sixela21

Thank you! Yeah, at first my mother thought that I had gotten it, but because it's one of those "optional/elective" vaccines, it turns out I didn't end up getting it after all--she checked. I'm getting the first shot tomorrow, and I believe I'll be ok. All of my other Immunizations are complete, and I'll be able to show that I had a titer done and then followed up with the first round. Hopefully, that's good enough. My school doesn't seem like the type to make a big deal about that sort of thing, although I was surprised no one in the whole department could answer my question because that one person was on vacation! A little strange to me, but we will be doing clinicals at several different hospitals in the city, and I don't want it to become an issue later on. Thank you again!

Thank you for your response. Yes, I was thinking the same about getting the titer done after the first shot. I have an appointment scheduled with the Nurse Practitioner tomorrow, so hopefully she can provide some insight, and I will be getting the first shot of the series. I just need to have everything finished up by August 1st (Next Friday), and this is the last vaccine, and then I need my physical. I was told the Program Coordinator will be back by next Tuesday, so I will double check with her, but from what I've gathered so far, I should be ok. Thanks a bunch, guys!!

Hello all, I had a very urgent question about Immunization requirements for starting clinicals. At my school (Georgia State--anyone else who attends please, offer some insight), we were given a list of vaccinations to acquire and/or provide dates for or show titer results. I have all vaccinations and titer results for Varicella and Hep B--problem--Hep B came back non-reactive/not immune! My doctor suggested I get the titer after she couldn't find my results, but I swear I got it as a child around the same time as the MMR, etc. I was even skeptical about getting the Hep B vacc at first, as I've heard that some never really show immunity and are made to be vaccinated several times and do several rounds and even have negative reactions to it. My school gives us the option to elect out of it, and I almost did, but I did not want to play with my acceptance status, so I decided to suck it up and get the titer. Problem--there are 3 parts to the vaccine, and it's a 6 month course. We were just informed 2 months ago that we needed these vaccinations, and my clinical start by first week of September. Could they keep my from participating for not having the whole series? I could get at least one or two of the first shots before clinicals start, but the last wouldn't be until end of the semester or top of next year when semester is over. No one in the whole department could answer my question, as Program Coordinator is on vacation until next week--when these forms are due!! Help...really frightened about not being able to start after all my hard work =(

Don't be discouraged! They told me that everyone will have a letter by the end of April. The first letters didn't even go out until the end of the first week of April, so you will be getting one soon--then waitlisted applicants are informed. Keep the hope alive! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!

What are all of you taking as far as class scheduling goes? Someone told me to try to take Patho this summer. I took Nurs 2010 last summer but withdrew after I found out from an adviser that my Health & Human Development Psych course was supposed to transfer in place of that one, but they're now telling me I need to take Nurs 2010 again this summer. Should I take Patho or anything this summer to make fall easier? Is there anyway to get approval from the dean to take more than 18 hours, or is that the absolute cap? Not sure about GSU, but at other schools, taking more than 15-18 is allowed only with dean's permission. I know I sound crazy when this is already the accelerated track, but I have done 16 credits before and worked and still came out with all As and a B-, so I'm thinking that since I won't be working fall semester if it would be possible for me to get approval to take just one extra class. I know I sound suicidal right now....

For all those who are worried about their letters, I spoke with one of the advisers, and she informed me that the first round of letters went out last week which is why some of us received letters that first week of April. There are still many more letters to come! Everyone must respond by May 3rd. After that, wait-listed applicants will be notified of their acceptance. Everyone will get a letter by the end of April is what I was told. I cannot wait to meet all of you. I was super nervous about my letter from GSU, as I was already accepted into another program but was holding out for the ACE track. I applied to ACE and traditional. For all of you that are about to enter the ACE, we have got some hard work ahead of us! 80 hours per week! Congrats to everyone. P.S Letters of acceptance are pretty thick--there's a whole packet in there for you to review. Good luck to everyone. Everyone here is qualified....I wish we could all get in.

Congrats!! I can't wait to meet you. I received mine yesterday and am super psyched!!

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Oh my God...this is me lol. I ordered my manual directly from the website last March and am scheduled to take my exam this Sunday. I literally just started studying hardcore about two weeks ago lol. I've looked at it off and on when I have had downtime, but it has been extremely hard, as I have been in school continuously (taking pretty much a full load) and have been studying for other classes. I am using the manual as a refresher now that I have finished my pre-reqs, and I feel pretty good about it after reading many reviews like this. Preparation is key. I used the ATI manual, reviewed more in-depth for science using Youtube videos (Khan academy) and purchased some very cheap study review cards from my school library (they are these large laminated cards..kind of reminiscent of a diner menu in size and length and have basically everything you need to know about a particular subject. I purchsed three for science and math. They are great!!) This has been my prep so far, and it seems to be working. I'll know for sure after next week.

I figured this too, based on flipping through the manual. The only science material that seems more overwhelming than the Chemistry is the A&P, but surprisingly, most people say the same thing--that their test was "unfairly" skewed towards Chem, but that A&P was not represented as much on the actual exam as much as it was in the manual. I think A&P just seems like alot of material no matter how you package it. It is hard to condense into an easy to digest form--it is always going to take multiple pages to explain in order to get the full picture. Chemistry on the other hand, you can tell by looking at the manual that alot of Chem is covered. I mean, they have Organic and BioChem in there too, which most Pre-Nursing students haven't even seen (most people haven't seen that material in high school either, so it does seem a little unfair...luckily for me I took the class and understand it, or I would be LOST!

No problemo! Feel free!! I will be awaiting your message. Here is the trick with balancing equations: Most of the problems given will not be that hard. They will usually be pretty straight-forward. When I took Chemistry, my professor did give us some tricky problems (problems that seem to require fraction coefficients in order to balance the equation, but you are not really allowed to leave the fractions there. You end up having to multiply to get the nearest whole number and sometimes leaves you with some funky numbers!). On the TEAS however, that will not happen. They will probably give you the most straight-forward question ever about balancing equations (you have taken it, and I'm not sure if you've encountered that yet). Try to do as many practice problems as you can. It really is as easy as trying to think critically and figure out what numbers would make the equation "balanced" or "whole." I usually struggle with this type of thinking, but it came so easily to me. I had a pretty sucky Chem teacher and actually fell asleep in class during the balancing equations explanation and still figured it out when I got home (thanks to Khan academy as well ). Definitely watch some videos. Khan is great as is Tyler DeWitt. Here is the main trick: Take a good look at the problem, and break it down. What is so overwhelming most times is the equation itself. Just break it apart, and right below it, make yourself a little chart. Write down in separate columns how many of "each" molecule you have. So if you have 2 carbons on one side and only one on the other, mark that on your chart (2 carbons on one side, one on the other). Then after you have completed that, work it out in your mind. What coefficients would you need to balance everything out, given what you already have? That is really the only way I know how to explain it right now, but I am sure if I give you an exact example, I can show you exactly how I arrive at the results I hope you do some practice! Thank you so much for all of your advice! Look forward to hearing back.

If you need help with balancing equations, just hit me up. I found that to be one of the easier parts of Chemistry. Chemistry isn't so bad. Even Organic Chem is pretty straight forward. It's Bio Chem and Biology that get on my nerves. Way too many concepts to remember. Just an overload of information--sort of like A&P, just more boring. 78% isn't bad though. You still scored way higher than the national average. Just study hard, and retake. I am taking mine in 10 days and am so worried. Do you have any advice as far as topics covered in science portion (not exact questions, only subject matter). I find the wording to be an issue as well. Buy the ATI manual. It has been helpful for me so far. Study all of the concepts they touch on, then if you have textbooks of your own for these classes, just study a little in depth or take online practice quizzes from other sources to test your knowledge. It seems to me so far that they do give you most of the topics to be touched on in the manual but still expect you to know more than they cover (which isn't that unreasonable). I have heard that the science portion is pretty random, and that is scaring me a bit. I am not worried at all about the other sections--piece of cake, piece of pie.

Wow, a 96%! I am sure you were accepted to your program of choice, without a doubt. That is one of the highest scores I've ever heard of anyone getting. Your advice is much appreciated, and you just gave me hope. I thought I was the only one who thought that the manual is pretty straight forward--no trick questions, no curve balls. The material seems pretty basic. People keep scaring me with all of these crazy stories about how hard it is. Maybe they are not studying? Didn't take all of the their pre-reqs before taking the exam or just aren't good test takers?? (I'm not a good standardized test taker, either, which is the only reason I'm so worried) I've only been out of high school for 5 years, and most of the material seems like basic stuff that I learned between 6-12 grade. It's a refresher. Not really anything new. Your post was so helpful and inspirational. I can breathe now lol. Thank you! I hope to score that high

Hello, all! I'm looking for a little help and advice about the TEAS V. My test date is rapidly approaching (Just a little more than 10 days), and I am really starting to get nervous. I purchased the ATI TEAS V manual last year before I took Chemistry (I just finished Chemistry 1151 and 1152, with Organic component, so I am familiar with basic Chem and Organic/BioChem. I got a B+ in both classes). I have taken all of my science pre-reqs so far and finished almost all of them with As (with the exception of two Bs, like I previously mentioned). I purposely wanted to wait until I was finished with all pre-reqs. I wanted to know if this would be enough to help me succeed? I was recently reading through some previous posts of students who also did the same thing that I did--purchsed the ATI manual and scheduled test date until after majority of science classes were completed who still admitted to not doing very well. Can someone please give me an idea of the structure of the test? I have heard that the ATI manual is not very thorough for the science portion? This is scaring me, as some of the reviews on Amazon (where I purchased my manual) were claiming that it was very helpful. Many users on Allnurses are contradicting that though, saying that the ATI manual science section is very weak and generalized and that McGraw Hill version is a better study guide! I have no time to begin studying from other sources, as I have been using this book (and my previous knowledge) for weeks now. I think another source would only serve to confuse me. Should I invest in the McGraw practice tests? I really don't know what to do now. The ATI manual seems so straight forward and easy. I felt that if I studied it front to back I would be ok. Does the ATI manual truly cover every (or at least 95%) of the subjects on the actual test? Anyone who has taken it recently (late 2012 until now)?? Any advice would be much appreciated!! Thank you.

Thank you so much for this...."Passive aggressive" doesn't even begin to describe the sarcastic tone of that little tirade. Just plain tacky and uncouth, GrnTea, you are obviously the only one trolling here.

Oh boy, I hope this isn't true. By the time I'm done with school, I'll need someone to put up with me and wait at my every beck and call--I feel like I've earned it. I will have no time for whiners. As far as being disconnected goes, I agree to a certain extent, and I guess it also depends on your job description and what specialty you work in. I work as a Tech in mental health, and it's part of my job description to be very friendly, patient, kind, and happy, all while listening to all of the depressing and unhappy tales that my patients want to tell me. It is a very transient unit--people don't stay long, but you're expected to connect with every patient on a certain level even though they'll most likely be replaced by a different person when you come in for your next shift. I put so much energy into my work and school that my social life suffers, and the rest of the world thinks I suck, including my immediate family (especially them). I could careless though. I know it will be worth it in the end. It's like nurses live in their own little bubbles...these commoners just don't understand!

I understand exactly what you're going through. I had to make this choice recently as well. Working at a doctor's office seems to be everyone's dream job (or at least anyone who ever aspired to go into the medical field or just wanted a decent paying career), but if Staples would be more flexible and convenient for nursing school, wouldn't it be the safer choice? I just recently had to turn down an offer similar to your doctor's office job in an attempt to be practical. Starting this summer (same as you), I will not be able to work full-time but need a job now that pays well enough for me to save up enough money to be able to reduce my hours in the Fall. Could you do something similar? Have you found anything else in the healthcare field that is flexible but well paying? (Like CNA or nurse Tech, home health...etc. They are not very glamorous, but it's guaranteed work, decent paying, flexible hours that most likely won't interfere with nursing school, especially if you work night shifts where you are off your feet most of the time and can study! I'm doing it right now ) In the end, you have to make the best decision for you. I'm young too, and we tend to want instant gratification and can't see very far past the here and now, but hey, at least we're responsible enough to plan for our futures and want something better, right?!

I've heard great reviews from Mercer students, although I don't like the idea of a "religiously affiliated" private school ("Georgia Baptist?" I'm the farthest thing from a Baptist and even farther from the pretty, preppy blondes in all of the photos on their websites. I'm brown lol, and I don't really like the lack of diversity in their demographics. I've gotten pretty comfortable at GSU for that reason) The expense is really the other thing that's off-putting. I have no idea how I would be able to afford it, but alot of the other girls at my school seem to be excited about attending. I've heard nothing negative about the program yet (although I cannot say the same for State). A quick update though: I just reviewed GSU's admission stats for 2013, and the average GPA for the applicants for both programs is in between a 3.4-3.6 and TEAS scores in the range of 85-88. I have a chance!! I'm very excited, because it makes me less anxious in general, no matter where I apply. If I could just get accepted to one of the three schools I'm applying to...this is so nerve-wrecking! Thank you so much for your response.

Tell a good story. It doesn't have to be sad or tragic, just well-written and genuine. Tell YOUR story. Why do you really want to be a nurse? Is it the science aspect that interests you? Were you influenced by a family member or friend? It's ok if you didn't graduate high school saying, "I want to major in nursing." That is not the case with most people sitting in nursing programs right now. It is often a second degree path for many, and I'm sure the advisors and admissions counselors know this by now. Saying that you "want to help people" is a little cliche and overdone. There are many career paths you could have chosen to help people. What makes nursing special? What skill set do you have that would make you an asset to the field? Are you in the healthcare field already? Do you have good patient care skills or people skills? Really evaluate yourself and your own reasons for going into the field and then just focus on putting it all together. You could always get someone to help you with the structure and grammar of it. Just find out what you want to say first. If you put something together, come back on allnurses and post it (if you're comfortable doing that), and I will personally give you my critique =)

Is this a personal statement or a research essay?? For Georgia State, we have to write a two-page essay on a medical/healthcare topic or social issue. The other schools I am applying to require personal statements, so I'm having to write two separate pieces. Be honest, direct, and genuine in a personal statement. They are looking at your writing abilities, and this is a great chance to prove yourself. Don't go over the page limit. This is also an opportunity to show that you can follow specific directions.

I am a pre-nursing student at GSU right now but am applying to other schools as well (I decided not to put all of my eggs in one basket and am also applying to Mercer and others). I have a dilemma. I think I may not be very competitive for many of the nursing programs in my area. I am registered to take the TEAS in 3 weeks and have been studying very hard for it. I have taken all of my pre-reqs, so I am somewhat confident about the science portion (I literally just finished Chem, so it is fresh in my brain). My Program GPA (For GSU) dropped to just below a 3.6 (I ended up with Bs in Chemistry, which brought down my institutional GPA to a 3.6, program GPA to 3.58, and Science GPA to a 3.46). I got As in Anatomy/Physiology and Micro. All of my program pre-reqs are complete, I have zero courses in progress, have great letters of recommendation from doctors & others in medical field and just got finished writing a very good admissions essay. I am planning to score very highly on the TEAS (assuming I've been studying a while), although that remains to be seen. I am trying to stay positive. Do I have a chance if I score in the 90s, coupled with my GPA? GSU is one of those schools that only cares about scores. They do not take a very holistic approach to considering other factors about their applicants (although they still require short answers/essays/references). I was basically told this in a nutshell by a nursing advisor. She assures me that every semester, a student or two with a 3.4-3.5 GPA and a VERY high TEAS score is accepted, but I don't like those odds. I feel like I have been working hard for nothing. Now, my program GPA for Mercer is a 3.7. I feel I have a better chance there. Any one here applied to or been accepted to either schools? I am trying to apply to GSU for both their accelerated and traditional programs (although I would love to be accepted to the accelerated program). I do have work experience. I am a CNA/Nurse Tech, I am working on a second language, have a few honors/accolades, etc. I feel like GSU will care about none of this and that I should continue to try my luck elsewhere. At one point and time, I was very confident about being accepted into a program..somewhere, but now, I am quite depressed. Non-nursing students do not understand me. My friends think I'm a borderline genius with my GPA, but now I just feel dumb. Just last year I had a 3.78...blah......

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Thank you guys so much for your advice! I am scheduling to meet with an advisor on Monday between classes, as I have only spoken with them on the phone this semester, they are so hard to make appointments with. You have no idea how much I appreciate you sharing your experiences. It is my plan to score highly on the TEAS to make-up for my "lower" GPA, as my advisor has already recommended. I want to take it after I am comfortable with Chemistry. I took A&P I and Microbiology with the same professor, and in her A&P class, I got the second highest grade in the class out of 50 students. She was a former professor at Emory university (she offered to write a recommendation letter for me after I hinted I might be needing one for Emory and other nursing programs. She wrote an awesome letter!). I definitely need one more solid reference--my essay writing skills are awesome (not to brag, but it is the one strength I can definitely claim, as I have been told my many a teacher and professor in my day.), so I am not worried about the essay or short answer questions required. In addition to those factors, long term experience in the field looks really good, as well as fluency or comprehension in a second language. GSU asks a series of short answer questions to find out who is cut out for the program and uses these things to "measure" well-roundedness rather than just high scores. I have three back-up schools outside of GSU, so I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Hello all, I am rather depressed right now and looking for a little advice. I am a pre-nursing student and Certified Nursing Assistant. I am currently attending Georgia State in hope of applying to their accelerated program this fall. I recently spoke to an advisor for the program and reviewed acceptance stats/info and have concluded that I will never get in anywhere with my gpa!! I was registered for 15 credits this summer just to meet the requirements for the deadlines. I got all As in A&P and Microbiology, and my gpa was just above a 3.7. However, this Chemistry class I am taking right now might possibly bring it down to just below a 3.7, and I am already below the program's average gpa of 3.83 (the applicants have low TEAS scores and high GPAs). My institutional GPA is higher, but this program focuses on nursing pre-reqs. I am highly depressed, as I worked very hard for these grades while working full time and dealing with a million other things, and can't stand that 3 Bs (B PLUSES at that) may put me out of the running. I took some of my pre-reqs at a Technical college, and my GPA there was close to a 4.0. I was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa because of it. I have experience in the medical field, am working on a second language (not mention I write awesome essays/papers that have always blown professors away), recommendation letters from professors and friends who work at other universities, and volunteer experience. Do I have a chance? What did you lovelies get in your pre-reqs to get accepted? I have been studying for the TEAS like a madwoman and plan to take it when I finish Chem. A friend just told me she was denied from Kennesaw state with a 3.75 GPA and 91 teas score. Another had a 3.65 and very high TEAS score. I see no hope, and these unrealistic standards keep increasing every year. What should I do? As all of the schools in my area are so hard to get into, and people with higher GPAs than me are getting rejected. Should I consider an RN to BSN route? I need to make money and cannot keep playing these games with nursing admissions for the rest of my youth. I transferred to GSU because the Technical college "LOST" my academic file (long, ridiculous story) and claimed they could not evaluate me. I feel like giving up....