kstar101

Congratulations to all of you who wil be starting this fall! I just completed my 2nd semester in the program and can say that I really love the program at COM. BTW, to those of you who attended orientation, I was there too...as the narrator for the fashion show :) To answer some of your questions: -they dont "endorse" one particular type of stethoscope but I would recommend a Littman. The other cheaper ones you can get trend to break easily and the sound quality is not that great. Find one with a bell AND diaphragm because the ones that jusy hsve a larger diaphragm and no bell (more modern looking ones) require skill at placing pressure to it to listen to murmurs, and other sounds that aren't easily done as beginners (not to mention, they are more expensive). A Littman is a great investment so I suggest that one. If you haven't gotten a book list yet, you can get an approximated price list per semester by the advisor in the nursing office. Not the one who calculated your points to get in. she has a small office with a window near where all the other nursing offices are. At least that way you can get an idea of how much they may cost. Also, a couple of students have also signed up as a student on Amazon.com where you get am upgraded free express shipping, so that helps too. Lunch: there is a cafeteria near the bookstore but have hours that sometimes don't fit with our class schedule BUT there is a little stand that is right next to the nursing hallway that sells drinks inc. coffee, muffins, breakfast croissants/taquitos, salads, pizza, etc. If there's anything else yall need help with, please don't hesitate to ask :)

Has anyone been able to get a hold of the book list for our first semester? I see that they still have the Fall 2010 list on the COM bookstore's website and I wanted to try and get a head start by ordering them online. Thanks!

Congrats to you too, Jimboslice! I'm not familiar with where the "canals" are, lol. Sorry! Could you give me a little more info please? But like britlauren, I'm hoping to move before the orientation. Who knows, maybe I'll find potential room mates here! :) I feel ya on the drive. I live in Sugar Land. haha!

Hi guys! I got accepted too (and am looking for a room mate too!). Britlauren, I sent you a private message! I found an apartment (but it's in Kemah) for $900 (2 br/2bath) and w/ a one year lease, the first two months of rent are 1/2 off! I tried looking at Costa Mariposa right behind COM but they didn't have any 1 brs available. They have 2 brs available so if you're interested, we can talk! Britlauren: I messaged you my number! Can't wait to meet everyone!

Hi everyone, I'm from Houston but am looking into the 15 month accelerated program. Is the 3.0 GPA a combination of your undergrad GPA + pre-reqs for the program? Or just the undergrad GPA? Thanks for your help in advance! :)

tine14: thanks for your reply! she called me back early this morning and had an appointment available earlier today so I got everything done. i pretty much spent all afternoon so now it's just a waiting game until september. thanks again!!

Hi everyone, first and foremost, congratulations to all of you who got into the program! :) I'm applying for the Spring 2011 semester ADN program. Like some others on here, I also have another degree, a B.S. in Psychology and was accepted into an accelerated BSN program before but was dismissed after getting a D in one class. I spoke with someone from the nursing department this morning and they said I had a really good chance at making it into the program based on all the classes I've already taken so I'm hoping for the best! Just wondering, for those who were trying to reach the healthcare advisor, did you just go to the school and request to see her? Or did you call in advance to make an appointment? I ask because I called earlier to make an appointment but never heard back so I'm wondering if it'd be worth it to just go to the school. The only thing is I live on the southside of Houston and don't want to drive all the way there just for them to tell me to make an appointment and come back. Any suggestions guys? Thanks in advance!

mharper, I've been trying to find the section on the website to chat with an advisor but I can't seem to find it!

No, I haven't. I couldn't find it anywhere on the site.

Hello mharperPhD, I have a B.S. in Psychology/minor in Health, and was accepted into a 2nd degree/accelerated BSN program this past semester. I was dismissed unfortunately for failing one class (Nursing Process for Symptom Management). I passed pharmacology, pathophysiology and health assessment. I have taken AP I & II, Micro and Nutrition and made A's in all of those. I took Intro to Chemistry (not Biochemistry) and got a C. I was able to speak with a counselor just a few minutes ago and she said that if Biochem was the only one that I was missing, I MIGHT be able to be accepted but would have to take Biochem with WGU. What are the chances of getting in without Biochem? I live in Texas and the nursing schools here do not rely heavily on Chemistry, which is why I am nervous about having to take it, plus, like some of the other posters have stated, there are almost 2 years worth of prerequisites to take before I can register for Biochemistry with another school. Thank you in advance!

I was wondering the same thing as well. I'm currently enrolled in the Accelerated/2nd degree program at the University of Houston - Victoria and just started school this past January. I am expecting (crosses fingers) to graduate this December 2010. I'm also interested in the FNP track and was curious about Duke's BSN-DNP program and have the same questions as you. I hope we get some responses soon! If you happen to hear anything from any other sources outside of this site, would you mind sharing, please? :) Best of luck to you!

Has everyone purchased all of their supplies? If so, have you purchased the black fanny pack and small retractable tape measure? I went to Walmart, Michaels, and Target and they didn't have them. I think Walmart did but were sold out of the small tape measures. Thanks in advance and can't wait to see everyone again in a couple of days! :)

Sorry for such a late response, but here you go... I applied to UHV's 2nd degree program and got accepted. I start this coming Tuesday. The program is still new and the first students to graduate from this program (from what I heard) took a gamble because the school was not accredited at the time of their acceptance. Luckily, the school received its accreditation this past October I believe and is now a fully accredited nursing school :) I can't say as to how they decided upon their applicants because I'm really not sure. It seems as though there is a very diverse group in my class. There are 48 total that have been accepted of which 12 will be assigned to the Katy/Cinco Ranch campus and the rest in Sugar Land. If you have more specific questions, please let me know as there is A LOT I could tell you! :) Good luck!

Lion1nwinter, I sent you a private message.

Your guess is as good as mine. Either way, I got in somewhere so I'm happy :) What about you? Did you apply also?

Oh no! I'm sorry to hear about your surgery! I'm sure you'll be in tip top shape in no time, but especially with it being so cold now, I'm sure it's hard. I hope you feel better soon! I know EXACTLY how you feel (in regards to preparing for the program). I'm going to be moving closer to the campus because from where I live now, it's about 45 minutes WITHOUT traffic...and here in Houston, that means I'd have to leave my house every morning by 5am. There is no way I'm doing that 5 days a week (one thing I was looking forward to with TTUHSC's program were the online classes, haha!). However, I recently found out that a lot of UHV's classes are "closed circuit TV" courses, so we have to go to class, but there isn't always a professor there conducting lecture...weird! Also, how many days a week does TTUHSC have clinicals for the 2nd degree program? UHV is 3 days a week.

Thank you, RN2BNAUSTIN! I'm all sorts of nervous right now! I know this program is going to be super intense but I'm so excited I can barely contain myself! I had to get fingerprinted earlier this week and I got my notice for my random drug screen for tomorrow.

RN2BNAUSTIN, I didn't get into TTUHSC's program, but I DID get in to University of Houston - Victoria's (sugar land campus) 2nd degree program! I begin classes on 1/19 :) Although we didn't get into the same school, I'm glad we got in anywhere at all! Congratulations to you and I wish you the best of luck! I have a friend who I took patho with thru TTUHSC and I hope you guys do great! Take care and keep us updated on how nursing school is there!!

the forms that you downloaded and filled out is where it indicated a resume was required. The scholarship forms were due yesterday so I don't think they have all that time to update our student centers, if they will at all. They haven't even updated our statuses of acceptance; how much more the scholarship forms that were due yesterday? I'm just as anxious as you (I'm sure everyone is) but I think we all need to remain patient. I saw on the UHV website that the fall commencement is on 12/12 so I'm sure everyone is all very busy. Give them some time...I'm sure they will answer and address everything that needs to be addressed soon.

Jsanz, I applied a few months ago and got denied: (

bronslady, I don't think the school will be providing stethoscopes. When I got fitten, Dr. Dune said that the school would pay for the lab coat and the one set of clinical scrubs. IF they give us one, it'll be one of the thin/cheaper ones. Those break easily and I was wanting to buy a better one any way. It's totally up to you. It's okay if you'd rather hold off for now, but I thought I'd extend the offer they were telling me about to everyone I knew that might need one :) Also, I never got a response UNTIL i sent an e-mail to all the advisors and the [email protected] email. That's when they responded and confirmed that they had it. I'm assuming they are incredibly busy trying to get everything ready for us so I'm trying not to call or e-mail so much. About the books, I made a list of all the books we'll need for this semester and it totaled to be about $1k. The books themselves weren't that expensive but there are 16 of them. I'm wondering if we need to purchase all of them at the beginning of the semester or as we go along in the semester as we need them. That sure is a lot of cash to shell out. Also, I express mailed my scholarship forms and resume today. I didn't do the FAFSA because I don't qualify for financial aid. I've already tried before. :T Anyway, thanks for the info guys!

Awesome, JSanz! For now, there's nothing you need to do. We just need to try and get others who may be interested to hop on board as well. :) Thanks for letting me know! I'll add your name to my excel sheet :)

In regards to the stethoscope orders, you can go to the store and pay for your own if you'd like but it's on 1960, near Fallbrook and Jones Rd., called The Med Shop. The only thing is that I will have to send them a list of everyone who has agreed to buying from them and you will go there and present your ID. Don't worry, you don't have to pay me in advance or anything. :) haha.

pwr and for everyone else who got accepted, I asked about the problems enrolling and the advisors got back to me and stated to hold off on enrolling because they will be sending an e-mail out on the 17th about instructions for the registration of classes. Don't worry, you aren't the only one. From what they said, they are in the process of trying to change everyone's statuses that were accepted and those who were denied. I got excited too, haha. Also, I went looking for a new stethoscope and a medical supply store carries Littman (I'm sure some, if not all of you have heard of the brand...which is the best in stethoscopes) and they have one that has a dual head for adult and pedi usage. It's originally $69 but the store said if there are at least 10 of us, they'll give is 15% off :) The only thing is that we have to order by the end of this week. If you're interested, please let me know so I can make a list of everyone who is interested. Here's a link to the stethoscope but this is NOT the store where I'd have to make the order from. http://www.comfortcare.com/productsdetail.asp?prdID=152 Again, let me know if you guys are interested! :)

You are most welcome! Good luck to you and I'm sure you'l enjoy it there :)