texaslife

We are encouraged to work until August 2016. I am living in North Carolina, and have to move out of state by January according to the website. I figured I needed to be in Ft.Worth by August, might as well work there now!

I think we may know Monday the 28th. My reasoning is that they found out on a Monday last year, and the 28th is the Monday before October 1. Maybe? Hopefully? In the meantime, I've been trying to find work in Ft. Worth. Anyone work in ICU in Ft. Worth already? Are any of you applying for jobs in the Ft. Worth area?

Someone had asked about financial assistance, and I wanted to let ya'll know to look up MedCap programs with banks. Discover and WellsFargo have it, and they base your lending off your future salary. This is what a current CRNA student told me. He also said it was a lower percentage than the federal loans he was offered.

I have been through one other interview process before with another school. One interview was with the director, a couple professors, an anesthesiologist, and a CRNA. The other interview was with two current students. Both sets had a structured script, in that they read their questions from a paper. Nothing original in the questioning. All the questions were behavioral/personality. Only the director asked a few original and clinical questions pertaining to me personally. She asked what I saw most of on my unit. Then I was asked to describe the disease process. She wanted short and simple, but I didn't know that until she cut-off my elaborate description of sepsis. She asked what primary medication was used for the hypotension in sepsis: "Levophed." "And what does Levophed do?" I was preparing to describe how it works on a molecular level, but when I didn't immediately answer, I was asked again, "What does it do to the vasculature?" I answered immediately and sort of shockingly, "Constricts it." I was surprised at how basic they wanted the answers to be, and how she seemed rude. It could have easily been just exhaustion on her part, because I can't imagine going through so many interviews. I suppose that's what we all might want to keep in mind when we interview. They may have told us about the short interview times in the letter to remind us not to go on and on. This prior experience taught me that they are not all that interested in the long version, though I thought it was important to show I knew my stuff. It's probably important to know more, however, because if they ask for more, we can provide that after the short and sweet. Anyone else have experience or advice on this?

It's been awhile, but wondering if you got into the program? What did you like best about it? I have an interview coming up, and I was just wondering what your thoughts were. Thanks!

I have now graduated from the Texas Tech Second-degree Accelerated program in Abilene, passed my NCLEX, and I am hired as an ICU nurse. I must say that this school was one of the best decisions I have ever made! Having an integrated program that provides clinical training from the beginning to the end has given me invaluable experience that many other new grads do not have. I am thankful for Texas Tech's program in Abilene and wanted to offer up advice to any others who are interested in this awesome school. 1. If you live far from Abilene and plan to commute, I wouldn't. Two of our class of 30 commuted from Dallas/Ft. Worth constantly. One could afford an apartment for overnight stay when needed. It was harder for these two due to the travel demands, but they did graduate. How often do you need to be IN Abilene? You have to be on campus daily for the first few weeks for "Boot Camp." Not as scary as military boot camp, much more fun, though demanding, as you will learn a lot hands-on in a short period of time. When you start your clinical work, your schedule will depend on your clinical coach. Many work two days on and then a single day later in the week. At the beginning, you will have one or two clinical shifts a week, but by the end of the year, you will have two or three clinical shifts a week. 2. In regards to clinical assignments, do your homework before starting school to find out what sort of nurse you think you want to be. This school primarily places students on Med-Surg, ICU/CCU, and PCU. Which of these three do you prefer? Not sure, maybe you will get to be a Floater, and get access to all of these floors, but I would try to pick which you prefer. If you have other interests, make them clear to instructors, and they will help you get extra hours in those areas if they can. Also, you have two hospitals to choose from: Abilene Regional Medical Center and Hendrick Medical Center. You might visit them to see which best suits you so you can ask for your preference in hospital. 3. Socialize fast, find others who study similar to you, and get in a study group. Those who studied on their own didn't do as well as those who did together. I found the friendly arguments over nursing questions are what helped me remember most. We were also a competitive group, which kept us all on our toes. In order to meet with your study group, you will really need to live in Abilene or surrounding area and not commute from very far. 4. Answer your blueprint questions before going to review. ALWAYS go to review, as this is the best preparation for finding out which areas to study for the exam. Review is usually scheduled the week of the exam, and I always scheduled my clinical hours around it. 5. Now that I mention scheduling, get a planner you really like. I actually had two. I had a small one I used to travel with to school and the hospital, because you always need to know when you are available or not. The other was a large wall calendar, so my family knew what I was doing and could schedule around me; so I could see what the next few weeks looked like before going to bed; and because the dates changed for so many reasons, I needed to be able to have room to write and scratch things out. I color coded the large one, and I wrote in pencil in the travel one. I regularly compared the travel to the wall calendar to make sure it was all accurate. Some people preferred using their computer or phone for their schedule. Your group will help remind you of upcoming assignments, and it was convenient to have someone text everyone in the group once a week with the upcoming assignments due. Sometimes due dates were changed, and others didn’t know they had a few extra days to work on them. 6. If you have questions, ask the professor. If you want to ask for an extension to everyone’s benefit, this was usually successful, as professors didn’t know they all had their assignments due on the same day. All the professors were nice, so don’t be afraid to ask for help, more explanation, or details on how they want a paper written. (Sometimes a title page was required, and sometimes it wasn’t. Some professors were sort of picky on how their assignment should be written.) Do your classmates a favor and post to the forum! You help out your classmates when you are brave enough to ask the question everyone is asking. In the forum, they can even second your suggestion or ask a similar question without the professor having to repeat herself in a bunch of personal emails. A happy professor = a happy student! I can’t think of much else right now, but feel free to ask. I am NOT willing to provide old notes, old tests, or old blueprints – PLEASE DON’T ASK!!! Besides, I threw all that stuff away after I passed the NCLEX, and I am not interested in trying to remember what you should study for. Talk to the professors on campus if you have questions or concerns, as they WILL help you out. Another thing, if you can spare a little time, get involved with NSNA on campus! Again, it was the best decision for me to attend this school, and I am so happy I did. I hope this helps someone out!!

I have to wear men's shoes for the width...wish I could find some with pink!

I had a sociology teacher at Angelo State say there wasn't a gang problem in San Angelo because of the Lithium in the water!!! I was just thinking about taking the GRE yesterday, so I suppose we can't be too abnormal. If enough people think this way, it's considered normal! I have to catch up on Patho and get on that paperwork! I'm going to have to sell some bone marrow or something...I've never had to pay for my own criminal background check, and that's the least expensive thing on the list! I also have to get moved! It's going to be a hairy month for me! YEEHAW! Bring it on!

If you had consulted me, I would have had to admit that you were insane...therefore, I would also be insane for embarking on the same "adventure!" It takes a leap of faith, some may consider crazy. I know I gave up my 3 bed/2ba house, moved in with relatives, moving around to different towns to go to different community colleges...and now I have to figure out moving and living in Abilene!!! CAN'T WAIT! So much work to do, and class hasn't even started! Met one girl in the interview process that was interviewing at ALL the Tech sites. Wonder how it turned out for her.

I have a 3.3 total GPA for my B.S. and a 3.4 total on my M.S. I have a higher GPA on my pre-reqs, because I just took most of them this past year, and I am serious about getting straight As on everything now that I am older. My TEAS V, I studied the ATI book a few hours for 4 days prior to the test and got a 93, which put me in the 99th percentile in the nation. I think the average is in the 70s, but I know others who were accepted who scored pretty low. For Abilene, there were about 60 who applied, 41 who interviewed, and 35 accepted. I don't know how many they are taking for El Paso, so you may want to ask. I think your GPA is great. If I were you I would get medical experience, as you say you have little. I've been working as a psychotherapist in clinics, hospitals, and med floors for years, and I'm sure that helps. Your practice tests sound good, so you will probably score good on your TEAS V. Go for it! Good Luck!!!

I got in, too! I am finishing up micro...tomorrow is my last day. Still have patho. WILL SEE YOU ALL IN LUBBOCK IN AUGUST!

Yes, on the 26th.

Good luck!!!

Did you get the email for interviews? It was sent out today.

Waiting is the hard part...patience is a virtue! (So they say.)