Texas Tech-Accelerated BSN Spring 2020

[kantwine]

I haven't seen a thread for those of us applying May 1st to the January 2020 cohort. I'm wondering how heavily they weigh the TEAS. Also, I have heard as long as you meet all criteria they typically give you an interview. Has anyone else heard this? I really like how they take a holistic approach to grant admissions. I'm wanting to apply to UTA but I feel like the main way you get extra points is by attending school there which I did not do! We'll see!

[olividav21]

5 hours ago, Jessica Corona said:

Hi, I am glad that you are doing better now and its great that they offered you a deferred spot. ? I've been wondering for a while now about how FAFSA works. If we are not starting the program until Spring 2020. Do we still have to fill out the application for 2019-2020? And are we suppose have that completed before we even get accepted into the program?

Thank you!

With FAFSA you would fill out the application for 2019-2020 since it's part of the same application cycle. And you can complete it any time (before or after) getting into the program! I personally waited until I received acceptance, which is September-ish just to save myself some anxiety lol. But I had plenty of time to get everything done within that timeframe. It's up to you! ?

[olividav21]

5 hours ago, Drmgrlxu04 said:

What was the schedule like? On site requirements and clinicals?

The schedule, when you look at it, is honestly pretty busy and a little overwhelming so it helps to just be super organized! The first month you'll be in what is called "bootcamp" where you'll learn basic skills. There's a test everyday and homework everyday as well for that. After you complete that then you'll be doing your clinical rotations, and that is where you get a little bit of control over what your schedule looks like. You'll get to decide what times/days work best for you.. you just have to meet the requires clinical hours. At the same time is when your other classes for the semester start so you'll definitely have to work on managing all of that.

For onsite requirements and clinical sites you have to have your shots updated and turn in a shot record, current BLS, and all of that fun stuff. When you do bootcamp, are in the SIM lab, and are at the clinical sites you have to wear your scrubs and badge at all times and the correct shoes and your hair has to be up. They have like a professionalism code and if you don't adhere to it they can take off points for the class!

[amr151030]

Thank you so much for your responses! Makes me feel a lot better to know that they are focused on finding well-rounded applicants as I am just above average academically speaking. Hopefully my experience in healthcare will give me an advantage! Getting in is the scariest part IMO! Once you're in, I feel like you can do anything for 12 months if you put your mind to it! ?

[SEG117]

Hi everyone! I am new to this allnurses portal and very excited to see a chat section for Texas Tech's Accelerated BSN 2020 has already been started. I am am planning to apply to the Accelerated Second Degree BSN program for Austin/San Antonio location for Spring of 2020. I am finishing the last two pre-reqs at ACC this May but will still need to complete Pathophysiology (if anyone can confirm the course number or where to take this course in the ATX area, that would be very helpful).

I am still trying to figure out how to message people on this thing but I noticed that olividav21 has previously been accepted and offered a spot for the 2020 cohort (Congrats!!!). I have a few questions regarding the application and what they are looking for in candidates:

-Can you share examples of what you put for the Activities and Distinctions portion of the application?

-Did you have any healthcare experience before applying?

-Are students required to have CNA before applying? (I currently have my BLS cert. but not CNA)

-If we have any certifications of any kind, where should we list them in the application? Or is that something that is discussed in the interview?

Thank you in advance for offering to provide your insight and advice! ?

[Drmgrlxu04]

You have to have a CNA course completed before school starts and they give preference to those who have taken the class and become certified.

[olividav21]

4 hours ago, SEG117 said:

Hi everyone! I am new to this allnurses portal and very excited to see a chat section for Texas Tech's Accelerated BSN 2020 has already been started. I am am planning to apply to the Accelerated Second Degree BSN program for Austin/San Antonio location for Spring of 2020. I am finishing the last two pre-reqs at ACC this May but will still need to complete Pathophysiology (if anyone can confirm the course number or where to take this course in the ATX area, that would be very helpful).

I am still trying to figure out how to message people on this thing but I noticed that olividav21 has previously been accepted and offered a spot for the 2020 cohort (Congrats!!!). I have a few questions regarding the application and what they are looking for in candidates:

-Can you share examples of what you put for the Activities and Distinctions portion of the application?

-Did you have any healthcare experience before applying?

-Are students required to have CNA before applying? (I currently have my BLS cert. but not CNA)

-If we have any certifications of any kind, where should we list them in the application? Or is that something that is discussed in the interview?

Thank you in advance for offering to provide your insight and advice! ?

-For the Activities & Distinctions portion I put all of the different healthcare/community volunteer experience I did, my shadowing experiences with nurses and other healthcare professionals, and the jobs that I did. Anything that shows you have experience in healthcare and that you’re an active member of your community helps a ton!

-I did have healthcare experience before applying! They like to see that you’re familiar in a hospital setting so they’ll give preference to those who have that, but it’s not totally required. There was a woman in my previous cohort who spent 13 years as a librarian so don’t sweat it if you don’t have a lot!

-You do have to complete a CNA course by the time you submit your application, since it’s a necessary supplemental item. However you don’t have to actually take the exam to be certified before applying. They do like to see that you are certified and that you worked with your CNA license, but I never actually got certified I only completed the class for it! Totally up to you (:

-I don’t remember if there is a section specifically that allows you to list your certifications.. if there isn’t then there is a section under Schooling I believe that says something along the lines of “is there anything else we should know?” and that is where I would put any extra things you may have! Any extra things you can list in that space to help you stand out really help.

Hope this was enough info(:

[SEG117]

Olivia, thank you so very much for your quick response and for sharing such detailed information. I really appreciate you taking the time answer all my of questions. It was incredibly helpful! Thanks again ?

[sophiemicaela, RN]

Hi everyone! I am a student in the Austin 2019 cohort and I was RELIGIOUSLY on the forum for the 2019 students. If you have any questions, concerns, or need a pep talk, please reach out. I love helping others and would love to connect with anyone applying to the Austin cohort for next year (and all of you in general!)

You are free to pick my brain any time! Feel free to respond here or you can email me directly at [email protected] !

[Drmgrlxu04]

Hi Sophie!

Congratulations on getting in! Hope that your first semester is going well. Can you tell me where you purchased the scrubs and the costs? Also, I have been looking for a book list so that I can start getting an idea of costs. Do you have a ballpark about costs for books and additional supplies?

[sophiemicaela, RN]

18 minutes ago, Drmgrlxu04 said:

Hi Sophie!

Congratulations on getting in! Hope that your first semester is going well. Can you tell me where you purchased the scrubs and the costs? Also, I have been looking for a book list so that I can start getting an idea of costs. Do you have a ballpark about costs for books and additional supplies?

Thank you so much! Semester one was crazy but it is 100% manageable. Yes, you do take 19 didactic hours, but never all at once. The most busy my schedule ever got was taking Pharmacology II, Essentials in Nursing, Foundations in Nursing, and clinical all together. But don't be scared, honestly the classes are all super manageable and Pharmacology is definitely the hardest course. You will survive ?

Let me link you with the book list: http://nursing.ttuhsc.edu/textbooks/

I purchased all the textbooks for this entire year from a student that graduated in the December 2018 cohort for $300. Some of my books are 1 edition old, but it honestly doesn't matter in the long run. One word of advise I do have: DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT purchase hardcover copies of the Fundamentals of Nursing (Potter & Perry) OR the Chronic Care MedSurg nursing books. We are required to purchase online access through Evolve.com for these courses due to mandatory online coursework (which is so frustrating because it has been 100% busywork), and the bare-minimum purchase options gives you access to the e-book...so even though I already have these hardcopy books, I still have to pay $200+ for ONLY online access and it gives me the e-book. I will probably be selling my med/surg book on Amazon to try to buffer the cost of the $300 online access for Summer.

Scrubs, shoes, supplies

I purchased 2 red scrub tops from Life Uniform here in North Austin. I also purchased a 3rd set from the scrub store at the RR Outlet mall. As long as it's close to "true red" you'll be fine. I'm particular about how my scrubs feel so I wanted to buy in-person. I bought the Purple Label brand and ADORE my set. I was leery of buying scrubs online due to color differences, but they're honestly not that picky. I kid you not, I'm wearing my black scrub bottoms as leisure pants after this program is over because they're so comfortable and I cannot bring myself to part ways with them. Highly recommend purchasing 3 sets so you can have a back up pair, AND bootcamp the first 2 weeks you are required to be in uniform every single day so it takes a load off the laundry.

Shoes: You absolutely don't have to get "ugly nurse shoes" for the program - they tell you they have to be leather, but that's not true at all. I saw so many people get away with basic black tennis shoes and nothing was said! I myself go between my black Danskos and black tennis shoes.

Other misc. supplies: I bought penlights from Amazon for super cheap, also you can buy stethoscopes from a variety of places! You can purchase a pocket clipboard with lab values for quick references which I recommend doing simply for the exposure and it helps when taking report at clinical when sometimes there isn't space for you to sit at a surface to write.

So far, semester 1 cost me the most money.

$300 for books, $100 for scrubs, $130 for shoes, $200 evolve online access, $100 parking for Dell Seton Medical Center...so I estimate I spent about $850 for everything.

Don't waste your money on:

1. You don't need to buy a red jacket for clinical, I get cold all the time and wear a black, gray, or white long sleeve undershirt and that's perfect

2. Don't buy any books for Essentials other than Professional Nursing Concepts (Finkelman, A., & Kenner, C.). I literally barely even cracked this book open and still made an A; also, you can do all the assignments without the other 2 books.

Books you can rent: Health Assessment, Essentials

Books to buy: For sure purchase Pharmacology since you'll need in for Fall semester Pharm III. Also purchase the Diagnostic book by Ackley & Ladwig because you'll use this for multiple semesters.

I think I hit everything...feel free to ask more ?

[Drmgrlxu04]

Thank you! I am printing this and starting a savings plan now :). Thank you again so much!

[amr151030]

Thank you so so much! Helps a lot to anticipate those added costs. Gives us a little time to save up ?