TCU ABSN 2012

Over35hopeful · Oct 12, 2011

Hi I am also applying for the program in 2012! I have almost your identical background. Sold pharma and biotech for the past 10 years. I am taking the HESI on 10/14. My gpa in the science is 3.8 but my overall my be a bit low. I didn't do so well in undergraduate which was over 10 years ago but in have gotten mostly A's on all my classes taken over the past 2 years. I am pray i do well on the test. My concern is I have been out of school for so long and I am not sure about the math portion. I am a bit rusty in the fractions! LoL. Let's keep in contact through this journey! Best of luck to ALL!!!:)

JAMSALEStoRN · Oct 12, 2011

Hi there Over35hopeful!! :)

It's crazy that we have such a similar background! I am also taking the HESI Friday at TCU. I hope to meet you there! I am also very nervous about the exam. In fact, I am doing a prep class at El Centro tomorrow just to relax and hopefully gain some confidence prior to going in on Friday. I have been studying two different guides to prepare for the math and A&P portions of the test.

I just wrapped up my A&P course and have A&PII that starts on Monday for 8 weeks. Then I will be taking Nutrition in an 8 week course. MY GPA in my science courses is a 4.0, but my undergrad was only a 3.03.

Perhaps we will meet on Friday. I will be the short gal with red hair. :)

If we don't meet (and even if we do) GOOD LUCK on the test!! :)

Over35hopeful · Oct 12, 2011

Wow! I wish I had taken the course at El Centro. There is no doubt I could taken in a few test taking pointers. If I don't do well this time I will take it for the next go around. I am also very nervous about the exam! I meant to mention in my last post I

am located in Frisco so we are relatively close to one another. I will definitely look for you on Friday. I am also a short gal only 5'0 tall. I have long brown hair. There are only 20 spots for the exam so we shouldn't have a problem finding each other. I will be there early since I have no idea how long it will take in traffic to get to the location. Happy studying!!

RedTx · Oct 13, 2011

I will be taking the test tomorrow with you folks. I live over in Flower Mound so im very close to you JAMSALEStoRN. If we could connect in time it would be nice to carpool? but thats completely up to you?I have been in outside sales and management in different arenas in the last 10. I've sold construction equipment, and payroll software. Last January I just couldn't stomach anymore and im hoping this is the right path.

Im a semi tall (6' 0) red headed guy.

I am also worried about the math portion. I have been studying some manuals the last two weeks so I will so how it goes.

RedTx · Oct 14, 2011

Well I made a 87.10 not really what I was looking for but I guess it will have to do for now.

Does anyone know if I can still get in with an 87?

How did the rest of y'all do?

Over35hopeful · Oct 14, 2011

Ted better than i did! i made an 80 and was devastated. I feel really bad about it because i spent all of my time studying all the other subjects and didn't bother to look at the A&P section because I took it last year. I figured I would just remember everything. That was just a really silly mistake on my part:mad:

Gook to you anyway on getting in!!! I am sure you are fine:)

JAMSALEStoRN · Oct 17, 2011

Hi Over35hopeful and Ted!!

I apologize for the delayed response. I kept checking my hotmail account for an alert and when I still hadn't gotten one, then I decided to come on to come back to allnurses and check...

RedTx, sorry we didn't link up to carpool. You were sitting right in front of me to the left! :) Unfortunately, I did not check this post prior to the test.

As for the overall grade, after the assessment, I went across the hall and gave my scores to *****. According to her, the main thing they are looking at is your math individual score and your grammar, reading, comprehension composition score. While they do keep A&P in mind, many applicants are still taking their A&P courses so they place less emphasis on that.

So with that in mind, Over35hopeful, I am sure you did just fine!! Same with you RedTx!!

I really did study quite a bit with two different books and took a class that wasn't very useful @ El Centro for HESI prep, but the class did calm my nerves a bit by kinda knowing what to expect.

Here are my scores:

Math 92

A&P 80 (I have only taken A&PI, start A&PII today)

Reading composite 90

Overall score 90

Not sure if these are competitive enough, but I gave it my best shot. Now I suppose it's in the decision making hands. I honestly don't feel I could have studied or prepared any more for the test. I just hope my science GPA and overall GPA carry some weight in their decision. March/April is a loooonnnng time to stress about it though!! I am super nervous and wish we would know something sooner!!

Anyone else out there have any thoughts/comments? For current TCU ABSN students, what were your stats to get in??

Thanks for any feedback!!

Shiner50 · Oct 17, 2011

Don't let the A&P section get you down. There are so many applicants still in the process of taking A&P that they don't hold that score in high regard (or at least that's what my testing group was told). The wait to get in is a long one... I was in your shoes last year. Good luck to you all! I'm a current ABT student, btw.

RedTx · Oct 18, 2011

I talked to ******* about my grade as well and she said I didnt really have anything to worry about. I dont know if she said that to be nice and not freak me out or telling the truth.

From the info I gathered from her which seems to be true is that they put a lot of emphasis on essay, resume, personality, and then the other stuff is just kind of for qualification.

I dont know anything other than I really need to get in. Ive heard of people with exceptional HESI and GPA scores not get in as well as people with standard scores get in. I dont know I just hope I got what they want.

They also told me that undergrad GPA wasnt that important. I hope they are right because my undergrad gpa is awful.

What has everyone done for the essay? I think I really need to shine in the essay

Shiner50 · Oct 19, 2011

It's hard to tell how they pick the applicants they admit....GPA obviously (nursing/science GPA); undergrad GPA not as important. There are plenty of people in my class who "messed up" in their undergrad years. It is good, though, to have made very good grades in any recent classes you have taken. They understand that a lot of us were crazy college kids once, but it is very important to show that you have matured as a person/student. There is not an interview process (at least there wasn't last year), so the only way I know that they can judge personality is from the essay. My advice for the essay is not to give standard answers, like trying to define the role of a nurse; that is hard to answer unless you have nursing experience or have a close relationship with a nurse. Unless you make it a point to go to TCU and introduce yourself to the nursing administrators, the essay is the only way they will be able to understand your motivation to become a nurse. Again, good luck!

JAMSALEStoRN · Oct 19, 2011

Shiner50,

Thank you for your insightful comments. I really appreciate any feedback you can provide. My application is submitted with all the documentation. I did my essay on being an Army Jumpmaster and how it shaped my development both as a leader and my unwavering abillity to overcome obstacles to always accomplish my goals. I did not want to give a "canned" response on why I wanted to become a nurse but rather provide some insight on who I am as a person. My 8 years in the Army greatly shaped the person I am, so that's what I chose to write about. Now, it's just a waiting game. I have done all I can do, so it's in their hands now.

Thanks again for all your responses. I am certain you are swamped with your classes and it means alot to me that you have taken the time to respond to us 2012 hopefuls!! :)

Jene'