Isiah4031

I went through this program and loved it! Great professors, clinical sites, and opportunities. Make sure you all apply elsewhere if you can so as to not "put all the eggs in one basket." HCC, PHCC, SPC, USF, and UT are the likely others classes may count towards. Good luck!

I work at FHT and love it. All the changes have been positive and the newer management has been supportive and encouraging. Pay is less than TGH, but profits are also higher and FHT is non-profit. That means there are no shareholders and money made is money put back in. I work on a floor where a lot of physician's groups have come over from TGH. In the end, it's your decision to make. But- it also depends on what type of floor you'd be working on. Good luck!

Wow, you guys really must not like Florida Hospital Tampa. Yeah, the old UCH wasn't all that, but the ownership company has been pouring money and resources into the hospital like crazy. I've been there about three years (two as a Nurse Tech, and a couple months as a Nurse Resident) and have loved it. Go where you feel most comfortable and where you feel you have a chance to do what you'd like!

I work at Florida Hospital Tampa and love it!! I was a Nurse Tech for about two years while in school and then was fortunate enough to get into the Nurse Residency Program. Yes, they do have an entire floor dedicated to the program before you go to your "home floor." Any questions, just ask! The Program Coordinator is awesome!

I would HIGHLY recommend getting your CNA and trying to work in a hospital during your time in school. Even if it's one day a week, there are Managers who will allow it. First, try to get in at the places you do clinicals at. You're there, in their face, and allowinfg them to view your interest and skills. I had a much easier time getting hired as a nurse once I passed my boards than most of those that did not work as an aid or tech. I was fortunate enough to get in where I worked as a tech.

Florida Hospital Tampa and St. Joseph's (Baycare) offer Nurse Resident Programs for new graduates. HCA facilities will hire new nurses out of school as well. Florida Hospital's program is 12 weeks in length and includes lab simulations and check-offs, journal article reviews, group projects and prevalence studies, lectures, seminars, and training for certifications for whichever specialty hired into. First 6 weeks are on a general medical/surgical floor under close supervision of an experienced BSN. Second 6 weeks are on whatever floor you were hired onto. Not sure how St. Joe's program is, but I've heard it's very good as well and that HCA's hospitals give 12 weeks of orientation too. They will interview and hire out of state. Just make sure you have your license before you apply and make yourself stand out! Good luck!

I've heard some hospitals (especially small ones or ones that only serve a particular demographic) can burn new nurses out pretty quick. I'd be curious as to why you hated it. You can PM me if you'd like, but some of the things I've heard that cause new nurses to quit or get burn-out early are unqualified preceptors, bad nurse to patient ratios, patient acuity, poor teamwork, for-profit hospitals that seem to not support or listen to staff, or too short of a training period altogether. Personally, I don't know if I could work in Peds. To me, IMO, it seems like it could be a double-edge sword when you get sick children AND parents to deal with. If that's your calling, go for it! I hope you found, or find, the right place for you. It seems once you get your initial experience, wherever it may be, you get considered for a lot more positions. It's that FIRST job that seems to be the most difficult to land.

I don't comment often, but this post caught my eye enough for me to do so. I graduated in May, licensed in June, and was extremely fortunate to be hired into a hospital's residency program for new grads. In the Tampa market, it is very competitive for nursing jobs in general- not to mention new/unexperienced nurses some Managers are often not willing to take on and train. You should take whatever job you can get. Many of my classmates from our ADN program put in over 30 applications with few call backs. If you work in a hospital already, don't let that opportunity pass you by. NETWORK!! As for the Med/Surg part, I recognized I never worked a day as a nurse in my life, so I didn't want to even look into high stress/speed specialties that can burn me out or cause an error. I love Med/Surg because you see everything and it stays fresh. The whole hall can have the same diagnosis, but everyone still be different. It gives you the opportunity to converse with patients more than ER/ICU and allows you to learn which meds normally go with which disease process and visa versa. And, when you think about it, Med/Surg is a great foundation to allow you to more easily move into specialties once you get your routines down. But, again, that's my own opinion and bias. Find good and experienced nurses you can trust and pick their brain.

Now that I'm done, I plan on trying to find a job in the hospital setting. Since I did the CNA route as well, I've managed to network a little and got to know some Manager's in that setting. I'm going through all the application processes now, so wish me luck on that front!

To the best of my knowledge, FHT's program is 12 weeks in length with a 2 year commitment. You have to be licensed to apply or they'll just bounce the application back to you (like mine!). The first 6 weeks are spent on a general Med/Surg floor where residents are oriented by a BSN who has to meet specific criteria to be a preceptor. After that, the remaining 6 weeks (and more if needed) are on that resident's home floor. I've heard they'll have residents attend lectures, seminars, complete book work (makes up about 25% of the program), and will help them get whatever certifications needed for certain specialties. I looked into other local hospitals as well, and as Evansmum said, they really only take BSN's. St Joe's recruitment line said only BSN's are considered candidates for their GN program and said their job fairs are aimed at "experienced" RN's. TGH apparently doesn't hire ADN's out of school either. My honest guess is if an ADN graduate worked at one of those hospitals as a tech or CNA during school, AND they liked that person, they MAY consider them for a GN or residency position. So, as Evansmum and I recommended, get your CNA and try to work at least a shift or two a week to get the exposures that can help you in school and allow you to network.

Lucy, The teachers at Dade City are great! Over the course of the first two semesters, our group of 20 didn't have any drop out or be retained for academic reasons. I think the program will greatly prepare you, providing you take advantage of the opportunities, for whatever nursing roles you want to fulfill. I would HIGHLY advise to get your CNA license over the Summer so you can market yourself during your clinicals to work at least PRN or Part-time during your time in school. Unless you have kids, already have to work, or have another "life" reason preventing you from seeking one out, a CNA/Nurse's Aid job will open MANY doors you and allow you to network and essentially "interview" for jobs for when you graduate. Some students who graduate with no prior experience have had difficulty finding hospital jobs. I'd be careful how much you work regardless since most need to read, review, or study materials to truly get what you need to out of the courses. I can say those that had to work more than others more often missed classes, quizzes, and opportunities than those who didn't have to as much. As for the books, learn patience and wait for the books to come in, go to the bookstore, write down the ISBN #'s and find the PRIMARY TEXTBOOKS on Amazon. The publisher is BS and ALWAYS tries to sell a package with all types of books, study guides, discs, ect. Very few students made any use of the study guides or pocket notes. Honestly, some didn't even use the textbooks because they focused solely on the powerpoint lectures the two Dade City profs use. I used my textbook for supplemental help and to better understand everything. You'll have to find whatever works for you. But, don't waste a test grade to find out. Studying for nursing exams is far different than A&P or any other course. Hope all this helps!

I currently work at FH and it is VERY competitive. They offer 7 week rolling admissions and (to my knowledge) take anywhere from 4-8 GN's in each class. Pay is in the low-20's and they either want you enrolled in a BSN program or be a graduate from one. I'm working on applying to the next class myself, but have been made aware of their requirements from other Nurse Residents on the floors I work. Good luck!

Just graduated from this program and loved it. I went to Dade City first year and stayed on West after my 3rd Semester was done. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask as I may be able to help. Good luck and enjoy it!

http://www.allheart.com/stethoscopes.html

The booklist from orientation will often be outdated. Either call or go to the campus bookstore directly to get the ISBN #'s off the backs of the books. The publisher will always try to get you to purchase a package deal through the bookstore, but that's only useful if you'd utilize an e-book or supplemental info. on a disk. The study guides are practically useless as most lectures are Powerpoint based and the textbooks are supplemental to that. But, things do change and vary from professor to professor. I found most of my books the 1st 2 semesters off Amazon since they do free shipping and you can actually buy package deals on there too (book, disk, study guide, ect.). A stethoscope will DEFINITELY be needed for lab, check-offs, and clinical. I'd recommend a Littmann and getting some kind of of identifier (tape, engraving, diff. color ear pieces) on it so you'd know it's yours if someone accidentally picks it up. If you don't have one, may want to invest in a recorder since some professors will repeat particulars in lecture that may be on the exam (if you're an auditory learner that is). Also, studying for these exams will be entirely different than learning the body like a road map in API and APII. Just be open to change and figure out how to best learn what's given!

Congrats and good luck to you guys getting into the program! I'll be graduating next semester and met a lot of my classmates on here as well before our classes and orientation. Now that finals are over, I have time to get back on here and see what's going on. It'll go by quickly, so hang in there. If anyone has any questions I may be able to answer, let me know. Otherwise, good luck and enjoy your last few weeks of freedom!

Bartend- Adventist Health is building Wesley Chapel Medical Center. Adventist and UCH Tampa and UCH Carrollwood just merged and will be renamed in September to Florida Hospital Tampa and Florida Hospital Carrollwood. The Wesley Chapel location already has 2 websites and is accepting resumes. Hiring will be done through UCH Tampa and they've already hired some execs.

Regarding the BLS class, make sure it's American Heart Association's "BLS for Healthcare Providers" Here is the link to their website's Matrix that allows you to simply put in a zip code and it'll show you authorized class providers for you to sign-up for. http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/classConnector.jsp?pid=ahaweb.classconnector.home

BartonBunch...congrats on getting into the program. While you're seeing the employee health nurse at FHZ, you may want to check with HR to see if they will do tuition reimbursement since you're an employee working to further yourself in health care. I don't know if they offer sponsorship for LPN students, but it's worth a shot too. Great place to work as well. They are one of the hospitals that, if you can get a sponsorship, will reimburse on a semesterly basis like I said earlier in this post, thus allowing you to wait before deciding if you want the commitment. East Campus RN Freshmen will be there starting in early September too. Also glad you got the "crack" stuff figured out. I'm sure the people in admissions are getting numerous phone calls from students accepted, and denied, for both programs. And for anyone else looking for sponsorship, don't frame or do anything with your admission letters as those are required 99% of the time during the paperwork process!

For anyone needing shots, titers, or TB skin tests that isn't using insurance through your Doc, go to your nearest Health Department! They are most affordable! Believe they only take cash though. I had everything done for under $100. Also, no one is in any system until you have accepted your seat, admissions sends it over to Nursing as to who's accepted and declined, and orientation is done. Not getting your items needed turned in can also pose a problem.

Here is the link to register. The company the Florida Dept. of Health has contracted to conduct the exams is called Prometric. You are tested on 23 possible skills. You have a multiple choice and skills exam. It costs just about $130 for the whole thing. You don't need an actual class. Find one of those weekend courses that go over the skills and info. covered. Some will get you a CPR card as well. Expect the classes to run about $100 for a weekend course. A lot of the skills can be looked-up on YouTube as well. When/if you register with Prometric, don't sign up for a Tampa location as metropolitan areas make you wait several weeks to test. http://www.prometric.com/NurseAide/FL.htm

Bartend, as usual...everything I suggest is my opinion and what I believe or have seen work. That being said, I declined a sponsorship not long ago. Some hospitals can actually offer you a sponsorship on a semesterly basis. Example, I just completed my first year and a hospital offered to pick-up my final year in turn for me working only one year to repay the one year's worth of tuition and book debt. However, I believe I will be marketable enough through the work I'm doing to be able to find a job by the time I graduate, if not long thereafter. So, look into whether or not a sponsorship can be picked up at a later time if jobs seem to be scarce. Also, ask if hospitals have a GN Program (stands for graduate nurse). Some facilities accept 20 or so nursing graduates a couple times a year to transition into the job market and give them experience. They will pay as you learn and, once you have your license, allow you to do all the skills of an everyday nurse. In the end, build your resume will relevant experience and credentials. You will want to try and work as you move through any program (RN or LPN). The people that are not getting hired are most likely those that exit programs with little to no experience in the field. That's why I got my CNA license before the program began and networked to be hired on before my 1st semester was over and everyone else was eligible. Once you get hired somewhere, try to stay at that facility while "floating" to different departments and areas of practice. I had a "home department," but went all over the hospital to gather more experience and skills so I can add them to my resume and apply for higher-up jobs along the way. I would also recommend only asking to be hired as a PRN, Per Diem, or "as needed" employee. Part and Full-time employees will get shifts over you, but you won't have a required amount of shifts to remain employed. PRN employees usually make more money per hour since they are "as needed." Weekend days or nights worked best (one or two is up to you and your home life and school workload). Anything else, just ask!

Bartend, In order to get the sponsorship, you have to set-up an interview with the Director/Manager of HR. That information, as well as any other sponsorship available, should be provided at Orientation. However, if you are selected for East Campus and opt to interview, and be selected, for a Bayonet Point spot, you'd have to move over to West Campus since the Professors that facility works with for clinical rotations teach over there. We had a couple students who interviewed and were selected and opted to go over to West. That being said, if you decide to accept any sponsorship, there are some rules to know. 1. If you move, drop-out, or get held back, you normally owe tuition and books + 50% (I know- killer interest rate). 2. Once you graduate, you have a certain amount of time to complete your NCLEX exam and begin work as an RN. 3. Most often, hospitals will place you where they need you, not necessarily what specialty you are interested in. Some will work with you though. 4. You lose the ability to negotiate pay. You will be paid a "street rate" as if you're any nurse walking in off the street. Just get all your information before making any decision! I opted to create a resume and network during my rotation and was fortunate enough to be hired on by the end of my first semester (see post about getting your CNA license before school). And, personally, I would attend East Campus if you're referring to the RN program. We had no students drop or be held back our first 2 semesters. Congrats to everyone who got in! You're gonna love it!

My test was the first version of the TEAS and I had an 89.9 Cumulative. But remember, admission cut-off is different every semester since it's always different applicants with different GPA's and TEAS scores.

The standards change every semester since it's always a different number of people applying with different GPA's based on those 22 credit hours. I believe anywhere from 100-120 a semester get in with the average GPA's being around 3.8 or so. I did get in, but had already accepted a letter from a program that begun sooner.