kiki617

Hi All - I gave up my seat for the fall CEC. I dropped from the mobility program last fall. I have most of the books, stethoscope, scrubs with patches (mostly small, petite pants) and a bunch of other nursing school swag that I would love to get rid of. Please contact me if you are interested. I will sell all of it for $ 300. The books I had bought off of a coworker of mine last year so many are older additions, not all. chiara.corey @ gmail.com if you're interested. CONGRATS to you all and best of luck!

Hey Beckie, I didn't have any issue. On the site they have a hyphen there...UL30im2-M1 (I don't remember when I did it if it was there... I just copied and pasted from the site and didn't have an issue). Have you tried that?

So its all very self taught.... they go over a powerpoint then in lab your kind of on your own but can ask questions. During the open lab hours there is a lab tech you can ask but I haven't done that and Im not sure how helpful they are. I would just go over all the mastery checklists and other resources - http://sites.austincc.edu/health/rnsg/student-resources/. I'm still working 8 hour shifts so I haven't been able to make the open hours- but will be changing to 12hr weekends mid august and will be available then.

I also sent my acceptance! Shits about to get really real ?. I look forward to meeting all of you!

I got the calculation email as well.... I don't really get it. It's good to have a higher number, right? Does anyone know how many people they accept?

I did and registered for the EVC for the second session. Cindy said we would hear in mid June if we're accepted. Thats so late! My job is pressing me as far as the fall schedule, especially since I'm not the only one who applied. I've heard working during this program is really not a good idea... what are you guys doing work wise?

The coworker I mentioned before said that there wasn't enough applicants- that they needed 20 more seats! Idk if thats true but I wonder if they would cancel this cycle altogether. Otherwise, it seems we would all be accepted!

y'all see they extended it again until May 24!? ?

Hi All, I also applied for Fall & I'm also seeing a To Do for one of my transcripts (I sent all 7 in one envelope so not sure why this is the only one still on there, maybe bc I received a bachelors from that school?) I've emailed the registrar over a week ago and no response so I'm going to call on Monday. Based on the summer pacesetter thread, my stats aren't looking so competitive, especially for fall. I have a 3.2 and a 86 on the HESI. I've also applied to a fast paced ADN program in Austin for those with certain healthcare degrees/certs (I'm a surgical technologist) and I thought the ADN was my top choice but now I'm really wanting to do this program more as the cost for the final BSN (after doing a bridge RN-BSN program) isn't really that different. It's a bit late to retake the HESI and I'm currently in the TX/US government classes so if I reapply, hopefully I'll have better stats then. Good luck to everyone!

wow, all the way back to march 25! That's disappointing... I had to really work it out to get it all in for that Feb 1 deadline and now more in the pool who didn't plan enough to meet the deadline. Doesn't seem fair but such is life. I'm now debating retaking the HESI for a better score. I wish the dates were updated on when to hear back!

I'm not a LPN but a surgical tech and also applied for fall mobility. I haven't heard anything but a coworker of mine said the application was extended (she said this was from Cindy to her via email), although I don't see that on the website. I really wish I knew the rough timeframe to expect to hear something. I also applied to a program out of Austin and had to do a 6 month lease to be able to move if thats the decision. Please update should you hear any updates! Ill do the same. Good luck!

just a reminder that at the end of the day, do what is right for you. I listened to too many people years ago and I regret some decisions I've made in my career. With that being said, here's my two cents (and I apologize that its a bit negative). I'm a surgical tech and I like the OR. I don't love it. I changed to pediatrics which has been a way better fit for me and I love the cases we do. It is cool to see that part for sure. Will I stay in the OR as a nurse, maybe. But I can tell you that surgical techs are incredibly underpaid for the amount of work, both physical and mental, that you are required to do. You rarely get a thank you and you are often the one that gets the brunt of the issues the doc may have with the nurse or resident or sales rep or whatever. You will grow a thick skin over time but sometimes I question if its been worth it bc of that, because of chronically being dehydrated, having varicose veins way too young, to being sick and hurt bc of lack of support in the OR from administrators who don't have a clue and won't spend the $ or spare the two mins in turnover time to provide the proper equipment to move a patient or heavy equipment. I used to think none of these things would bother me, and some days are better than others, but over time it gets old. If I could do it over I wouldn't have been a scrub and just done nursing. If you are looking just between surgical tech and rad tech, I would go rad tech. A friend of mine makes about double what I do with a lot less experience- he sits during the case and presses a button. (obviously I'm over simplifying here). You can then specialize even more for a change of pace and even more $- like CT etc. No, money isn't everything, but your physical and mental health is. Good luck in whatever you choose to do.

IDK if I'm just not getting it bc I'm overloaded w/ finals and meeting all the requirements for these applications or maybe I'm just an idiot- but I'm finding the information to schedule the HESI really confusing . Maybe someone can help a chick out!? I want to apply to two programs- one in Austin, TX (ACC) the other in Houston, TX (UTHouston). For Austin, the school conducts the exam but you can only use it for their application. OK, so I want to take it somewhere else so that I can take the exam once and apply to two schools, but when I go to Elsevier and Prometric to schedule, they want just one school ID. Is there no option for two? And Prometric is asking for a program identifier which IDK what that is or how to get one and the school codes don't work here. ***** I'm frustrated and don't want to mess this up and miss a deadline or have to take it multiple times if I don't have to. Any advice!?

I'm also looking to apply. I don't have any of the history/government classes done (not from TX originally so this wasn't a requirement for my previous bachelors degree) although I'm registered for next semester. I believe I have enough credits to still apply though after I complete this class that ends in December. I'll also sit for the Hesi after this class as that is a requirement for Austin CC, where I'm also applying. Overall I have about a 3.3 GPA. Not outstanding, but I wonder if they look into previous healthcare experience at all? Probably not, but that would be nice. I live in Austin and haven't done the webinar or info session. I'm curious if the 4 semesters are consecutive?

I admittedly skimmed through these posts but as a surgical tech (pursing nursing and regretting just not going for the RN in the first place) I personally feel there should only be RNs in the OR lol. I know I should* defend the profession but techs are grossly underpaid for all we do and the knowledge involved, and I feel that the newer nurses I work with are even farther from understanding anything at the field. I often have to remind surgeons that something they want me to do is out of scope for techs- but they have a closer relationship to me as the scrub so they ask. If everyone was licensed and the scrub and circulator were interchangeable, I feel there would be a more cohesive team. The circulator wouldn't move slow as molasses to get something after some snarky comment to the scrub bc they would have also been on the other side of that- when the case wasn't actually booked correctly or the doc decided to do something different once they were 'in there'. And I'm sure there are techs that could care less about having to make their nurse run all case. While I understand we all have days that are without many breaks etc- as a tech, I don't get ANY break when I'm scrubbed in except for lunch- regardless of standing for a 10 hr case. Often I just hear there's more nurses to give breaks- but it would be so nice if everyone could break either role- and after a day of the 10 hour case you got to circulate the following day which at least gets some sit down time! I may obv feel differently once I'm a nurse but this is just be two cents from the tech side. Bottom line- the OR is a unique environment and def not for everybody.

Hi! I'm not an RN but a CST, so not sure how much help I am. But I recently started in peds after adult OR and I like it way more! The main differences for me is that there is much more time with the patient in the OR. It takes anesthesia much more time to do what they need to do once the patient is in the room. Turnover and start time doesn't feel as rushed as in adults. The patients are obviously smaller so that makes positioning, prepping easier... and for me instruments being smaller is easier to handle. The rooms can get hot. Today I had to change my shirt because I was wearing lead in an 85 degree room while scrubbed and it was pretty gross. Obviously it's not as bad when not wearing lead and scrubbed, but if the case has you running or if you have some hormonal changes happening, it's something to be aware of. I would think the transition from adult to pets and vice versa would not be massive. The equipment and instruments are still the same, the frequent cases may be a little different (on call adults=lap chole, peds=lap appy...etc). Hope that helps a bit and best of luck.

I would check with AST- ast.org and the TX state assembly may be able to help as well. I do see non certified positions posted on occasion and as long as you attended an accredited program, I wouldn't think it would be a problem. But you may want to speak with someone there to get the right answer. good luck

Hi Amber- Thank you for your response! I have def heard a lot of great things about ACC and that price is really hard to beat. I think I will still go for ACC and UT San Antonio. I have to retake some courses for ACC but can apply sooner for UT so I can weigh out the options. Seems like the cost would be about the same (20k) if I do RN-BSN in addition to ACC program.

Hey Y'all- I moved to Austin from Boston about 3 years ago after declining a competitive ABSN program up north due to cost. Prob one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. As a surgical tech I was interested in ACCs mobility program as I could be done quicker then community colleges up north (all 2 yr). But a few of my prereqs expired (API, APII, Micro) and I also needed pharmacology and so I held off for a min to get settled in this very new place. Now, I have started with the prereqs at ACC and have started looking at programs. Cost is still a major issue for me as I don't have family support, no savings, and prior debt from my undergrad. I'm determined to make this happen as it's all I think about. I worry about all the time ACC would take and would consider BSN if it wasn't significantly more expensive. I'm seeking feedback from those who are in, or have completed some programs, and can give me an idea of what the cost has been. I'm also open to other programs around TX if they are cheaper. Here are the main programs I have looked at: ACC mobility- $8,516 UT Health San Antonio - $55,205 (is this accurate for Accelerated?! Not sure I am understanding this sheet: http://students.uthscsa.edu/financialaid/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2014/03/Accelerated.pdf) UTMB Galveston - $19,697 is what they estimate for in-state, but n ot sure this is accurate based on the other info on the site (https://ispace.utmb.edu/departments/Enrollment%20Services/webfiles/student_financials/tuition_and_fees/Fees1415SON-BS.pdf) Thanks for any/all feedback.

thanks for your response and feedback :)

Hi Ya'll. Does anyone know if science prereqs have a time limit? I'm just beginning to explore other programs and recently learned UTHSCSA does not require these prereqs to be taken within 5 years (most schools require microbio and A&P to be taken within 5 years). I'm currently enrolled at Austin Community College to retake these courses but would not be done for another year. Any help is appreciated!

Hi Ilovenursing15. You have worked very hard and are fortunate to be in the program you are. Give yourself some credit! I worked very hard to get into an accelerated BSN program in Boston and was finally accepted and had to decline due to changes in my financial situation. I'm currently retaking prereqs and relocated to Texas to get it done - for cheaper. It's been an incredibly long road and I'm no where near where you are. Hold your head up, volunteer at MGH if you can (I used to volunteer in the neuro ICU and would chat up all the nursing that would give me a time of day)- meet as many people in the field as you can as networking matters, and you will be done in a semester anyways and will have to work on up so work on getting some thick skin. And again, give yourself some credit. You deserve to be where you are and you will be a great nurse.

Would either of you be able to tell me what tuition reimbursement St.David's offers? (I know this is a bit of topic here but I would really appreciate it! Thanks yall)

I would have to retake AP I And II, microbio (as these will be past the 5 yr mark) and I have to take pharmacology and the hesi-for Austin community college. I'd also have to be a resident for a year for the cheaper price there.

Thank you all for the advice. I really can't fathom that amount of debt. When I started the journey to nursing years ago, I never thought I would be in this position. Thank you recession. I think Austin is the way to go. I can't stay with my brother for a long time, just a few months. But it will still give me some time to get it together and it's much cheaper to live out there. My only other issue is that I'm pretty sure that I wouldn't want to be an OR nurse. I know being a ST sets me up nicely, but there just isn't enough patient time and the overall environment isn't something I love. But it is a foot in the door and for all the failures these few years, I did at least accomplish that. @sistrmoon - I hear ACC takes many applications to get in. In doing their formula, although I would need the hesi as well as pharmacology, I had about a 34. Other posters said they still haven't gotten in with double that score. At least it's an option. Thanks again everyone :)