mmccluskey

6 weeks and DONE!!! (As long as I pass Algebra too!!)

Grade is on my transcript today...

I would have to say that they are fairly expensive courses, and often provided by your employer. I also agree that if it is not something you use on a regular basis, it is easy to forget it all! I worked on a telemetry unit for 2.5 years, and a few years out, it took a bit to remember it all. One of the things I read in the OP's post was that you are an ADN student. To that end, I would investigate the job outlook for ADN grads where you live. In the area where I live, ADN grads are waiting 1-2+ years to get a job, (especially in the hospitals), while BSN grads are getting offers before they are even graduates. Because of that, when I graduated last year from an ADN program, I took a job in home care. It took a year to get a job in a hospital. It is a critical access hospital, and not someplace I plan to stay for very long. This fall, however, they are putting me through telemetry ($360), ACLS ($300), PALS ($300), and TNCC ($100)...and in January, after my BSN is complete, I should be at a much better position to get a job in a pediatric ER, where I really want to work.

So I'm thinking that it might be appropriate in CA, then...but it's still not legal in NY...it just struck me as really funny/stupid...and to the poster who commented about the car belonging to the person who interviewed me...it wouldn't matter, as the "interview" consisted of looking up my license online and offering me the job...no thanks!!! Anyplace that is that desperate is not a place I want to be!!!

My last contact with Professor ****** was on 9/13, when she emailed me back and stated that she would "consider my request and discuss it with the other professors." Prior to that, I have exchanged a couple of emails with her, indicating that I feel that there were clear cases of both "preferential treatment," as well as "procedural irregularities," in the way this assignment was handled. Both of these issues are ones that the chain of command, up to and including the dean are to become involved in, per the UTA academic web page. The link may be found here: UTA 2013 - 2014 Undergraduate Catalog: Academic Regulations under "grade grievance practices." I made a strong case as to why I feel this way, supported by all of the conflicting email communication from my AC. The request that she is considering is that I proposed that as students, we have an opportunity to re-submit the assignment (if we so chose), in an attempt to maintain the academic integrity that they are so worried about, as well as for partial credit for the sections we were penalized for. I emailed her again this morning, asking if there has yet been a resolution. I did notice that as of the other day, the announcements section of the class page had been wiped clear of anything, (not that there was anything in there from the professor, to begin with...

So I was parking in the lot at a facility where I was interviewing...parked next to a car with the plate that read "420 RN" The "RN" was the special plate designation. Seriously?!?!?!? Even if it was by accident, I'd have had to send them back!!

I'm in the 9/23 start for this class too...as well as Leadership and Mgmt...

I live in NY and will be done with UTA RN-BSN in December (3 nursing classes left), and there have been no actual clinicals to date. I have also heard that there is some shadowing necessary for the Leadership and Mgmt class, but I won't know for sure until I start it in a couple of weeks. As far as the school goes in general...don't expect much from the "Academic Advisers," or even the Coaches," for that matter, as they change all the time. I have been in the program since last September, and I have had at least 4 advisers (that I can remember). When you are lucky, they tell you that they are changing...sometimes I have only found out by asking a question and having the email returned un-deliverable. That tells me that there is a lot of turn-over, and that can't be good...but it is on par with the rest of my feelings towards this school in general...

I'm guessing that you have limited experience at this point, based on your initial post, so my answer was geared towards the thought that med-surg experience is absolutely INVALUABLE at the beginning of your career. To be offered a position in a magnet hospital without a lot of experience suggests that the hospital plans to invest a lot in you, which is a great thing. One thing that I wonder is if you know anyone who works at either of the facilities you are thinking about? Some first-hand info about the workplace culture would be a great asset. Good for you, and good luck in whatever you choose!!

As a former LPN who is now an RN working towards her BSN, I can say that it can be a lot of work. Many of my classmates spend a much greater amount of time than I do working on classwork. I think that a lot of it depends on you and your personal situation. I am really glad to be done with my BSN in a couple of months. I have two kids, and I am lucky enough to have a supportive husband (also an RN), who has really worked hard beside me to make sure that a lot of the household things are taken care of. Without that, I don't think I could have done it as well. One of the things to keep in mind is that to get into a CRNA program, you will need incredible grades, so that is important too. I believe that CRNA programs are among the most competitive to get into right now. The work tract that you have in mind seems to be a logically progressing one, as well. Once I am done with my BSN in December, my husband will begin his BSN, and he plans to go right for his NP in critical care, after he is done with his BSN. He is 44 years old now, and likely won't be licensed as an NP until he is near 50 years old. It is what he most wants, though, so it's worth it to him. I'm 40, and I plan to go back after a few years and work towards my MSN as well, but not as an NP. Good luck in whatever you choose!!

I think that it all depends on the standards of the BON in the state where you apply for a license. One thing that I can say for sure is that a friend of mine just got her RN, after a h/o DWI several years back. One of the things that her professors at school stressed to her is that she needed to make sure that she answered all questions on her application very clearly, stating what had happened, and owning up to what she had done. Some of what I remember from my professors explaining the boards process was that I think that in the case of most violations, part of what is being looked at is a person's honesty in disclosing the crimes to the board, as well as the severity and nature of the crimes. A person who has committed any type of offenses against vulnerable persons, such as children or the elderly, or types of fraud are especially scrutinized. I wouldn't go nuts stressing about it right now, but I would talk to your professors and if you can, contact the BON in your state and ask them.

I have a beautiful gold ring from my first BA...and I did wear it for a couple of years. I am actually pretty sure that I can send it back to Jostens to get it changed to a BSN, but honestly, I have not worn the ring in several years now, and I have other rings I like a lot more, so I probably won't.

I really wish I had seen this thread about a year ago!!! I would have LOVED to take patho and pharm, instead of the BS electives I took!

I think that if you were comfortable doubling and tripling during the rest of the courses, know that it won't be a walk in the park, but that it is possible, IF you have a lot of time on your hands for paper writing. I am taking Leadership and Health Promotion together in the next 5-week session...with HIST and MATH overlapping...I'm thinking I am going to be busy, but mostly with the math.... For Assessment, I did all of the quizzes the first week, as I usually do for most of the courses. I didn't find them that difficult. The papers were very lengthy, and you need some equipment that you might not otherwise have. I generally write the papers as I have time, and that way, I usually only have the DB to keep up with on a regular basis. Good luck!!!

Honestly, I have always gotten the flu shot as an adult, especially after having kids. As a nurse, I feel like it's kind of important, even in the chance of contracting and transmitting the flu to those I love. I have only had the flu once in that time, and it pretty much sucked. I know that the flu shot isn't always going to protect me, but still, I feel like it's a good choice for those in the healthcare field.

@ Meriwhen, So I do get what you are saying, but in my case the difference between an 89.63 and a 90 overall was 2 points for this assignment. I truly hope it does not affect anyone else's final grade, but that was the reason that I said something in the first place. Lesson learned. Quote every sentence/paragraph, so that they know you're not plagiarizing. Don't bother saying anything, cause it might end up screwing with all of your classmates at the same time. I guess I'm an idiot for thinking that this rinky-dink school would be on-par with the first (REAL) university education I took. If I was not so far along in the degree program, I would have bailed, as anyone who knows a thing about this school is going to know that it's a BS degree...not worth the paper it's printed on!! Funny thing...each of the emails were cc'd to the Course Professor...my responses were all returned un-deliverable, and I even tried emailing through the UTA site, where our discussion posts are, to make sure that I had the correct address. I'm wondering if we even have a professor for this course, or if the inmates are indeed running the asylum....

That's just it...this is ridiculous!!!

Meriwhen, I agree. My point in posting all of this is that if the issue was as widespread as the coach's email to the class indicates, AND she was even unclear enough to improperly grade the papers in the first place, how clear was it to begin with? An APA paper is just that...it either is, or it isn't...the rubric and the templates contradict each other. An assignment to interview implies that the answers are indeed obtained through an interview. These kind of assignments really only teach that following blurry rules are important, and nothing else. It seems like they don't even proofread the assignments before they post them, yet we are held to some higher standard??

ldawn79, I am merely letting everyone know what has transpired, as I believe it to be very wrong. And now it's affecting the entire class, or at least my coach's group?!?!? The courses are (by far) the worst college experience I have ever had. I am currently enrolled for MATH 1301, HIST 1311, NURS 3335, NURS 4455 and Capstone this semester, and then I'm done too. The one and only class where I actually learned anything useful was Health Assessment, and I was actually told by an adviser that that I could not even take Pharmacology, because I'm an online learner. I have pulled As in most everything, except Research, (B)...I submitted absolute crap for every post and paper in this entire curriculum, and I'm still doing well. I read emails and assignment comments from coaches who have advanced degrees (usually from UTA), but little to no grasp of proper grammar, punctuation or proof-reading. I'm glad to be almost done, but certainly won't EVER recommend this school to anyone!!

Hi all, I am also in this class, and I just noticed that there are discussion blogs about each class. I am writing tonight about some emails that were exchanged yesterday and today between myself and my coach. My initial inquiry was about the reason for a full 10 point deduction from the Week 4 assignment, in the area of APA/Writing, as I thought this was a bit harsh. In her first response to me, she stated that an in-text citation was required for each and every section of the paper. In her second response, she cc'd the other instructors and lectured me for a bit about how the lack of citations were examples of academic dishonesty. The most recent email from the coach is to our entire group, where she states that "UTA is about to get very serious about this issue," she is now re-grading EVERYONE'S papers, and deducting for missing citations. Here is a complete and concise transcript of our conversation, (the only thing redacted is her name): (My initial email) Dear *******, I reviewed my comments and the rubric for the week 4 paper, and I am unsure as to how you determined the deduction of 10 points for the last section, APA and writing. I see two mistakes in APA formatting; the lack of a citation and the missing hanging indent. My writing is clear and precise. My reference to "Julia," in some sections could be considered informal, however it was not present throughout the entire paper. I can certainly see a deduction in this area, however I feel that the full deduction is a bit harsh. Please review and advise. Thanks so much, Michele McCluskey (Response #1) Faculty wanted to see many more areas where agency goals and services must have proper citation. There are very serious about plagiarism and academic dishonesty. All areas discussing information obtained from person or agency must be cited- apply my comments on citations missing to all areas. ******* (My reply) I have two issues with this. First, I am wondering where it states that each section must contain a citation, as I clearly would have done that if it was made clear that this was the expectation. Additionally, while I can understand that there were issues with some missing citations, the last section in the rubric is meant to cover both the APA formatting and the writing. My writing deserves more than a "0" effort. (Second response) Michele, Faculty is expecting that all students read resources in class that cover APA. This paper is to be considered just like any formal paper or any other academic paper. You must discuss where you obtained information that is not your own words and it must be cited. You will continue to have "0" for APA points and possibly have your work submitted to academic dishonesty faculty if you continue to submit assignments not citing the source of where you information is obtained from. Citing "Julie said" is not APA format. Citing information from agencies and not telling the reader where it came from is plagiarism and academic dishonesty. I will pass on to faculty your concerns to include more information to guide students to be careful to cite but this is expected in every class you are in. You are not expected to cite every section, but every area where personal communication obtained and areas where internet material or brochure information etc are used. Please be very careful about turning in work in any class at UTA without using intext citations as this will be treated in a very serious way with penalties and submission to academic dishonestly board if it continues. Let me know if you need more information on where links are so you can read more about this. ******* (My last email) *******, In looking back, there is a clear reason that I didn't treat this paper in the regard you expected, and it is my suspicion that many people in my class made the same mistake. I am certainly no beginner at writing research, as my FIRST Bachelors degree was actually in psychology. I am completely competent in writing in APA style, as I have earned As on many, many TRUE research papers. If this assignment had been to actually write an APA-style paper, it certainly would have been clearer, more precise, and less informal. The template used for this assignment was completely contradictory to the rubric given. If one is instructed to "interview agency staff" for information, than to most people, the answers given are implied responses from the interview. How, indeed, can that be construed as plagiarism? Additionally, the templates are so cumbersome and difficult to use, as I spent as much time adjusting the color and font as I did actually writing the paper. You all are so hung up on APA formatting and "academic honesty," but nobody really seems to care about content. As a student, I care more about content. I want to be challenged and I want to actually learn something. Furthermore, not only are the instructions for this assignment vague, but in reviewing our conversation in this email thread, you initially stated that "all areas discussing information obtained from person or agency must be cited- apply my comments on citations missing to all areas." In your most recent response, however, you stated "you are not expected to cite every section, but every area where personal communication obtained and areas where internet material or brochure information etc are used." Exactly which is it? This is just another example of unclear directions. It leads me to believe that even the coaches don't understand the requirements, so how are the students to understand? Michele McCluskey So here it is...am I the only one who thinks that this assignment was unfairly graded? I'm not sure if this is going to spread to the entire class, or just to our group, but after reading all of this over again, now I feel that I was initially singled-out with the full deduction, (and only after I said something), the coach is just now going back and spreading the misery to everyone?!?!