sjc1984

Hi there everyone! Sorry, I just now noticed there were some posts on here in the past few weeks. I want to make sure everyone here is aware of the Facebook group. Everyone there is so helpful! https://www.facebook.com/groups/PBSCNursingFall2015/

Hi all! I have started a Facebook group for the Fall 2015 applicants so we may reach a wider audience. You can join the group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PBSCNursingFall2015/ Also, an update on the transcript situation....as it turns out, some things can be shuffled around and look a little funny in the period between application submission and processing (especially if you have some issues with transfer credits, course appeal /re-evaluations, etc.). My advisor said it should all fall into place once the application is processed and is in the limited access system, but just something to keep an eye out for. She said the applications that are submitted will start to be processed around the end of the semester. If you've submitted your application, that would be a good time to check Panther Web for your limited access application status - on the yellow banner at the top, hover over "Records", then click on "Limited Access Application Status." Whew...back to waiting :)

Hey guys, just wanted to give a heads up based on my experience :) As you know, I submitted my application last Wednesday. On Friday, the college called and said I needed to reapply to the school because I haven't had any classes since last summer. No big deal, I did that. Then, when I went to check my interactive degree audit and transcripts, one of my classes (a transfer credit for which a course appeal had been granted 2 years ago) suddenly disappeared. My transcript now shows that my pre-requisites are incomplete. After getting bounced back and forth between advising and registration, I am still waiting to hear back. I am sure it was just a computer error (I've had issues with that credit in the past) but just wanted to share my advice: be sure to keep a close eye on your transcripts after you submit your application! The woman I spoke to in registration said that the submission of my application triggered the change. I am probably one of the "lucky" few this happens to, but again, just wanted to give a heads up :) Good luck!

Oh, I forgot to add...if your course appeal doesn't go through, you could easily take the class online. It was the first class I took at PBSC. I took the online course with Linda Wechter Ashkin and it was really easy (as long as you can write a couple 1-page essays every week and do a bit of reading). I enjoyed it. It looks like she is teaching this summer but not online. There are, however, a few other professors teaching it online this summer if you want to check it out.

Unfortunately, you're right - you will have to take chemistry this summer in order for your grades to post for the October 1st deadline. As for doing a course appeal for DEP2004, it's worth a shot! However, I will say that is one of them that they are notoriously picky about. I took general psych when I got my bachelor's, and they accepted that as a substitute for PSY2012 right off the bat (no course appeal necessary). If you feel you have a similar psych course or combination of courses that could substitute, submit the official course descriptions, and if possible, syllabi along with an explanation on your course appeal. The forms can be found here: http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/admissions/Documents/coursereevaluation.pdf You will need to submit the forms to the Registrar's Office. I have done most of my paperwork at the Palm Beach Gardens campus, but I would assume you just drop it off at the Lake Worth campus Registrar's Office when you are there. Sorry, I am not really familiar with that campus yet, but I am sure someone there could point you in the right direction. Glad I could help! This is just what keeps me busy while I wait. Of course, I just submitted my application on Wednesday, and I've already hit a couple of snags (need to re-apply to the school because I haven't been in classes since last summer; transcripts got all jumbled up and now say I am missing classes...all sorts of fun!) so it is DEFINITELY good to be prepared and allow time for these types of issues.

You're welcome! Glad I could be of some help. As for the chemistry class, the lab is not required. However, it doesn't hurt to take it. Latisha mentioned last night that although it is not required, it is recommended. I think it may help cover a lab credit if you decide to get a BSN. Also, just a heads up, it is good to make sure that it is equivalent to what PBSC requires for their chemistry class because they can be quite picky. If it doesn't do an even transfer, you may just need to do a course appeal. I did, and I was able to use my organic chemistry lecture in place of their chemistry credit (since my general chemistry credits were expired!). But if it transfers right over to their equivalent, you don't need to worry about it. I think she said last night that you can't use the CLEP for chemistry...so you may want to check on that! Good luck on the HESI! Have you taken any chemistry before, even in high school? There is a chemistry section on the HESI. I remember stressing about it because I just don't really like general chem, but it was really, really basic stuff - think chemical bonds, properties, periodic table, etc. If you study what is provided in the HESI review book, you should be good. I used this one: Admission Assessment Exam Review, 3e: 9781455703333: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com It was really helpful and worth the money, but of course, you could check the library for it first.

Good Evening everyone! I attended the PBSC Nursing Info Session tonight one last time (I went last summer and a couple years before that) to make sure I had all the pertinent information for this application cycle. Of course, most of the information is pretty much the same from cycle to cycle, but I thought I would share a few key things from tonight that you guys might find helpful, including the point totals for Spring 2015 acceptance into the program: PBSC Spring 2015 Point Totals - Lake Worth Full-Time Program Highest point total accepted: 26.32 Median point total accepted: 24.50 Lowest point total accepted: 23.52 Latisha said that, although the point system has changed slightly since last cycle (updated HESI scoring, points for previous education, STA2023 replacing HUN1201, etc.), she expects the point averages to be roughly the same this year. It's not a guarantee, but it's a hunch. As always, she suggests aiming for the median. Regarding HUN1201 -- although it is no longer a required co-req, it will be a "recommended course," as it IS required for the BSN program. So, if you're like me and already took it under the previous point system, breathe easy - it was worth it :) --When the time comes to submit your application, it is advised that you do it at the admissions office where you plan on attending (Lake Worth only for this cycle; Lake Worth or Belle Glade for Spring 2016 applicants). Although you can submit at any of the campuses, it is best to go to the main source. I speak from experience. I did all of my in-person pre-requisistes at the Gardens campus, but when I submitted some documents there for a course appeal once, I later found out after a few weeks waiting and some phone calls that it was never sent to Lake Worth. They were awesome, apologized, and rushed it for me, but just a heads up - the people I spoke with warned that this isn't the first time that this happened. With something as time-sensitive and important as the application, it's better to be safe than sorry! --As cgambino70 and others currently in the program have suggested, it is highly recommended that you take pharmacology (NUR1141, I believe) before starting the program, if you can. Latisha did say, however, that you should only do that if you have everything else in order (all pre-reqs and co-reqs, etc.) so you can be fully prepared because it is NOT an easy class (hence why it is recommended to do it early if you can). Unfortunately, I don't think my schedule will allow it this summer. I am not sure if there are any spots open right now, but it is worth looking into. --As for the HESI, if you want to re-take it (or haven't taken it yet), it is recommended ASAP. If you want to be able to take it twice before the application is due, you have to complete your first attempt BEFORE APRIL 1. Otherwise, you will only get your one shot at it before the June 1 deadline, since you have to wait 61 days between HESI attempts. --This is repeated at every info session every semester, but it bears repeating: please submit your application ASAP before the deadline if you can!! Of course, some of you will have to wait for grades to post at the end of this semester and/or completion of the HESI, but once you have everything in order and are sure it's complete, submit! Latisha said that last cycle, nearly a third of applicants submitted their app on the due date, causing a huge backlog and delay in acceptance/denial responses. So, if you can submit before then, it is in all of our best interest because it (theoretically) speeds up the notification process. Win-win! :) Of course, these are just the highlights I felt were worth mentioning. The next info sessions before the June 1st application deadline are April 15 and May 6, both at 4 pm. I highly recommend getting there early because 1. parking can be a pain and 2. seats in the auditorium fill up quickly. Both Latisha Myrick (Health Sciences Advisor) and Rhonda Boles (Nursing Program Specialist) stick around after the session to answer questions and are very helpful! Last but not least, good luck, and feel free to post any important updates here. I submitted my application tonight after the session (after I asked Latisha a few last minute questions because I am super anxious about the small details, as you can see, haha!). So now....I wait!

Hi there! Yes I agree, it is so helpful to hear real input from current students. Thanks to the Spring 2015 students! I would recommend making an appointment with Latisha Myrick. The info sessions are great, but Ms. Myrick will be able any questions that are specific to your situation. She's been very helpful but can be very busy, especially around application time, so try to book with her for when you're here ASAP. Now that the application is out, I think I will go to the info session next week (March 25) for one final check to make sure I've got everything all together before I submit my application. Anyone else plan on attending that one?

Good news: I checked today, and it appears that the application for Fall 2015 is now available! Palm Beach State - Application The updated point system is listed there (30 points possible, nutrition replaced by statistics, and updated HESI scores and degree points). Let the games begin, folks! Good luck and may the odds be every in your favor!

Thank you SO MUCH for the input, cgambino70! I appreciate the real-life advice from someone who is going through it right now. I tend to get anxious and sometimes over-prepare for things (hence why I came on here today to check in and will spend the next hour or so making a big checklist for all my application preparations -- and the application isn't even out yet!) but it sounds like that is a GOOD things for nursing school! I haven't taken any classes since finishing up the Critical Thinking class last summer then taking the HESI last August. Would it be worthwhile looking at some of the NCLEX questions now, or would a lot of it be tough to understand without even being in the program yet? My husband is always looking for good deals online, and he bought me a Kindle e-book of NCLEX practice questions because it was on sale for $6.99. If I don't use it now, it will be there for later. I am glad you really like clinicals. That is one of the things I am excited yet nervous about. I like hands-on work. You said you like doing classes online so you can get info ahead of time. Any cons to doing online classes? I have had some bad experiences with online classes at PBSC (disorganization, lack of communication, etc), but some good, too. Depends on the instructor, I suppose. Do you take all of your classes online, or just some? Personally, I like the ability to take some online for some schedule flexibility (I have two small kids and my husband travels a lot for work and military), but for things like the hard sciences, I prefer in-class instruction as I learn better that way for those subjects. Any input you have on online classes vs. in-person would be great! Again, thanks for taking the time out of your surely hectic schedule to give us all a heads-up. I hope to do the same and pay it forward once I am in the program. Also, congrats on doing so great in the program so far!

Welcome, imthebriman1! I'm glad you found this group. I spent a good deal of time on the Spring 2015 board getting to know people and asking questions. Their input has been so helpful, so I am hoping we can do the same for you. Of course, as you can see, it seems as the requirements keep changing almost every application cycle, so it's good to keep on top of what's going on. Good luck with your pre-reqs and let me know if we can be of any help.

Jcol1460 - your comment about transitioning toward a BSN got me thinking, so I decided to "degree shop" a BS in nursing in the interactive degree audit. Lo and behold, there's my statistics course transfer credits :) A bit of a relief. Hooray! It also gave me a bit of an idea of what's required for a BSN. My eventual goal is to see what I need to do to "fill in the blanks" to acquire a BSN. I am sure many more course appeals are on the horizon, hah, and of course a few other courses to take. Thanks again :)

Hi all, Just checking in. It's been a very crazy month for me, so it's been a while since I've even had a moment to check the board! Jcol1460, thank you so much for the honest feedback :) It does sound like things will be quite frustrating, but at least we have an expectation of how it can be going into this process. I, too, have been having trouble getting direct answers. I know that the application itself for Fall 2015 won't be out until at least April (I believe that is an estimate I was given at one point, which makes sense since the application will be due June 1). However, I just wish that there was some place I could get my hands on the new requirements without having to attend yet ANOTHER info session (this would make #3 for me, #2 in the last year alone). I wonder if part of the reason they are so vague on the information is that perhaps they aren't entirely sure and they are allowing for last minute changes? Gah! It just makes me nervous....because from what Latisha told me last summer, I am right on track and don't have to worry...but...the requirements keep changing! I finally did see this on the Nursing page today: :"Also starting June 1, 2015, the co-requisite Elements of Nutrition (HUN1201) will be replaced with Statistics (STA2023)."Good to see *that* in writing. However, I am still nervous because even though the university e-mailed me saying that my STA2023 transfer WAS approved, it shows up nowhere on my transcript or interactive degree audit, and in fact, my original transfer course is still listed as "not accepted toward degree." Nothing like waiting til the last minute, eh? Ahhhh. Trying my best to make the most of my last semester of freedom, but this stuff just gives me anxiety already. For those already enrolled, how is nursing school going? Any pointers? I hope it is going well for you all!!! I am sure I speak for all of us future applicants when I say we greatly appreciate your input and advice :)

FYI - I found a link that lists all the upcoming information sessions, as well as the updated co-requisites (it lists STA2023 instead of HUN1201). The info sessions are as follows: [TABLE=width: 406] [TR] [TD=width: 33%] January 21 [/TD] [TD=width: 33%] Wednesday [/TD] [TD=width: 33%] 4 pm [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 33%] February 18 [/TD] [TD=width: 33%] Wednesday [/TD] [TD=width: 33%] 4 pm [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 33%] March 25 [/TD] [TD=width: 33%] Wednesday [/TD] [TD=width: 33%] 4 pm [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 33%] April 15 [/TD] [TD=width: 33%] Wednesday [/TD] [TD=width: 33%] 4 pm [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD=width: 33%] May 6 [/TD] [TD=width: 33%] Wednesday [/TD] [TD=width: 33%] 4 pm [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] See this link for full details: http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/programs/nursing/documents/GenericNursingInfoSession1.pdf I haven't found an updated point sheet reflecting these changes, however, so if anyone has that info, please feel free to post it here! I will check with Latisha again and see if she can send it to me.

Thanks. I'm assuming the spring point system still lists nutrition rather than statistics? If so, then I've already seen that one. Everyone keeps saying that statistics will replace it for the point, but I have yet to see it in writing. And, quite frankly, I find it frustrating because I feel there is already a lack of nutritional education requirements in health care. I feel that statistics are important, too, but why take one away to add another? Anyway, I digress...another issue for another day... :) However, if you do have information on the NEW new requirements (hah), let me know. I am sure they will be giving that information out at the next info session, but I really don't want to have to go back down to LW for another one since I've already attended two. But if there are that many changes, perhaps I'd better.