Go Knights

I think all of you are definitely ready to conquer NCLEX. I found out today that I passed at 75 questions! I think Kaplan does a decent job preparing you for the exam and types of questions and their wording. But, I didn't use the decision tree as much as I would have liked. Some of the questions are just impossible to apply it too, you simply ask yourself uummm ok, so what are the outcomes and is it desired? Everyone is going to do great!

Skittles, your scores are great! You are definitely more than ready if Kaplan is any indication of our success, which it is! I completely agree, as my professors said, you'll never feel ready for this test...we just have to go for it

Hey everyone! I wanted to start a thread for those taking NCLEX soon, whether this summer or simply sometime this year. I'm actually taking mine within the upcoming week! **activate panic mode now** haha I want us to be able to share tips, what we found helpful, what didn't work, and of course once we pass! I took the Kaplan course and also found it helpful when people shared their scores, so I could relate and feel just as confident in their success. (What else is this website for, but help and comfort during chaos!) So, my scores have been as follows: Q bank: 100% complete at 64% Q Trainer 5: 66 Q Trainer 6: 60 Q Trainer 7: 63 Readiness test: 64 (I did all the q trainers, but the beginning ones multiply times after a month or so, thus scores aren't completely true?) How is everyone else doing!? Best of luck; we're almost to finish line!

Yaaayyyyyy!!!!!! So happy for everyone! :) There is talk about moving to Lake Nona, but no for a while. I don't think it is something you awill have to worry about. Congrates again! Get ready for the wild ride cause it goes by so fast!

Steviekate, yep there will both Juniors and Seniors helping out with the interviews, just mainly checking you all in and getting the groups organized :) Unfortunately, I can't help out though, I have clinicals instead. Good luck everyone! You will all do fine! This is the first year they're doing it, and I don't think it is meant to be an intense process, just to, like you've all said, make sure you're dedicated, able to communicate well, and give off the presence that they want in representing their program! So excited for you all to be a part of the CON family; it's a pretty darn amazing experience :)

Yes, the website was their old policy. Last year we didn't have to complete the background check until after we were temp accepted. Their system this year for acceptance is much more thorough I think and will definitely be worth it in the end :)

For clinical sites, they all differ and again is random on which you're assignment to. You could live right next to a hospital, yet you get assigned to another one. It's kind of silly. But, first you're out in the community. Then you are at long term care facilities (all prob within 30 to 45 minutes from UCF). Then the second semester you start at hospitals, either Florida Hospital (like Orlando-East, I think Dr. Philips?, MD Anderson), or ORMC (Orlando Regional, Winnie Palmer, Arnold Palmer). Almost all clinicals start at 6:45AM, some you'll have two days, so until the afternoon, or you may just have one day of clinicals, but you wouldn't get off clinicals until 7:30PM that night... It's great you are moms and that you are going back to school, but with clinicals you have to be so flexible!

Hey all! I know the nerves are definitely still there. As someone already answered, we have no control over when our classes are! They literally assign everything. Clinicals are almost always Thursday and Friday, with labs and classes Monday through Wednesday. Also, they'll go over everything in detail that you need for the program, including equipment! So I know you are all anxious and maybe trying to get a head start on being prepared, but they could change some stuff. They send out details about stethoscopes, and don't recommend getting anything too "fancy" like the cardio. You're just starting out learning to hear all the adventitious sounds, and the cardio are so much more specific, that a lof of students can distinguish the fine sounds like are hair or something crazy that is heard really well in the cardio between normal/abnormal. It is kind of overkill for the program, but again they send out instructions and different deals that you can get with your other supplies. Good luck everyone! If you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask. For me last year when I was in your shoes, it was one of my saving graces, being able to stress with others but also get reassurance from people that were in the program already :) It may take several days to answer cause this semester is intense!!! lol

The uniforms are a little expensive, like 20 for a shirt then 30 for the pants (you have to wear them to clinicals obviously but also the days that you have lab)...but you all are lucky. We have an all white uniform now, white pants and top, but they're changing the uniform for the incoming class. It's black pants and a white top with gold and stuff (kind of looks like a band uniform). They are a little more though I think becuase they made them microfiber or something. Good luck everyone! And yes, they are very strict about uniform and shoes; completely all white! Definitely no crocs or nike shocks (because of the holes and stuff). They must cover your heal too, so no slip ons.

Hi everyone! Right now I am in undergrad, finishing a BSN nursing program. I am pretty sure that I would like to continue to grad school shortly after graduating (perhaps a few years after some work experience) either nurse practioner or CRNA route. I understand that grades, GRE, and other aspects are vital to graduate school applications, but how essential is undergraduate research? We are required to take an undergrad research class, but some instructors are pushing that we complete research and write a thesis our last year of the program as well. I know that research is vital in graduate school, but how important is it that we have some experience in undergrad? Would not doing this program eliminate me as a potential applicant to grad school? I don't mind the hard work, but I don't want to overwhelm myself either if it isn't vital. I've done really well grade wise and would hate to damage my chances of grad school by dropping my GPA because I was attempting Honors in the major, or completion of a thesis and defense in addition to my courses and clinicals. I appreciate all of your help and advice!

MamaKate, yes they have a very high percent pass rate for the NCLEX, so they definitely prepare us; however, NCLEX is raising the score required to pass this April, so the pass rate will likely lower overall in the country due to the score increase! They use NCLEX type questions in each class during regular tests to get you use to the format or typical wording of NCLEX questions (and a lot of select all that apply). Also, there are ATI tests throughout the program, each semester, for multiply classes which gauge how well you mastered the material for each class. I'm sure the review gets more intense during the last year of the program as well.

Nursowiczka2b, it's been going really well so far! Obviously a ton a hard work and very time consuming, but the professors are wonderful and clinicals are the best part of each week with a variety of opportunities! I have no complaints, but I'm sure my sleep deprived, constant junk food eating body would totally disagree lol

For the basic program last year, when I applied, they said at orientation that over 700, nearly 800 people applied to the basic program, but a lot of people do get "thrown out" immediately because of their TEAS or issues with prereqs or suprisingly a lot of people fail out of the drug test after they've been accepted. Also, there was a maximum of 120 people in my class at the start last year...a bit less now that we are in the second semester. But, the lecture room doesn't hold more people than that, so definitely not even close to 200 people be accepted!

Good luck everyone! I was in your shoes last year, except not having to go through the whole interview process. I am currently in the program, and I can reassure you that although waiting is terrible and quite exhausting, every second is worth it! The program is truly amazing! So again, best of luck, and I hope to see you all around in the Fall :)

Unfortunately, I don't; we are all curious about it as well actually because this is the first year they're doing it! My impression is don't stress out about it. I think just gpas and teas scores are all very close, they're just looking to ensure you're genuine about nursing and representing their program. We've had a handful of people leave the program already during this semester for silly reasons which could've been addressed prior like what to expect and the strong commitment you have to make because it is so intense and time consuming!

No problem ginune00! That's a great TEAS score don't worry! Good luck! MamaKate, I'm not positive because I was already at UCF when I applied, but you need to take the TEAS some where else because you aren't a student here. I think semimole state offers the test, so I would assume valencia does too? There are a lot of public testing centers.

Your class schedule all depends on the labs you're assigned to. Typically, you have lectures three days a week mon-wed and then clinicals thursday and friday. The lecture days aren't too bad, like half-day, but the clinical days can be pretty long though. We just had a sim lab orientation, and they're the coolest thing ever! lol But, you don't actually start doing scenarios until the Spring.

The first semester isn't too bad. It's a lot of busy work and just getting use to managing your lecture and lab schedule with your clinical schedule. The second semester, spring, is suppose to be the most challenging. It's a demanding class load and we start our 12 hour clinical shifts too. But, all of the teachers are absolutely wonderful. They're all so passionate about being nurses and seeing everyone suceed!

Hi everyone, I don't want to intrude on your thread, but wanted to comment considering I was in your exact same position last year. I am currently in UCF's BSN program, and I also started a thread on allnurses last year while I was going through the application process and taking the TEAS. There were a few student nurses that posted on my thread, easing our anxiety and answering any questions we had. I just want to wish you guys the best of luck and to encourage keep working hard. I know it is tough to keep focused, but the program is absolutely amazing and once you're in the program, everyday you'll be thankful for all your previous hard work. Jackiwvictoria, I would recommend taking the TEAS again, not that your score isn't decent, but you can always do better! I took my TEAS twice just to see if my score could get any higher, and I improved greatly the second time! Ensure that everything you're submitting, like yours scores is your absolute best, so you don't have any hesitation or worry about being accepted (it makes the waiting a lot easier) :)

I don't want to argue with anyone, but in defense of UCF, I am currently in UCF's program, and I think it is a wonderful experience. Yes, it is hard work and a lot of time and dedication, but you're dealing with people's lives. So, if you think a nursing program is too difficult or challenging, then I hope you wouldn't pursue this profession because it should be a lot of work to learn everything and understand the concepts in depth. The staff encourages you to your potential and critically think at an advanced level, nothing close to being "abused." Plus, if you look at UCF's pass rate of their students on NCLEX, then you'll realize that UCF has a really great program that prepares you to actually be a nurse, unlike many of the other schools in the area.

Pricesspriya11, yes our orientation is in the middle of August, but I believe it is just for UCF BSN students only. The concurrent programs don't share the same orientation. Congrats to everyone!

I don't know for sure, but I think we will rec more info about supplies and textbooks and uniforms after we've completed the background check, drug test, and everything. Once that is all clear and finished by the end of June, then I think we'll get more information, but that's just my guess. I think the only thing we have to wait until orientation to find out about is our clinical group/ schedule. And definitely feel free to ask your questions here. I know I'll be doing the same thing, and perhaps someone on here will know the definite answer and you'll get a quicker reply. :)

I think it would be best if you guys started a new thread! Not that we don't want to help you configure your chances for applications or relax your nerves about the process, but we all still have a lot to do beginning the program, so I think we would all agree it's best to focus on that. I wish you guys the best of luck though that are going to apply next year. Once you make a new thread, definitely post the name of it and under what category it's under, so people that read here can find it easily! VanillaBean- 1) Yes, they're two seperate packets that you have to purchase, one for each code. and 2) I'm not sure, maybe just talk to your physician about it when you get your physical done, I'm sure they'll know exactly what to do!

Once you apply to the program, you'll see that they only look at very few things. You can even attend an information session, and they'll tell you that they look at your TEAS score, overall GPA, and pre-req GPA. Best of luck!

Has anyone rec further information or a packet from the CON yet? I know we have a somewhat long summer, but I'm anxious to know what our next steps will be and when everything needs to be completed by or when our orientation is and when we choose classes...