acmj

I *might* be applying to the Summer 2015 program. I'm not 100% sure. I'm also applying to the UT AE MSN, so I'm still trying to decide if I'll be applying to the UTHSC Program... I have a bachelor's in psych and am already in Austin, so hoping to get into the MSN.. but I'm from Houston, so I wouldn't hate being there either :) Good luck to everyone!

I think that this is definitely a good starting point, but you are doing a lot of "telling" and not enough "showing". Show the events that made you want to become a nurse, get descriptive. Remember that they read like 8 bajillion essays and you don't want to be the 50th person that starts their essay with "i am so and so and I'm this old (young), and I want to be a nurse because...." If you can give examples and really demonstrate your interest in nursing versus describing it, you're going to have an essay that stands out miles from the rest of the crowd... no matter what your other admit requirements look like. Good luck!

I'm in Texas, you should take a look at the TTUHSC 12 month online program... it's 12 months and distance. You need a CNA certification and a few unique pre-reqs (pathophysiology to be specific)... but that might be your best option. Additionally, you could probably work as a CNA here and there once you get the cert., while you are in school!

This is TOTALLY doable. It sounds like you are a pretty strong student as is, so I think you can handle it. I took literally the most (unnecessarily) difficult anatomy class EVER along with 2 govt classes this past semester.... all while working 40 hours a week and taking care of a 2 year old.... pulled off a 3.7 for the semester! If I can do it... you can do it!

Welcome to allnurses and out of lurkdom :) I'm 23 - mama to a 2.5 year old girl and a little man on the way in July. I was planning on applying to a bunch of accelerated BSN programs for the summer of next year, but I can take less pre-reqs through the University of Texas Alternate Entry Masters (also known as the ELM program) so I'm going to do that and see if I get in... still trying to decide what track of the masters I want to take though. good luck on all of your pre-reqs :) I've got micro, physio, pharmacology, and developmental psych left over... unfortunately my dev psych class doesn't count here in Texas because it doesn't cover the lifespan.. only through adolescence :/

MissKAL, when you say "MSN not being accepted" toward becoming an NP, what do you mean? Do you just mean that the MSN at UT doesn't have a pathway for NP or that other universities are not accepting it?

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I hope you open a book in A&P regardless of what you're teacher is doing in class.... That being said, for every class, when you get the syllabus, read it twice. Mark down any dates in your planners. Triple check them against the syllabus and make sure you have your planner with you at all times. My understanding is when we get to clinicals, late isn't an option, so train yourself now!

The important thing to distinguish here is whether or not the lab is online. To me, it sounds like you're looking for a class with the lecture and lab online. I would sincerely advise against this. Though it won't necessarily say "online distance course", a lot of nursing schools have been around long enough to know who offers completely online science courses.... Particularly because so few schools actually do. I am taking anatomy this semester, with the lecture portion only online. It's actually perfect for me because we read the textbook cover to cover, which is how I learn... But the prof said it is definitely the harder route. I would think very carefully before taking a science course online,

I have a BA in psych, so I'm biased.... but I think psychology classes make you a more rounded person and more capable to put yourself in someone else's shoes. Being able to look outside of yourself and understand that others often perceive things differently than you is a huge skill that is an asset no matter what you do. I say take the psych class. As for chemistry, I would definitely take that. Though it may not be required in the program you're interested in now, are you 100% sure that you're going to end up at that school? It's a really important foundational course, so I would absolutely take it.

The Risk is my application is due on August 15th and I don't know if I'll be able to get into a physiology class over the summer (we have silly rules at my college where you can't take micro or physio without having first completed anatomy) much less complete it by then. I don't want to have to wait a whole extra semester when I could have studied physiology on my own.

For those of you who have taken the Hesi A-2, do you think that having taken anatomy without the physiology, that you could do well? My whole thought is that it is physically impossible to not learn physiology when taking anatomy because the function is so vital to the structures... I am a great test taker and think that I would be able to brush up a little bit on Physio before the exam. That's the main area I'm worried about... Would just appreciate any input! Thanks,

I think you should listen to your parents. You're taking a lot of classes that require memorizing small details which can take some time to really memorize.. If you have a good work ethic, it can certainly be done... but it's not optimal. If your parents are also asking for rent/gas/etc.... I would talk to them about possibly giving you a "discount" for good grades and explain that good grades will lead you to a better paycheck in the future!

Dranger, It's no use arguing after a certain point lol... I've tried, A lot of people are buying it for the name. I work for a competitor of Apple (just being honest about my opinions because that's what our company asks us to do when we engage in discussions like this) I got reemed out in another a few days ago for pointing out that Apple actually has some of the worst customer service in the industry. Also for pointing out that for the price of a regular macbook, you can get a mobile workstation through hp or dell that will run circles around it. It's fine though. It's their money they are spending not mine, so I'll survive :) glad to see other IT folk on here changing careers.

The major problem with Chromebooks is that you absolutely have to have some type of internet access to access your documents. all storage is in the cloud on these, which is great because it doesn't not down your computer.... Except that this means you can't really edit/save anything without being on the internet for the most part.... If those are your only two choices, go with the Mac. If you're open to other options, I agree with the previous poster. That Dell is quite reputable amongst students.

I know for most us we have ideas about where we'd like to start straight out of school if we had our pick of the litter, so to speak. For myself, I'd love to start straight away in L&D so that I can get my year (or more) of experience there before going on to get my CNM certification. I've already reached out to the CNM I see, and have started taking steps to volunteer in the ER at a local hospital. They are hopefully going to be expanding the program to all of the wards and I would have the chance to volunteer in L&D. I'm wondering what the best way is to keep taking steps to network, particularly as I transition out of pre-nursing and into nursing. I'd love to hear what others are doing or have done thus far?

^ Manny92 gave a really great answer. I'd like to also add that thinking critically means you are capable of moving beyond rote memorization. For example, you can memorize the name of every bone in the body, but what good does that you do if you cannot put that knowledge into practice? Nursing is an incredibly practical field in that you have to be smart AND be able to think on your feet, which is why it's so important to be able to think critically :) Good luck in all of your endeavors :)

I would expect that it would be unethical for a nursing school to subject it's students to something like that... at the very least, a lawsuit waiting to happen. I didn't know the mannequins are so high-tech though... That's really neat!

You obviously failed to read my initial post thoroughly. I *work* for a major IT company that directly competes with Apple. I have an apple at home. I have colleagues that work at Apple, Google, etc. I'm pretty up to date on the IT industry. Which is why I can confidently tell you that I know what's in a computer and the differences between the computers on the market. My bachelors is in psychology and research and I promise you I research thoroughly. not trying to pick a fight. I'm just saying that cost-spec comparison, other computers give you more for our money. If the original poster is set on a Mac though, I would recommend the pro.

It is just paying for a name... hard drives for all the major computer companies in the world come from the same exact place.. as do much of the other parts needed to make a computer. As for not getting viruses, that's not the case any more as Mac is quite popular now and as such, is a great target for all types of malware. It's not a superior product by any means, it's just a different one. Like I said, I love Apple. I use one at home. I'm just pointing out the fact that it's not the only option out there. For the price of a standard mac laptop, you can purchase a mobile workstation (ie. just-under-server grade laptop) that will outperform it due to the graphics card alone. I wish Apple competitors would use something other than a Microsoft OS to be honest. I love the Apple OS and am thankful it is becoming more compatible with all types of software... Also, for the record, of all the computer companies Mac easily has one of the worst customer service ratings. Their warranties are awful and almost anything you do will void them instantly. My mac fell from 6 inches and the laptop screen shattered and we had to void the warranty by having it fixed elsewhere because Apple wanted to charge 800 dollars for a 60 dollar fix. No we didn't buy accidental damage, but the fragility of the glass was a known issue that Apple had been working on and yet somehow it was my fault. So, it's not necessarily superior, it's just different. Again, not trying to step on anyone's toes, but just pointing out that you won't be computing anything differently on an Apple vs. a PC. Ultimately a word doc is a word doc.

I am up in the Austin area and will be a semester behind you all... Just wanted to say good luck to all of you!

I have been exploring options like this as well and what everyone is telling me is to do the BSN. ADN's are being pushed out by those with more extensive academic credentials, so even if you went through an ADN program, it's not a guarantee to find work. I've also looked at direct-entry MSN programs since I have a BA in Psych, but have been similarly told that these graduates do have more difficulty finding work. A BSN is the new baseline for nursing, and I don't think either of us is going to get very far without it unfortunately. The app deadlines here in Texas come very early, and I would imagine they do elsewhere so your best bet is to get your pre-reqs while you're in the military (if you're allowed? I think you probably are? sorry, don't know much about that) so that you can go straight from the military to an aBSN program without wasting anytime. In the grand scheme of things, what's 16 months after all?

Honestly, I think it's entirely possible to do it. The biggest thing is do you think it's possible? I'm taking anatomy and two government classes this semester in addition to working a 40 hour work week to support my husband and daughter. People think I'm insane (my family included), but I want to do this and I'm going to prove them wrong. If you really want this, then you can keep your focus. It sounds like you are a great student, so I honestly don't anticipate this being an overly difficult semester for you. If you were taking 18-21 hours with those classes, I'd maybe reconsider... but in your situation I think you'll be fine. Your kids will understand that you're trying to better yourself (and by extension them) as long as you make them aware that that is the end goal. If anything, I would say you're setting a great example for them about what it means to be determined and successful. Maybe if you keep that frame of mind it will help continue driving you forward. :) Good luck!

Okay so I just checked, and it looks like I don't need physics.... Since I will have Anatomy completed, do you think that I can take HESI after that, or do I really need to also have Phys and Micro completed before I do? Thanks!

Yeah I've taken up through calculus and some upper level chem so i'm not super worried about the math/chem... but I didn't know about the physics portion. That I may need to take a course in. I have no clue what I'm doing there. :) THanks!!