Very nice post. I would actually like it if you wrote again, even with more detail about how the program is. I start my accelerated 2nd degree at UM in September. I enjoyed your comments. Love hearing from those in the program, and we don't find those very often. (I'm guessing everyone is a 2nd degree accelerated is swamped!)
Wow! Congrats to you all gals. I am planning to get into the same program at OU in 2010 and Im a little nervous since it's the most competitive field out there. Please give me some feedback about it. How was the admission interview and did you have all A's in your pre-reqs?? Thank you soo very much and good luck with the program! Yay you will be done in 3 semesters :)
How was the admission interview and did you have all A's in your pre-reqs?? Thank you soo very much and good luck with the program! Yay you will be done in 3 semesters :)
I replied to your PM but I'll say a little here too in case someone else wants to know. I did have a 4.0 for my pre-nursing GPA for the classes they consider when applying. This means that there are a set core of classes they look at to determine your GPA for admittance to the pgm. I think most colleges are like that. They are (for OU) Bio, A&P, Chem, Organic/biochem, and Psychology. Actually I take that back. I don't think I had a A in psychol since I took that class during my first bachelors and probably got a B. But, all my sciences were A's which did help me to get in (I believe) as soon as I did. I actually thought I would have to wait until the next group but they called me for an interview and I was accepted. OU has a rolling inrollment and I think they are the only ones in MI that do have it. One thing - I am in the St. John Cohort, which means all your clinicals with a few exceptions are given at St. John's hospitals. I have done clinicals at Providence in Southfield, St John Main in Detroit, St Joe's Oakland in Pontiac. Other cohorts may do their clinicals at other hospitals in the area. I think the Oakwood cohort does theirs all at Oakwood. One thing this does allow is that the hospitals supply space to teach the classes, so OU can offer more than 1 class. I generally found the clinicals to be pretty good at St. Johns and St. Joe's. I also felt the instructors and administration was interested in your doing well in the pgm, on the nclex and in your nursing career. While there are bound to be snags in any program, I feel they listen to what you say and do make changes, even if it has to be for the next program instead of yours. Let me know if you have any more questions.
KittyKisses, my prerequisite gpa was a 4.0 also but my interview was waived.
Thyme39, I loved your description of the program. I'll keep your advice about getting help from my classmates in mind. This is very helpful because I tend to be a loner when it comes to studying.
Thank you all for the information it was really helpful. Thyme39 thank you so much for your time and information that went into your post...it was so helpful to me!!! Can you tell me are you working durning the program? Do you know anyone who is?
I am in the program right now, and I can tell you it's definitely worth while. The only real pointer you need is to understand that it's hard, but you can do it. I was so excited to get in, and I was stressed, and scared, and now I am half way through. I think you just take it day by day, and know that each day that passes takes you one day closer to your goal.
Congrats on starting the program. I am currently an Electrical Engineer who HATES IT and really feel compelled to go into nursing. I've applied as a pre-2nd degree person ready to start pre-reqs through WCCCD in the summer. When I was checking into where the cohorts would be, the lady told me Macomb is where it'll be. That sucks for me, but really sucks for you if you're in Monroe County. I'm in Woodhaven, a little bit further north, but Macomb is about 1 hour from here. I hope they have it closer by the time I'm ready to start, lol. I plan to begin the accelerated program in 2010.
How did you ladies find all the prerequisites, and were they easy? Were you able to take 3 courses while still working? Have you checked into what kind of money you will be able to make as a starting salary?
As an engineer I do pretty well, make close to 60, and I am hoping that I can start near 50,000. I own a house and such so I cannot afford to take too much of a loss...any advice would be appreciated.
I have no clue about the money.......engineers make good money;). I do believe you may start lower, but once you specialize (if you choose to) it can rise quite a bit. I think for pre-reqs, you can shop your professors. I took some at Washtenaw, loved my profs there, and some at OU, and I liked them too. Community colleges are cheaper...I didn't work, but I think you could if you needed to.
Good luck to you, OU is a great school. They run 3 programs a year, and have really made an effort to make it a solid quality program.
Firehawk, I completed most of my pre-reqs one at a time over the years at HFCC while working. By the time I found this program, I only had inorganic & organic chem and the 3 online NRS classes from OU. I wasn't working while taking those classes because I took a buyout from my job. I was making over $60K but I would rather have job security and work in a field I am interested in. Are you thinking about taking 3 courses in one semester while working? I don't know if I would recommend more than two because it is important to earn high grades for this competitive program. Good luck in whatever you decide.
A spot opened up at Conner Creek this spring so I will be starting early. Hopefully the commute will be better. I'll probably move since the impending road construction will likely destroy any chance of me arriving to class on time.
I know for sure that you will start at about 60K. I graduated with business degree and after 4 years I was making less working 40+ hrs than my friend who got her associates degree in nursing working PART time... I was told that having BSN is even more beneficial when it comes to the compensation. The best thing about it is that it's an amazing, flexible job to have! I am planning to start OU in 2010 so I hope to see you there. Good Luck !
How was your goal statement? I think like I am making a big deal out of it but I just have the hardest time writing it ! As a matter of fact I am about to start typing it out right now but I just don't think it's good enough.. Please give me some advice about it.
My goal statement was very personalized. I cited specific examples from my educational, work, and life experiences and explained why they made me an ideal candidate for the program. It was very succinct and only slightly above the minimum word count of 500. I had a least five people with diverse backgrounds and personalities proofread my essay. I noted all their suggestions and incorporated them into my final draft.
I was a little embarrassed of my statement because I felt that it made me seem so conceited but I just kept reminding myself that the people who would be judging my words had no clue about me. Don't be ashamed to sell yourself. I'll proofread your rough draft if you want to post it or send it via PM.
As a matter of fact I am about to start typing it out right now but I just don't think it's good enough.. Please give me some advice about it.
SusanKathleen, RN
366 Posts
Very nice post. I would actually like it if you wrote again, even with more detail about how the program is. I start my accelerated 2nd degree at UM in September. I enjoyed your comments. Love hearing from those in the program, and we don't find those very often. (I'm guessing everyone is a 2nd degree accelerated is swamped!)
Thanks.