AaronWimer

In the summer semester, you will have class 4 days a week and clinical one day a week. The only "days off" you will have will be the weekend. I highly encourage you to take out enough loans to get through that first semester without a job. It's not that you are so busy you couldn't handle a job, but it's more that you are going through a lot of stressful events like moving to a new city and following a fast schedule with many due dates and assignments that it's best not to overwhelm yourself, but I do know at least 3 people that worked 12 hours a week. When the fall and spring semesters come around, there is a lot more free time. The cohort is split up in half and half the students take nursing of women and nursing of children while the other half take nursing of adults 1 and psychiatric nursing. I took the nursing of women and the nursing of children courses in the fall and I had class 2 days a week and clinical one day a week leaving me with 4 days off. I worked close to 20 hours, but next semester I will have class 3 days a week and clinical 2 days a week. My point being the women and children semester is a lot easier and you will have more free time.

You know, part of the reason I posted on this forum was because I was so thankful for what Allie did for my class last semester as far as answering questions. She provided lots of information in our thread last year so I encourage every one of you to check that thread out! I wanted to do the same thing that she did and hopefully, someone next year from this thread will do the same!

PVCCHoo, I am considering applying to UVa. I'm thinking ahead, but if I graduate next December and my goal is to start working ASAP, when would I apply to UVa? Are you saying I would apply around this time next year (a couple months before I graduate?)

I cannot say for sure, but if everything required is listed as received before the due date, but you have not yet received a confirmation email, I would not fret. You will hear from them soon. You can always call if you have a question. I want to make sure I give you the right information regarding statistics. As far as enrollment is concerned, about 400 applied and 90 got in. I do not know if that means 400 complete applications, but that figure, for the most part, is standard. I can't remember the exact GPA, but it was close to a 3.5. Honestly, I had 0 volunteer experience. What I did have was a CNA license and a job as a CNA that, in my opinion, offset the lack of volunteer experience. What I think is most important to remember is that they are looking for some sort of life experience that made you interested in nursing. If you found that by volunteering 100 hours at a soup kitchen one summer, or shadowing a nurse for a week or even working as a CNA made you somehow realize your potential as a nurse - you are displaying a necessary component to your application which is why you wanted to start over with another degree in nursing. Volunteer experience can be an important addition to your application, but VCU is open to hearing about many different backgrounds and experiences that drew someone to want to pursue their BSN at VCU. Good luck! Decisions will be here before you know it.

For this year, our break was from July 28th to about August 20th. It was about 3-4 weeks.

Hey everyone! Man I can remember what it felt like to be in your shoes! I am in the accelerated program right now and reading all your posts makes me think....how in the world has a whole year gone by already?? I have to tell you - I'm in the second semester and I cannot begin to tell you how much I've already learned. This is a wonderful program. Your cohort will become like family to you and all the faculty are great. If you get accepted, I encourage every single one of you to come to VCU! If you have ANY questions at all, please let me know! I am a Student Ambassador for the program so I can answer a lot of questions regarding the application process! Hope to hear from you all soon! TAKE A DEEP BREATH and be confident! Aaron