feel at peace with whatever happens. And yes, before I open my mailbox these days I do take a big breath.

One week down. The count down is on!

Working toward being a nurse is what gives my life purpose. It is part of a larger plan. The only way I can describe it is that I feel like I am being pushed toward my goal. All the things I thought I couldn't do I somehow manage to get through. I try to focus on who I will be on the other side instead of how painful the present feels. Sometimes we just need to keep our head down and keep pushing! By the way, Chemistry was my "is this worth it" class. And now that I have finished it, I can say YES it was.

Yep. Exactly! I'm both nervous and excited! I'm definitely ready to find out if I've been accepted so I can plan accordingly.

It might feel overwhelming but you CAN pass this class. This is more about figuring out your study style. ? What kind of learner are you? Most of us learn best when we write it out. Here are a couple ideas that might work for you: Go to as many of the instructor's "office hours" as you can. Ask him/her for pointers on how best to study the content. Or go with specific questions. But go to the office hours and get help. Buy a white board and lots of dry erase markers and draw pictures of the structures. Practice identifying the structures associated with the system. You can even do this with physiology. Teach it back to yourself. Even if you have the lecture slides, re-write them so that they make sense to you. Find a study partner. It really helps to work out ideas with another person even if you have to do it over the phone. Is there an virtual learning center? Again, don't be shy about asking for help. Put pictures of the structures in plastic sleeves and using a wet erase or dry erase marker practice identifying structures over and over and over again. Most important. Stop pulling all nighters. Make sure you get some sleep before an exam. Believe it or not, our brain is dong a lot of heavy lifting for us when we sleep. You are actually giving your brain an opportunity to learn when you sleep. We need to sleep. Hope this helps. You can pass this class one chapter at a time.

I'm still waiting to hear if I've been accepted to my ABSN program so I haven't actually paid for anything just yet. But I am saving enough so that I can quit my current job and go to school full time without loans once I am accepted. I've been fortunate to be able to structure my life so that I live small - I am renting out a couple of rooms in a friend's house. My advice to you is to save like crazy to avoid taking on debt as much as possible. ? Once I get accepted, I'm also going to look into scholarships and grants. You may also want to look into Nurse Corps or see if your state has a loan forgiveness program. The very best of luck to you!

I am waiting to hear if I was accepted to a Summer 2021 ABSN program. I sort of panicked after seeing that NursingCAS had calculated my overall GPA to be 3.35 (my prospective program's minimum is 3.0). I have a 4.0 GPA in prereq courses and some volunteer experience. I called my aunt who is a professor to give me some perspective. While the programs you are thinking about may be more competitive than the one I applied to, my aunt basically told me that it's a black box. For example: Where do you fit in with the other applicants? Are your essays compelling? Does your academic record show a strong upward progression? Life experience? It can depend on many different factors. So I am choosing to remain positive about my chances. :) I have read that schools accept people into their programs based on whether the applicant shows that they have the capacity to complete an intense academic program. Bottom line. I know I have what it takes to be successful in an ABSN program. Hopefully, my application in it's entirety conveys this. But if I don't get in this time around, I'll regroup and apply to different schools next time. Believe in yourself!

Thank you for this! I've been lurking around this forum in order to ease some of the nervousness while I wait to find out if I have been accepted to the ABSN program I applied to. After reading some of the threads, I've started wondering the same thing as the OP. What you write resonates with me - I am definitely someone who takes pride in feeling like I've done a good days work. :) Although, I still wonder about how new nurses get treated by existing nurses and this idea of "nursing eating their own". I'd like to think that this is not as widespread as it is made out to be.

I would check with the programs you are planning to apply to. The ABSN programs I looked into that required Chemistry wanted the general course as opposed to an intro survey course. Gen Chemistry is not easy but it can be done. :) I spent many hours in the learning center but I struggled all the way through to an A.

The start to my undergraduate was a little bumpy so I am definitely not a shoo in. I have a 3.35 GPA and all A's in my science prerequisites. I have some general volunteer but no healthcare experience. Hopefully, my essays are compelling. I only applied to UNC-CH this time around because it was the best school (in my budget) within commuting distance. So fingers crossed. And good luck to all!