SLU Accelerated BSN starting in May 2013?

malenurseftw · Feb 13, 2013

Unfortunately, swhirls, I do not know. I know the area gets safer the closer you get to Tower Grove Park but it's not the best area (not to mention you'll probably have to walk a mile from TGP). The Saum apartments are on South Grand and looked somewhat reasonably priced but I don't know anything about who lives there or what the conditions are like, also about 1/3rd of a mile hike - though depending on when classes and clinicals are you might be able get by without having to walk in the dark. Sorry, wish I was more help! Might be a question worth emailing an advisor about.

as_nurse · Feb 16, 2013

Hey! Glad to hear from a few others who will be starting at SLU - I'll be excited to meet you all in person. Is everyone planning on going to the orientation? I can't wait to get there and hear a little more about what we are in store for the next 12 months!

Also, I won't be able to offer a ton of advice about housing as I'm from out of state, but I was down there a couple weeks ago to look at places and really liked the CWE - for what it's worth. Good luck to everyone with their housing search.

llerou1 · Mar 7, 2013

I will be attending the orientation this month! Did you get any info about what time it is? All I know is that last year it was from 10-4.

malenurseftw · Mar 7, 2013

I got a packet in the mail today that explains a lot about the orientation, background check, drug screen, etc. It looks like the orientation starts at 10:30 but they ask you to be there by 10:00. Official run time is from 10:00-3:00. I wonder how much of that time they are explaining things about the program and how much of that time is a meet and greet.

I did go pick up my scrubs today though. We're getting close!

llerou1 · Mar 7, 2013

Great, thanks! I recently moved so I guess the change of address is holding my info packet up. I'm so excited about getting my first set of scrubs :) I always get excited with the book/supplies buying process... and then a week into it I can't wait to never touch them again lol

as_nurse · Mar 18, 2013

See you this week at orientation - I can't wait to meet everyone!

Kenz13 · Apr 4, 2013

Hi Everyone,

I just recently changed my graduate plans and will be joining the May 2013 SLU ABSN class! I am very excited to begin and meet everyone! However since I changed my plans so late I missed the orientation meeting in March. Can anyone fill me in on what went on and what was discussed? Additionally does anyone know about finding a roommate or know of a forum or website where people from our class are looking for a roommate? I live in Dallas and feel like I missed out at orientation! I can’t wait to start class and meet everyone in May though!

as_nurse · Apr 6, 2013

Hi Kenz13!

Glad you'll be joining us in May - I'll look forward to meeting you then. The orientation was really just an overview of what to expect and a good chance to meet people. So in that regard it is a bummer you didn't know your plans at the time so you could participate, but it's not like you are missing absolute imperative information. If you have any specific questions let us know and hopefully one of us will be able to answer them. They did give us a folder with a lot of information - student advice, equipment, book lists for summer, schedule, etc. I would assume if you emailed Scott he'd be able to send that information to you electronically for you to review. There was also a lot of talk about financial aid - big take away, if you are planning on doing FASFA you should complete for both the 2012-13 and 2013-14 (SLU school code is 002506). If you have specific questions about your package they seemed really friendly and willing to help so I'd just give them a call. As far as the schedule goes it definitely is accelerated, but I guess we all knew what we were getting in to -more or less! =) With the exception of the first week of the summer session, we'll have a test every week - and usually it was like 2 or 3.... We do follow the normal academic calendar for SLU, which you can find on their website, so we will have a break between summer and fall sessions, fall break, holidays, etc. I'm sure they will be very welcomed! As far as people looking for a roommate I know they had a list of emails going at orientation. I believe they were going to email that info out to interested people after orientation and they could really coordinate from there. Again, I'm sure if you contact Scott he could get that list to you so you could contact people. There were several interested individuals, so hopefully that will work out for you. I know I actually found my roommate via email originally provided by Scott back in Feb. so it can work. If you have other specific questions, let us know. Again, look forward to meeting you in May!

krackley09 · Dec 11, 2013

Hi! I was accepted to the program starting May 2014. I was wondering if any of you currently in the program could tell me how you like it and some details of the program are. Thanks so much!

as_nurse · Dec 12, 2013

Congrats on being accepted to SLU! It's currently our finals week, so I don't have a ton of time to write a long response, but if you are anything like I was a year ago, you are super excited to receive any information about the program so I wanted to post a quick note. I've loved the program so far and for me it was the right decision to come here. It has definitely been a busy year, but not overwhelming that you have no time for anything else...so don't let some of the other articles out there about accelerated programs scare you. The link earlier in this thread gives a pretty good idea of the flow of the year so if you haven't already, check that out. The summer is the worst to get through (so far), because it is so theory heavy --- which is necessary before you start doing your clinicals in the hospital, just mentally taxing, especially when it is so nice outside! On the bright side, you will spend so much time with your class this summer and basically have the run of the SON that you'll all become super close. Fall has still been busy, but being in the hospitals is way better than being in a classroom all week. You're schedule here is really dependent on when your clinical instructors are available and/or the hospitals have availability for you to be on the floor. This semester I've done both 6 and 12 hour shifts on weekdays and a few Saturdays. Of course you still have class time as well - but not every day 8 to 4 like in the summer. Whew... this got a little longer than the quick response I was initially planning -- I've got to get back to the books. Let me know if you have any specific questions, and congratulations, again!

krackley09 · Dec 14, 2013

Thank you SO much for the info! Yes I'm super excited and I'm trying to find out as much info as I possibly can lol. I'm relieved to hear you say that there is still time to do things. I'm just really concerned about pharm and patho. I do have a few questions for you. How are the professors? And do you work? And where have you done your clinicals so far? Sorry for so many questions just respond back when it's convenient for you! Thanks and hopefully your finals went well!!

malenurseftw · Feb 6, 2014

Hey Krackley09, I'll add to what asteck said and try to answer some of your questions.

Yes, there is still time to do things...sometimes. There are occasional happy hours that we organize after a particularly trying test, or maybe the day before everyone leaves for a break. When school is in session though my friends and family know that I am busy as all hell and won't be doing much else aside from school associated things.

As asteck said the summer is definitely intense. You are in class from 8-4 every day with a 1 hr lunch break. That's a lot of time sitting on your ass. The last half of the summer you have pharm and patho combinded (and don't forget a test every week). During that first semester my days pretty much consisted of going to class, coming home for a quick run/eat dinner and then study till midnight, go to sleep, repeat. Even that didn't feel like enough for me and I studied every weekend. Never drank, just studied. If you are looking to get through your classes with B's and C's you can probably get by with a less studying and more fun. I wanted all A's and I studied my ass off to get all A's. If you don't plan on pursuing a further degree after getting your BSN then I would say to give yourself a break and just make the grades. A nurse is a nurse is a nurse regardless of GPA. But if you want to become an NP or get your master's I would definitely keep those grades up.

Most of the professors are great, especially during the summer. I can think of 2 professors that I have not cared for out of roughly 10. They are all pretty fair and most of them understand when a question is written poorly, or they'll give a couple points back if 70% of the class misses a question. Just like any school though you will have teachers you do not like, and teachers that you butt heads with. Some professors cannot be reasoned with, the only right answer is the one that they tell you and forget what any other resource says. That's just the way it is.

Very few people work in the program. It is not recommended and I definitely wouldn't work during the summer. I remember thinking "I'll work during the program as a care partner or something and then have a foot in the door at that hospital." Well guess what, I have an open position as a care partner at a hospital and I haven't worked there a single day, I just haven't had the time (and believe me I could use the money!). I have noticed others starting to work a bit more during this spring semester, mostly making home visits to wipe butts for those who can't. Personally, I don't think that's the gig that's going to give you a leg up on the rest of your nursing class.

PM me with other questions and I'll try to respond in a timely fashion.