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you'll get a different opinion from everyone on this topic. Some people still faithfully use their rolly bag, some never got one, others like me never used it past the 1st week. My routine is that I look at the assigned reading and bring the book(s) on it to class and my lap top with a notebook and pen. Lab days I bring my lab bag, drug book, lab values book, and lap top. Both of those books are tiny so again, no big rolly bag necessary. Clinical days try to bring as LITTLE as possible because often your things are tucked into a break room corner taking up space so definitely no rolly bag. I loved my "nurse purse" that I got off of etsy bc it held all of my clinical supplies and I put my print outs inside. https://www.etsy.com/listing/121951632/navy-chevron-nursing-purse-anycase-nurse It all depends on what kind of person you are, but I can say that I've never felt unprepared, personally. Hopefully this is helpful =)

So fun question. There are MANY options on how to get around this. I bought all of my books on amazon with the exception of the "Concept Mapping" book. The med/surg package I decided not to get, I bought the book alone (978-0323086783). The package includes that book and a companion. I have yet to find a situation where I wish I had the companion (978-0323091435), yet others find it very helpful. Either way, I believe they are cheaper separately, even if you bought both new. Side note, buy all of your books, don't rent. You'll need them across various semesters. Also *IF* you don't mind having to match up chapter variations, it is fine to buy the old editions. And if you have a buddy who got in with you, I would go in halvsies on Dosage Calculations (if you are pretty confident with math) and Concept Mapping. I've barely opened those books at all. Hmmmmm, that's all that stands out as stuff "I wish someone had told me". So congrats and have a great time with all of the shopping, planning, and daydreaming between now and when class starts. Smalltownhero and I are on the FNSA board so we will be seeing you at orientation!

I replied to you regarding this on another thread, but i'll repaste my references here. This is not true. The VA accepts NLN or ACEN. And this degree and license is recognized across state lines, especially since the NCLEX is the same regardless of what state you take it in, this should make sense. Now the asterisk to the state reciprocity issue, some states are more difficult than others to transfer into (i.e. california and ny), however that does not mean you cannot transfer into those states, you just have to jump through hoops and provide a lot of documentation to do so. That would be the same regardless of what program you graduated from. Below is my response from the other thread. I hope this clarifies some of the confusion that is going around. "It seems that the accreditation issue is poorly understood. Perhaps it's the slew of abbreviations that one has to sift through. Just to clarify, the VA accepts NLN or CCNE accreditation and EFSC has NLN. I did my research before choosing this program and I don't regret it for a second. 3rd semester in and I am quite pleased, and I have met quite a few in the class that just graduated who have employment and haven't even passed boards yet. Good luck with your school choice! National League for Nursing - Membership http://www.vacareers.va.gov/assets/c...g_Brochure.pdf"

Good luck to you all! It's a great program. I look forward to meeting those of you who make it at orientation =)

Wildthng is right. I don't know of anyone in particular who didn't submit letters of recommendation, but I know that they like them. The essay is also a big thing because they seem to like getting a glimpse into the applicant's personality. Good luck!

Like smalltownhero said (hahaha, so funny to think of you as this handle and not as your name now =D), so many people have families. many of these same people are working full time. If you are dedicated, organized, and have a good support system, you can absolutely do this. I don't work right now, but i have my daughter watched 3-4 days a week and I study in the evenings after she's in bed, but she's 15 months. If your child is older, I bet you can get more study time in. Feel free to message me and I can give you more of an idea of the schedule requirements. Some of the parents and/or working students felt a little blindsided at orientation but it's not too bad. Keep in mind though, we're still 1st semester. We aren't sure what to expect in the semesters to come, bu people do this with kids all the time =)

Or if you're more comfortable, add me on fb. Kristen drew clark.i can add you to the group then

Message me your name and I'll add you =) congrats!

Sounds like a great idea to me. If you guys are on Facebook we could start a group there for our class. Ive done it in A&P and it was super helpful for scheduling study groups and whatnot. My email is [email protected]

I'm sorry, I dont know how you'd find that out.if they made a mistake on your points I'm sure they'd fix it. I'd call the nursing department office and ask if there id anything you can do.

Yay! I'll be seeing you at orientation then. So exciting. ..and do much to do. Did you see that book list? Yeesh

Oh no! Sorry about that. Good luck! I'm sending you and hopefuldreamer05 positive thoughts!

Thanks =) I had an 89% in reading and an 83% overall on the TEAS, 3.0 gpa, and A's on all the prereqs, 35 points overall.

Yes, i got my letter today. I got in! Who else? So excited =)

I broke down and called the department today. They said that letters are going out this week!

I did it, and 3 more classes and a full time job. I received A's in all 5 classes. You just have to be disciplined and organized. I started each week with making an agenda with due dates and then budgeting time to each task. It was extreme but manageable

Ucf's accelerated bsn program

No, no offense taken at all. Initially the accelerated program was my goal. Then I went to the info session I was in shock over how much more time they said to expect. With my family, I had to think about what was fair to me and my husband and daughter. They even went so far as to say that they have only known 1 person who hsd a young family and completed the program. The drive sucks too, especially with gas being so expensive!

Legitimate question =) A couple of reasons. 1. my husband's job is here in palm bay and he is the reason I can go to do nursing without having to work. 2. I have a 9 month old and the accelerated bsn program in orlando (only one in the area unless I want to drive 3+ hours each way) is a time commitment of about 80 hrs per week (or so the advisers have told me). 3. I don't really see it as a step backward because the NP program at UCF will accept my BS and the ADN in lieu of the BSN. It's a conditional situation but they said that since my bachelors is health science it isn't an issue. Hopefully that makes sense. And smalltownhero (mike), name is Kristen. We should definitely keep in touch over the next few weeks. I'm getting ridiculous about checking my mail =D

The advisor told me that the cut off for cocoa's fall class was 32 so I'd say that your chances are pretty good. It's hard to feel confident until that letter is in hand though =/

no, I did but that was a long time ago. I do have a BS in Health Science from UCF though. You?

About 1 -3 weeks to go now. Good luck to you! Definitely post when you get your letter!

Anyone else "patiently" waiting the next few weeks to hear back about their application to the palm bay program? I had 35 points and I'm crossing my fingers that I got in and trying to not get too excited until letters go out. I'd love to hear from anyone else in the same boat

ctyler98, are you in the ADN program or the rn to bsn? I'm applying for admission to the college in the fall just to take their Philosophy in Healthcare requirement since that's the last prereq I'll need and then I'm applying for Spring admission. The counselor told me that they are transitioning to a 4 yr only BSN program in Fall 2012, so I'm pushing to get in before they change over.