2012

See https://allnurses.com/tennessee-state-nursing/tsu-nursing-volstate-670093-page3.html I just graduated from the Main Campus TSU ADN program and it prepared me well for the boards. I passed the 1st time, with 75 questions (the minimum to take) in less than 1.5 hrs. I was not an exception. The pass rate should be much higher for this year's class because I don't know of 1 person in my class that has failed. I believe most have taken boards as well. I have a Bachelor's from a Big 10 school, for my previous career, and am not ashamed of attending TSU after all. I believe that those folks that failed the boards the 1st time at TSU were ones that either took boards right after graduating (without doing the studying necessary) or they waited too long after graduation (like the Fall) to take boards. As for the "quality of students" at TSU, the students are just like anyone else in Middle TN. Honestly, TSU students are actually probably better prepared for various situations because their labs aren't extremely high-end and don't baby the nursing students. But, the students are still well prepared, from clinical experiences. TSU's standards are the same as other schools in the areas, when it comes to acceptance requirements. In fact, several classmates had 3.9 or 4.0 GPAs (and they were transfer students into TSU). I was personally accepted at Aquinas (only applied to TSU/Aquinas), but chose to go to TSU because of the $. Don't listen to rumors about a school...only go off of 1st-person accounts. While nursing school is to help prepare you for boards and to be a safe nurse, you are ultimately responsible for passing boards the 1st time. Good luck and let me know if you have further questions.

Just graduated in May from the Main Campus @ TSU -- passed my NCLEX the 1ST time with 75 questions in less than 1.5 hrs...some people might argue, but I believe that the nursing program at TSU obviously prepared me enough to pass. Good luck to the new class and my only advice is to READ, don't assume you know the topics already. If you still don't understand a topic, look up videos, etc on the internet. Don't expect much free time...don't get burned out though. If you can get a tech job after your 1st semester (and aren't already a CNA), I suggest you get a hospital job as a tech right after...those folks found jobs 1st. There will be times where you will be frustrated with the staff...yes, they have their moments for being unorganized, etc; however, they seem to be getting better now that Dr. Lewis is settled into her position. As for Vol State, while a few folks were satisfied, others were not. They felt that they weren't getting treated the same as the Main Campus. This has now supposedly changed, because the same instructors drive to both campuses for classes. But, I swear we all went through much of the same issues. I feel that nursing school is exactly what you put into it. If you go in there with an attitude expecting everyone to cater to your whims, then expect heck. If you go in as a professional and are respectful, you will be fine. I don't mean to not complain when there are issues, but be professional and follow the chain-of-command until it's resolved. Get to know your classmates, setup study groups EARLY on, etc, because they will be the ones to support you when times are tough. Let things roll off, because they aren't always going to be perfect. Ultimately, TSU is a lot less expensive, they are accredited (yes, the nursing program was re-accredited this year --- for 8 years?), it has great clinical experiences, and it does prepare one for boards.

Good point. If I remember correctly, some classmates of mine were able to buy the codes from Pearson's site for $50 or so...?

I think you're right. Maybe if you have a tablet or something, it might be good. Those books are HEAVY.

It is good to have because there are a ton of extra questions for each chapter. You may be able to share it with someone.

Vol State and Main Campus follow the same curriculum and syllabus.

In nursing school, it is so hard for my classmates to work their full-time jobs...they usually work 3 12-hr shifts on the weekends/weeknights. They have to work full-time, because they're the bread-winners. If you can afford to quit and sacrifice your luxuries for a year or two, it'll be worth it.

[quote name=Want2beAnurse )]Give your boss another excuse to leave at 4:00 p.m., other than school. Bosses hate it when employees want to better themselves and eventually get them fired. Unfortunately, some bosses are like this. When I asked my old boss if I could leave at 1pm on Wednesdays and work later the rest of the week(always there from 8a til 7p anyway -- salaried employee), she gave me an ultimatum. Though I do miss the $, I am so glad I turned in my notice and went back to school.

Read ahead, take notes from your recordings, do lots of practice questions from NCLEX books, don't plan on having much of a social life, plan on having to pay $ for Evolve access (by El Sevier) every semester (at least we have), and try to enjoy it, too!

Try the Saunders or Kaplan books; they've been recommended by several that have taken the NCLEX.

Congrats, americangirl640! If you don't mind me asking, what was your GPA & do you have any suggestions about applying for the program?

No, your counselor's misled...I will tell you firsthand that you need to be careful @ ANY school you attend. I've attended UTK, Ohio State, etc and crime is the same everywhere. I mainly attend the downtown campus & the nursing bldg. My classes are pretty much during the day anyway. You just have to smart wherever you go.

What was your score, if you don't mind & did you get into Vandy's MSN program?

Where did you hear that TSU's losing their accreditation? I haven't heard anything about it...they were just up for renewal this year (every school goes through it every 8 years)...?

check out this post: feel pressured to do 2 people transfer alone (https://allnurses.com/cna-nursing-assistant/feel-pressured-do-570065.html), ev1987. don't feel pressured into using a 2 person lift alone. it can be dangerous for both you & the patient. see your charge nurse/nurse mgr if need be...ask for their advice as to how they think it should be handled. patients first.