SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University ABSN 2021-2022

aleksyuriy · Mar 21, 2021

On 12/21/2020 at 10:30 AM, ABSN21_Downstate said:

Hello all! I'm currently enrolled in the program finishing in August. I'm here to pay it forward b/c students in the previous cohort helped us along the way. Please click here to view last year's thread - it's filled w/ Q&A's that are still applicable: https://allnurses.com/suny-downstate-ABSN-t707109/

If you haven't already, please read the entire thread above before posting questions.

Things will be very different for you for a number of reasons: the first is your program of study will not match ours since we started in the Summer vs Fall... Summer 1 was notoriously known for being hell (don't worry everyone survived), but perhaps, things will be smoother for you since it's now a Fall start. Secondly, we're halfway through and only had 4 clinical rotations b/c of COVID (shocking, I know, but don't worry, you will all be fine b/c restrictions may be lifted for you)... and yes, we're known as the COVID cohort... if we can get through this nearly ALL ONLINE, SO CAN YOU.

I am going to list 9 simple steps to follow from now until you graduate... follow these steps and I promise - if you give it your all, and follow this, you will all do fine.

Step 1: Stick together and crowdsource knowledge from one another ... it's literally the only way to succeed... everyone's in the same boat trying to stay afloat - this is a critical step.

Step 2: Be superhuman flexible... more than likely, you will never know your schedule until the very last minute (and don't be surprised when things change or if you don't get a final syllabus even after 5 weeks into a course)... learn to be OK with this b/c you WILL be OK... like, you WILL be OK... I'll say this for the third time... YOU WILL BE OK (as long as you follow step 3)

Step 3: Negotiate everything and anything... want to get a final pushed? grading policy changed? desire an open book or group exam? ... power is in numbers - if your cohort reaches a majority consensus and/or it's literally just blatantly unfair - voice it... more than likely you will have a solid case to make it happen... remember, your professors WANT you to succeed... they are not out to get you... they really care about you succeeding... they want you to get an A.

Step 4: I am going to utter 3 simple words and that's all... Test Bank Questions.

Step 5: All accelerated programs require some form of self-teaching... learn to be OK w/ self-teaching things via Youtube, simplenursing.com, etc... remember, this is coming from the cohort who had to perform head-to-toe physicals on teddy bears... yes... teddy bears...

Step 6: The ATI program they make you use throughout the program to supplement your courses helps you pass the NCLEX (it's also super digestible, so make sure you incorporate that early on into your studies)... By the way, everyone literally bombs those ATI exams (low 50s - high 60s) at the end of some course they make you take, BUT don't be alarmed - they barely count, and everyone still passes the NCLEX (as per previous cohorts, fingers crossed)

Step 7: This step is also critical to accomplishing Step 1... Once people actually start getting accepted - somebody needs to take on the role of a "leader" and create a private FB account for accepted candidates to join to accomplish STEP 1... ... remember this is coming from the cohort who had to take this entire program ONLINE during COVID... and yes, a 90 person chat is possible once everything is divided into sub-groups.

Step 8: Stay as organized as possible. Downstate is deeply and unforgivingly disorganized. Stay on top of admin for clinical clearance, and do not miss deadlines. Accept it and just move on. Make your planner, pencil, and eraser your best friends.

Step 9: Optional step… but try to get ahead. You have 8 months before you start, consider taking patho and/or pharm at a community college - you will thank me once in the program.

*Since this program doesn't start for another 8 months... I'll stop here and I'll check back later. Good luck to all during the application/interview process!

Hi, I loved this message! Thank you for thinking about next cohort! I posted your message in our facebook group. Please let me know, how can we connect, so you can give us more advices and share useful information.

ebru · Mar 21, 2021

Thank u sooo much for all those details! You are the best!!

lizz87 · Mar 22, 2021

Congratulations to everyone that got accepted! For those of you that had interviews, can you describe what they were like? What sorts of questions did they ask, how long did they last and were there multiple interviewers/interviewees in the zoom session?

Interviews terrify me...so just trying to prepare myself as much as possible LOL

Thank you!

allynurse2b123 · Mar 22, 2021

My application now says " Screening Complete". Anyone else?? So nervous I won't get a call today

christinaaaax, BSN · Mar 22, 2021

5 minutes ago, allynurse2b123 said:

My application now says " Screening Complete". Anyone else?? So nervous I won't get a call today

I got a call once my application said screening complete. So, I would expect a call as soon as today.

1 hour ago, lizz87 said:

Congratulations to everyone that got accepted! For those of you that had interviews, can you describe what they were like? What sorts of questions did they ask, how long did they last and were there multiple interviewers/interviewees in the zoom session?

Interviews terrify me...so just trying to prepare myself as much as possible LOL

Thank you!

The interview is with the program director. Mine was an hour long. She mainly asked questions about yourself and your personal statement. She also tells you about the program itself and what resources are at the school.The night before, I just googled a bunch of nursing school interview questions to prepare myself what might be asked. I didn't get the same questions but it helped me feel alot more comfortable.

allynurse2b123 · Mar 22, 2021

AHH I just got a call for an interview tomorrow!! For the people who had interviews, any advice and help on how to prepare?? I have no time to prepare so I am very nervous but excited

rlivshi1, EMT-B · Mar 22, 2021

17 minutes ago, allynurse2b123 said:

AHH I just got a call for an interview tomorrow!! For the people who had interviews, any advice and help on how to prepare?? I have no time to prepare so I am very nervous but excited

I also got interview for tomorrow. Still waiting for the link though. Good luck!

did you get the link in email yet?

Wooosky · Mar 22, 2021

Do they only update statuses on Monday?

allynurse2b123 · Mar 22, 2021

35 minutes ago, rlivshi1 said:

I also got interview for tomorrow. Still waiting for the link though. Good luck!

did you get the link in email yet?

Not yet but they said they would

Shevon · Mar 23, 2021

Hi Guys!
I just got a call for an interview. I honestly didn’t think I would. My GPA is a 3.3 but my pre-requisite GPA is a 3.85. My TEAS scores were average. 85 on English, 93 on Math, but a 71 on science. I do have 4 years of clinical experience as a Patient Care Assistant at a hospital.

A89 · Mar 23, 2021

Congratulations to all of you who was accepted or invited for an interview. I am still waiting for any updates on my Status, it has been File forwarded to Program for Review for months ?

I am just wondering if all of those people who have been accepted have any experience in medical field? Because I don’t have any medical experience at all and maybe I am just wasting my time waiting for their call..

Guest 1170574 · Mar 23, 2021

3 minutes ago, A89 said:

Congratulations to all of you who was accepted or invited for an interview. I am still waiting for any updates on my Status, it has been File forwarded to Program for Review for months ?

I am just wondering if all of those people who have been accepted have any experience in medical field? Because I don’t have any medical experience at all and maybe I am just wasting my time waiting for their call..

in this same vein, I was wondering if anyone has insight into whether they would still consider any volunteer experience if it was from a few years ago in a hospital setting? I'm assuming yes, as I included it in my application, but I am hoping it's not been too long. I just didn't know if folks had been accepted with healthcare volunteer experience that isn't exactly current ?