Texas fresh start program

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Hello! I am an older student returning back to the community college to complete the nursing prerequisites (BSN). When I started cc a long time ago I was not in a good place mentally and it affected my gpa. Fast forward 10 years my grades have improved (mostly A’s/B’s). The only local public college told me I have slim next to no chance of getting in due to my old grades- they look at everything and you have to have almost spotless record. I can’t afford private schools and after much investigation I’ve decided to relocate to Texas for fall 2020. Has anyone taken advantage of the fresh start program, or, knows someone who has or anyone who is reading this that got their BSN in Texas that can offer an advice? I’m just tired of my gpa from 20 years ago following me the rest of my days lol. Thanks! Here’s a link about the program: http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/index.cfm?objectid=6D10C9BD-DD24-153F-90B91DA6C20D1C97

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Specializes in Oncology.

Hello!

I'm about to start in an ADN program at my community college in Texas. I'm not very familiar with fresh start programs, but I wanted to let you know that there are other paths to a BSN that you might consider. My program's only admissions criteria were the prereq grades (A&P I and II; microbiology) and HESI score--they didn't pay any attention to GPA. Admission requirements are quite varied in Texan nursing programs.

My plan is to get my ADN and then do an RN-BSN bridge that will take two semesters, but I know a lot of people who are going to enroll in a BSN concurrency program that allows them to earn their bachelor's online from a university while they get their ADN in our program. So I would encourage you to look into ADN, bridge, and concurrency options instead of a classic BSN because you'll find some very accepting and affordable programs in Texas.

Good luck to you!

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Hi Shan! Thank you so much for the information. I'm sorry for the delayed response, I am in the middle of finals week and I'm sure you know how hectic that can be. I'd like to ask you more about your program and the dual enrollment you were mentioning, too. I Concurrent enrollment is not offered where I live (just another reason for wanting to get relocate to Texas!) It's nice/a relief to know there are other options out there. Best of luck with your studies!! ?

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Specializes in Oncology.

Sure!

I'm doing Tarrant County College's ADN program. I've heard awesome things about it and they partner with a few different universities and institutions for employment. It's very affordable and the admissions criteria, mentioned in my previous post, allow people to let go of a less-than-stellar academic past.

At my nursing orientation, several universities gave presentations about their options. Here are a couple that I have notes on:

  • University of Texas at Arlington (this is the one I'm leaning toward)
    • RN-BSN bridge that can be done all online or in person (once a week, two semesters)
  • University of Phoenix
    • concurrent and bridge options
    • tuition preservation (whatever the tuition costs upon enrollment is what you pay forever, regardless of increases in tuition)
  • Grand Canyon University
    • concurrent program is much cheaper than the bridge
    • 100% online
  • Midwestern State University
    • offer both bridge and concurrent, both 100% online
    • BSN pre-reqs don't have to be completed before start

Tuition for most of the concurrency programs seems to be around $8,000 to $11,000. Those universities have reps who can give very detailed info about what they offer. The great thing about the DFW area is that there are so many different options and opportunities, both for schooling and employment. I hope you consider Fort Worth when deciding where to move! Welcome to Texas!

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Wow, thank you for the information. I already bookmarked the school's page and plan to reach out to them soon. That's great that they have so many connections with other 4 year colleges and employers.

I'm assuming most hospitals in the Dallas/FTW area are magnet status? That's the only thing that concerns me about doing bridge path -- the options for employment. But there might be some leeway, the hospitals will hire you on the basis that you complete the BSN within a certain period of time. Something else to google investigate lol. Anyways, thanks so much for replying to my post! I feel more hopeful. ?

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Specializes in Oncology.

Yes, many hospitals around here are magnet. But I haven't heard of anyone having issues getting hired. And if you would rather not go the hospital route, DFW has a lot of nice areas where clinics and medical offices of all sorts of specialties are built close together. If you're interested in any specific field, it's somewhere around here. Good luck to you!

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Specializes in PICU.

What information are you looking for specifically? In order to take advantage of the program, you have to apply to it or select it on the application when you apply at the public college or university. Also, when you apply for TAFS, you have to be a resident, which means you have to have lived here for 12 months. So if you’re just now moving here, you won’t be eligible to apply until you’ve established. The program also wipes out any coursework that is 10+ years old regardless of grades. So if it goes toward the nursing degree, you’ll have to retake it. My advice would be to move, don’t worry about school for a year, and when you have met residency requirements apply to a community/four-year college under TAFS. The reason I would wait is because some schools, especially community colleges, have a rule that if you apply for regular admission and take classes, you can’t then reapply under TAFS until you haven’t taken classes there for a year. Hope this helped some!

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Thank you, your information is very helpful. The more I look into it, TAFS won’t benefit me in the long run. I’ve researched the Tarrant County Community College and am planning to attend their associates nursing program by next Spring. Fingers crossed!

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Hey Shan,

I’m not sure if you’re still following this thread...but in case you are I’d like to know how your experience with the program is going. Feel free to email me: [email protected]. Hope you’re having a nice holiday!

-Laura

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Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.

I got my ASN, BSN and MSN in Texas. I was in my late 30s when I started. I flunked out of college the first time around, fresh out of high school, after having a grand old time partying it up and spending time cruising with my friends and doing scintillating things like falling asleep during a final due to being hung over. My GPA when I returned was something like a 1.9.

I didn't do the "fresh start" program. Never heard of that to be honest. I just took all my pre-req's, retook all my math and science as required, made all As and my school only looked at grades pertinent to my ASN degree, which gave me a leg up in combination with a stellar pre-entrance test.

Many to most DFW hospitals are not hiring ASN nurses anymore or hire with contingency on getting your BSN. You will want to keep your ear to the ground.

Good luck!~

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Hi! Thanks so much for your story and wisdom, it’s very VERY relatable. The more I think about it, the more it doesn’t seem like the fresh start program is a good choice. It sounds like a great idea, applying for gpa bankruptcy but there is a caveat to it; everything is wiped out and I’ll most likely have to retake a handful of classes.

May I ask what colleges you attended? I ultimately want to get my BSN and I’m considering the RN bridge or the concurrent programs offered in some of the university’s in the DFW area. You’re right, a lot of hospitals are going magnet status and I don’t want to end up without a job that’s not a field of personal interest (no offense I just can’t handle working in SNF).

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