Katsmeow

Well first semester is the most expensive.. textbooks can run up to $1000 if you buy them brand new and in the package that the bookstore sells. The required ati package is $408, but I'm pretty sure the price goes up another $50 if you don't pay for it by a certain deadline. Lab kit costs $185. Uniforms are $100 a set, and I'd recommend you get two sets to start with. You'll need to make sure you have current health insurance coverage, pay for a TB test and physical this summer. You'll also spend at least another $100 on miscellaneous school supplies like shoes, stethoscope, watch, blood pressure cuff etc.Tuition runs about $200 per credit hour for fl residents, I think for first and second semesters my total for tuition came out to around $3500 for each semester (roughly $7000 total). Books are not as bad the second semester.

Congrats! I'm a current BSN student at UCF. To answer some questions: For the transfer student orientation- same as what was previously said, you go to a room and hear some speakers, and split out into colleges (ie college of nursing) where you are further subdivided into the program (ie basic BSN, pre-nursing etc), you go to a room and receive a copy of your degree audit and then you go get your student ID. You will be placed in a "filler" class by an adviser. You will not actually register for classes until literally the week before classes start and at the same time find out your clinical assignments at orientation. In the fall you will take Health Assessment, health assessment lab, essentials of nursing practice, essentials of nursing practice lab, essentials of nursing practice clinical, community health nursing, community health clinical and role of the professional nurse. I cannot really answer what your schedule will look like, just plan to have mon-fri in class/clinicals. I had class on mon from 11-4, tues 730-1130, wed 730-1 with clinical on thurs and fri. Tues were my labs, and it is different for everyone. You will have community clinicals for the first 6 weeks, and for most people they were on thurs and fri (some groups did have to go on tues too). Essentials clinicals are the second 6 weeks and those are on thurs and fri (from 630-330, depends on the instructor) and are in long term care. How do you prepare? Well first off, I would say save some money because things are about to get expensive really fast! The textbook package you need is expensive, and then theres the ati package, uniforms, nurse lab... I agree with everyone else, just enjoy your summer off! You're going to be busy for the next two years. Sure, you can review some A&P if you really think that's going to give you a "head start". Buy a good planner too, it's going to become your best friend :) First semester is all about getting adjusted and learning the basics.

My planner, coffee and classmates!

I also recommend getting the teas study guide by ati to use, it helped me study!

Clinicals are literally all over central Florida. There's a lot to factor in if you want to live by campus; transportation and the cost for rent is higher closer to the school. I don't want to tell you what they asked us in the interviews since we didn't have that advantage but I will tell you to keep calm and be genuine. Based on my experience thus far, scholarships I have been awarded are not based on teas scores. They look at your GPA, financial need and leadership experience.

I can't say for sure, they will also factor in the cumulative GPA and how you do at the interview. If you are invited for an interview you need to take it seriously. For us last year about 180 people out if over 400 applicants were invited to interview for 120 spots. Those that didn't get in we're wait listed. People commute from all over central Florida and your clinicals are scattered over the area.

I'm about to head into my second semester. For studying and tests, make sure you understand the rationale behind what you're doing. For skills, practice practice practice! Always carry black pens. Please eat before clinical, I know it's early but you don't want to faint! Time management is key, try to stay ahead of the game.

Background check is completed before acceptance.

I'm a current student that was accepted last year. Pre-req GPA is most important! They want you to have a 4.0 in those to be considered competitive. I scored below 85 on teas (and a lot of people accepted scored below 85). The cutoff for your group depends on the overall strength of the pool of applicants.

I started in Aug 2013. Good luck to all of you! For fundamentals, make sure you know the rationale behind the concepts and the associated nursing interventions & diagnoses. Health assessment was pretty black & white for us, just practice your skills and get comfortable in a systemic routine that you can do. Our clinicals were in the community and nursing homes. Clinical is a great time to see what you've been learning applied to real life and to start to feel like a nurse. Enjoy the free time now and stay ahead of your assignments!

I just want to spend time with my family. I found out this week I was awarded 2 scholarships from my school and that is the only gift I could have asked for :)

4 A's and 1 B

Yes! Textbooks are crazy expensive. I have networked with seniors in my program and buy my books from them and they will beat the lowest used prices I find and even more! I would also recommend checking out your local craigslist, a lot of people sell textbooks on there for cheap and are often willing to haggle when they need the money or just want to get rid of it!

Totally ready for a break. Gotta keep chuggin' got 4 finals and 2 skills validations coming up I need to prep for. eek!

I have been passing my exams and skills validations! a lil over halfway through the semester. WOW!